MLB: Early Season AL Predictions

Ok, we’re about 5 weeks into the season. Now it’s time to figure out who’s for real in the American League and who’s gonna flop:

East:

Current Leader: Boston Red Sox (22-13)

Challengers:

• Tampa Bay Devil Rays (17-15)
• New York Yankees (17-17)
• Baltimore Orioles (16-17)

Prediction: Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are the best all-around team in the East. The defending champions aren’t going away anytime soon, especially with the way the entire lineup is hitting right now.

Central:

Current Leader: Minnesota Twins (16-15)

Challengers:

• Chicago White Sox (15-16)
• Cleveland Indians (15-17)
• Kansas City Royals (14-18)
• Detroit Tigers (14-20)

Prediction: Detroit Tigers

Don’t count them out. Last time they were slumping this badly, the Tigers turned it around and almost got back to .500. They’ll do it again; they’re too talented not to. Expect stiff competition from Cleveland, though.

West

Current Leader: Los Angeles Angels (22-13)

Challengers:

• Oakland Athletics (21-14)

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels

They just may be the best team in baseball. And that’s without John Lackey, and Vlad Guerrero’s barely hitting. Oakland is bound to fade quickly, and the Angels should win the West by a landslide.

Wild Card: New York Yankees

Yeah, I’m really going out on a whim here. Unless Cleveland puts up a fight, the Yankees won’t face much competition for the wild card.

~ by davesports on May 7, 2008.