The Known Unknowns and the Unknown Knowns

My team-by-team preview of each division in (my) predicted order of finish. And yes, I picked myself to win my division.

AL North
Cleveland
What we know: A scary lineup packed with offense from leadoff to number nine. Donovan Milligan, Jason Carlyle, Nerio...they all scare me. And they've infused the pitching staff with a much needed starter in Pat Rizzo.

What we don't know: I'm convinced that, while Nerio Turner is a good power hitter, that last year might have been an anomaly. Can he keep the greenies down and the numbers up? But, are Barnes-Flanagan-Rizzo-Lovullo and Lee enough to topple Kansas City?

Milwaukee
What we know: To channel my inner Rick Pitino, Len Heiserman is not walking through that door. Mikey Hall is back and so is Yoo-Nah Kim. Their pitching scares me more than Cleveland's hitting.

What we don't know: Andy Porter, Wayne Jones, Earl Clontz, Felipe Hernandez...all absolutely raking in spring training. Can they make it happen in the regular season?

Detroit
What we know:  Chui Tabaka is going to steal a lot of bases. Gio Coffie is going to do the lion's share of producing runs. And, so far, Mel Petersn and Troy Shumaker are thawing nicely.

What we don't know: Stud catcher Eli Reynoso looks to make his everyday debut in season two. Is he up to it and can he set the table for Coffie and Warren Rueter? 

Minnesota
What we know: Took a big step by signing Stone Cold Steve Austin to a nice little deal. Certainly amounting a nice offense.

What we also know: Del Holtz looks great and so does Henry Ramirez. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the red of the staff.

AL East
Boston
What we know: The champions of the weakest division in the AL won last season by a 12-game margin. The starting pitching looks tuned, as does Jim Rice.

What we don't know: Is the rest of the machine ready to win? And, can they do it more than last year's 84 times??

Augusta
What we know: Jamie Rollins. Nuff said.

What we don't know: There pitching looks quite nice. Can they keep it together and make it down the stretch without picking up another arm?

New York
What we know: This team will not lack for runs. And from first glance, they have a lot of young guns that will power them through the season.

What we don't know: Are there enough proven veterans to make this season work? Or will season three be the year for the Chechakos? I have flip flopped twice New York and Augusta.

Pittsburgh
What we know: It can't get worse than last season. Besides, they have a player named Hulk Holt.

What we don't know: How much better it will get in season three. Are we talking 50 wins better or 70 wins better?

AL South
Memphis
What we know: Yeah, because I'm going to pick against myself. My pitching is good from the first through the sixth innings and great in the ninth. The lineup is good 1-6.

What we don't know: The seventh and eighth innings have me a little unsure. My infield holes have spackle. They need some drywall. Will we collapse like balsa wood again and go on another 13-14 game losing streak?

Nashville
What we know: I love picking on Nashville. Their my divisional rival, of course I'm going to dump on them. But, with 113 runs scored and a team batting average of .301, they are pounding the ball in spring training. And, the starters look midseason.

What we don't know: Is this a Dave Winfield "Mr. May" situation? Or can the Saints capitalize on mistakes and repeat in the South? This is another gone that could go either way.

Richmond
What we know: This team will not lack for offense. The problem is that the other team probably won't either.

What we don't know: Can the pitchers keep up with the hitters or will it become the game of who scores more runs?

Monty
Given that reigny had some bigger fish to fry and lost out on free agency, I'm going to cut him some slack. We'll bag on him later this season when he's back.

AL West
Kansas City
What we know: The day that the Yankees call to offer me the general manager job, I'm going to bring braddavis in to build the organization. 114 wins and a completely ripped pitching staff, plus they reloaded the offense. They scare me.

What we don't know: Am I just full of shit and pumping the Monarchs up?

Seattle
What we know: Louis Paul is a stud and leads a pitching staff that will set the pace for this team. The Len Heiserman signing is worth the four-game gap from last seaon.

What we don't know: Will the lineup gel around Heiserman, or leave him with no one to drive in?

Colorado
What we know: They bring back a hit machine lead by Edwin Underwood and Tanner Howard.

What else we know: They only have 10 pitchers in camp and only one has an ERA under 4.00.

Arizona
What we know: ohiopirate inherited an 88-loss club with good pitching.

What we also know: ohiopirate inherited an 88-loss club that hits like my grandmother (and both of them are dead).

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