Initial Impressions

Today is my absolute favorite day of the year. It’s Opening Day. The two best words in the English language, and they do not even begin with the same letter.
My first impressions won’t be molded until I see some games, but here are my predictions for the American League divisions.

It will take at least 95 victories to win the AL East. Three teams are legitimately contending in Tampa, New York and Boston. The Yankees’ rotation is vastly improved from last year. When healthy, they have arguably the best of the bunch. Wang is a two time 19 game winner and he’s the third starter. The first two starters, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, were brought to the Bombers to win. The rotation is just as loaded in Boston. Josh Beckett is their undaunted ace with playoff credentials worthy of any all-time great. The Red Sox pitching and defense will have fans in Boston buying playoff tickets again. I think the Yankees will be crowned division winners and Boston wins the wildcard over the young Rays. The singles hitters, speed and MVP position players make Boston a threat to New York. The Bombers may suffer a slow start with Arod out of the lineup and certainly the Yankees will face roadblocks health-wise along the way. But I have a feeling Joe Girardi has a fired up team opening a new stadium seeking another championship. Robinson Cano will elevate his game this year and live up to his expectations. Tampa found ways to beat up just about every team a year ago. But I don’t think they have the firepower arms or the crushing offense to repeat as American League representatives in the World Series. They should make a good run now that they are a more comfortable and cozy club. I am writing off the Orioles and Bluejays even though both feature underrated stars. The Jays have a decent infield and rotation and the Orioles’ young outfielders and catcher are players to watch this summer.
Minnesota captures the central division under Ron Gardenhire’s first-rate management. The Twins sound defense is as colorful as the manager’s persona. You can never dismiss the Twins as post-season pests. Catcher, Joe Mauer, was the best hitter in the league a few years ago and despite his health concerns, is the key offensively. The team surprisingly finished third in runs last year. Justin Morneau, Delmon Young, Joe Crede and Michael Cuddyer can all hit and play their positions extremely well. Carlos Gomez is a taunting base runner as the team speedster. Francisco Liriano, the gifted left-handed pitcher, should have a bounce back year. Liriano has an obscure style that reminds me of a young Doc Gooden. Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey are two of the best young arms solidifying a commanding rotation. The White Sox are the defending central champions but are a team in transition. They lack an identity and are trying to bring along a few untested infielders. It will be a tough void without shortstop, Orlando Cabrera’s glove on the field. Crede was a staple at third but crossed over to division rival Minnesota. Gavin Floyd and John Danks are impressive on the mound but habitually hittable. Jose Contreras and Mark Buehrle can both still pitch but their best days are behind them. Closer, Bobby Jenks, had an MVP-like performance when the White Sox were in the World Series but his velocity is down this season. The Kansas City Royals are hoping to win more games then they lose for the first time in years. This probably will not be that year. Detroit seemed to take 2008 off after being the pre-season favorite to win it all. Starters, Dontrelle Willis and Justin Verlander have much to prove. Both are trying to reestablish themselves and Willis’ mental makeup has taken a hit Verlander’s mechanics are a problem after a disappointing 17 loss 2008 for the former ace. The Detroit infield up the middle was utterly ugly last year. Adam Everett and Edwin Jackson could polish off the dust left from the Tigers’ defensive flaws. The Cleveland Indians have more depth than they did last year. Cleveland shored up their weaknesses by signing a premier closer in Kerry Wood. They also added an important bat in consistent, Mark DeRosa. Carl Pavano joins a rotation of reigning CY Young winner, Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona. Carmona can throw heat but can be erratic at times. Travis Hafner is the team DH and should hold up against tougher division pitching. But one big man is not enough, even in the central. If Victor Martinez is the veteran hitter he knows how to be, the Indians do have a chance to do some damage.
The Western division is a tricky one to figure. I am picking the Oakland Athletics out of the gate. The A’s brought in Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi to revive the offense. Last time I checked, the sluggers were kissing more than few balls goodbye. The pitching has always been the driving force in Oakland, and the young starters slated to break out look promising. This might be the year for lefties Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson, and Gio Gonzalez to make their marks. Returning ace, Justin Duchscherer is out for the first month. Trevor Cahill and Sean Gallagher become immediate impact pitchers. Cahill’s knuckle-curve looks solid and he is an astute control pitcher. Eric Chavez is one of the best at third base when he is healthy and Mark Ellis is a tough out at the plate and genius with the glove. The A’s have a smattering of unforeseen talent all around the diamond. The bullpen pitching can prevent runs and hold big leagues. The Seattle Mariners finished last place in 2008 with a hapless 61-101 record. They shouldn’t lose in triple digits this year, but I can’t see them winning the West. Anaheim’s dominant rotation, fearsome bullpen and capable defense make them a heavy favorite. However, the Angels are not the same team at the plate than the one who ran away with the division. They will be ready to pounce as usual, but Oakland will overtake them finally by late September and go their merry way into the playoffs. After a difficult playoff ouster, I don’t believe the Angels will be able to pick up the pieces. Texas finished second to Anaheim with a 79-83 record. The Rangers will likely win just as many games but really have not addressed their needs this winter. Kris Benson and Andruw Jones were signed but both are washed up players. Neftali Perez is being projected as a number one type pitcher. That is about as optimistic as the pitching gets in Texas. The Rangers’ starters do not provide many innings despite the teams’ ability to rack up runs. As Michael Young makes the transition to third base, rookie Elvis Andrus needs to become a top of the order power hitter.

AL MVP: Mark Teixeira (that badgering bat)
AL Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire
AL CY Young: James Shields (going out on a limb)
Other Oddball predictions:
Ian Kinsler is poised for a productive and presentable season I have to say. Kinsler will make a nice run for batting champ. He could battle it out with Robinson Cano.
Jake Peavy is shipped in a mid-season trade the Oakland A’s. The A’s are due. This is their year. Peavy produces and shines with his snappy stuff on the mound. Oakland goes to the World Series.

Parting points: My Opening Day tune- “The Impression That I Get” by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones