2008 Woodie Awards
American League Dominance Continues in '07
By Bruce Bugbee
4/11/07 - Sports
With the onset of spring and the start of the Major Leauge Baseball season, everyone and their mother is trying to predict who is going to win their divisions this year. Here are the predicted winners for this year's American League.
AL East
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are poised to have the strongest rotation in baseball with the addition of the Japanese phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka to the rotation. The big question for this team will be health. If they are healthy, the front three of Schilling, Beckett, and Matsuzaka could be the most dominant trio since the Braves of the nineties. Lack of power shouldn't be a problem for Boston with perennial sluggers Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz now being protected by newcomer J.D. Drew in the lineup.
'06 Finish: 3rd AL East
'07 Finish: 1st AL East
New York Yankees
The Yankees continue to have one of the most potent lineups in the majors. New York gets offensive production from every hitter in the lineup and will be even scarier if Alex Rodriguez lives up to expectations. Like most teams the big question with this team is starting pitching. With number one starter Chien-Ming Wang out with a hamstring injury, the Yankees will have to rely on veteran hurlers Andy Petitte and Mike Mussina to overcome their age and lead their rotation. Also look for Alex Rodriguez to opt out of his contract at the end of this season unless the Yankees make the World Series.
'06 Finish: 1st AL East
'07 Finish: 2nd AL East
Toronto Blue Jays
In any other division save the AL Central the Blue Jays would be a viable contender for a playoff spot. The fact of the matter is that the Yankees and the Red Sox are just too good for this Toronto team to overtake. Toronto has a very strong offensive lineup with sluggers Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus leading the way. The acquisition of Frank Thomas will do nothing but solidify the middle of the batting order. Roy Halladay continues to be one of the best pitchers in baseball and along with A.J Burnett could become part of a very effective 1-2 combination. B.J. Ryan is the most effective multi-inning closer in baseball. Unfortunately a weak back end to the rotation will keep the Blue Jays from making a run at the playoffs this year.
AL East
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are poised to have the strongest rotation in baseball with the addition of the Japanese phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka to the rotation. The big question for this team will be health. If they are healthy, the front three of Schilling, Beckett, and Matsuzaka could be the most dominant trio since the Braves of the nineties. Lack of power shouldn't be a problem for Boston with perennial sluggers Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz now being protected by newcomer J.D. Drew in the lineup.
'06 Finish: 3rd AL East
'07 Finish: 1st AL East
New York Yankees
The Yankees continue to have one of the most potent lineups in the majors. New York gets offensive production from every hitter in the lineup and will be even scarier if Alex Rodriguez lives up to expectations. Like most teams the big question with this team is starting pitching. With number one starter Chien-Ming Wang out with a hamstring injury, the Yankees will have to rely on veteran hurlers Andy Petitte and Mike Mussina to overcome their age and lead their rotation. Also look for Alex Rodriguez to opt out of his contract at the end of this season unless the Yankees make the World Series.
'06 Finish: 1st AL East
'07 Finish: 2nd AL East
Toronto Blue Jays
In any other division save the AL Central the Blue Jays would be a viable contender for a playoff spot. The fact of the matter is that the Yankees and the Red Sox are just too good for this Toronto team to overtake. Toronto has a very strong offensive lineup with sluggers Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus leading the way. The acquisition of Frank Thomas will do nothing but solidify the middle of the batting order. Roy Halladay continues to be one of the best pitchers in baseball and along with A.J Burnett could become part of a very effective 1-2 combination. B.J. Ryan is the most effective multi-inning closer in baseball. Unfortunately a weak back end to the rotation will keep the Blue Jays from making a run at the playoffs this year.
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