Mark Teixeira is the difference maker in the Angels lineup, and the main reason they will win the AL Pennant.

This is simply an exciting time in sports. We have the Olympics, the start of the NFL season quickly coming upon us, and the topic of this article as well, the nearing of the major league playoffs. Indulge me the opportunity to deliver my playoff predictions.

In this week’s Grumble, I will give you my American League Divisional winners following up next week with my National League predictions, Wild Card predictions, and eventual playoff breakdown.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

With the emergence of the smaller money market clubs in Minnesota and Tampa Bay, as well as the hard-hitting, high-priced payrolls of the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels, I am going to go significantly against the grain with my predictions. Most who know me personally or have read a significant amount of my work would realize that as an original Massachusetts’s native, I am a “die-hahhd” Sox fan, however, I do not think that they are ready to make the playoffs.

AL WEST ~ LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

With a record of 40-25, the Angels simply rake on the road. There is not a team out there that even comes close to the winning ways of Mike Scioscia and his ball club on the road. Additionally, with a 38-25 home record, they are not going down easy.

With a rotation that is lead by team ace John Lackey (10-2, 3.09 ERA), the Angels have all five starting pitchers with double-digit wins. Ervin Santana (13-5, 3.39 ERA), Joe Saunders (14-6, 3.37 ERA), Jon Garland (11-8, 4.49 ERA), and Jered Weaver (10-2, 4.47 ERA), all have the ability on any given day to stymie any line-up in the major leagues. Then there is the other end of the game, where you hand the ball off to rookie sensation Jose Arredondo (5-1, 1.27 ERA) who has been simply dominant in his rookie campaign. Arredondo has recorded 34 strikeouts in 42 and two-thirds inning of relief pitching while only surrendering six earned runs. The torch is then passed to savvy veteran Scott Shields (5-4, 2.68 ERA) who has also been extremely consist, striking out one more batter than he has pitched innings (51). We all know who is closing for the team, as well as closing in on the record for number of saves in a single season. Francisco Rodriguez has stumbled here recently, surrendering a few earned runs here and there, but with 60 strikeouts in 54 innings and 49 saves in 54 chances, there is no doubt that if the game is close, it is also all but over.

I could further discuss Vladimir Guerrero and what he means to the Angel’s line-up. I could discuss the effortless swing of Garrett Anderson and how he is doing at the plate while avoiding potential injury. We could even discuss the emergence of both Erick Aybar and the play of Howie Kendrick now that he is on the field everyday. Heck, we could discuss that the teams’ three back-up outfielders could start on most National League teams (Reggie Willits, Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews, Jr.). With all that, I actually believe that the biggest impact at the plate is, you guessed it, Mark Teixeira. As he becomes re-acclimated with the American League, proof by his three for three performance last night against the Twins, where he knocked in two with a homerun. With the likes of Torii Hunter, Guerrero, Teixeira, and to a lesser degree, Anderson, this team is poised to make a serious run at the playoffs.

AL EAST ~ TAMPA BAY RAYS

I have always liked the Tampa Bay Rays, mostly due to my younger brother, who resides in the greater Tampa area; however, it has always been more than that. Any team that gives the New York Yankees a run for their money each season is okay in my books.

Although faced with some difficult injuries so late in the season (Evan Longoria’s wrist, Troy Percival’s knee, Carl Crawford’s finger), the team has still found ways to win, primarily off the bat of first baseman Carlos Pena.

The team has a benefit and a flaw from the same characteristic…experience/age. With most teams who are heading into the home stretch with playoff’s on their mind, most analyst turn to the experience factor to weigh how things will play out. I believe that it can be viewed either way. You can say that the lack of experience of starting pitchers Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnastine, and Edwin Jackson is ultimately going to hinder their success during the difficult road that is the playoffs. When you consider that they are dominating the best of the American League teams within an earshot of the best record in baseball, depending on the day, I cannot believe that they are going to simply collapse in the end.

There could be questions about the strength/health of their bullpen with their veteran closer on the disabled list; however, I have a few pitchers that need to be considered prior to you determining their strength. Dan Wheeler, brought in from Houston last year to become the setup man, has ultimately become the closer, at the very least, until Percival returns. Wheeler has now notched his eighth save and has shown that he is capable and reliable in this role, even if Percival does not return to 100 percent. Then there is the young arm of Grant Balfour. Balfour is currently listed as the closer on the Rays official site and with a record of 4-2, four saves, and an earned run average of 1.50, there is no doubt that he is capable. With 62 strikeouts in 42 innings, he is one of the most dominant setup pitchers in baseball, especially for one utilized in the “hold” role and not a true setup position. Then there is J.P. Howell who has quietly delivered a 6-0 record, and 72 strikeouts in a little over 69 innings, all while maintaining a 2.58 earned run average.

The team is suspect in one area, in my opinion, at the moment. That is continuous delivery of offense. With both Longoria and Crawford playing vital roles throughout the season at the beginning of the line-up, the team has relied upon Pena and timely hitting from the likes of Iwamura Akinori (2B), B.J. Upton (CF), prayerful wishing as they bring back Rocco Baldelli, and Willy Aybar (3B) from the minors. Kudos need to go to manager Joe Maddon for finding effective usage of utility players Eric Hinske and Gabe Gross.

AL CENTRAL ~ MINNESOTA TWINS

Smoke and mirrors? There is no question that there were very few who saw the Twins in the position that they are in today, vying for the divisional lead this late in August. What I love most about the Twins’ line-up is that they seem to be getting younger by the day.

Consider this… That Justin Mourneau is the veteran on the staff with Joe Mauer a close second, at least when you consider the number of full seasons a player has under his belt. The list of players that have not had a full season under their belt or are in their first year is impressive, considering their record. Alexi Casilla (2B), Brian Buscher (3B), Denard Span (RF), and Carlos Gomez (CF) are all rookies; Delmon Young is in his second full season, and Nick Punto (SS), and Jason Kubel (DH) have had several seasons in both utility roles or spent partial seasons in both the minors and majors.

So how is this team doing it? Well, it actually gets far more interesting, before we can answer that question.

The starting rotation consists of five pitchers who have not had a full season under their belt. Francisco Liriano is easily the ace of the staff, however, he is only a little over a year removed from shoulder surgery. Scott Baker was able to get 24 starts in 2007, so he may likely be considered the veteran of the staff, now that Livan Hernandez is gone. That leaves us with Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, and Glen Perkins. Slowey, Blackburn, and Perkins have a combined 30-19 record, averaging somewhere in the proximity of a 3.80 earned run average.

The only real veterans of the team are in their bullpen. Joe Nathan has quietly put together a fantastic 2008 campaign. With 35 saves in 38 chances, a sub-one earned run average (0.98), and 61 strikeouts in 55 innings, there is no doubt that he is a dominant closer and can be relied upon to turn a short lead into a win. Jesse Crain, who has had a strong career, has bounced back from his poor showing in 2007. Crain is both reliable and serviceable, however, you cannot expect him to blow pitchers away, relying more on placement than gas, Crain will keep hitters on their toes, which is important for a strong playoff run.  If there were a kink in the Twin’s armor, it would be their middle relief. So as long as their young pitchers can go six, they should be able to compete in the playoffs.

Look for my article next week where I will give you my National League Divisional Winners.

Kevin Burgoyne, AKA Statistocrat