AL Central Preview

So it's been a few days - I got sidetracked by opening day and the NHL playoffs (the second best in pro sports, only to the run to the World Series, and not by much).  The AL Central is by far the easiest division to call - it's the Tigers and everyone else.  Only one team to the post season here this season.

JQ's Preseason Picks (or maybe early season picks)
1. Detroit Tigers
2. Kansas City Royals
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Chicago White Sox

1. Detroit Tigers
What's not to like about Detroit's club?  Two of the best hitters in the game in Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrerra, a gamer in Austin Jackson, and decent bats at every spot on the field.  You've got the #1 arm in the game right now in Justin Verlander, and some other good pieces to back him up.  The bullpen is probably the weakest part of the the team, but with a lineup like this, there shouldn't be too many close leads to protect.  If there's a 100 win team out there this year, I'd say Detroit is the safest bet.

2. Kansas City Royals

KC hosts the All-Star Game in 2012

Yessireee.  This could finally be the year that KC breaks the .500 mark and gets over 80 wins.  Although most of the quality arms are still in the minors, the Royals may have just enough starting pitching to get them over the hump - and make no mistake, that's where the team's biggest weakness lies.  Jonathan Sanchez was a great off-season pickup, and maybe Luke Hochevar can finally deliver this season.  Mix in Bruce Chen, Danny Duffy, and Luis Mendoza (plus a call-up or two), and maybe this team can break into the positive numbers this year.  Even without Joakim Soria, the 'pen should be stout, and they have some bats all over the place - Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Billy Butler...hell, even Jeff Francour can hit (if he can make contact).  I can't stand Yuniesky Bentancourt - why this team picked him up is beyond me.  I'd rather put the mascot out at second base personally...but hey, it is still the Royals.

3. Cleveland Indians
Cleveland's season all come down to injuries and visa issues.  Can Sizemore stay healthy?  Doesn't look like it.  Can the player formerly known as Fausto Carmona make it across the border?  Doesn't look like it.  Can Johnny Damon show some pop and hit 20 HR for the Tribe?  Don't count on it.  Can Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrerra carry the team offensively?  Maybe.  Can Ubaldo Jimenez stay un-suspended for an entire season?  No way in hell.  The only reason Cleveland isn't sitting at the bottom of this division is because someone has to finish third.

4. Minnesota Twins
See above, minus the visa issues.  Mauer and Morneau will each have to have monster years for this club to break .500.  Even then, the Twins have a much bigger issue: NO PITCHING.  Tough to win when you headline your rotation with Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano.  With Scott Baker making his exit to the DL already this year, the load shift over the guys like Jason Marquis....yeah, that's just not gonna work.  If the pitching isn't bad enough, guys like Jamey Carroll and Josh Willingham are nice role players, but not cornerstones to a lineup if Morneau and Mauer struggle.

5. Chicago White Sox
There's just too many question marks for the White Sox this year -- it really says something to be picked to finish behind the Twins, Indians, and Royals for this club.  Paul Konerko can rake (one of the most underrated hitters of the past 2-3 years), but that's about it.  Pierzynski is past his prime, Alex Rios just looks like a huge bust, and the pitching staff will likely be gone by the end of the year (if the club can even find any takers).  It will be a miracle if this team even finishes better than the Cubs.