2008 Chicago White Sox MLB Picks & Predictions

Since taking home a World Series title in 2005, the Chicago White Sox have been less than good. In fact, they barely avoided the basement of the AL Central last season. Can the south siders get things turned around this year? Find out with the baseball predictions in Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 Chicago White Sox article then keep cashing in on summer long by signing up for the baseball picks offered by Jimmy himself.

Starting Rotation/Bullpen

The starting five is not what it was when the Sox brought home a title to the Windy City, but with Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez, and Jose Contreras, the south siders still have a strong nucleus on the mound. Mark Buehrle returned to form last season, but didn’t get much help from the rest of the staff or the offense, for that matter. He went just 10-9, but led the team in ERA at 3.63 and threw 200-plus innings for the seventh straight year. His record actually wasn’t too bad for a team that went just 72-90. Javier Vazquez somehow managed to go 15-8 with an ERA of 3.74, a fine season on such a poor club. These guys are going to be asked to match Cleveland’s one-two combo of Sabathia-Carmona and Detroit’s combo of Verlander-Bonderman. Whichever tandem performs the best will go a long way in deciding the division. The guy that can spur a turnaround is Jose Contreras. He was brilliant in the Sox’s World Series run, but was just 10-17 last season with a 5.57 ERA – undeniable proof that getting served divorce papers on Opening Day is a bad omen. Lefty John Danks and righthander Gavin Floyd are the favorites to fill the four and five sports.

With Bobby Jenks closing games, the Sox are in good hands. The big fella is third in the majors in saves the past two seasons and has an 88% career success rate. The middles relievers need to come up bigger for the Sox this year. Guys like Scott Linebrink and Matt Thornton must be better in ’07. If the Sox can improve the control of fire-baller Mike MacDougal, he could become an elite set-up artist.

Batting Order

Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, acquired from the Angels for Jon Garland, will likely take the leadoff spot for the Sox and should be an upgrade. He hit .301 with eight homeruns, 86 RBIs, and added 20 stolen bases. With his speed, Cabrera will be a good fit hitting in front of the Sox’ veteran boppers. Centerfielder Nick Swisher’s will fill the two-hole. His power numbers went down last season but his average and on-base percentage improved. The Sox will take his 22 homeruns, but they are looking for a little more production than 78 RBIs. DH Jim Thome can still get it done. As one of the most powerful lefty sticks in baseball, Thome has hit 35-plus round trippers in seven of the last eight seasons. First baseman Paul Konerko will fill the clean-up role and must improve for Chicago to compete in the Central. He slugged 31 homeruns and added 90 RBIs, but only batted .259. The Sox did Jermaine Dye a favor and gave him a contract extension despite all of his numbers dropping in 2007. Dye had 78 RBIs last season and needs to be a 100 RBI-guy. Joe Crede should be poised for a solid season in what is a contract-year for him. A.J. Pierzynski must not suffer a slump after signing a comfortable deal. Left fielder Carlos Quinton and two-bagger Danny Richar will likely fill out the order.

The White sox hit just .243 with men in scoring position last season which is why almost all of their sluggers suffered drop-offs. The White Sox are going to have to do a better job of picking up the ducks on the pond to give their pitchers the confidence of hurling with a lead. We are expecting a better year on the south side, but the Indians and the Tigers will likely be too much when it’s all said and done.

Jimmy B. wants to make you more money in just one season of MLB betting than you’ve ever made in an entire calendar year. In 2007, he took home another MLB Handicapping Title and put over 5000 units in his clients’ pockets. Just do the math! Make sure you’re on board for another glorious run!

Odds to win AL Central: 11/2
Odds to win 2008 AL Pennant: 12/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 25/1

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