AL Central Preview
By Kevin Rogers
The American League Central remains the most wide-open division in baseball, as the Twins are looking to become the first team to repeat as division champs since 2004. The White Sox and Tigers will be hot on Minnesota's tail, while Kansas City and Cleveland try to climb out of the division cellar.
Minnesota Twins
Review: It took the Twins 163 games to clinch the AL Central title last season after a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Tigers. Ron Gardenhire's club was ousted quickly in the ALDS by the Yankees in three games, but the Twins made plenty of strides with no true ace in the rotation. MVP Joe Mauer led the league in batting average at .365, while 1B Justin Morneau drove in over 100 runs for the fourth straight season. The Twins' lineup provided plenty of power with four players drilling at least 28 homers including Mauer, Morneau, Jason Kubel, and Michael Cuddyer.
Minnesota's rotation wasn't dominant, but several reliable arms carried the Twins throughout the season. Scott Baker racked up a career high in wins (15) and strikeouts (162), but allowed 28 home runs. The Twins ranked 11th in the American League in ERA at 4.50, while placing 12th in opponents' batting average (.272). Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey each picked up double-digit wins, but Francisco Liriano took a step back with a 5-13 mark.
Season Outlook: The Twins' run at the Metrodome is now over, as Minnesota moves into brand-new Target Field this season. Mauer enters the final year of his contract and will no doubt be one of the top offensive players again in the AL. The lineup won't really be a concern, especially with the signing of former Dodgers 2B Orlando Hudson. The closer situation will take a step back as Joe Nathan has a torn ligament in his right elbow. Nathan closed out 47 games for the Twins last season, as ex-Diamondback reliever Jon Rauch will likely take the closer's role.
Projected Rotation: Scott Baker (15-9, 4.37), Kevin Slowey (10-3, 4.86), Carl Pavano (14-12, 5.10), Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.03), Francisco Liriano (5-13, 5.80)
Projected Closer: Jon Rauch (5-1, 1.72, 0 saves)
Key Acquisitions: 2B Orlando Hudson (Dodgers), DH Jim Thome (Dodgers), SS J.J. Hardy (Brewers)
Key Losses: SS Orlando Cabrera (Reds), C Mike Redmond (Indians), OF Carlos Gomez (Brewers)
Trends to Watch: For as good as Minnesota was offensively for most of the season, the one area the Twins struggled in was against left-handed pitchers on the road. The Twins finished 8-20 in that spot, but owned a 20-12 mark against southpaw starters at home.
Future Odds: 12/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
Detroit Tigers
Review: The Tigers fell short of their first playoff berth since 2006 when Detroit lost a one-game playoff to the Twins. Detroit did bounce back from an ugly 2008 season in which Jim Leyland's squad finished in the cellar of the AL Central, but the lack of consistency in the lineup did the Tigers in. Miguel Cabrera paced the Tigers with 34 HR and 103 RBI, while Curtis Granderson drilled 30 homers despite hitting .249.
The pitching staff was led by Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander with a 19-9 mark to go along with 269 strikeouts. Rick Porcello turned into a pleasant surprise, compiling a 14-9 record, while Edwin Jackson contributed 13 wins. The Tigers dropped five of eight down the stretch to fall into a first-place tie with the Twins at the end of the regular season, forcing the one-game playoff.
Season Outlook: GM Dave Dombrowski was busy this offseason with a multitude of moves, including the trading of Granderson to the Yankees. The Tigers also parted ways with Jackson to Arizona, while Placido Polanco left via free agency to join the Phillies. Detroit will try to fill Granderson's void after the signing of Johnny Damon. The pitching staff was assisted with the acquisition of Max Scherzer in the Jackson deal with the Diamondbacks as well as the inking of former Astros closer Jose Valverde. The Tigers can start out of the gate fast thanks to nine games against the Royals (6) and Indians (3). Detroit also wraps up the season with 10 of its final 13 games against Kansas City, Cleveland, and Baltimore.
Projected Rotation: Justin Verlander (19-9, 3.45), Rick Porcello (14-9, 3.96), Jeremy Bonderman (0-1, 8.71), Max Scherzer (9-11, 4.12), Nate Robertson (2-3, 5.44)
Projected Closer: Jose Valverde (4-2, 2.33, 25 saves)
Key Acquisitions: P Jose Valverde (Astros), OF Johnny Damon (Yankees), P Max Scherzer (Diamondbacks)
Key Losses: CF Curtis Granderson (Yankees), 2B Placido Polanco (Phillies), P Edwin Jackson (Diamondbacks), 1B Aubrey Huff (Giants), P Brandon Lyon (Diamondbacks), P Fernando Rodney (Angels)
Trends to Watch: The Tigers dominated left-handed pitching at Comerica Park, winning 19 of 25 times. The 'under' was a profitable play on the road against southpaw starters, cashing in 17 of 24 games.
Future Odds: 20/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
Chicago White Sox
Review: The Sox' offense was patently offensive last season, ranking 12th in runs scored (724) and 13th in batting average (.258). Ozzie Guillen's team stayed in a lot of games thanks to a strong pitching staff, led by Mark Buehrle's 13 victories. Buehrle tossed a perfect game against Tampa Bay on July 23, the first in the American League since 1999. John Danks and Gavin Floyd combined for 24 victories and 22 losses, but the top three pitchers on the staff all owned an ERA of 4.06 of lower.
The lineup jacked out more homers than the Tigers, Twins, and Angels, but the Pale Hose led the league in 'unders' with 96. Only two everyday starters batted over .300 (Scott Podsednik and A.J. Pierzynski), but four players bashed out 20 homers or more (Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin, Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye).
Season Outlook: The Sox will try to improve on last season's 79-83 mark in a very winnable division. Two of the leading home run hitters are gone (Thome and Dye), while Chicago filled several holes with some nice acquisitions by picking up Mark Teahen from the Royals and Juan Pierre from the Dodgers. The pitching staff is still in tact, and with Jake Peavy starting his first full season on the South Side, it will give the Sox another reliable arm moving forward.
Projected Rotation: Mark Buehrle (13-10, 3.84), Jake Peavy (9-6, 3.45), Gavin Floyd (11-11, 4.06), John Danks (13-11, 3.77), Freddy Garcia (3-4, 4.34)
Projected Closer: Bobby Jenks (3-4, 3.71, 29 saves)
Key Acquisitions: 3B Mark Teahen (Royals), SS Omar Vizquel (Rangers), OF Juan Pierre (Dodgers), OF Andruw Jones (Rangers)
Key Losses: RF Jermaine Dye (FA), CF Scott Podsednik (Royals), P Octavio Dotel (Pirates), P D.J. Carrasco (Pirates), 3B Josh Fields (Royals)
Trends to Watch: The White Sox were a strong 'under' play last season, but that number was more prevalent against right-handed starters (67 'unders'). At U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago finished 'under' the total in 36 of 54 games when facing right-handers.
Future Odds: 12/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
Kansas City Royals
Review: The Royals have been mired in a slump since pulling off a winning record in 2003. Kansas City has managed to win 75 games or less in each of the last six seasons, while not winning more than 69 games five times in this span. The only positive for the franchise was the resurgence of pitcher Zack Greinke, who captured his first career Cy Young Award last season thanks to a league-best 2.16 ERA. Past Greinke's brilliance on the mound, the Royals didn't have much to hang their hats on, finishing near the bottom of most major offensive and defensive categories. The offense was led by 1B Billy Butler, who paced the offense with 51 doubles, 21 homers, and 93 RBI.
Season Outlook: It would be crazy to think that things would get any better on Missouri's west side, but the team did lose two of its best three power hitters in Miguel Olivo (23 HR) and Mike Jacobs (19 HR). Granted, Jacobs struck out a team-high 132 times, but the Royals will need to boost their power to compete in this division. The Royals made a nice signing by stealing Rick Ankiel from the Cardinals, while getting some solid veteran pickups in Scott Podsednik and Jason Kendall. Greinke should be strong once again atop the rotation, but Gil Meche and Luke Hochevar need to stay healthy and provide more quality starts to make the starters more formidable.
Projected Rotation: Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.16), Gil Meche (6-10, 5.09), Luke Hochevar (7-13, 6.55), Kyle Davies (8-9, 5.27), Brian Bannister (7-12, 4.73)
Projected Closer: Joakim Soria (3-2, 2.21, 30 saves)
Key Acquistions: OF Rick Ankiel (Cardinals), CF Scott Podsednik (White Sox), C Jason Kendall (Brewers), 3B Josh Fields (White Sox)
Key Losses: C John Buck (Blue Jays), OF Coco Crisp (Athletics), C Miguel Olivo (Rockies), 1B Mike Jacobs (Mets)
Trends to Watch: Kansas City was a solid 'over' play at home against right-handed starters, going 29-18-1 to the 'over.' The Royals struggled on the road when facing a left-handed starter after a right-hander, finishing 6-15.
Future Odds: 50/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
Cleveland Indians
Review: The Tribe was done in by a horrible pitching staff, while landing in the AL Central cellar alongside the Royals with just 65 victories. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee was dealt before the trading deadline, as the next best pitcher for the Indians was lefty David Huff (11-8). Manager Eric Wedge was let go after Cleveland dropped 21 of its final 26 games to end a disastrous season. CF Grady Sizemore went through an injury-filled season, as the lone bright spots were SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.308, 42 doubles) and RF Shin-Soo Choo (.300, 20 HR, 86 RBI).
Season Outlook: Former Nationals skipper Manny Acta has taken over the reins of the Tribe, trying to make this club back into a contender. It doesn't help when the team dealt its two aces over the last two seasons (Lee and CC Sabathia), while Travis Hafner has played in only 151 games combined since the start of 2008. The acquisition of Russell Branyan from Seattle will give the Indians more pop in the middle of the lineup. However, this team has a long way to go to get back to where it was in 2007 when the Tribe finished one game away from the World Series.
Projected Rotation: Jake Westbrook (6-9, 4.32 in '08), Fausto Carmona (5-12, 6.32), Justin Masterson (4-10, 4.52), David Huff (11-8, 5.61), Aaron Laffey (7-9, 4.44)
Projected Closer: Kerry Wood (3-3, 4.25, 20 saves)
Key Acquisitions: 1B Russell Branyan (Mariners), C Mike Redmond (Twins), SS Mark Grudzielanek (Royals), OF Austin Kearns (Nationals)
Key Losses: IF Jamey Carroll (Dodgers), C Kelly Shoppach (Rays)
Trends to Watch: It's not easy to find many winning trends with the Indians, as Cleveland finished 19-39 on the road against right-handed starters. The Tribe was a perfect 9-0 to the 'under' at home when facing a righty after a lefty starter, while going 9-2-1 to the 'over' on the road when facing lefties in consecutive games.
Future Odds: 30/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
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