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2008 MLB
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2008 Chicago White Sox Predictions & Season
Preview
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 in Jimmy
Boyd’s 2008 Chicago White
Sox Predictions article.
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
Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:
Updated February 12th, 2008
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