2k9 divisiOnal preview - AL Central
So far the predictions have pretty much been right down the middle. But Wayward O says the AL Central contains the big surprise for 2009....
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: The White Sox are a much-changed team since last year. The left side of the infield, Alexei Ramirez (moving over from 2nd) to replace Orlando Hudson and young Josh Fields replacing Joe Crede should be serviceable if not stellar. Brian Anderson rounds out the youth movement, talking over in CF. And of course between Jim Thome, Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye - baseball's most underrated player - the power should be there. Can Bartolo Colon return to the mound and have a healthy 2009?
CLEVELAND INDIANS: Cleveland has major rotation questions but they have the masterful Cliff Lee at the top. That's a good start. Will the real Fausto Carmona please stand up? Young Anthony Reyes may also prove to be a surprise for the Tribe. They had better not be relying upon Carl Pavano ... that's for dang sure. I see another struggle with mediocrity in 2009 as rotation uncertainty prevails and Travis Hafner comes back from surgery.
DETROIT TIGERS: What the heck has happened to Dontrelle Willis and Justin Verlander? The latter can be called a classic sophomore slump but the former remains a mystery. With Kenny Rogers, er, going, going ... gone, this team, which at this time last year looked massive, seems like it's got too many pitching questions to really have a big year. Of course last year Wayward O predicted a World Series berth and they ended up in the cellar so whatever...
KANSAS CITY ROYALE: Their middle infielders hit .300 last year. Their corner infielders hit for power. They have a solid starting five -- with SIDNEY PONSON waiting in the wings -- and a talented young closer. They upgraded in CF with Coco Crisp and in RF with Jose Guillen. This team has improved its win totals each of the last four years. Are the Royals ready for prime time? Bygod YES! They're going to steal the AL Central in a classic September battle.
MINNESOTA TWINS: The Minnesotans are bringing back their entire young starting five and their closer - really the whole team - a team that came within one run of the 2008 post-season. That's a recipe for a lot of wins. And they upgraded defensively at third base, snagging Joe Crede from the White Sox. But how is Joe Mauer's sacroiliac? Team won't thrive without its MVP, backstop and best hitter. Don't look for him in the lineup on opening day.
Predicted Order of Finish:
Royals #
Twins White Sox
Tigers Indians
# there, i said it, the Royals are going to the playoffs!
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: The White Sox are a much-changed team since last year. The left side of the infield, Alexei Ramirez (moving over from 2nd) to replace Orlando Hudson and young Josh Fields replacing Joe Crede should be serviceable if not stellar. Brian Anderson rounds out the youth movement, talking over in CF. And of course between Jim Thome, Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye - baseball's most underrated player - the power should be there. Can Bartolo Colon return to the mound and have a healthy 2009?
CLEVELAND INDIANS: Cleveland has major rotation questions but they have the masterful Cliff Lee at the top. That's a good start. Will the real Fausto Carmona please stand up? Young Anthony Reyes may also prove to be a surprise for the Tribe. They had better not be relying upon Carl Pavano ... that's for dang sure. I see another struggle with mediocrity in 2009 as rotation uncertainty prevails and Travis Hafner comes back from surgery.
DETROIT TIGERS: What the heck has happened to Dontrelle Willis and Justin Verlander? The latter can be called a classic sophomore slump but the former remains a mystery. With Kenny Rogers, er, going, going ... gone, this team, which at this time last year looked massive, seems like it's got too many pitching questions to really have a big year. Of course last year Wayward O predicted a World Series berth and they ended up in the cellar so whatever...
KANSAS CITY ROYALE: Their middle infielders hit .300 last year. Their corner infielders hit for power. They have a solid starting five -- with SIDNEY PONSON waiting in the wings -- and a talented young closer. They upgraded in CF with Coco Crisp and in RF with Jose Guillen. This team has improved its win totals each of the last four years. Are the Royals ready for prime time? Bygod YES! They're going to steal the AL Central in a classic September battle.
MINNESOTA TWINS: The Minnesotans are bringing back their entire young starting five and their closer - really the whole team - a team that came within one run of the 2008 post-season. That's a recipe for a lot of wins. And they upgraded defensively at third base, snagging Joe Crede from the White Sox. But how is Joe Mauer's sacroiliac? Team won't thrive without its MVP, backstop and best hitter. Don't look for him in the lineup on opening day.
Royals #
Twins
Tigers
# there, i said it, the Royals are going to the playoffs!
Labels: 2009 predictiOns
posted by the wayward o at
5:24 AM
3 Comments:
So yer sayin "Ev'rythings up to date in Kansas City?"
Lets go ROYALS!!!!!
-brO
Here's what I'm-a sayin':
NOBODY GOES TO THE PLAYOFFS IF SIDNEY PONSON IS PITCHING. Clear?
true -- but sid isn't technically on their starting five.
Post a Comment
<< Home