Toronto Blue Jays
With their strongest team in years, the Jays pitching staff have been dealt a major blow with the loss of Casey Janssen for the year, due to a torn right labrum. Janssen’s loss hurts even more because of his effectiveness against division rivals Boston and New York in 07. Even with the additions of David Eckstein and Scott Rolen from St. Louis and Vernon Wells’ shoulder all healed up, Toronto, like New York, will live and die this season with their pitching. Their hopes lie in Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan improving on solid ‘07 campaigns, and how well closer B.J. Ryan will perform, missing nearly all of last season due to a Tommy John surgery.
Boston Red Sox
Despite losing out on the Johan Santana sweepstakes, last year’s World Series Champs countered by adding 2005 Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon. Even if Colon doesn’t pan out and none of their top players go down due to injuries, the Red Sox will have all the ingredients to win their third championship in five years. 2007 Rookie of the Year, Dustin Pedroia, adds more firepower to one of the league’s most gifted offenses. The Red Sox have a strong rotation, solid bullpen, and an overpowering closer that should make it tough for the Blue Jays or Yankees to dethrone them from the top spot in the American League East.
Cleveland Indians
They’ve had all winter to recover from the mental trauma of their self-destruction to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, taking a 3- 1 series lead. The reigning Central Division champs look to take a page out of the Red Sox book and exorcise their World Series demons by ending a 53-year drought. They return with the same team that put up a major league best 96 wins in 07, stronger this year thanks to last year’s valuable post-season experience. They will once again boast two potential Cy Young Award winners in Fausto Carmona and the 2007 winner, C.C. Sabathia. Key to their drive to the World Series will be whether designated hitter Travis Hafner bounces back from a disappointing ‘07 season and playoffs.
Detroit Tigers
In 07 they boasted one of the scariest batting orders in the majors. The Tigers led or were second in nearly all offensive categories in the American League. With the addition of slugger Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins, look for Detroit to put up some really crooked numbers this season. Last season’s downfall was their pitching, close to the bottom of the league in several important categories, including walks, runs, and earned-run-average. That’s where Dontrelle Willis, the other major player acquired in their trade with Florida, comes into play. Statistically, Willis had a terrible 07 season, putting up career worst numbers in wins, innings pitched, ERA, losses, walks, and home runs against. Still, Willis is only 26 and a change of scenery was just what he needed after enduring the penny-pinching Marlins ownership for years. Look for him to bounce back in a major way as Detroit becomes a series contender this year.
