We've been inundated with e-mails calling for the second installment of my MLB preview, so here it is.
The Detroit Tigers went to the World Series in 2006. In 2007, pitchers got hurt, hitters got hurt, and a team in their division (Cleveland) was awesome. They still almost won 90 games, but missed a return to the playoffs. Pissed beyond belief, their owner and GM combined to work a deal for Edgar Rentieria, a really good shortstop. This allowed Sean Casey to go bye-bye and capable bat Carlos Guillen to move over to first from shortstop and keep from getting dinged up as much.
But, that wasn't enough. They then traded 6 minor leaguers for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrell Willis. Willis is a durable left-hander with a funky delivery, which in the baseball world makes him as big of a lock for a full-time job as the mayor's son in a small town. Cabrera, well, on a list of "most similar batters in the history of baseball at age 25" Hank Aaron turns up number one in comparison to Miggy. In case you don't know, Aaron has more career homers than anyone with a size 10 or smaller head.
What does this mean? The Tigers should win 95-100 games if things shake out right, but that may not be enough since Cleveland's so damn good. The AL Central should be a great race, and will likely feature the Wild Card winner.
Defending Champ Boston is still sending out an awesome offense, but they have pitching concerns that will make their annual race with New York typically tight with both teams likely besting 90 wins.
In the West, I think the Angels are pretty good.
In summary, look for the Tigers to face the Cubs in the World Series this year.
3 comments:
It's quite obvious that the goat is a cubs homer. How many years you been picking the cubbies to win it Goat? How bout we start calling you Bartman or BlackCat? Your cubs worship is pathetic. Especially considering their starting rotation cluster.
What you call "cluster" sir, Jim Hendry calls depth.
Besides, why wouln't someone pick the Cubs to win exactly 100 years since the last time they did?
Depth? Marquis-headcase, Dempster-unproven w/ career losing record, Lieber-injury prone old man, Marshall -most upside likely to be left out...I'm a little worried about the so called depth. Oh & the 100 year haul is the best thing they've got going for them. You've got to figure that they're got to win it sometime. But the NL East is scary as is the NL West. If R.Johnson can be half the pitcher he used to be look for Arizona to have one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball. As a lifelong cub fan I'm worried. Can't wait to get to Wrigley in June. Go Cubs!!
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