Montie's MLB Preview 2012 (American League)

Just over five months ago the St.Louis Cardinals completed one of the most memorable comebacks not only in baseball but sports history. Trailing the Braves by 10.5 games as late as August 26th, the Cards fought back to win the NL Wild Card on the last day of the regular season. St.Louis would ride their momentum from September to October to capture their second World Series in five years. But with the 2012 regular season just hours away (unless your a Mariners or A's fan) everyone has that feeling that their team can win it all in 2012. So what will the American League look like after the last game on October 3rd?


AL East: (1)Yankees, (2)Rays[WC], (3)Red Sox, (4)Blue Jays, (5)Orioles.

• The Yankees pitching has a ton of depth both starting and relieving. The lineup is very similar to last year plus add Raul Ibanez. The bench is one of the best with Chavez, Jones, Cervelli & Nunez.
• The Rays might have the most pitching depth in the AL East. A fantastic defense with Longoria, Jennings, Zobrist & the return of Carlos Pena. Plus not a good but great manager in Joe Maddon. Look for the Rays to once again win the wild card.
• I'm sorry but I'm not sold on the hype of Bobby Valentine in Boston. Does Boston have a great team? Yes. Are there problems? Absolutely. The right side of their infield is one of the best in the sport. But what about the left side of the diamond? Can Crawford rebound? Can Ellsbury encore his 2011 numbers? What will you get out of right field? The back end of the rotation is a big question mark and so is the bullpen. So Bobby V' will have a lot of questions to address in his first year in Beantown.

AL Central: (1)Tigers, (2)Indians, (3)Royals, (4)White Sox, (5)Twins

• Detroit looked like it was going to take a step back after learning Victor Martinez (who drove in 103 runs in 2011) would miss all of 2012 with a torn ACL. But they didn't panic and replaced V-Mart with durable Prince Fielder. Now with a 3-4 of Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, a strong rotation led by Cy Young & MVP winner Justin Verlander & a compelling bullpen the Tigers have all the makings of returning to the postseason in 2012.
• I believe the Royals can compete for second in this division but losing one of the better and more underrated closers in Joakim Soria for the season will effect them in 2o12. I do see Cleveland making a push if they can stay healthy.
• The same cannot be said for the White Sox or Twins. They are definitely not the same teams they were atop this division a few years ago and are also in a division with some improved squads.

AL West: (1)Angels, (2)Rangers[WC], (3)Mariners, (4)A's

• The Angels have the BEST starting staff in the American League. The additions of Albert Pujols & Chris Iannetta (14 HR's in 112 games in 2011) also helps but don't forget about rookie sensation Mark Trumbo & others like Howie Kendrick, Vernon Wells, Torii Hunter & Peter Bourjos.
• Don't count out the Rangers. Very little has changed besides losing C.J Wilson to the Halo's. The lineup is exactly the same. The rotation still looks good including the addition of Yu Darvish as well as moving Neftali Feliz from the closer's role. If Joe Nathan returns to the old Joe Nathan, look out. Texas looks poised for another trip to the postseason and they should at least be able to become one of the wild card teams.
• The Mariners can't be any worst then 2011 but they are stuck in a division with two dominant teams. All you can say about the A's is that they are in a total rebuilding process.

-Johnny Montalbano

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