Detroit is unstoppable; lets face it, fellow Chicago White Sox fans. The Sox have the second best record in all of baseball, in the National and the American leagues. But Detroit will edge them out for the Central Division Championship this year. Thats my prediction and Im sticking to it. I say this because: (1) The Tigers are managed by Jim Leyland, and I think that fact is going to give them the edge in at least five crucial games down the stretch. His experience and poise under pressure will keep the team playing at a fever pitch. (2) Detroits schedule in July is more favorable than that of the Sox. The Tigers are playing more games against weak teams, so I believe theyll pick up another game or two on their division rivals in that month, alone, giving them a four game lead going into August. (3) Detroit is hungrier. I heard the fans at Comerica Park going crazy on every pitch the other night against the Astros, and fan support will constitute the 10th player on the field for the team for the rest of the season. (4) Detroit is managing around injuries very well, platooning Pudge Rodriguez and others as they need to. The Sox have had a few hit the disabled list, but manager Guillens abilities to shuffle a lineup card may not be as sharp as Jim Leylands. (5) The White Sox believe theyll continue to beat Detroit, head to head, as theyve been able to do this year, to date. I dont see that lasting, because Detroit has to find its confidence building as they start pulling away in July, and any mystique the Sox have will have rubbed off by that point. And of course, the Wild Card championship is not a lock. The Yankees are going to be in the race. Theyre managing very well to be in second place in both the Eastern Division of the American League, and in the Wild Card race, given their injuries. If they make a solid trade or two, or get some of their personnel back for August or September, theyre going to be tough competition for the Sox. Stay tuned for more predictions! |
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