AL Preview

With the season starting tommorow night I thought I should get my picks for the AL before it was too late. I am not as confident on the AL as the NL so no quarantees. The more I think about these picks though the more I really appreciate the system the MLB has. Sports Illustrated has the Tigers winning it all, ESPN doesn't even have them making the playoffs. That doesn't happen in the NBA or NFL where a team in competition for a championship also has to fight their butts off just to make the playoffs. Going off topic for a little bit, the NBA playoff system is rediculous. Half the teams make the playoffs, including a few in the Eastern Conference with losing records. Ah, there is nothing like celebrating mediocrity. I hear all sorts of people raving about the race in the Western Conference. Just think if only four of those teams got into the playoffs. Wow, now that would be intense. Only one team will be left out in the NBA, many many more are left out in the MLB. I will write about my innovative plan to change the NBA playoffs later.

AL East
Boston
New York
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Baltimore

Summary: I really struggled whether to pick the Yankees or the Red Sox. I chose the Red Sox because the Yankees have finally begun to use their farm system a little bit. This will pay huge dividends for them in the next few years and maybe this year but I think it will result in a division crown for the Red Sox this year. Team to look for is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They have some quality young players and could make a run at .500 this year and play a huge role in who wins the AL East. They could make a run at third in the division over the Blue Jays.

AL Central
Detroit
Cleveland
Minnesota
Chicago
Kansas City

Summary:
This division in my opinion has the best two teams in the AL in Detroit and Cleveland. Detroit has one HELL of a lineup wiht Pudge hitting ninth. Their pitching is quality but not amazing. I think Detroit is built to have a great regular season but not necessarily built for the playoffs. I think Detroit will win with Cleveland right on their heels. The rest of the division is just average at best.

AL West
Seattle
Anaheim
Oakland
Texas

Summary:
My pick for this division has changed in the past few days with the injury to Escobar. Without him, the Angels aren't nearly as strong. Seattle thus becomes my favorite to win the division. Oakland will surprise a lot of people. No one knows any of their players now but they will, Billy Beane can pick out talent like nobody's business.

Division Series:
Seattle vs Detroit
Red Sox vs Cleveland

Championship:
Detroit vs. Cleveland

World Series:
Cleveland over Arizona in six games

Cleveland avenges their choke job against Boston last year. Detroit gets past a week Seattle. Cleveland behind C.C. and Fuasto get to and win the World Series.

Cy Young:
Fuasto Carmona
Dark Horse:
Erik Bedard
Best Pitcher on a bad team:
Rich Harden

AL MVP:
Miguel Cabrera
Dark Horse:
Grady Sizemore
Best Player on a bad team:
Carlos Pena TB

Im too lazy to explain these. I have to watch some basketball and admire my bracket some more.