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April 2007
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (2006 Finish: 90-72)
Chicago's fall from World Series champion to also-ran can be traced to a pitching staff that yielded exactly one more run per game (3.61 to 4.61) than in 2005. A starting rotation of Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, Mark Buehrle and Javier Vasquez is rock solid...they just have to prove it. Bobby Jenks is a top closer. The lineup, featuring Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, Scott Podsednik and A.J. Pierzynski will produce runs. If things fall into place, the White Sox should win the division. Who's New: C Toby Hall, P Gavin Floyd. Who's Through: P Freddy Garcia, P Brandon McCarthy, P Dustin Hermanson, C Sandy Alomar.
By the Numbers:
Home: 49-32, Away: 41-40
Day: 35-23, Night: 55-49
Vs. Left: 31-34, Vs. Right: 59-38
One-Run Games: 24-21
Bets and Pieces: Over the past three seasons, the White Sox are 106-65 (.619) in day games.
DETROIT TIGERS (2006 Finish: 95-67)
The Tigers may have remedied their one true weakness, a feared bat in the middle of the order, when they secured aging but still potent Gary Sheffield. Sheffield should fit nicely in an order that gets its punch from Magglio Ordonez, Placido Polanco, Carlos Guillen, Pudge Rodriquez and Sean Casey. Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robinson and Mike Maroth form an excellent starting rotation and Todd Jones gets the job done at closer. Detroit definitely is a contender. Who's New: Sheffield, P Jose Mesa. Who's Through: P Jamie Walker.
By the Numbers:
Home: 46-35, Away: 49-32
Day: 28-30, Night: 67-37
Vs. Left: 33-20, Vs. Right: 62-47
One-Run Games: 24-20
Bets and Pieces: The Tigers are 90-137 (.396) in day games over the past four seasons.
MINNESOTA TWINS (2006 Finish: 96-66)
Johan Santana may be the best pitcher in baseball but there are questions with the remainder of the rotation in Matt Garza, Boof Bonser, Carlos Silva and Glen Perkins. Joe Nathan is a fine closer if the Twins, who led the American League in hitting, can give him the ball with a lead. That will be the job of MVP Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer and outfielders Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter and Rondell White. The Twins will battle the White Sox and Tigers for AL Central laurels. Who's New: P Ramon Ortiz, P Sidney Ponson, OF Jeff Cirillo. Who's Through: P Brad Radke, P Willie Eyre.
By the Numbers:
Home: 54-27, Away: 42-39
Day: 27-20, Night: 69-46
Vs. Left: 34-26, Vs. Right: 62-40
One-Run Games: 20-11
Bets and Pieces: Minnesota's record in one-run games over the past three seasons is 40-22 (.645), the second best in the American League.
CLEVELAND INDIANS (2006 Finish: 78-84)
The Indians have an attack and starting rotation that shouts "playoffs" but the team's infield defense and bullpen scream "also-ran." A rotation of C.C. Sabathia, Jeremy Sowers, Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee and Paul Byrd should keep the pressure off a bullpen that saved the fewest games in the Major Leagues last season. Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Casey Blake are the main offensive threats. The Tribe has a tough assignment hunting down the White Sox, Tigers and Twins. Who's New: 2B Josh Barfield, OF Dave Dellucci, P Joe Borowski, P Roberto Hernandez, OF Trot Nixon. Who's Through: P Jeremy Guthrie, P Andrew Brown, 3B Aaron Boone.
By the Numbers:
Home: 44-37, Away: 34-47
Day: 24-22, Night: 54-62
Vs. Left: 25-32, Vs. Right: 53-52
One-Run Games: 18-26
Bets and Pieces: The Indians are 19-33 against left-handed pitching at home the past two seasons.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (2006 Finish: 62-100)
The Royals, who lost 100 games for the fourth time in five years last season, did something unexpected in the off-season, spending some money on free agent acquisitions, particularly P Gil Meche, who got $55 million of it. Meche joins Odalis Perez and Luke Hudson at the top of the rotation. Octavio Dotel, another acquisition, will be the new closer. Kansas City had the lowest slugging percentage in the AL and hit just 124 homers, fewest in the Majors. Mark Grudzielanek, Mike Sweeney and Emil Brown are the main offensive threats. Tough to see how KC climbs out of the AL Central cellar. Who's New: Meche, Dotel, P Brian Bannister, C Jason LaRue. Who's Through: 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, P Ambiorix Burgos, P Andrew Cisco, P Runelvys Hernandez.
By the Numbers:
Home: 34-47, Away: 28-53
Day: 11-35, Night: 51-65
Vs. Left: 13-36, Vs. Right: 49-64
One-Run Games: 14-24
Bets and Pieces: As bad as the Royals are, they're even worse in sunlight with a 50-111 record (.310) in day games the last three seasons.
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