Jenson71
03-28-2009, 11:39 PM
We've done the AL East (http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=204764), which featured three of the top teams in the AL, so now we move to the Central.
The big characteristic about the Central is how even handed it is. Last year the two top teams couldn't even decide who would take the division until a playoff game sent the Chicago White Sox to postseason.
They beat out the Twins, who had a great season considering all that had happened to them, like losing Hunter and Santana. The Twins are my favorites to win the division this year, and it's pretty clear for me. Their pitching and outfield is young, their catcher (Mauer) is the best hitter at his position in the league, and their first basemen (Morneau) is as well. One of their pitchers is Francisco Liriano, who was injured in 2007 and didn't play a whole lot in the majors last year, but he'll be dominating this year. Fantasy owners, take note.
Next for me is the Indians. But it's not a clear choice here. They have Cliff Lee, and Carmona sholuld be pretty good. But then who? Injury prone Pavano doesn't really scare me. And I don't know the other guys. Their big acquisition was Kerry Wood, who might be a pretty solid closer. Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner are getting older, but they still provide the goods, along with former Cubbie DeRosa, SS Peralta, and Grady Sizemore.
Next up . . . the Royals. We have some questions with the bottom rotation, no doubt. But Meche, Grienke, and Davis are going to be solid. We added Crisp and Jacobs to our young and rising team. If Teahen keeps the hot bat, and Gordon breaks out, there is good reason to think 3rd and .500+ is not out of the question.
Who's next? The Tigers. But Jenson, this means you have last year's division winners in last place!? I know, I know. I'm not really sold on last years Tigers being the true Tigers. Last year, I predicted them to be World Series champs. Well, I'm still holding on (okay, I realize I have them at fourth). It's just that the Chicago White Sox practically switched around everyone and they're getting old. It's also because the Tigers just have too much offensive talent, that maybe pitching will come through enough to save them from bottom. Plus I hate the White Sox more than any other team. But I also cherish when a team goes anti-Moneyball, opens the vault and ends up last. I'll be happy if both these teams are fighting each other to stay out of last, and mostly because it means the Royals aren't.
So...
1. Twins
2. Indians
3. Royals
4. Tigers
5. White Sox
Poll forthcoming
The big characteristic about the Central is how even handed it is. Last year the two top teams couldn't even decide who would take the division until a playoff game sent the Chicago White Sox to postseason.
They beat out the Twins, who had a great season considering all that had happened to them, like losing Hunter and Santana. The Twins are my favorites to win the division this year, and it's pretty clear for me. Their pitching and outfield is young, their catcher (Mauer) is the best hitter at his position in the league, and their first basemen (Morneau) is as well. One of their pitchers is Francisco Liriano, who was injured in 2007 and didn't play a whole lot in the majors last year, but he'll be dominating this year. Fantasy owners, take note.
Next for me is the Indians. But it's not a clear choice here. They have Cliff Lee, and Carmona sholuld be pretty good. But then who? Injury prone Pavano doesn't really scare me. And I don't know the other guys. Their big acquisition was Kerry Wood, who might be a pretty solid closer. Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner are getting older, but they still provide the goods, along with former Cubbie DeRosa, SS Peralta, and Grady Sizemore.
Next up . . . the Royals. We have some questions with the bottom rotation, no doubt. But Meche, Grienke, and Davis are going to be solid. We added Crisp and Jacobs to our young and rising team. If Teahen keeps the hot bat, and Gordon breaks out, there is good reason to think 3rd and .500+ is not out of the question.
Who's next? The Tigers. But Jenson, this means you have last year's division winners in last place!? I know, I know. I'm not really sold on last years Tigers being the true Tigers. Last year, I predicted them to be World Series champs. Well, I'm still holding on (okay, I realize I have them at fourth). It's just that the Chicago White Sox practically switched around everyone and they're getting old. It's also because the Tigers just have too much offensive talent, that maybe pitching will come through enough to save them from bottom. Plus I hate the White Sox more than any other team. But I also cherish when a team goes anti-Moneyball, opens the vault and ends up last. I'll be happy if both these teams are fighting each other to stay out of last, and mostly because it means the Royals aren't.
So...
1. Twins
2. Indians
3. Royals
4. Tigers
5. White Sox
Poll forthcoming