2008 Chicago White Sox Picks & Predictions
May 22, 2008
The Sox have far too much talent to barely win 70 games the way they did in 2007. Find out if they can bounce back and challenge for the division in this 2008 Chicago White Sox predictions article.
Pitching
The White Sox do not have the same top notch pitching staff which took them to a World Series championship in 2005, but they still have a respectable one that is capable of winning some games. Ace Mark Buehrle returned to form in 2007 after a down 2006, throwing a no-hitter and working more than 200 innings. Javier Vazquez is a solid number two. He went 15-8 on a team that was 18 games under the .500 mark. There are plenty of teams that would love to have this one-two punch at the front of their rotation, but in a division full of aces, Buehlre/Vazquez is the third best attraction. Cleveland combo of Sabathia/Camona and Detroit’s duo of Verlander/Bonderman are better. Jose Contreras was brilliant in 2005, but has struggled since. He went just 10-17 with an ERA of 5.57. John Danks endured a second half collapse last season and Gavin Floyd is another youngster which hasn’t had much big league success.
The bullpen is solid behind big Bobby Jenks. He is third in the majors in saves the past two seasons. Give this fireballer the pill with the lead and he’ll bring it home.
Offense
The Sox still have a solid lineup with Nick Swisher, Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, and Jermaine Dye. Swisher’s power numbers dropped in 2007 for Oakland, but he still hit 22 bombs and added 78 RBIs. His numbers should go back up on a better team. Thome has jacked 35 or more homeruns in seven of the past eight years. Konerko is a guy which needs to bounce back. He still hit 31 round trippers and added 90 RBIs, but his average dropped 54 points. The Sox decided to stick with Dye and extend his contract even though his numbers plummeted. He still looks like a 30 homerun 100 RBI guy to me. Catcher A. J. Pierzynski and Joe Crede both swing reliable bats.
Defense
Orlando Cabrera coming over from the Angels to play shortstop is a major upgrade over Juan Uribe. Danny Richar will be a step back from Tadahito Iguchi at second base however. Pierzynski works well with pitchers behind the plate, but has trouble throwing out basestealers. The outfield is solid. Nick Swisher should become a staple in center.
The Sox won only 72 games last season, which had to have left management dumbfounded. This team has enough talent to win 90 games, but even that likely won’t bring home a division title in 2008 with the Tigers and Indians both putting even more talent on the field. Besides pitching woes, the Sox hit an AL–worst .243 with runners in scoring position. Chicago should do a better job of bringing in the ducks off the pond in 2008, but they will still likely finish a close third in the division race.
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Odds to win AL Central: 7/1
Odds to win AL Pennant: 20/1
Odds to win World Series: 40/1
AL Central
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