Opening day is just around the corner, and 2008 is bound to be exciting
Pat Anders, Sports Reporter
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports
Well it's been a banner year for Chicago sports right? The Bears didn't live up to Super Bowl expectations, the Bulls have fired their coach and look lost and confused, and the Blackhawks are, well, still the Blackhawks.
But we have two baseball teams to cheer for, three if you count the Cardinals. Baseball is caught up in a lot of he-said-he-said Steroids and HGH talk, but I thought I'd bring you up to date on the teams to beat in baseball this year, because in the end, winning is still the important thing in baseball.
Starting with the American League, it's hard not to pick the Boston Red Sox to at least advance to the American League Championship Series. In five of the last six seasons, the Red Sox have won 90 or more games. They were world champs last year and bring back basically the same team, except with young players who figure to only get better, such as Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. Needless to say, I think the AL East is theirs.
In the AL Central I like the Cleveland Indians, despite the busy off-season of the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis and Edgar Renteria, sure, but the Indians have some scary talent too, led by MVP candidate Grady Sizemore and Cy Young hopeful C.C. Sabathia. Also, don't forget this Indians team was one win away from making it to the World Series last year. After coming so close last year, I have to believe this Indians team is way too focused to not win the division. I do however like the Tigers to win the wild card because of their additions this past off-season.
The AL West is the easiest to pick; it's going to be the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Despite their unnecessarily long name, they are the best team in this division. They are coming off of a 94-win season, and they added another quality starter in Jon Garland, and an All-Star outfielder in Torii Hunter. They will lock up this division early on and are a serious World Series contender.
But we have two baseball teams to cheer for, three if you count the Cardinals. Baseball is caught up in a lot of he-said-he-said Steroids and HGH talk, but I thought I'd bring you up to date on the teams to beat in baseball this year, because in the end, winning is still the important thing in baseball.
Starting with the American League, it's hard not to pick the Boston Red Sox to at least advance to the American League Championship Series. In five of the last six seasons, the Red Sox have won 90 or more games. They were world champs last year and bring back basically the same team, except with young players who figure to only get better, such as Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. Needless to say, I think the AL East is theirs.
In the AL Central I like the Cleveland Indians, despite the busy off-season of the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis and Edgar Renteria, sure, but the Indians have some scary talent too, led by MVP candidate Grady Sizemore and Cy Young hopeful C.C. Sabathia. Also, don't forget this Indians team was one win away from making it to the World Series last year. After coming so close last year, I have to believe this Indians team is way too focused to not win the division. I do however like the Tigers to win the wild card because of their additions this past off-season.
The AL West is the easiest to pick; it's going to be the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Despite their unnecessarily long name, they are the best team in this division. They are coming off of a 94-win season, and they added another quality starter in Jon Garland, and an All-Star outfielder in Torii Hunter. They will lock up this division early on and are a serious World Series contender.
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