Texas Rangers
After the Los Angeles Angels made a big splash in free agency, the Texas Rangers are again flying under the radar after capturing back-to-back American League pennants.
Thus, it’s easy for me to choose the Rangers to win the World Series this season.
Sure, they lost their ace C.J. Wilson, but all the Rangers do is re-tool and reload for another opportunity at a World Series. Alexi Ogando was an All-Star starting pitcher last year, and now he’s their setup man. Scott Feldman won 17 games in 2009 and now he’s in the bullpen. Neftali Feliz was a rock star closer for the Rangers and now he has the opportunity to be one of their top starters.
They have one of the top lineups in baseball, starring Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Adrian Beltre, Michael Young and Ian Kinsler. Texas has the tools to score through singles and speed, or through one swing that smashes the ball over the fence.
With the extra wild card to make the playoffs, they should be a lock, and they have more experience of winning in the playoffs than anybody.
This is where the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” fits in perfectly, and why I think the Rangers have the perfect formula to win the World Series.
-Bobby Nightengale
Detroit Tigers
With the baseball season officially underway, it’s time to discuss who will be crowned World Series champions in November.
That team will be the Detroit Tigers.
The addition of former Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder will improve the Tigers already good offense from a season ago, where they won 95 games.
Miguel Cabrera will move from first to third base to make room for Fielder. There is little doubt that Cabrera is a huge defensive liability, but his offensive production should more than make up for it.
The Tigers also boast arguably one of the best rotations in baseball with Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer. Verlander won 24 games and had a 2.40 earned run average last season. He was the winner of the American League Cy Young and MVP awards.
Detroit is very balanced with its pitching and hitting and are the clear favorites to win the AL Central.
The Tigers’ Jim Leyland is one of the most underrated managers in all of baseball and is the perfect guy to coach all the talent on the team.
So come November don’t be surprised to see the Detroit Tigers crowned as the World Series Champions.
-Alex Ross
