American League preview 2009

Prior to the start of last season, nobody would have ever guessed that the Tampa Bay Rays would have a winning season. They did that and more, winning the American League championship. It was a great story of the underdog. But can they repeat in an even tougher AL East? Here are my predictions:

AL East
1) Boston Red Sox
2) New York Yankees (wild card)
3) Tampa Bay Rays
4) Toronto Blue Jays
5) Baltimore Orioles



In a stunner, it was not the Red Sox or Yankees who won the East last year. The Tampa Bay Rays overtook the two powerhouses of the American League on its way to the American League crown last year. But the Rays will not surprise anyone this year. Tampa added Pat Burrell and have a strong rotation, but their offseason did not compare to that of the Yankees. New York did not get the memo about the bad economy and spent $423 million in the offseason on three players - CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Mark Teixeira. Sabathia was a stud down the stretch last year for the Brewers and will be an ace for the Yanks. Teixeira will add a power bat to their lineup. However, they are getting old in a couple of positions (catcher and shortstop - Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter). The Yankees improved greatly, but it will be the Red Sox back on top of the division. Their rotation is very strong led by Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. Jason Bay is primed for a monster year in his first full season with the Red Sox. With David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, Mike Lowell and MVP Distin Pedroia, their lineup will certainly score runs. The Sox will win the division and the Yankees get back into the postseason as the wild card.

AL Central
1) Minnesota Twins
2) Cleveland Indians
3) Chicago White Sox
4) Detroit Tigers
5) Kansas City Royals



The Twins rarely have too many big time players. But they always find ways to win with strong pitching, good defense, and timely hitting. After taking the White Sox to a play-in game last year, the Twins missed the playoffs. With Francisco Lirano back for a full season, the Twins rotation will land them back atop the central. The Indians will be much improved after a down year last season and give Minnesota a run for their money. But in the end, Travis Hafner will not have a good enough year for the Indians and the Twins will take the division.

AL West
1) Los Angeles Angels
2) Oakland A's
3) Texas Rangers
4) Seattle Mariners



The Angels lost slugger Mark Teixeira and stud closer Francisco Rodriguez. That would spell trouble for most teams. But not in this weak division. While the Angles will not be as good as last year, they will still win the division. Watch out for the A's though. They have some good young pitching.

ALDS
Red Sox over Twins
Yankees over Angels

ALCS
Red Sox over Yankees

Tune in tomorow for my NL and World Series predictions.