The American League: 2010 and on...

[ch2k8]

This thread is going to be a thread devoted to following a simulated season (or more than one) in the American League, with the in-depth previews of every team, weekly updates, weekly inside looks at the top series' around the AL, and all the hottest news, standings and stats. Gonna start on the next post. Enjoy!

[ch2k8]

AL East
Team (Projected Finish)

Red Sox (96-66): With the fielding additions of Marco Scutaro and Mike Cameron and the hitters Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez, the Red Sox bolstered a strong line-up and definitely improved their fielding. Their biggest acquisition, however, is definitely their biggest improvement, and if he can be a consistent force for the Sox, they could be pennant bound

Three Keys: 1. Kevin Youkillis has batted over .300 for two seasons in a row and has notched 56 homers and 209 RBI’s in the last two seasons combined. If he can keep that up, and improve even, he will be huge for the offense.
2. David Ortiz had an off season last year, and he needs to turn it around to save his steroid-rattled reputation and possibly his designated hitter spot. If he can get on track with his power early, he may pull the Red Sox together.
3. With three big names in the rotation, the Sox need their stars Beckett, Lester, and Lackey to go deep into ball games so they don’t waste relievers for Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz. Their bullpen is talented, but not all that deep, and it would help to stay away from the bottom of it.

Yankees (94-68): With big names all over the place, the best infield in the game, and some huge name pitchers, the Yanks need to stay injury-free and consistent, a problem for sure with them in the past. Newly added player Curtis Granderson, and new starters Phil Hughes and Brett Gardner need to have solid seasons for the Bronx Bombers

Three Keys: 1. Alex Rodriguez has shown many sides to himself over the years, but the Yankees absolutely need him to come up big this year and prove all the haters wrong, and the praisers right. ARod’s strikeouts have been down recently, but so have his homers, so he could really use a good start to open up the season with a bang.
2. Mariano Rivera is an old man these days, but he needs to be a brick wall as he always has been, with Joba being the likely set-up man. Blown saves could lead to the Yanks missing out on the playoffs, and if he can’t go the whole season, or wears down, the playoffs could be a mess if they’re there.
3. Age could set in on this team, and that could mean an overhaul after this year. If they aren’t feeling the pressure to repeat, I don’t understand how that’s possible.

Rays (3^rd): Though many think that this Ray team is still one of the best, their young talent at hitting is over shadowed by their lack of pitching. Matt Garza and James Shields make a good enough one-two for a playoff team, but they are not incredibly consistent, and then the rest of the rotation, and all of the pen is shaky. Longoria is going to have to be Superman this year to make up for the runs this team may be giving up over the course of the season.

Orioles (4^th): The pitching situation in Baltimore is just an absolute mess. The lack of an ace hurts, as it is nice to have a guy where you don’t have to score a ton to get wins, and their fifth starter David Hernandez couldn’t start on all minor league teams. A decent line-up, headed by Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts could be sold to the highest bidders in a revamp.

Blue Jays (5^th): The Blue Jays are without Roy Halladay, but to be honest I don’t think even Cy Young in his prime could save this team. Their only real offensive threat has no one to drive in, and no one to bring him home, on a team with bad pitching that requires explosive offense for run support. Not going to be a pretty year for the Blue Jays.

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AL Central
Tigers (91-71): The first thing to think about with the Tigers is their dominant pitching rotation, headed by superstar Justin Verlander. Though their bottom man, Dontrelle Willis, has been awful in recent years, the rest of the rotation will hopefully make up for him. As far as hitting, they do have a star in Miguel Cabrera, and Johnny Damon will help with their below-average on base percentage. The Tigers are a good team, but they are not in the likes of the Yankees or Red Sox at this point, and may need to make a big trade around the deadline for a power hitter or big name pitcher to be real contenders.

Keys: 1. For a team without too many big names, the Tigers have solid back-ups at catcher, second base, and left field. They need to utilize their bench well and throw different looks at every team to create confusion and hopefully help them.
2. As mentioned, picking up a fifth starter should be a main priority for the Tigers around the trade deadline, so if pitching stars are on bad teams come trade deadline, the Tigers may want to give up some real young talent to bolster their contender status.
3. The pen for the Tigers definitely is not where it needs to be, but if Armando Galarraga and Joel Zumaya can have big years as they have been known to do for the Tigers, that would be a big plus.

Twins (88-74): With a great hitting line up, the Twins only gaping weakness is pitching, and it is definitely not that of a playoff caliber team. Ace Scott Baker shows promise, and is capable, but their other four are all average at best. To be honest, the offense is going to be the big factor for the Twins. If they can score as much as they have the potential to, they could have a big season.

Keys: 1. The Twins are loaded with great contact hitters (Joe Mauer, Denard Span, Delmon Young) but their power hitters like Thome and Morneau are really going to need to do their part to drive in runs, as contact doesn’t do as well for runs as power does.
2. Right now, their closer is Jon Rauch. Last year, in 17 appearances, Rauch was lights out for the Twins, but before that on the Diamondbacks, he had always struggled badly. He has the stamina to get three inning saves, but he needs to have the control and effectiveness to actually make the saves.
3. Joe Mauer. He is already probably the best contact hitting catcher ever, and if he can maintain his astounding .444 on-base percentage, I can’t even imagine this team coming in second.

White Sox (3^rd): Don’t get me wrong, I definitely think the White Sox, as well as any of the first two teams, have a chance to make the playoffs, but their big weakness is their hitting. The lack of a true leadoff hitter is going to hinder their odds of making the playoffs. The first four of their rotation is stellar, however, so if they all do as well as expected, and a hitter or two emerge, the White Sox could win the Central.

Indians (4^th): This is where you see a major drop off in the central. The lack of an ace, closer, and the absence of any superstar hitters, the Indians are only ahead of the Royals because history says so, and because Grady Sizemore will have a good season one of these days.

Royals (5^th): The Royals are really a young team, which probably is good for the future, but their present is not looking all that bright. Zack Greinke is a STAR as an ace, but he could be dealt out if the team is doing as they are expected too. Billy Butler and Rick Ankiel highlight a bad lineup, and the Royals really have no shot this year.