Most of the teams seem to be pretty well set now so I feel comfortable writing this tonight. It’s possible that a few more player transactions will occur such as the Sox dealing Coco Crisp, but it’s safe to analyze the teams and predict their successes or failures now. Incidentally, I believe that the Sox should keep Crisp as he is a late game defensive replacement for Manny and he is also a switch hitting bat off the bench and a speedy pinch runner. The perfect # 4 outfielder in other words. If Crisp yaps his mouth about not starting I would tell him he needs an attitude adjustment, be a good teammate and chances are his time will come. Statistically it is quite conceivable that between injuries and everything else he could get in 100 games. Oh yes he get’s paid pretty well too… Oh ok, your sick of the Red Sox talk well then let’s see who here can knock them off. They are the defending champs. For tickets to all Major League Baseball games go to National Ticket Agency the best source for affordable seats to all the hot sold out games from sea to shining sea. Or if it’s not sold out and you just want to sit in sweet field box seats give NTA a call at 877-222-3940.
East Division
Since I am going in the order that they will finish,that makes the dynamic Bosox the first team to review. However since I am from Boston and read the sports sections of The Globe , The Herald, The Providence Journal, and The Brockton Enterprise I am way over informed and thoroughly saturated with Sox Stuff coming out of my ears and I would never lay it all on you at this time. Suffice to say that the pitching staff even without Schilling is extremely strong and deep. If Lester and Buckholz are for real and a guy like Hanson contributes they may even be the leagues overall best. Watch for ex brewer Dan Kolb to win a job and with Beckert and Dice K at the front of the order and Paplebon at the back end of games this team will win 100 games. As for the offense, Ellsbury should be an ideal leadoff man and then with a fired up Manny and and a healthy Ortiz and Drew having a normal year, even if Lowell and Varitek slip a bit they have the pop. Oh let’s not forget about rookie of the year Pedroia and the bald eagle eye on base machine Youkilis. For tickets to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox without spending an arm and a leg, ( well maybe just an arm) click on any Red Sox link.
What you say The Blue Jays coming in ahead of the Yankees? Absolutely and I realize that this might piss off some of you Yankee fans but oh well..the truth hurts. Look it will be close and probably come down to the last week or so but the Jays really improved themselves this year. Scott Rolen is healthy and happy and that means that the American League has a new best third baseman. Eckstein brings spark to the infield and team, Overbay can hit and Wells and Rios are studs. If AJ Burnett finally matures to match his stuff and Haliday and McGowen do their things and Ryan closes things out this club wins 90 games but alas won’t make the playoffs. You definitely want to secure good seats now though for all the big games at this Blue Jay ticket link.
Don’t underestimate the impact of losing Joe Torre. Don’t minimize the difficulty Joe Giradi will have. That being said this Yankees team is still deep and talented. They screwed up and should have gotten Santana, the Sox played them perfectly on that. This staff is a little more suspect than usual. It’s hard to imagine that Wang is the #1 but he has earned it, the guy is steady. Petite is simply a great lefty proving it year after year however he may be a little rattled from all the BS he’s endured this off-season and it ain’t over yet. You assume Mussina will give you 13 or 14 wins but he’s hittable now, and then Hughes and Chamberlin have to do it all year sort of like Lester and Buckholz and it may come down to that too. The offense is potent with the amazing Arod and his 45 dingers, Giambi I believe will hit, he always does, Cabrera, Cano, Damon and Abreu are just plain damn good and don’t forget about Posada and Jeter , like how can you..Ok maybe this team wins 90 also and ties for second..Yankees tickets are hard to get at reasonable prices as there are too many New Yorkers vying for them but if you click this Yankees link you’ll find your seats.
This is the team that everyone hates to play and when and if they spend a few more bucks and pick up the missing pieces they could contend. They dropped the Devil but kept the Rays in an attempt to change their image and luck. The talent that they have aquired over the years of dumping budding stars like the Marlins do, has made for a bountiful farm system and a dearth of young major league talent led by the old timer 28 year old All Star Carl Crawford who is a pleasure to watch. BJ Upton hit 300 and is in center and Roco Baldeli is healthy ( I think) making this one hellofa speedy outfield. Pena at first can rake and Langoria is supposed to be a can’t miss at third. Scott Kazmir can be, no is, a lights out lefty and then it starts to get funky..They will improve on last years 66 wins and beat you when you can’t afford it and it will hurt..And they are in a success mode now so they figure to hang onto these guys for a while and give it a shot. For tickets to the Rays games click here
Oh Lord what hath you done..this once proud franchise of yesterday decimated and dismantled. And Baltimore has always been a baseball town. This must hurt long time faithful Orioles fans. Where have you gone Cal Ripkin , our city turns it lonely eyes to you…. boo hoo hoo..They traded their two best players. I happen to agree with dumping the slumping Tejada and I do think he was a ” user” but anyways that’s for another day. Bedard was arguably better than Santana last year and they traded him, ouch. By the way The A. Jones in center field isn’t Andruw. Markakis , Scott and Mora are decent enough and Millar is a great dude but this team is physically as in ability challenged. The back end of the staff is young and the front ain’t got enough. They might lose 100 games which balances off against the Red Sox. Camden Yards is still the bomb though so if you are planning a road trip this summer include it on your east coast swing. Hey all you Yankee and Red Sox fans for Orioles tickets click here.
Check back for the AL Central preview over the weekend and by all means don’t be shy please leave a comment if you feel like it. All comments and opinions, in good taste of course are appreciated.
Oh do I want to see these Tigers in batting practice. Renteria, Polanco, Granderson, Guillan, Cabrera, Ordonez ,Jones, and Rodriguez , who did I leave out.. Sheffield - oh lord..If they get pitching and stay healthy they will play in the postseason. Verlander and Bonderman ,Wilis and Rogers not bad. Tickets for the Tigers in the up and coming city of Detriot are here. 
The Tribe need a couple more sticks. Sizemore, Hafner, Galko, and even Peralta can hit but who are the corner outfielders? Dellucci and Gutierrez? Sabathia and Carmona are good but the rest of the staff is another question. Victor Martinaez is a sluggger behind the plate and all and all they could fight with the Yankees for the wild card. Indians tickets are available here.
The White Sox also need another outfield stick and I am not sure that Swisher can play a good center field. They may be forced to deal for Coco Crisp. Cabrera is a spark plug at short but this all doesn’t add up to a contending team. I don’t have much to say about the pitching either..Tickets to the see the White Sox here.
The Twins unloaded the best left hander in baseball, Johan Santana. And they didn’t sign Tori Hunter one of the premier center fielders and genuine great guy in baseball. They are telling us they have no money to compete. These Twins, despite slugging catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau are rebuilding the way poorer franchises do..good luck. But baseball heads, and there are great fans in the twin cities, will come to see the better matchups and Twins tickets can be had here.
The Royals are a baseball team. They play in Kansas City. They used to be good 25 years ago. George Brett played for them. End of story.. Jose Guillen is the big hitter now. Tehan and rookie Gordon will be good eventually but if these guys don’t lose 100 games I will eat my shirt. Their new ace Gil Meche was 9-13 last year , tickets to see the Royals play are available here.
