MLB 2012 preview: American League

With a 162 game season, it becomes extremely difficult to predict where teams are at in September.  Yes, there are some teams we know will be eliminated by tomorrow.  But there are quite a few teams who will be in the playoff picture this season. Let's take a look division by division as I try to pick who will be playing Fall Ball.

AL EAST:

The AL East continued its reputation as MLB’s best division in 2011, and this year nothing should change.  They put 2 teams in the playoffs for another year.  This year they are looking to become the first division in history to put 3 teams in the postseason.  New York, Boston, Tampa, and Toronto are all fighting for 90 wins.  Bad luck for Toronto and Baltimore.  The Jays would likely be a playoff team if they were in the AL Central and Baltimore might win more than 65 games.  Each team has reason to believe that they will win the World Series, but also some large concerns.  New York has 2 of its best pitchers on the DL to start the season.  So their offseason moves to sure up their rotation will have to wait at least until May.  Their lineup continues to get older, and production will continue to decrease.  They have so many stars though that they should be carried into the playoffs.  Look for Cano, Big Tex, and Granderson to have MVP type years again.  But what about A-Rod, DJ, Rivera?  Boston starts with 2 pitchers also on the DL (including their closer) and Carl Crawford still out.  Will they start quicker than last season, or will Bobby Valentine’s discipline get in the way of success?  Tampa is the hot pick of the group this season.  Joe Maddon is the best manager in baseball, and they have a young and dangerous rotation.  If their bullpen by committee can work for another year, and they can get timely hitting from their suspect lineup they will be scary in a postseason series.  Toronto is still getting better with each year, but is this the year they are actually competitive come September?  They will need a big year from Bautista. 

Final Standings Prediction(playoff teams in bold):

New York

Tampa

Boston/Toronto (tied)

Baltimore

AL CENTRAL:

This division is simple, it is the Tigers to win or lose.  There really should not be anyone within 10 games of Detroit this season.  If the race is not over by Labor Day (maybe 4^th of July), something is very wrong.  The Tigers are better, period.  The division will be interesting though.  How will CWS respond without Ozzie? Will the Twins get their power duo back to make any noise?  How will the Indians respond to their surprise season last year?  And will the Royals finally put their high draft picks on the field, and will it result in wins?  I am actually kind of pulling for the Royals to have a break out year and compete for a wild card position.  For some reason I like the way they have built their organization.  They don’t have the pitching or the dominant lineup top to bottom that Detroit has, but they could make some noise in the below average division. 

Final Standings Prediction:

Detroit

Kansas City

Minnesota

Chicago

Cleveland

AL WEST:

The Rangers and Angels are becoming one of the best rivalries in all of baseball.  When the Angels stole CJ Wilson in the offseason, Texas went out and signed Yu Darvish.  The Rangers return one of the best lineups again, and the Angels want to counter that with adding the best hitter of our generation (Albert Pujols).  California Angels of Anaheim Los Angeles twice removed will have a scary lineup as well.  They also will have one of the best rotations in the AL.  If Yu Darvish comes in and has electric stuff, the Rangers could once again win this division.  I just cant see them beating the Angels though.  This team is built to win now, not just win the division but win in the playoffs.  The Rangers will likely falter down the stretch against the better Angels team, but if they can reach the post season again I think they can be extremely dangerous.  They still have the best bullpen in baseball, and as we saw last year it is very important in October.

Final Standings Prediction:

California

Texas

Oakland

Seattle

AL Playoff Picture:

If the Rays and Rangers meet in a 1 game playoff to determine who will play the best team in the AL (likely the Angels), the edge here has to go to Texas.  If the starter can get to the 5^th inning with the lead, the game is basically over. 

ALDS:

Angels over Texas in 5

Detroit over NYY in 4

ALCS:

Angels over Detroit in 7 (as much as I want the Tigers to win the WS, I just don’t see it happening this year.. and the home field advantage in this series makes the difference)