Spiff
03-22-2002, 04:25 PM
http://espn.go.com/mlb/spring2002/diamondmindprojections.html
AL Central
Chicago White Sox (89-73, division title 81%, wild card 1%)
Our simulations suggest that the White Sox are the clear favorite to win the division, but with powerful teams like New York, Boston, Oakland, Seattle, and Texas in the league, they'll be hard pressed to grab the wildcard spot if they don't manage to beat the Twins and Indians.
The White Sox led the league in scoring in 2000 but fell back to 6th a year ago, partly because they overachieved two years ago and had to make do without Frank Thomas in 2001. The batting order won't look a lot different this year. Kenny Lofton takes over for Chris Singleton, Jose Canseco is gone, and Thomas is back. In our fifty seasons, this group averaged 827 runs, an increase of 29 over last year, and good enough for a virtual tie for 5th in the league in scoring.
The pitching, which was surprisingly average in 2001 despite an unbelievable series of serious injuries, appears to be a strength this time around. Todd Ritchie joins an impressive group of youngsters (including Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland) who got a chance to show their stuff because all the other starters were hurt. The bullpen should continue to be an asset.
Difference makers: Adding Lofton doesn't project to help because he underperformed the guys who played CF for the Sox last year, but he could be a catalyst if he bounces back to peak form ... we assumed that Jim Parque would take a regular turn and pitch at his established level, but he's been having trouble with his velocity this spring, and the club seems be leaning toward starting the season with Jon Rauch and/or Dan Wright in the rotation.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox (89-73, division title 81%, wild card 1%)
Our simulations suggest that the White Sox are the clear favorite to win the division, but with powerful teams like New York, Boston, Oakland, Seattle, and Texas in the league, they'll be hard pressed to grab the wildcard spot if they don't manage to beat the Twins and Indians.
The White Sox led the league in scoring in 2000 but fell back to 6th a year ago, partly because they overachieved two years ago and had to make do without Frank Thomas in 2001. The batting order won't look a lot different this year. Kenny Lofton takes over for Chris Singleton, Jose Canseco is gone, and Thomas is back. In our fifty seasons, this group averaged 827 runs, an increase of 29 over last year, and good enough for a virtual tie for 5th in the league in scoring.
The pitching, which was surprisingly average in 2001 despite an unbelievable series of serious injuries, appears to be a strength this time around. Todd Ritchie joins an impressive group of youngsters (including Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland) who got a chance to show their stuff because all the other starters were hurt. The bullpen should continue to be an asset.
Difference makers: Adding Lofton doesn't project to help because he underperformed the guys who played CF for the Sox last year, but he could be a catalyst if he bounces back to peak form ... we assumed that Jim Parque would take a regular turn and pitch at his established level, but he's been having trouble with his velocity this spring, and the club seems be leaning toward starting the season with Jon Rauch and/or Dan Wright in the rotation.