Boomer's Diamond Notes: AL Preview

As the calendar turns to the month of April, so does the theme for Boomer's weekly Tuesday post. Ladies and Gentlemen I introduce you to, "Boomer's Diamond Notes". Topics to be discussed and covered will be the seasons of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians (of course) along with divisional races, league stats and such, and possibly some updates on Boomer's fantasy baseball team(s) "I got two this summer". So, if you are ready, let Boomer be your guide for the 2012 MLB season. First off, this week Boomer lets you all in on his divisional predictions, his picks for this seasons awards (MVP, Cy Young and Manager of the Year) and dishes out some general information about the American League. Go Indians!

AL East Division

1) Tampa Bay Rays 2011 season: 91-71 2012 projected wins: 94

• The Rays are the "last men standing", in the three-team dog fight, that is the AL East.

2) Boston Red Sox 2011 season: 90-72 2012 projected wins: 92 **Wild Card**

• Too much talent on this roster, not to make the playoffs, no September collapse this season under new manager Bobby V.

3) New York Yankees 2011 season: 97-65 2012 projected wins: 89

• The Yankees are getting old and don't have the pitching staff to hang with the top two teams in the AL East.

4) Toronto Blue Jays 2011 season: 81-81 2012 projected wins: 85

• The Jay's have a nice season, but our buried below the top 3 teams in the East.

5) Baltimore Orioles 2011 season: 69-93 2012 projected wins: 70

• Is Buck Showalter the guy to turn this club around, the O's suffer another losing season, a streak that dates back to the 1998 season.

AL Central Division 

1) Detroit Tigers 2011 season: 95-67 2012 projected wins: 95

• Can the Tigers ride Justin Verlander and bash-brothers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, to another AL Central crown?

2) Cleveland Indians 2011 season: 80-82 2012 projected wins: 88

• The Indians continue to get better and improve in the 2012 season, and hang with the Tigers to the end this time around.

3) Kansas City Royals 2011 season: 71-91 2012 projected wins: 80

• The Royals ride the hype of hosting the 2012 All-Star Game in mid-July and finish close to the .500 mark.

4) Minnesota Twins 2011 season: 63-99 2012 projected wins: 75

• Will price tags Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau be able to stay healthy for the Twins this season.

5) Chicago White Sox 2011 season: 79-83 2012 projected wins: 74

• Now, whats the Chicago media going to be like without Ozzie?

AL West

1) Los Angeles Angels 2011 season: 86-76 2012 projected wins: 94

• In Albert We Trust or else we want that 254 million dollar check back.

2) Texas Rangers 2011 season: 96-66 2012  projected wins: 93 **Wild Card**

• Third times a charm? The Rangers will try and get back to the World Series for the third straight year and get that last out.

3) Oakland A's 2011 season: 74-88 2012 projected wins: 78

• What kind of impact (if any) will Manny have for the A's, will we have any "Manny being Manny" moments in the Bay Area.

4) Seattle Mariners 2011 season: 67-95 2012 projected wins: 72

• Well, at least Ichrio is still on team.

American League Awards
MVP: Albert Pujos
Cy Young: Justin Verlander
Manager of the Year: Bobby Valentine

Wild Card: Rangers over Red Sox
ALDS: Tigers over Rangers, Rays over Angels
ALCS: Tigers over Rays