MLB Progress Report - AL Central

American League Central
The AL Central race is shaping up to be a very tight race with the Tigers, White Sox, and Twins separated by only 2 and 1/2 games. The Tigers and White Sox each made a nice acquisition at the trading deadline to bolster their pitching staff. The Tigers picked up Jared Washburn and the White Sox traded for Padres ace Jake Peavy, who is currently injured but may me able to return later this season. These moves were important because both the Tigers and White Sox have not exactly distinguished themselves from the rest of the mediocre AL Central. The Tigers have the worst record of any division leader in baseball at 55-50 and the White Sox spent nearly all of May and June under the .500 mark. The Twins have not stood out from the pack either as they have been hovering around the .500 mark the entire season; they have been no worse than 5 games under .500 and no better than 3 games over .500.

In terms of pitching, the Tigers and White Sox have a clear edge over the Twins. The Tigers rotation with Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, rookie Rick Porcello, and newcomer Jared Washburn is strong and their closer Fernando Rodney has only blown 1 of 22 save opportunities this season. The White Sox starting staff might be even superior to the Tigers' if Jake Peavy can come back from his injury in September and regain his top form. Having Peavy and Mr. Perfect Mark Buehrle at the top of the rotation can not only vault the Sox to the division title but it can give them a puncher's chance to reach the World Series. The Twins on the other hand lack the front line starters that the Tigers and White Sox have. Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, and Kevin Slowey are, at best, slightly above average and Francisco Liriano has been a major injury-plagued disappointment after starting his career with an outstanding 2006 season. The Twins have 2 of the best position players in the American League in Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, but I think their lack of pitching will keep them from getting into the postseason.

I predict that the White Sox will wind up on top of the AL Central for the 2nd year in a row. The Sox have a little more pop in the middle of their lineup than the Tigers with veteran sluggers Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, and Jim Thome, along with last year's 5th placed finisher in AL MVP voting, Carlos Quentin. Last year's AL Central race came down to the very end with the Sox beating the Twins in a one game playoff. One can hope that this year's race will come down to the final day of the season as well.