I am going to make a bold prediction

[BCWWF]

The Detroit Tigers finish second in the American League Central.

I think that the Twins with their experience will pull out and win in the last month again, probably addressing the bullpen by the trading deadline, but until then it will be a gritty battle between the Twins, Tigers, and Royals, with the Tigers even leading the division for a time mid-season, before hitting the slump.

The top of their lineup is good now, their top five batters are as good as any in the league. The Yankee's have more skilled players, but I think the Tigers lineup have more distinguished roles (Leadoff, set up, rbi, cleanup, power), which makes them a real threat. And then the young pitching that got rocked last year, it was a pretty wide perspective that the guy who lost 20 last year had a lot of potential, and he looked real good against the Twins the other day. Getting the veteran/all-star catcher was the best thing they could have done for their pitching, and I think that will pay off until they hit the wall 3/4 of the way through the season.

The White Sox have solid batting, but the only guy that I will say is going to be really good is Magglio. You can't rely on Thomas, and Konerko was real deep into a hole last year so I don't expect him to be 100% all season, just large spans of time. Last year Esteban Loaiza was the only reason they were still in contention for the division title 3/4 of the way through the season, then the rest of the team stepped up. If they count on Loaiza to hold of the team through slumps again, I don't think he will be nearly affective as he was last year (even though he is on my fantasy team), then they lost Colon and Mark Buehlre wasn't very good last year, and Demaso Marte is their bullpen ace (I think), so I see them hanging with the pack but falling out near the all-star break.

The Royals added some players in the off season (Santiago, Gonzalez) but I don't think they have the same type of magic they showed last year. They lost Raul Ibanez and Mike Sweeney is getting older, Jose Lima was real good for them last year. No doubt they still have a lot of talent this year, but unlike last year they have quite a few old guys this year who will slow down, and I don't like their pitching enough to contend in the end.

The Indians traded their best player, so now their only real good player is CC Sabathia. They should finish last in the division.

The Twins will go through their fair share of problems this year, already with injuries, last off-season with payroll, and later in the season the pitching is obviously going to be an achillies heel. The defense will definately help the pitching a little bit, but what will keep the team contending is the depth in the offense. Beyond the starting nine, there are at least six guys who could play everyday, and they have good team chemistry. Like Boston last year, I think the Twins will trade away a few guys and get another middle reliever and/or setup man if needed, and then use their experience to pull away in the end. The funny thing is, they may only win 85 games this year and still take the division.

Yes, I know there are other baseball topics, but this topic is all based around my bold prediction, The Tigers Finish 2nd in AL Central.

Final Standings:
Team: Wins:
Twins 86
Tigers 79
Royals 78
White Sox 69
Indians 66

[loopydate]

It's not all that unbelievable.

Tram's got this team worked up to start the season, and the AL Central is probably the weakest in the league.

As long as they don't end up in last again, I'll be happy.

[MoRcHeEbA]

im gonna make a bold perdiction that the yankees and bo sox will be playing in the ALCS

[The Icon of Elisim]

How long is Young out for? I hear he broke his leg, anyone know how serious it is?

[Sensei Of Mattitude]

Originally Posted by The Icon of Elisim How long is Young out for? I hear he broke his leg, anyone know how serious it is?

4-6 Weeks

If they make it to the World Series (long shot), I have to make a vote that Pudge is one of the greatest players ever.

It wont happen thou.

[AlphaBean]

Originally Posted by Sensei Of Mattitude 4-6 Weeks If they make it to the World Series (long shot), I have to make a vote that Pudge is one of the greatest players ever. It wont happen thou.

I think it will.

I am from MN and all, and I want the Twins to win, but I mean come on; they traded their entire team away. And now the injuries, to go with the Joe Mays injury (when's he coming back, 2006?), I don't know that the Twins have the depth to compete anymore.

[BCWWF]

I forgot about him, I thought it was quite a while, at least over a month I think, maybe longer.

Morcheeba's bold prediction probably won't happen, because with the Angels-Mariners-Athletics situation in the AL West and every team in the AL East being solid, the Wildcard is not Boston's to lose.

[TheJShow]

The AL Central is a terrible division. Collectively they're alright, but there's so many other teams that are better finishing 2nd or 3rd in their divisions that could win the Central easily.

I hope the Tigers do well, but Kansas City is going to be tough, and the Twins are always up there too.

Has everyone forgotten about the WhiteSox and their pitching? I wouldn't count them out of the race.