The Surprises of the American League

I have written apology letters to my friends on this blog before and I am not going to the have a full out apology article to my friend Sepehr who loves the Toronto Blue Jays and sit on top of the AL East. But I am going to take a look at the MLB teams that are top of the division and I am not going to touch on the NL Central with Brewers Weekly on Sunday night or Monday...

Toronto Blue Jays- The "Fighting Sepehrs" have really impressed me so far because they have put together a great pitching staff around their ace Roy Halladay. Brent Cecil has been great so far as well as Scott Richmond, and Brian Tallet. Now today, they trot out another young pitcher Robert Ray and he throws one unearned run today in a victory against the White Sox. Is this team slowly becoming Tampa Bay of last year? My answer... Probably. I wouldnt be surprised if they stay close to the top of the AL East because they have starting pitching and a bullpen despite the B.J. Ryan struggles who is done by July when they get a closer. Their offense is stacked with good young guys like Adam Lind and Travis Snider plus I still consider Vernon Wells a new-aged veteran.

Kansas City Royals- The Royals are back in business for the first time in my long lifetime although they are sort of like the Florida Marlins of the AL because they start off strong and fade during the year. Here's the difference though.. they have Zach Grienke who I believe we can say is the best pitcher in the AL so far right this season. They play in an AL Central that it might take only 85 wins to win the division. They still have guys like Luke Hochavar who was a number one pick and Brian Bannister whose another top pick who has a ton of potential. The big question will be can they last without Joakim Soria for the next couple of weeks. If they can withstand not having their closer, I really like their chances to win the AL Central.

Texas Rangers- I always thought that the Texas Rangers had the offense to be a force in the AL but I wasnt sure if their pitching was good enough to hold up leads for them. I was wrong in that aspect which surprises me because they have the likes of Vincente Padilla and Kevin Milwood leading your rotation, I would completely run for cover. The other big thing is Josh Hamilton wasnt playing almost all year and the Rangers still found ways to win without their best hitter. Now he is hitting the ball making that offense even tougher. I still think the Los Angeles Angles who are getting their pitching back and starting to heat up slowly are good enough to still take this division although they are not the run away favorite like in years past.

-Charlie.