9803270156
DETROIT FREE PRESS
980327
Friday, March 27, 1998
METRO FINAL
2G
MITCH ALBOM; GENE GUIDI; JOHN LOWE; CHARLIE VINCENT
SPECIAL SECTION: 1998 BASEBALL PREVIEW
Copyright (c) 1998, Detroit Free Press
FEARLESS PREDICTIONS
MITCH ALBOM
American League East: New York
American League Central: Cleveland
American League West: Seattle
American League wild card: Baltimore
National League East: Atlanta
National League Central: St. Louis
National League West: San Diego
National League wild card: Los Angeles
AL Central:
1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Minnesota
5. Kansas City
World Series: Atlanta over New York Yankees.
TIGERS: The word is the new Tigers ballpark will have far-away,
pitcher-friendly walls. Too bad they're not playing there this year. The
pitching once again will be the reason the rapidly improving Tigers don't
improve that rapidly. Still, there should be more reasons than last year or
the year before to go home happy after a Tigers game.
GENE GUIDI
American League East: New York
American League Central: Cleveland
American League West: Anaheim
American League wild card: Boston
National League East: Atlanta
National League Central: St. Louis
National League West: Colorado
National League wild card: Los Angeles
AL Central:
1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Kansas City
5. Minnesota
World Series: New York Yankees over St. Louis
TIGERS: In their first season in the AL Central, the Tigers should finish no
worse than third -- thanks to the presence of the dreary Royals and Twins. If
their starting rotation springs another Willie Blair-type surprise, the Tigers
could even climb to second, but getting past the Tribe looks like something
that will have to wait for at least another season.
JOHN LOWE
American League East: New York Yankees
American League Central: Cleveland
American League West: Anaheim
American League wild card: Baltimore
National League East: Atlanta
National League Central: St. Louis
National League West: Colorado
National League wild card: Milwaukee
AL Central:
1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Minnesota
5. Kansas City
World Series: Atlanta over New York Yankees
TIGERS: The Tigers have ascended enough that they've become a typical American
League team: They have a dangerous lineup, but they lack established starting
pitchers. If their defense and bullpen can equal last season, perhaps the
Tigers can beat out Chicago for second. But bullpens seldom perform the same
two years in a row. And because it's unclear who'll provide the 16 wins that
Willie Blair did a year ago, will the bullpen have as many leads to protect?
CHARLIE VINCENT
American League East: New York
American League Central: Cleveland
American League West: Seattle
American League wild card: Boston
National League East: Atlanta
National League Central: St. Louis
National League West: Colorado
National League wild card: Houston
AL Central:
1. Cleveland
2. Detroit
3. Chicago
4. Kansas City
5. Minnesota
World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta.
TIGERS: The Tigers have made enormous progress in the past two seasons,
identifying the players of the future. They are a sound but not exceptional
team at every position. The pitching staff is thin and a couple of years away
from allowing the Tigers to be a true contender. If they challenge for the
wild-card spot, the summer should be considered a success.
THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION MAY DIFFER SLIGHTLY FROM THE PRINTED ARTICLE.
BASEBALL;TIGERS;PICK