by Andrew Nostvick

Created on: March 02, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

This is part two of my baseball preview, this time we will take a look at the American League.

AL East

It seems like it is only a two team race because the Yankees and the Red Sox constantly fight each other for the division crown. This season should be a little more interesting. The Red Sox didn't even get runner-up. That title belonged to the Toronto Blue Jays, who just so happen to be my pick to win the American League East this season.

This team is well equiped to compete with the Red Sox and the Yankees. They have a talented pitching staff and a very powerful line up led by Outfielder Vernon Wells. When this team is healthy, I don't think there is anybody that can beat them. This is the year of the Blue Jays to rise in the East.

AL Central

The AL Central race is essentially a four team race between the White Sox, the Twins, the Tigers and the Indians. All three teams are young with talented pitching, but only one of them will earn the crown. Cleveland has the best chance to win. This is a young team that has played together for a couple of seasons and is ready to step out of the clutter in the Central and rise to the top.

The Indians have a great pitching staff led by CC Sabathia and a good solid hitting line up led by DH Travis Hafner. Some people might call this a sleeper pick, but I see a great opportunity for the Indians to win the Central.

AL West

The West is virtually an open race, that anybody in my mind can win. The team that stays consistent and healthy has the best chance of winning. We all know that the AL West, much like the NL West, is a crapshoot.

Oakland is my pick to win the West and here is my reason why. They won the West last season and were swept out of the ALCS by Detroit last season. This team is solid and built for an opportunity to maybe even make the World Series. But expect the Angels to really step it up this year.

AL Wild Card

All of these American League races will be closely contested this season. The gap between first and second in each race will be within five games, which means the Wild Card can only be closer. But my pick for the Wild Card is the LA Angels. They fell short of winning the West last season and they will this season. But I think the Angels have the best shot and running away with the Wild Card.

Among the teams that will compete include the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, Twins and Tigers. All very powerful teams who could win their own respective divisions.

Let's review both the NL and AL winners

AL East- Toronto Blue Jays
AL Central- Cleveland Indians
AL West- Oakland Athletics
AL Wild Card- LA Angels

NL East- New York Mets
NL Central- St. Louis Cardinals
NL West- LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card- Milwaukee Brewers

Let's hope for another great baseball season.

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