First of all, since I was asked to comment about it, I just wanna say that Plaxico Burress receiving a two year prison sentence for carrying a gun and then shooting himself in the leg is ridiculous. Especially when you consider the fact that fellow NFL wide receiver Donte Stallworth received one month in jail for a DUI manslaughter charge. What Plaxico did was idiotic, no doubt, but no one got hurt except himself. Stallworth killed a man, and there's a very good chance it could have been avoided if he wasn't drunk and high. But whatever, trying to make sense of any of that kinda stuff these days is pointless. So enough about criminal football players and on to baseball...
American League
This has, for the most part, been a typical American League year. In the West, the Angels will have no problem winning the division again, but in typical Angels fashion (except for the 2002 season in which they won it all), they'll disappoint in the playoffs. Usually the Angels have strong pitching but a weak lineup, however it seems to be the opposite this year. Their starters' ERA is attrocious, and there bullpen's not much better. So have fun with your first round exit Anaheim or Los Angeles or whatever you are now.
In the Central, it's been a typical close race that will go down to the wire. Even though Detroit fell flat last season, you had to know they had too much talent not to improve this year. They have a great top of the rotation with Verlander, Washburn, and Jackson, so if they make it in, keep an eye out for them come playoff time.
The White Sox are just above average all-around, but that could be good enough to win this division. However, there's no way I can see this team doing any damage in the playoffs. Buehrle and Danks are a decent top of the rotation, but they they have the immortal Gavin Floyd (I know, he's better now, whatever) and Jose Contreras. Yeah no thanks, goodbye White Sox.
Then, of course, there's those sneaky Twins, now 4.5 games back despite being under .500, and you just know they're gonna end up being in this race at the end. I have no idea how, consdering Carl Pavano is their second starter right now. The Twins do this every year, and I guess having Morneau and Mauer helps. If they somehow win the Central, they're not doing anything in October with that rotation.
In the East, well, the Yankees were due. They're easily the best team in baseball right now, and they'll most likely enter the postseason as the odds-on favorites to end that dreadfully long 9 year World Series drought (poor Yankees fans). They're pitching great, their lineup has been unstoppable. Unfortunately, I have nothing negative to say about the Yankees right now. They're the favorites.
The wild card spot might be the most interesting race in the AL right now. The Red Sox are currently on top, but they have a ton of question marks right now. After Beckett and Lester, the rotation isn't looking too great right now, even when Tim Wakefield comes back. The offense should have improved with the addition of Victor Martinez, but they're still struggling. They're the de facto favorites to win the wild card, but I can't see a deep postseason run in the cards for the Sox.
Then there's the Rangers, and I'm shocked that they're still hanging around. They've always had the offense, but never have come close to having the pitching. Texas has actually put together a nice little rotation led by, yes, Kevin Millwood. I still don't know who Scott Feldman is exactly, but he's 13-4 this year. The offense is still there, and the addition of Pudge will help. I'll be surprised if they end up surpassing the Sox; the rotation has almost no late season experience, but they have the talent to do it.
Finally, the Rays are still hanging around too. They obviously have the talent to win the wild card, and make a postseason run. On paper, they're probably better than last year's team. But there just seems to be something missing from this team. They don't have an ace this season with Scott Kazmir struggling, and they just don't have the momentum they had last year. Can they catch the Sox? Sure, but I just don't see it happening.
So yeah, here's what I see going down in the AL:
West: Angels (2 seed)
Central: Tigers (3 seed)
East: Yankees (1 seed)
Wild Card: Red Sox
ALDS: Yankees over Tigers, Red Sox over Angels
ALCS: Yankees over Red Sox in 5
Yeah, boring, I know. But that's the AL, same teams, same close races every year. The NL preview will be more exciting, promise.
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