As the series of AL Prediction posts continue, here is our take on the AL Central. Rick, Derek, and I made our predictions and once again, like the AL West, our opinions differ about the outcome. We each picked a different player for the divisional MVP slot, so be sure to check out our explanations. As always, we would love to hear your feedback. Comment and leave your predictions for the AL Central this season and let us know who you think will be the MVP in the division in 2011. Enjoy!
Predicted Standings:
Derek:
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Cleveland Indians
5. Kansas City Royals
Rick:
1. Chicago White Sox
2. Detroit Tigers (AL Wild Card)
3. Minnesota Twins
4. Cleveland Indians
5. Kansas City Royals
Brian:
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Cleveland Indians
5. Kansas City Royals
Divisional MVP:
Derek:
Rick:
Brian:
Explantations:
Derek:
Joe Mauer is one of the purest hitters in the game right now and because of hit he leads his Twins to another division crown. If Justin Morneau can fully recover from his concussion issues he’ll bring another bat to the lineup. Ron Gardenhire has the Twins ballclub believing in his systems and it’s proven to be quite successful. Some nice off season additions by both the White Sox and Tigers have helped their clubs, but in the end it’ll be another Twin Cities victory in the Central.
Rick:
Watch for the return of dominance in the AL central by the Chicago White Sox. They have the strongest pitching staff in the division. The pick-up of Adam Dunn this off season also adds more power. I think the combination of Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn will provide 70-80 home runs. If the White Sox can get the monkey off their back in head to head games with the Twins, then this team will win this division. Justin Verlander will lead his Detroit Tigers this year to the Wild Card crown. The addition of Victor Martinez to protect Miguel Cabrera in the batting order. Watch for Cabrera to have even a better year this year than last. They will be neck and neck with the White Sox all year in the race for the Division crown. I do think they will just fall short, it may even come down to another one game playoff, which seems to be the norm this years in the Al Central. I think the Tigers win the wild card this year over the Yankees. They play 36 games against the lowly Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals , while the Yankees have to face a very much improved AL East. I think the Minnesota Twins have too many question marks to repeat this year. The health of Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer and Joe Nathan will determine if they can stay in the race. They lost too many pieces this off season and it is going to show in the standings. The only impact the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals are going to have this year is improving the White Sox, Tigers and Twins wins this year, All three teams will have the luxury to face these teams a total of 36 times this years. I think the Indians will be sellers come the trade deadline and will help some of the contending teams as they crawl to the end of the season.
Brian:
More so than the AL West predictions, the three of us differ in the AL Central. Similarly to the AL West however, we have all agreed upon the 2 basement teams in the division, the 4th place Cleveland Indians and the 5th place Kansas City Royals. I had a tough time deciding which was worse and honestly, think it is mostly a wash. At the top of the division, I agree with Derek and have the Minnesota Twins and Ron Gardenhire winning the division once again. If Mauer stays healthy and Morneau can play almost every day after his concussion last season, they are just too strong. With Nathan back after missing all of last season, he will be able to finish out a lot of close games and help the team tally victories. If Morneau is in fact healthy, I look for him to have a dominant and powerful season, earning him the divisional MVP award. I agree with Rick on the Detroit Tigers finishing 2nd in the division, but don’t think they will be the AL Wild Card. They don’t have the starting pitching depth and their bullpen is too weak to hold close games and small leads. Victor Martinez adds another strong bat, but if you believe pitching wins championships, then they are in trouble. The Chicago White Sox just don’t impress me. as wellThey have a solid line-up, but their pitching staff doesn’t have the depth they need to compete in my opinion. They may keep it close and make it a 3-horse race, but ultimately, will fall off by August.
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