MLB - American League - Projections of 2006 Season Final Team Standings
A.L. East ·
A.L. West ·
A.L. Central ·
National League
American League Overview
Oakland and the Angels down to the wire in the West. Yankees win with a little room in the East. Will Cleveland make the playoffs?
(2005: Home games: .539; Away games: .470; and the A.L. was 136-116 vs N.L.)
Original posting: February 16, 2006 (added some statistics on 3/28/06)
American League East
1. New York Yankees Joe Torre
2006 Picks: 96 [SI= 1; Y!= 1(94); TSN= 1; USAT 1(2)]
2005 Record: 95-67
2004 Record: 101-61
2003 Record: 101-61
Key Players: A.Rodriguez, Sheffield, Matsui, Giambi, Posada, Cano, R.Johnson, M.Rivera, Farnsworth
Problems: They need a healthy starting rotation. As simple as that.
Recap: There is hardly a weak bat in the line-up. All the way through there is no room for any opposing pitcher to relax. Translation: Yankees win the A.L. East.
2. Boston Red Sox Terry Francona
2006 Picks: 91 [SI= 2; Y!= 2(92); TSN= 2; USAT 2(5)]
2005 Record: 95-67
2004 Record: 98-64
2003 Record: 95-67
Key Players: M.Ramirez, Ortiz, Schilling, Beckett, Clement, Wells, Timlin
Problems: We wonder if the Red Sox end up a little closer to the Blue Jays then the Yankees.
Recap: The Crisp edition fills a big void and pieces the offense together. Hard to see the Red Sox not right in the thick of things come the end of September. October? Not so sure.
3. Toronto Blue Jays John Gibbons
2006 Picks: 83 [SI= 3; Y!= 3(84); TSN= 3; USAT 3(11)]
2005 Record: 80-82
2004 Record: 67-94
2003 Record: 86-76
Key Players: Halladay, Burnett, Towers
Problems: A mediocre offense in need of a surprise season from one or two bats.
Recap: The Blue Jays were nearly a .500 team even with reduced time from Halladay. Bottom line: we think they win a couple/few more games this season.
4. Baltimore Orioles Sam Perlozzo
2006 Picks: 71 [SI= 5; Y!= 4(70); TSN= 5; USAT 5(26)]
2005 Record: 74-88
2004 Record: 78-84
2003 Record: 71-91
Key Players: Roberts, D.Cabrera
Problems: Bad pitching takes them out of the equation.
Recap: The Orioles were 22-32 to finish the season under Perlozzo. Look for more of the same. The offense is full of lots of potential, but that just isn't enough in a division with the Red Sox and Yankees.
5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Joe Maddon
2006 Picks: 69 [SI= 4; Y!= 5(66); TSN= 4; USAT 4(25)]
2005 Record: 67-95
2004 Record: 70-91
2003 Record: 63-99
Key Players: Crawford, Lugo
Problems: The pitching staff was rolled over in the offseason. Maddon comes in from L.A. where he has coached for 6 years under Mike Scioscia, maybe he can try and make something of it nonetheless.
Recap: At least the Devil Rays have some exciting bats in the line-up-- Crawford, Cantu, and Huff-- which will make them fun to watch.
American League West
1. Oakland Athletics Ken Macha
2006 Picks: 88 [SI= 1; Y!= 1(88); TSN= 1; USAT 1(4)]
2005 Record: 88-74
2004 Record: 91-71
2003 Record: 96-66
Key Players: Ellis, Bradley, D.Johnson, Bobby Crosby, Harden, Haren, Street
Problems: The offense is one of those that needs to really work together to put each run on the board.
Recap: Pitching wins games and the A's organization has this concept down straight. It will be close, but the A's could have enough this year to finish atop a tough division.
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Ken Macha
2006 Picks: 86 [SI= 2; Y!= 2(88); TSN= 2; USAT 2(6)]
2005 Record: 95-67
2004 Record: 92-70
2003 Record: 77-85
Key Players: Figgins, Guerrero, Colon, Escobar, F.Rodriguez
Problems: Guerrero and Anderson were miserable in the playoffs. Guerrero should bounce back; Anderson, not so sure.
Recap: The offense isn't what it once was. Now, the pitching keeps them afloat.
3. Texas Rangers Buck Showalter
2006 Picks: 81 [SI= 3; Y!= 3(80); TSN= 3; USAT 3(16)]
2005 Record: 79-83
2004 Record: 89-73
2003 Record: 71-91
Key Players: M.Young, Teixeira, Mench, Cordero
Problems: It's a tough division and someone has to miss out.
Recap: Not enough offensive and not enough pitching.
4. Seattle Mariners Mike Hargrove
2006 Picks: 75 [SI= 4; Y!= 4(70); TSN= 4; USAT 4(21)]
2005 Record: 69-93
2004 Record: 63-99
2003 Record: 93-69
Key Players: Suzuki, Sexson
Problems: Need a big year from at least two of their starters in order to be competitive.
Recap: Mike Hargrove is back. The Mariners have a lot of upside. They have the pieces capable for a big turnaround season. But, just don't know if we see it happening.
American League Central
1. Chicago White Sox Ozzie Guillen
2006 Picks: 93 [SI= 1; Y!= 1(98); TSN= 1; USAT 1(1)]
2005 Record: 99-63
2004 Record: 83-79
2003 Record: 86-76
Key Players: Konerko, Crede, Contreras, Garland, Garcia, Vazquez, Jenks, Cotts
Problems: Thome is a question. And the White Sox do need his bat. Also, the loss of Rowand could hurt a little.
Recap: It's all about the pitching staff. It is rock solid. If Garcia heads south Vazquez can step in. And then there is still Brandon McCarthy waiting behind that. The rotation is stacked and that means a lot in baseball.
2. Cleveland Indians Eric Wedge
2006 Picks: 90 [SI= 2; Y!= 2(95); TSN= 2; USAT 2(8)]
2005 Record: 93-69
2004 Record: 80-82
2003 Record: 68-94
Key Players: Sizemore, Michaels, Peralta, Haffner, Martinez, Belliard, C.Lee, Byrd, Betancourt
Problems: Like the Phillies, Cleveland only needs to beat back the ghost of year's past.
Recap: If every player delivers just like last season, with one or two bounces of the ball, the Indians make the playoffs-- and maybe even take the division.
3. Detroit Tigers Jim Leyland
2006 Picks: 76 [SI= 4; Y!= 4(66); TSN= 4; USAT 4(22)]
2005 Record: 71-91
2004 Record: 72-90
2003 Record: 43-114
Key Players: Monroe, T.Jones
Problems: Flat, balanced, but definitely not enough to threaten the White Sox and Indians.
Recap: Last season, the Tigers were not able to build on the 2004 turn around. But this season, a couple more wins should come their way.
4. Minnesota Twins Ron Gardenhire
2006 Picks: 74 [SI= 3; Y!= 3(85); TSN= 3; USAT 3(14)]
2005 Record: 83-79
2004 Record: 92-70
2003 Record: 90-72
Key Players: Santana, Nathan, Rincon
Problems: .
Recap: Decent enough team built around 3 or 4 superstars. The Twins are not that far off being competitive, however, a gutsy Tiger team may just inch past them for third.
5. Kansas City Royals Buddy Bell
2006 Picks: 58 [SI= 5; Y!= 5(65); TSN= 5; USAT 5(29)]
2005 Record: 56-106
2004 Record: 58-104
2003 Record: 83-79
Key Players: Sweeney, Stairs
Problems: There are a lot of things not to like. The top of the order. The bottom of the order. But, the secret to the Royals pain is undoubtably, the starting pitching.
Recap: Is it possible for the Royals to be worse than last season? We don't wish that on anyone.
2006 picks
Fanbay.net Sports projected 2006 wins are in bold
USAT = USA Today predictions (USAT used their preseason power rankings to pick the division. Power rankings are based on panel of 12 writers and editors). We added the overall power ranking number in parenthesis.
SI = CNN/Sports Illustrated division pick (wild card in parenthesis 'wc') (CNN/SI picks here).
Y! = Yahoo! Sports pick in the division by analyst Jeff Passan (and projected wins) (Yahoo! Sports picks here)
TSN = Sporting News pick in the division (Sporting News picks according to magazine)
Key Players are the best in their division compared across the board on our AL Cheat Sheet. For example, #3 pitcher compared vs. other #3 pitchers, and #6 in the batting order compared against all other #6 in batting order in the division.
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