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April 10, 2007
NEW YORK YANKEES (2006 Finish: 97-65)
The Yankees scored the most runs in baseball last year and a lineup that features Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, Hidecki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano figures to be every bit as potent this season. Chien-Ming Wang, who tied for the MLB lead with 19 wins, is a stud but New York needs aging warhorses Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina to remain healthy and for Kei Igawa and Carl Pavano to solidify the back of the starting rotation. Though 37, Mariano Rivera remains one of the game's best closers. Who's New: Pettitte, Igawa, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz. Who's Through: P Randy Johnson, OF Gary Sheffield.
By the Numbers:
Home: 50-31, Away: 47-34
Day: 35-23, Night: 62-42
Vs. Left: 31-17, Vs. Right: 66-48
One-Run Games: 24-22
Bets and Pieces: Despite a lineup loaded with lefties (Giambi, Damon, Cano, Matsui), Yanks feasted on left-handed pitching.
BOSTON RED SOX (2006 Finish: 86-76)
Finishing third, a game behind the Blue Jays, sent the Red Sox on a $160 million spending spree. Most of the cash went to Japanese phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka, who will join Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett and converted closer Jonathan Papelbon in a rotation that could be dominating. The problem is the lack of a closer. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are the best 3-4 combination in any lineup and the addition of J.D. Drew, who will bat fifth, brings even more power. Julio Lugo, who bats leadoff, is an improvement at shortstop. Who's New: Matsuzaka, Drew, Lugo. Who's Through: OF Trot Nixon, 2B Mark Loretta, SS Alex Gonzalez.
By the Numbers:
Home: 48-33, Away: 38-43
Day: 25-21, Night: 61-55
Vs. Left: 25-31, Vs. Right: 61-45
One-Run Games: 29-20
Bets and Pieces: Red Sox had their troubles on the road and against left-handed pitching in 2006.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (2006 Finish: 87-75)
The Blue Jays have added some pop to their lineup with DH Frank Thomas (39 HR, 114 RBI) but the loss of Ted Lilly leaves Toronto scrambling to fill in the spots in the starting rotation behind acknowledged ace Roy Halladay. Lyle Overbay, Troy Glaus and Vernon Wells join Thomas in the middle of the lineup, making it almost certain that the Blue Jays will drive in a lot of runs but unless the pitching staff comes together, it's likely Toronto will be left out of the playoffs, come October. Who's New: Thomas, SS Royce Clayton, P John Thomson. Who's Through: Lilly, C Bengie Molina, OF Frank Catalanotto, P Justin Speier.
By the Numbers:
Home: 50-31, Away: 37-44
Day: 30-26, Night: 57-49
Vs. Left: 28-19, Vs. Right: 59-56
One-Run Games: 20-10
Bets and Pieces: Over the past three seasons, the Blue Jays have the best record in Major League Baseball in one-run games.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (2006 Finish: 70-92)
There is hope that Jaret Wright will blossom after being reunited with pitching coach Leo Mazzone but it's difficult to see the Orioles climbing out of fourth place in the high-rent district that is the AL East. Miguel Tejada, Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff and Ramon Hernandez should be the chief run producers but the rotation behind Erik Bedard is thin and the bullpen was awful last year. Who's New: Huff, OF Jay Payton, Wright, P Danys Baez. Who's Through: P Rodrigo Lopez, P LaTroy Hawkins, P Bruce Chen.
By the Numbers:
Home: 40-41, Away: 30-51
Day: 23-33, Night: 47-59
Vs. Left: 16-33, Vs. Right: 54-59
One-Run Games: 22-20
Bets and Pieces: The Orioles had difficulty mastering southpaw pitching last year.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (2006 Finish: 61-101)
Lack of starting beyond ace Scott Kazmir, a weak middle infield and a bullpen so inept that while the Devil Rays led in 121 games last year, they lost an AL-record 60 of them, should mire Tampa Bay in last place again. Clearly the strength of the team is in the outfield where Delmon Young, Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford form a fine trio. The Rays could be good at the corners with Japan's 3B Akinori Iwamuyra joining 1B Ty Wiggington. Who's New: Iwamura, IF Brendan Harris. Who's Through: OF Damon Hollins, P Travis Harper, P Brian Meadows.
By the Numbers:
Home: 41-40, Away: 20-61
Day: 18-27, Night: 43-74
Vs. Left: 17-29, Vs. Right: 44-72
One-Run Games: 17-22
Bets and Pieces: For a team with the worst record in the American League, the Devil Rays still managed a winning mark at home, meaning they certainly were a good baseball betting option.
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