Part 1 of my dozonlife MLB Preview featured the teams that I think have 0.00% chance of winning the World Series or even making the playoffs. Part 2 is the middle of the pack teams that probably won't contend, but have a slight chance of making the playoffs. Again they are just bunched together, no real rankings yet. These teams in my mind have a chance to someone contend. Probably won't but I'm not completely writing them off like the first group. Teams That I Have No Idea What to Expect Minnesota Twins Now I don't expect the Twins to make the playoffs. But for most of the season last year they were playing .500 ball. Manager Paul Molitor got a lot out of the talent he had available, as they won 84 games. They don't have great pitching but this team surprised last year. I probably could have had them on part 1 but I'd give the Twins like a 7% chance at stealing a Wild-Card spot. They added Korean player Byung Ho Park who could be a big surprise this season. Hopefully Joe Mauer is healthy and himself this year, it's impossible to root against a guy like him. A real pro's pro. Chicago White Sox The AL Central is weird. Much like the East, almost no order of teams would shock me. I hate the White Sox. They are not the Sox, the Red Sox are the Sox and it drives me crazy when they are referred to as the Sox. As much as I irrationally hate this team I do think they have some legit talent. Chris Sale is one of the best pitchers in the American League. Jose Abreu is a beast. This team could finish 2nd or 5th in the AL Central though and it wouldn't shock me. Detroit Tigers With players like Miguel Cabrera, Justin Upton, Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez, and Victor Martinez on offense the Tigers should be able to score some runs. From 2011-2014 the Tigers won the AL Central every year and were always one of the best teams in baseball but were unable to win the World Series. I still can't believe the got swept in 2014 when they were starting Verlander, Price and Scherzer. A lot of guys from those teams are gone and Justin Verlander is no longer the stud ace he used to be. IF he can rebound and pitch like it's 2012 the Tigers could compete in the American League but this team is full of question marks. I've said it with a ton of teams but I honestly don't know what to expect from the Tigers. A lot of experts think this team will finish under .500 but I'm not gonna complete write off the Tigers yet. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Two words: Mike Trout. This Angels roster is nothing special, but they have the best player in baseball in Mike Trout. Many baseball experts think this team is wasted Trout's prime by having a subpar roster around him. I too kind of agree. The Angels did make the most underrated move of the off season however, they signed OF Daniel Nava. Expect a big bounce back in 2016 for Nava. They still have Pujols as well who had a nice year in 2015. The key to the Angels season will be starting pitching and how will Garret Richards do in 2016. I expect the Angels to finish the season right around .500 Tampa Bay Rays Another small market team with limited resources, the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rays roster on paper sucks but the Rays always have no name guys that always find a way to produce. They have a legit ace in Chris Archer and a lot of other young talent like always. After they lost manager Joe Maddon to the Cubs I thought the Rays would go away and we'd never hear from them again but they are still always in the mix. I hate the Rays and think they'll finish 4th in the AL East but it they some how hit lightning in a bottle it wouldn't shock me.
1 Comment
3pac
3/31/2016 03:01:25 pm
You are a baseball nerd.
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