From the cheap seats
Who do you think will win the World Series?
It’s such a silly question to ask at the beginning of April, when all 30 teams have not even played a collective 120 games.
Every year, analysts on TV give their playoff and World Series predictions right now. Are they praised at the end of the season? Of course not, because in October nobody remembers or even cares. So, here are my breakdowns and predictions.
American League East: New York Yankees
Why? The AL East might as well be renamed the Yankee division. Since 1995, no other team has dominated the East and the American League in general, like the Yankees. From their high payroll to their loyal fans, the Yankees are what every team in baseball wants to be: a success.
Runners-up: The Boston Redsox look strong, but will fall short again. Call it a curse or fate or destiny, but this year there won’t be an October for the Redsox. The Toronto Bluejays always have a month or two where they threaten, but during crunch time after the All-Star break, they fold quicker than your uncle in a poker game. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have a lot of heart, but pitching is what you need in this league. The same goes for the Baltimore Orioles.
American League Central: Minnesota Twins
Why? Over the last couple of years the Twinkies have proven that they don’t like to be referred to as a small-market team. They like to be called a new word now, contenders. They played for the American League crown last year, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in that situation again.
Runners-up: Small-market teams/payrolls is the phrase that best describes this division. Just two years ago, the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Whitesox were the only two teams people saw in the AL Central as being World Series contenders. Now, both teams’ payrolls have significantly shrunk and fans find long-time, franchise players like Jim Thome gone. The team to look out for in this division is the Kansas City Royals. I think they have a lot of the same elements that made the 1991 Atlanta Braves a success. The best advice for the Detroit Tigers is to trade any power hitters they have for good pitchers, because they have one of the toughest ballparks for hitting homeruns.
American League West: Oakland Athletics
Why? The A’s have everything. They have great pitching, power hitting, speed, and an abundance of heart and spirit on the field, led by last year’s Most Valuable Player, Miguel Tejada.
Runners-up: This will be the most competitive division in all of baseball. There are only four teams and two of them will compete for the wildcard spot. The defending World Champion Anaheim Angels and the Seattle Mariners will be very competitive throughout the whole year. The Texas Rangers will win probably two out of every five games, because only two out of their five starters will win on a consistent basis and their bullpen is not that strong. The Rangers, however, will be an x-factor in the division and could help determine some games late in the season.
American League Wild Card: Anaheim Angels
Why? This team is on to something wonderful in California. The fans in Anaheim have turned this club around. They have a young pitching staff that has already suffered the slings and arrows of the MLB postseason and World Series. Why will Anaheim win the Wild Card? Two words: Rally Monkey.
Runners-up: Watch out for the Royals. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see another AL Central team emerge. Let’s not forget that the 2001 Whitesox did make the playoffs.
American League Champion: Oakland Athletics
Why? Believe me, it’s hard to go against the Yankees or the Angels, but the A’s will want it more this year. Last year they took their success for granted. At any given game, at any given position, they have the best team on an American League field.
*Read next week for my National League and World Series predictions.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Apr 4 2003. Filed under Opinion.
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