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First the American League. I’ll stick with the BoSox and Yankees, in that order, in the East, with the Yanks the wild card. I’ll join with the majority as well in picking the Los Angeles Angels in the West. But then I’ll be a homer and pick the White Sox in the Central, not because I’m so optimistic about the Sox, but because I’m more pessimistic about the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers (not enough pitching). The Sox’ Ozzie Guillen is absolutely right in suggesting that Jose Contreras’s return to form is essential, but by the same token Ozzie has to return to form and his aggressive ways violating the conventional “baseball book” as a manager. He has to find the right tweaks for a lineup with its considerable talent concentrated in the corner positions, and no I don’t think playing Nick Swisher in center field will work. So I’ll take the White Sox as a sentimental choice in the AL Central, but the Red Sox to win the pennant.
That said, I have to follow Sports Illustrated in picking the Bosox over the Cubs in the World Series. I’m trendy and a homer, but only up to a point.
