American League Central Handicapping / Gambling Futures
Hard to believe that the Boys of Summer are almost back. Ready to start baseball betting? Teams have reported to 2010 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our division by division MLB predictions previews for the year.
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AL Central
The Detroit Tigers ended up grabbing the much-coveted OF Johnny Damon. Will it be enough to put them over the top? It’s questionable, because the Minnesota Twins, the David to everyone’s Goliath, want postseason baseball and the White Sox are also not without talent. Kansas City and Cleveland bring up the rear in the Central this season.
American League – Odds TO WIN 2010 MLB American League Central
CHICAGO WHITE SOX +170
CLEVELAND INDIANS +925
DETROIT TIGERS +185
KANSAS CITY ROYALS +2000
MINNESOTA TWINS +165
Minnesota Twins: Prediction: 1st AL Central
Everyone seems to overlook the Twins and I won’t be guilty of it this season. The squad should be fired up about its new stadium, Target Field (though players and fans alike will freeze their nuts off in the outdoor stadium at the beginning and end of the season!) and have the required pieces like 1B Justin Morneau and A.L. MVP Joe Mauer. The bullpen has always been an area of strength led by reliable closer Joe Nathan and the Twins also add Orlando Hudson, J.J. Hardy and elder statesman slugger Jim Thome. It will be a hot contest at the top, but the cold climes of the Twin Cities should prevail.
Detroit Tigers Prediction: 2nd AL Central
The Tigers have a really impressive top three in the rotation: Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer. Tigers fans got their required fist-pump when the team grabbed Damon and young, athletic former Yankees prospect Austin Jackson will man center. Slugger Miguel Cabrera says he’s off the booze. There’s reason for optimism – we just need to see Detroit on the winning end of a divisional dogfight near the end the season, likely against Minny.
Chicago White Sox Prediction: 3rd AL Central
South Sider fans from here to Timbuktu will be happy they get to see a full season out of dominant P Jake Peavy. Though nearly legally blind, Peavy has to see the spicy competition at the top of the Central. Aging Omar Vizquel and Andruw Jones were acquired to make an impact; we’ll see if there’s enough left in the tank. First baseman Paul Konerko and RF Carlos Quentin will provide the home runs the White Sox are famous for. Peavy and the dongs just might not be enough. 
Kansas City Royals Prediction: 4th AL Central
The Royals played stretches of excellent baseball in 2009 and they aren’t entirely without talent. Ace P Zack Greinke won the AL Cy Young award last season and “The Mexicutioner” Joakim Soria is a great closer. Veteran Jason Kendall will take the catching duties and Rick Ankiel, formerly St. Louis’ converted pitcher, will play centerfield. At the least, it will be interesting to see how Kansas City comes together in this tough division.
Cleveland Indians Prediction: 5th AL Central
The Indians had their shot a couple seasons ago and now, it’s fire sale time on the shores of Lake Erie. Youngsters Matt LaPorta, Asdrubal Cabrera, Luis Valbuena and Lou Marson will be leaned on heavily. CF Grady Sizemore has oodles of baseball talent, but even he only hit .248 last season and couldn’t crack 20 HRs or 70 RBI. It could be a long season at the Jake.
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