MLB - American League - Projections of 2007 Season Final Team Standings
A.L. East ·
A.L. West ·
A.L. Central ·
National League
2007 American League Overview
(2006: 2006 Final Standings: AL Home games: .558; AL Away games: .466; and the A.L. was 154-98 vs N.L.) (2006 AL Projections)
(2005: 2005 Final Standings: AL Home games: .539; AL Away games: .470; and the A.L. was 136-116 vs N.L.) (2005 AL Projections)
Original posting: February 19, 2007. Last update: March 30, 2007.
American League East
1. New York Yankees Joe Torre
2007 Picks: 91 wins [Y!= 2; ESPN= 2; S&S= 2; USAT 1]
2006 Record: 97-65
2005 Record: 95-67
2004 Record: 101-61
2003 Record: 101-61
Key Players: Jeter, Abreu, A-Rod, Posada; Mussina, Pavano, Rivera.
What needs to go right: Once again, doubts about the rotation. Plus, Riveria's been pitching for a while.
Recap: Who needs pitching? Too many tough outs in the Yanks line-up to pick anyone else in the division.
2. Boston Red Sox Terry Francona
2007 Picks: 89 wins [Y!= 1; ESPN= 1; S&S= 1; USAT 2]
2006 Record: 86-76
2005 Record: 95-67
2004 Record: 98-64
2003 Record: 95-67
Key Players: Ortiz; Beckett, Matsuzaka, Pabelbon.
What needs to go right: Just the unknowns, like, how good will Matsuzaka really be once the games go live?
Recap: The Red Sox have all the pieces, on paper, and could easily win the division. We're going with the Yankees. It's hard to put a finger on why the Red Sox slipped back in wins last year. But it means there is something maybe not clicking right for the Red Sox to win the division.
3. Toronto Blue Jays John Gibbons
2007 Picks: 84 wins [Y!= 3; ESPN= 3; S&S= 3; USAT 3]
2006 Record: 87-75
2005 Record: 80-82
2004 Record: 67-94
2003 Record: 86-76
Key Players: Well, Overbay; Halladay, Ryan.
What needs to go right: Top 2 in the line-up need to improve to maximize value of Vernon Wells.
Recap: Everyone has this division figured out. It's either the Yankees or Red Sox, and then everyone else. Not so fast? The Blue Jays finished ahead of Boston last year, and a full year of A.J. Burnett could do it again this year..
4. Baltimore Orioles Sam Perlozzo
2007 Picks: 80 wins [Y!= 4; ESPN= 4; S&S= 4; USAT 4]
2006 Record: 70-92
2005 Record: 74-88
2004 Record: 78-84
2003 Record: 71-91
Key Players: Tejada, Roberts.
What needs to go right: Pitching staff has potential, and may shine at times, but at the end of the day still young.
Recap: Maybe another year for young guys to continue growing up (Markakis, Bedard, and Cabrera) and a big free agent away from being competitive.
5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Joe Maddon
2007 Picks: 69 wins [Y!= 5; ESPN= 5; S&S= 5; USAT 5]
2006 Record: 61-101
2005 Record: 67-95
2004 Record: 70-91
2003 Record: 63-99
Key Players: Crawford.
What needs to go right: Switching divisions would help. But even that would just help a little. Pitching staff needs to improve.
Recap: This team needs a strategy. Embrace the stadium and build a team for it.
American League West
1. Oakland Athletics Bob Geren
2007 Picks: 88 wins [Y!= 2; ESPN= 2; S&S= 2; USAT 2]
2006 Record: 93-69
2005 Record: 88-74
2004 Record: 91-71
2003 Record: 96-66
Key Players: Kendall, Piazza, Chavez; Harden.
What needs to go right: Everyone's kind of writing off the loss of Zito. But having a consistent arm like that, takes burdens off other pictures. Can Haren and Harden handle the spotlight and pressure?
Recap: The A's consistently live up to lofty expectations and defy the paper numbers. Can they do it another year? The Angels look so much better. But shredding the papers, we pick the A's.
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Mike Scioscia
2007 Picks: 87 wins [Y!= 1; ESPN= 1; S&S= 1; USAT 1]
2006 Record: 89-73
2005 Record: 95-67
2004 Record: 92-70
2003 Record: 77-85
Key Players: Guerrero; Lackey, Santana, Weaver, Shields, K-Rod.
What needs to go right: Much has been written about one-season wonder, Gary Matthews Jr. But, he's not where the concern should lie. Guerrero needs good protection. The key to success for the Angels is the clean-up spot. Can Anderson deliver?
Recap: The pitching is all there, from the first starter to the last, set-up, bullpen. Just need consistent run production to put 'em over the top.
3. Seattle Mariners Mike Hargrove
2007 Picks: 86 wins [Y!= 4; ESPN= 3; S&S= 4; USAT 4]
2006 Record: 78-84
2005 Record: 69-93
2004 Record: 63-99
2003 Record: 93-69
Key Players: Suzucki, Ibanez.
What needs to go right: A Konerko-like season from Sexson and a big year from Washburn could turn the Mariners back into a winning club.
Recap: The Mariners pitching is not good enough as is, competing in the A.L. West, looks like another bottom half finish in the division.
4. Texas Rangers Ron Washington
2007 Picks: 82 wins [Y!= 3; ESPN= 4; S&S= 3; USAT 3]
2006 Record: 80-82
2005 Record: 79-83
2004 Record: 89-73
2003 Record: 71-91
Key Players: Young, Teixeira.
What needs to go right: The additions of Lofton and McCarthy could be significant. A good lead-off hitter is indisposable. And another solid arm in the rotation helps. Now if Sammy Sosa can play like the good ole days.
Recap: The Rangers made enough changes in the offseason that it shouldn't be a surprise if they do win some more games than usual.
American League Central
1. Detroit Tigers Jim Leyland
2007 Picks: 94 wins [Y!= 2; ESPN= 1; S&S= 1; USAT 1]
2006 Record: 95-67
2005 Record: 71-91
2004 Record: 72-90
2003 Record: 43-114
Key Players: I-Rod, Polanco, Guillen, Ordonez; Verlander.
What needs to go right: The Tigers added some punch on offense by nabbing Sheffield from the Yankees. The big question is whether the pitching staff is for real. Will they have a slump this season before reasserting strength?
Recap: The A.L. Central is the 'no follow through division'. While other divisions are pretty much all figured out each year (like the A.L. East is always either the Yankees or Red Sox. The A.L. Central is anything but. A team pops up one year, and another team the next. Technically, the Tigers actually finished 2nd last season, so guess its their turn to win the division outright.
2. Minnesota Twins Ron Gardenhire
2007 Picks: 93 wins [Y!= 3; ESPN= 3; S&S= 2; USAT 3]
2006 Record: 96-66
2005 Record: 83-79
2004 Record: 92-70
2003 Record: 90-72
Key Players: Mauer, Morneau; Santana.
What needs to go right: Liriano is out all season, so someone needs to step up. Yes, Santana can just about carry the team by himself. But, that's 'just about'. To repeat as division champs it won't be enough.
Recap: An MVP and Cy Young award winner on the same team. Expect another competitive season from the Twins.
3. Chicago White Sox Ozzie Guillen
2007 Picks: 89 wins [Y!= 4; ESPN= 4; S&S= 3; USAT 2]
2006 Record: 90-72
2005 Record: 99-63
2004 Record: 83-79
2003 Record: 86-76
Key Players: Podsednik, Crede; Vazquez.
What needs to go right: What a difference a year makes. No one believes in the pitching staff anymore. They will have to go out and prove themselves and earn it.
Recap: The White Sox have all the pieces (except Rowand-- big mistake by GM Kenny Williams to get rid of him), but they are in a tough division with good pitching, so without perfection, the White Sox may be on the outside looking in.
4. Cleveland Indians Eric Wedge
2007 Picks: 84 wins [Y!= 1; ESPN= 2; S&S= 4; USAT 4]
2006 Record: 78-84
2005 Record: 93-69
2004 Record: 80-82
2003 Record: 68-94
Key Players: Sizemore; Westbrook.
What needs to go right: Consistent pitching is needed from 2 of their arms. Which 2 of Sabathia, Westbrook, Lee, and Sowers could do it?
Recap: The Indians have one of those quirky teams where the pieces seem to be there. No one would be surprised if things clicked, and the pitching and hitting delivered the team near the playoffs. But, that kind of implies lots of little things need to go right. And we're not going to take that bet.
5. Kansas City Royals Buddy Bell
2007 Picks: 67 wins [Y!= 5; ESPN= 5; S&S= 5; USAT 5]
2006 Record: 62-100
2005 Record: 56-106
2004 Record: 58-104
2003 Record: 83-79
Key Players: (none).
What needs to go right: The good news is it can't get much worse. The Royals have lost a hundred or more games 3 straight seasons. Another one isn't going to phase the fans. So there's nothing to lose for Buddy Bell's team.
Recap: The Royals will look to rookie 3B Alex Gordon to provide a spark. Last place in the division is pretty much a lock. Just go for a losing season with 2 digits.
2007 picks
Fanbay.net Sports projected 2007 wins are in bold
USAT = USA Today Sports Weekly publication
ESPN = ESPN Magazine
Y! = Yahoo! Sports pick in the division by analyst Jeff Passan (and projected wins) (Yahoo! Sports picks here)
S&S = Street and Smith pick in the division (Sporting News picks according to magazine)
Key Players are the best in their division compared across the board to their peers in the division (team 'a' 3rd best pitcher compared to team 'b' 3rd best pitcher, etc). Multiple listings, if a tie is perceived. Hitters listed first, then after the ; is the pitchers.
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