MLB: Which team will win the American League? Red Sox, Twins, Rangers or Yanks?

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Master_Live

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#1 Master_Live
Member since 2004 • 20550 Posts

To me, the Red Sox are clearly the team to beat, not only in the AL, but in all of baseball. Teams that will challenge are Rangers, Angels, Twins, White Sox, Rays and Yanks.

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Los9090

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#2 Los9090
Member since 2004 • 7288 Posts
On paper, the Red Sox should win it all...as long as they stay healthy.
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JohnBean42

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#3 JohnBean42
Member since 2008 • 2810 Posts

I think Boston could win it all if their pitching steps up big time from last year. Beckett, Dice-K, Lackey...thay all need to have much better years and stay healthy. That goes for their players I guess. Their my pick, but that can all change if the Yankees pick up a pitcher or 2 before the dealine, same goes for Texas.

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Yanks2740

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#4 Yanks2740
Member since 2009 • 231 Posts

I had to go with new york, well because im a huge fan, but no ones looking out for Oakland. They are going to fight it out all year with texas for that AL West

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JohnBean42

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#5 JohnBean42
Member since 2008 • 2810 Posts

I had to go with new york, well because im a huge fan, but no ones looking out for Oakland. They are going to fight it out all year with texas for that AL West

Yanks2740
You're right, I forgot them. Still got a week offense, but it is improved with Matsui and DeJesus. Great young staff too.
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Nick3306

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#6 Nick3306
Member since 2007 • 3429 Posts
The tigers.
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Easports48

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#7 Easports48
Member since 2005 • 1761 Posts
Red Sox of course...
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X360PS3AMD05

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#8 X360PS3AMD05
Member since 2005 • 36320 Posts
The Red Sox, it's scary to think A-Gon was that good in a Pitcher's Park, now he's moving to a Hitter's Park :o Also Crawford is a terrific fielder, why is he still going to play LF? You would think they would put their worst fielder in LF in Fenway. I guess it's an "old school" baseball thing.
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CleanPlayer

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#9 CleanPlayer
Member since 2008 • 9822 Posts
I think the Red Sox will take it this year. They have a potential Cy young winner in Lester and a potential MVP in A-Gon. It's quite scary how many home-runs he'll probably hit to left field with his oppo approach. The only think that will stop the Red Sox is their bullpen and the injury bug.
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Yanks2740

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#10 Yanks2740
Member since 2009 • 231 Posts
[QUOTE="JohnBean42"][QUOTE="Yanks2740"]

I had to go with new york, well because im a huge fan, but no ones looking out for Oakland. They are going to fight it out all year with texas for that AL West

You're right, I forgot them. Still got a week offense, but it is improved with Matsui and DeJesus. Great young staff too.

And Josh Willingham
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Aboogie5

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#11 Aboogie5
Member since 2008 • 1118 Posts

Angels!!! na but really yanks better take it!!

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Mister__Awesome

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#12 Mister__Awesome
Member since 2009 • 2439 Posts
On paper, the Red Sox should win it all...as long as they stay healthy.Los9090
Funny how I think every year a team on paper should win it and doesn't. Certainly hope that best team on Paper falls to the Phillies because I dont want that dreaded curse on the Sox this year!
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ohjtbehaaave

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#13 ohjtbehaaave
Member since 2002 • 2114 Posts
I'm a believer in Pitching wins... so I'd have to say Red Sox and Phillies in the WS.
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mamelon2012

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#14 mamelon2012
Member since 2011 • 309 Posts
As the adage states, you can't have enough pitching in baseball. That being said, Beckett needs a bounceback year (which he will have), Lackey needs to earn his spot, hopefully Buchholz can continue to develop off last years solid pitching, and maybe just maybe DiceK will stay off the DL and do something meaningful... And the bullpen needs to perform this season (terrible last year). GO SOX
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Jehunator

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#15 Jehunator
Member since 2011 • 25 Posts
I think Red Sox have the potential to win but I still voted for the Yankees cause I'm a big fan.
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theone86

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#16 theone86
Member since 2003 • 22669 Posts

So we've already narrowed it down to four teams before spring training is even over? Huh, must be in for a pretty boring year then.

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JohnBean42

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#17 JohnBean42
Member since 2008 • 2810 Posts

So we've already narrowed it down to four teams before spring training is even over? Huh, must be in for a pretty boring year then.

theone86

I hope it's more than Red Sox, Yankees and Texas in the AL, and Phillies and Giants in the NL. I hope a couple teams come out of nowhere and play really well, like Texas, SD, Reds and SF did last year. I don't think anyone had them winning their division or coming close.

I don't know who could this year though. A's? Jays despite the toughest schedule in baseball? Marlins or Houston? Who knows.

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Master_Live

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#18 Master_Live
Member since 2004 • 20550 Posts

[QUOTE="theone86"]

So we've already narrowed it down to four teams before spring training is even over? Huh, must be in for a pretty boring year then.

JohnBean42

like Texas, SD, Reds and SF did last year. I don't think anyone had them winning their division or coming close.

Only those that don't know much.

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JohnBean42

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#19 JohnBean42
Member since 2008 • 2810 Posts

[QUOTE="JohnBean42"]

[QUOTE="theone86"]

So we've already narrowed it down to four teams before spring training is even over? Huh, must be in for a pretty boring year then.

Master_Live

like Texas, SD, Reds and SF did last year. I don't think anyone had them winning their division or coming close.

Only those that don't know much.

Okay, I should have looked it up a bit more. I looked at the 36 ESPN pre-season picks. People had the Rockies or Dodgers, one had the Giants, in the West, but some also had SF as WC and one had them winning the WS. I was wrong on Texas, a lot of hem picked them or the Angels. Only 3 had the Reds winning the division. Tampa was also a big surprise to a lot of people. I'm sure there are a lot more people who picked those teams. They were way more surprising players than teams..as always. I think what was more surprising is how the Rangers won the division with ease, and SD was still a surprise, and how the Twins easily won the division outside of the last 10 games. Before that they were 12 up, finished 6 up.
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theone86

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#20 theone86
Member since 2003 • 22669 Posts

[QUOTE="theone86"]

So we've already narrowed it down to four teams before spring training is even over? Huh, must be in for a pretty boring year then.

JohnBean42

I hope it's more than Red Sox, Yankees and Texas in the AL, and Phillies and Giants in the NL. I hope a couple teams come out of nowhere and play really well, like Texas, SD, Reds and SF did last year. I don't think anyone had them winning their division or coming close.

I don't know who could this year though. A's? Jays despite the toughest schedule in baseball? Marlins or Houston? Who knows.

I know parity isn't the same in MLB as it is in the NFL, but I still think pre-season predictions in most leagues are pretty much worthless. Between injuries, players busting or coming out of nowhere in games that actually count, and tons of other factors, I really don't think spring training is a great indication of the coming season. The previous season is probably a better indication, but even then you have teams that were close last year like the Red Sox. This is another problem I have with posing the question the way it was in the OP, why the Red Sox but not Tampa? Boston missed out entirely, yet they're more viable contenders?

Anyways, I don't pay much attention to the NL (start using DHs for god's sake), but the AL could have some surprises. I always say the Central is a really competitive division, and not just because I'm a Sox fan. For like three years straight before last year we had to play an extra game to decide the division winner, and Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota are always going to play hard for that spot. I really don't think the Twins area lock this year either. Don't get me wrong, I give them a lot of credit for having a good team, I have to when they kicked our asses so bad last year, but I think the Sox are putting together a pretty dangerous team on paper, if our pitchers can stay healthy that is. I wouldn't be so bold as to predict them taking the division, but I think the outcome this season is going to resemble the past few years a lot more than last season.

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JohnBean42

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#21 JohnBean42
Member since 2008 • 2810 Posts

I think the Red Sox are thought of as contenders and not Tampa because Boston improved big time and have 2 potential Cy candidates. Tampa lost a lot of important pieces and their pen is significantly worse and their 2 biggest acquasitions were older players, and one has a history of just giving up.


And I forgot about the White Sox. They'll be good.

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X360PS3AMD05

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#22 X360PS3AMD05
Member since 2005 • 36320 Posts
I'm curious to see how far the Orioles go, ^ the history of "giving up" is a classic example of the BS the media likes to run with as i saw the witch hunt firsthand.
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Deadman_est1982

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#23 Deadman_est1982
Member since 2004 • 1188 Posts

It's almost horror movies scary how much potential the Red Sox have this year. Look at last year. Pedroia, Youkilis and Ellsbury were all out the majority of the season. Lackey was so so and Beckett had a bad year. If Beckett, Lackey and Dice K can return to form, and the sox can stay healthy, it won't surprise me to see them win more than 100 games. Of course this is all just speculation and we all know that baseball is unpredictable. In either case it should be a VERY interesting year if you're a Sox fan.

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X360PS3AMD05

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#24 X360PS3AMD05
Member since 2005 • 36320 Posts
Yes sir it is unpredictable, also every player gets a year older and a year closer to "losing it"
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Master_Live

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#25 Master_Live
Member since 2004 • 20550 Posts
Or getting it, in the case of younger players.
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DA_B0MB

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#26 DA_B0MB
Member since 2005 • 9938 Posts
Yanks/Red Sox ALCS FTW! No greater thing in sports when that happens.
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Master_Live

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#27 Master_Live
Member since 2004 • 20550 Posts
Yanks/Red Sox ALCS FTW! No greater thing in sports when that happens.DA_B0MB
Fact.
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qwertywater

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#28 qwertywater
Member since 2010 • 276 Posts

Red Sox are too good this year.

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X360PS3AMD05

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#29 X360PS3AMD05
Member since 2005 • 36320 Posts
Yanks/Red Sox ALCS FTW! No greater thing in sports when that happens.DA_B0MB
I'm sure Bud will look into having a Red Sox/Yankee World Series.
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IWAOlympus

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#30 IWAOlympus
Member since 2011 • 412 Posts

I just want my Twins to get out of the first round this year. Here in Minnesota we're pretty happy with baby steps.

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X360PS3AMD05

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#31 X360PS3AMD05
Member since 2005 • 36320 Posts
but I still think pre-season predictions in most leagues are pretty much worthless. theone86
Fact!
I don't pay much attention to the NL (start using DHs for god's sake),theone86
Probably the first time i disagree with you sir! Leave us be and go pay attention to your DH League somewhere else, vamooose :) I will throw something out there and say, Chicago White Sox, look out! Dunn and Konerko!
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X360PS3AMD05

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#32 X360PS3AMD05
Member since 2005 • 36320 Posts
Has an 0-5 team ever gone on to the WS? :lol: How bout them Orioles!!!!
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RoslindaleOne

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#33 RoslindaleOne
Member since 2006 • 7566 Posts
Watching the Red Sox is brutal.
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JohnBean42

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#34 JohnBean42
Member since 2008 • 2810 Posts
Watching the Red Sox is brutal.RoslindaleOne
I find it fun:lol:
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Yanks2740

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#35 Yanks2740
Member since 2009 • 231 Posts
[QUOTE="DA_B0MB"]Yanks/Red Sox ALCS FTW! No greater thing in sports when that happens.Master_Live
Fact.

i second this!
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Innovazero2000

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#36 Innovazero2000
Member since 2006 • 3159 Posts

How bout them Indians! :) About to earn there seventh win for a 7-2 record :shock:

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X360PS3AMD05

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#37 X360PS3AMD05
Member since 2005 • 36320 Posts

How bout them Indians! :) About to earn there seventh win for a 7-2 record :shock:

Innovazero2000
That franchise always comes back, tons of great players have come through there, makes you wonder how many titles they would have if there was some sort of salary cap/floor.