AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEW: YANKEES: RED SOX: WHITE SOX:

Central

Its only fitting that your American League Preview begin again , here in the Central division.

Detroit Tigers ~ If you read last year's preview, I warned of a Chicago rotation that would have tired arms. I also stated that if the White pitchng would falter, that the Detroit Tigers would be the team to beat.
Guess I was right.
Many publications this year are projecting the Detroit pitchers to come up tired.
Don't bet on it!
Tiger pitching will be even better in 2007.
This rotation will get a added boast with lefthander Mike Maroths return after going thru shoulder surgery last season.
I saw Mike Maroth throw a one hit shutout vs the Yankees two years ago at Comerica Park,
the lefty can pitch.
There are many things I can say about Sheffield,
but he brings a serious bat to the table.
Sheffield is exactly what the Tiger lineup needs. Detroit will win this division rather easily, and be a tough out in the post season.
Chicago White Sox~ Mark Buehrle is in a walk year of his contract, so performance will dictate how much money he will be worth next year. Bank on Buehrle to have a very good year. Funny how it works like that.
There is enough pitching here to rank Chicago ahead of the rest in this division, but the White Sox are not among the elite.
Cleveland Indians~Have you heard how Cleveland has revamped their bullpen as they chase a division title in 2007?
Don't believe it.
This new bullpen will not be abe to close a umbrella on a Cleveland rainy day.
There is very little pitching here.
MinnesotaTwins ~ Santana and Nathan, one of baseball's best closer's.
Thats the only pitching the Twins have. Not enough to compete. This team may be a trendy pick for some publications, but not here.
Kansas City Royals ~"If you want me to say something good about this organization, you are going to have to pay me."
That's what I said last year.
This year is a new season, and delitefully ownership has taken a few steps in the right direction. Gil Meche comes over from Seattle to help stabilize the Royal rotation. Duckworth comes in as the #5 starter, Dotel is the new closer in a bullpen that was the joke of baseball in 2006.
You can see that management is tryng to improve this team. I believe they have. Improved enough to gain respectability, but not enough to climb out of the cellar in a very tough division.

East

New York Yankees ~Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, anchor a rotation that will take a back seat to nobody.
The Yankees win this division, and put themselves in the drivers seat to capture their 27th World Championship with due to the improvement that has been made with bullpen with their bullpen.
The only realistic question mark is Alex Rodriguez. If A-rod fails again to hit in the clutch, it becomes a distraction.
Boston Red Sox ~ The rotation should be extremely solid. Curt Schilling, Dice K, and Josh Beckett will shine. Bullpen problems will haunt this team in 2007.
Toronto Blue Jays~The lineup is strong. This team can score runs. If Toronto is to compete for the division, keeping a good startig rotation healthy, will determine the fate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Baltimore Orioles ~ Not enough pitching, especially in the bullpen. Cabrea and Loewan should show their potential this season, and this makes the future for birds very bright.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays ~ You can talk about spending money to improve your club from now until the cows come home. Talk is cheap, and in Tampa , very cheap.

West
Texas Rangers ~Nothing "wild" about this west. Their isn't a serious contender to be found, not even in L.A.
Texas will surprise everyone with a decent year from the pitching rubber. A "juiced up" Sammy Sosa could win "come back of the year" honors. In a race that should go right down to he last couple of days of the season, look for Texas to survive.
LA Angels ~I look at this team's roster, and I do not believe this team is destine to be a big winner. They will contend for the division, sure.
Oakland A's ~Still have a lineup that will scare nobody. Still, as far as I am concerned , have a overated pitching corp, and a roster that will still go nowhere.
Seattle Mariners ~This is aleast the most interesting team in the bunch. I say this because when I look at their pitching staft on papper, I feel they can contend. The problem in my mind, and I mentioned this in last year's preview, communication between a Japanese catcher who can not speak english, with the Mariner pitchers, can't be too swift!
Perhaps its less of a problem than I realize.
If so, the Mariners should compete in this division.