Who's left out of the AL Playoff Picture

[sublime8414]

The yankees, red sox, indians, and tigers are competing for only 3 playoff spots. Who do you guys think the odd man out is?

To me it's still the tigers.


EDITED to replace twins with red sox. as per the post below.

[nsulham]

The yankees, twins, indians, and tigers are competing for only 3 playoff spots. Who do you guys think the odd man out is?

To me it's still the tigers.

I think you mean Red Sox, not Twins. That said, it's a hard call. You can't discount the Indians, because they're the reigning Central champs, and the Yankees are the Yankees? Do the Red Sox have Santana? If so, you'd have to think they're in.

So if the Red Sox get Santana, I'd say the Yankees or Indians are out. If the Sox don't get Santana, it's entirely possible the defending WS champs are out. Strong field top-wise in the AL this year.

[acsguitar]

Next year.

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Indians
AL West: Angels
Wild Card: Red Sox

[sublime8414]

I just don't see the yankees winning the division. Francona sat everyone down the Stretch and the red sox still won by two games.

Taking the teams as they are now.

The red sox basically adds ellsbury, lester, and bucholtz.

The yankees add joba and hughes, but to me they see some regression in their older players.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

Cleveland will be the odd man out. Their SPs will end up regressing from last yr.

If not Cleveland than its gotta be NY. Their pitching will eventually hold them back.

[OneLoveBoomer]

Next year.

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Indians
AL West: Angels
Wild Card: Red Sox

Wait, why will the Indians stand a chance against DET? It takes more than Sabathia and Sizemore to haul in the Central.

[BronXBombers51]

I think the Yankees have the goods to get in even if Santana does wind up in Boston. The Yankees are operating with the same roster as last year, when they won 94 games. Now they've got 3 young pitchers with more experience under their belts as well.

I think this largely depends on Detroit's performance. If Dontrelle Willis can pitch better than he did last year, and guys like Sheffield can stay on the field, then I think Detroit needs to be considered the favorite in the Central. The Indians will make a push, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see some regression from their pitchers.

If I had to choose today, I'd say Cleveland is the odd team out, but it's only December 5th.

[KCollins1304]

I just don't see the yankees winning the division. Francona sat everyone down the Stretch and the red sox still won by two games.

Taking the teams as they are now.

The red sox basically adds ellsbury, lester, and bucholtz.

The yankees add joba and hughes, but to me they see some regression in their older players.

If you're going to regress the Yankees older players, then you should probably expect Boston's older players to regress too.

[Another Blown Save]

It probably be either Cleveland or Detroit and right now I like Cleveland's chances over Detroit.

Both have solid rotation with good depth.
Detroit definitely has the better offense, but it's a pretty old and injury prone offense (Pudge, Guillen, Polanco, JJ, Ordonez, and Shef), while Cleveland has much younger offense.
Not to mention Detroit has one of the worst bullpen in the AL right now. You are in real trouble when Fernando Rodney is your best RP

[sgnilloccaz]

AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Indians
AL West: Angels
Wild Card: Detroit