It's that time of year again when the grass is starting to turn green, birds are heading north for the summer and the sound of "PLAY BALL" can be heard all around the country. Today is the first day of major league baseball when everyone still has hopes for their favorite team to make it all the way to the world series with one exception if you are a Pittsburgh Pirate fan.
My favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, were a big disappointment last year after many picked them to make it to the world series. I am hoping this year is different with the revamped bullpen and better defense. Gone are Gary 'what can I bitch about today' Sheffield, Todd 'roller coaster' Jones and Edgar 'I can't hit my way out of a paper bag' Renteria. In their place will be Marcus 'all or nothing' Thames, Fernando 'which way is home plate' Rodney and Adam 'can I stay healthy all year' Everett.
The central division is wide open this year and I have seen predictions for 4 out of the 5 teams to win it with the only one not picked being the Royals. With that being said it is time for me to make some foolish predictions for this year.
American League Central
Cleavland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals
Chicago White Sox
The Tigers defense from a year ago is greatly improved with the acquisition of Adam Everett, Inge going back to third and Carlos Guillen in left field. If will also help that Granderson is with the team at the beginning of the year. I'm not too worried about the offense either with Ordonez, Guillen and Cabrera anchoring the middle of the lineup. The area I am worried about is the pitching, both starting and relief. The starters are anchored with Verlander, who I expect to bounce back this year and have a big year, followed by last years pleasant surprise Galarraga. After that it's anybodies guess but I have high hopes for Rick Porcella the 20 year old with a rocket for an arm. He has a good possibility of being the rookie of the year and don't be surprise if Verlander is a candidate for the Cy Young award at the end of the year with new pitching coach Rick Knapp at his side.
My other predictions are:
A.L. East - New York Yankees
A.L. West - California Angles
N.L. East - New York Mets
N.L. Central - Chicago Cubs
N.L. West - Los Anegeles Dodgers
In the world series will be New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs with the winner being after 101 years The Chicago Cubs, you see there is still hope for the Detroit Lions.
Update:
I just saw on ESPN that Rick Sutcliff picked the KC Royals to win the AL Central. That makes all teams picked to finish in first in the AL Central.
3 comments:
Lovin' the Dodgers pick. Clayton Kershaw should be fun to watch this year. Had the privilege of seeing him pitch in Midland for the Great Lakes Loons. He's something special. A lefty who brings a fastball in the mid-upper 90s, and a flat out nasty slider.
we go to the pirates games when a good band is playing after the game.
the stadium is nice though.
They have good food too.
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