I hope you enjoyed the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2015 MLB preview. Over the last week we gave you a team by team look at the key players, new faces, potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, possible starting lineups and rotations as well as a quick summary.

I hope you enjoyed this look at the upcoming season. And huge thank you to my proof reader, Linda, who plowed through all of this making needed corrections and offering suggestions.

After previewing all six divisions today is the day we look at the big winners and managers who could be in trouble in 2014. You can check out all the division previews by following the links.

Sunday: NL West

Monday: AL West

Tuesday: NL Central

Wednesday: AL Central

Thursday: NL East

Friday: AL East

Play Ball!

Managers on the Hot Seat

In the final day of the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2015 MLB Preview, with a little help from Ian, we reveal our playoff picks. This includes the World Series winner and the major Award winners for 2015 but first let’s take a quick look at what managers are in dire straits as we begin the new season.

Toronto’s John Gibbons has to be one of the guys on the fence this year. In his first stint with the Blue Jays he was an even 305-305 and in his second time through he has a sub .500 winning percentage after two seasons at 157-167. He has a team that should be able to contend in 2015 and I’d assume anything short of being in the running at end would mean the end of him in Toronto.

Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox is also between a rock and hard place. The first three seasons not a lot was really expected of the team and over that period they have gone 211-265. But this off season the White Sox front office stepped up and made some bold moves and expects to contend in 2015. Anything shy of a September with some meaningful baseball and Ventura will be done on the South Side.

Fredi Gonzalez of Atlanta is in an interesting position in that the front office had a major change this offseason but the guys now in charge in Bobby Cox and John Hart have elected to leave Gonzalez on the bench. This is partly because he was the handpicked successor to Cox but he may be on a short leash. They know the team won’t contend but Gonzalez over the years has had many questionable in game decisions that have defied logic and it could push him out the door.

Philadelphia’s Ryne Sandberg is on the hot seat it has been reported there are several clubhouse issues and you have to wonder about his leadership ability from the bench. Granted the team is one of the worst in baseball but it still doesn’t mean you have to have a dysfunctional clubhouse and Ryno may end up paying for it.

In Milwaukee’s Ron Roenicke’s four seasons his win totals have gone from 96 to 83 to 74 back to 82 as their place in the NL Central went from 1st to 3rd to 4th to 3rd in that span. I was a bit surprised he got to this season especially after a good start to last year only to see them fade off as the season progressed missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year. I think a year similar to last season and you will see a change for 2016.

Colorado’s Walt Weiss hasn’t faired any better than his predecessor Jim Tracy did in his final four seasons. After a 10 game up swing in Weiss’ first season they fell back to where they were with Tracy at the helm in 2012. Weiss who had never managed at any level before may just be in too far over his head.

2015 Projected Winners

Now here are the Sox & Dawgs picks for the 2014 playoffs and the major award winners:

Projected Playoff Teams

Steve’s Postseason Picks:

Ian’s Postseason Picks:

2015 Projected Award Winners

All that’s left now is to play the games, smell the grass and enjoy being a fan of a terrific sport and hopefully you see your team succeed in 2015.

All the games listed below are available on MLB.TV, AtBat14 and SiriusXM Radio in addition to any local TV availability and team radio network.

Here are the opening day matchup’s:

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2015 MLB preview. Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary.

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

And once again this year is some home stadium information along with dates the teams will play against the Boston Red Sox. The red shaded games are at Fenway; the blue shaded games are road games.

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.

Yesterday we looked at the NL East, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West, Tuesday we previewed the NL Central, Wednesday we took a trip around the AL Central and today it’s the AL East.

American League East

Last season Baltimore ran away and hid from the rest of the AL East winning the division by 12 games over New York. The biggest surprises in the division last year were the failures of Tampa Bay and Boston, who was playing as the defending World Series champions. I have Baltimore taking the flag for the second year in a row and making the playoffs for the third time under Buck Showalter. Boston has a resurgence after a terrible year, Toronto and New York will fight for the middle and Tampa Bay will struggle mightily.

1. Baltimore – Manager: Buck Showalter (6th year/17th overall)

The Orioles were one of baseball’s elite last year and many had them ticketed for the World Series after a sweep of the Tigers in the ALCS but then they ran into the Royals in the ALCS and were swept. They didn’t do much in the offseason and they will not have the win total of last year but I expect them to repeat as division champs and should be challenged by Boston and possibly Toronto.

C Matt Wieters is questionable for the start of the season and may start on the DL.

Projected Record: 90-72

Home Field: Oriole Park at Camden Yards; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1992; Capacity: 45,971

2014 Attendance: 2,464,473 (6th in A.L.)

Key Players: CF Adam Jones; 3B Manny Machado; C Matt Wieters; 1B/DH Chris Davis; SP Chris Tillman

MVP Candidate: CF Adam Jones

Cy Young Candidate: SP Chris Tillman

ROY Candidate: 1B/DH Christian Walker

Key Additions: OF Travis Snider; IF Everth Cabrera; C Ryan Lavarnway; RP Wesley Wright; IF Paul Janish; IF Rey Navarro

Possible lineup:

1. DeAza LF
2. Machado 3B
3. Jones CF
4. Weiters C
5. Davis 1B
6. Young DH
7. Snider RF
8. Hardy SS
9. Schoop 2B

Adjusted lineup:

1. DeAza LF
2. Machado 3B
3. Jones CF
4. Davis 1B
5. Young DH
6. Snider RF
7. Hardy SS
8. Joseph C
9. Schoop 2B

Possible rotation:

1. Tillman
2. Jimenez
3. Chen
4. Norris
5. Gausman

Games against Red Sox in 2015: April 17-20; April 24-26; June 9-11; June 23-25; September 14-16; September 25-27

2. Boston – Manager John Farrell (3rd year/5th Overall)

After winning the World Series in 2013 the Red Sox finished last in the division for the second time in three seasons. When you combine that will the September 2011 collapse who are the real Red Sox? Are they the team who is floundering with young guys in key spots or are they the veteran championship pedigree team? There were tons of moves in Fens this offseason. The lineup and more so, the rotation were totally reworked and the bullpen was tweaked as Ben Cherington heads into the season hoping he has a team to contend.

Projected Record: 88-74

Home Field: Fenway Park; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1912; Capacity: 37,071 (day) and 37,499 (night)

2014 Attendance: 2,956,089 (3rd in A.L.)

Key Players: 2B Dustin Pedroia; DH David Ortiz; 3B Pablo Sandoval; LF Hanley Ramirez; SP Rick Porcello

MVP Candidate: 2B Dustin Pedroia

Cy Young Candidate: SP Rick Porcello

ROY Candidate: CF Rusney Castillo

Key Additions: LF Hanley Ramirez; 3B Pablo Sandoval; C Ryan Hanigan; SP Rick Porcello; SP Wade Miley; SP Justin Masterson; RP Anthony Varvaro; RP Robbie Ross; RP Alexi Ogando

Possible lineup:

1. Betts RF
2. Pedroia 2B
3. Ortiz DH
4. Ramirez LF
5. Sandoval 3B
6. Napoli 1B
7. Bogaerts SS
8. Castillo CF
9. Vazquez C

Possible rotation:

1. Buchholz
2. Porcello
3. Miley
4. Kelly
5. Masterson

Season Opening Day Monday April 6 at Philadelphia 3:05 p.m.

Home Opening Day Monday April 13 vs. Washington 3:05 p.m.

3. Toronto – Manager: John Gibbons (3rd year/8th Overall)

The Blue Jays made some moves to better their everyday lineup by signing FA C Russell Martin and trading for LF Michael Saunders and 3B Josh Donaldson.  Toronto could contend in the East if they can stay away from the injuries that seem to derail them.  They could still use some lineup help at DH and possibly in CF but the rotation and bullpen look solid.

LF Michael Saunders (knee) is projected to miss half the season.  SP Marcus Stroman will miss the season with a torn ACL.

Projected Record: 82-80

Home Field: Rogers Centre; Playing Surface: turf/retractable roof; Opened: 1989; Capacity: 49,282

2014 Attendance: 2,375,525 (7th in A.L.)

Key Players: RF Jose Bautista; SS Jose Reyes; SP R.A. Dickey; 1B Edwin Encarnacion; 3B Josh Donaldson

MVP Candidate: RF Jose Bautista

Cy Young Candidate: SP R.A. Dickey

ROY Candidate: SP Aaron Sanchez

Key Additions: C Russell Martin; 3B Josh Donaldson; LF Michael Saunders; RP Marco Estrada; RP Scott Barnes; 1B/OF Chris Colabello; 1B Daric Barton; IF/OF Jake Fox; OF Ryan Kalish; SP Johan Santana; OF Dayan Viciedo

Possible lineup:

1. Reyes SS
2. Izturis 2B
3. Bautista RF
4. Encarnacion 1B
5. Donaldson 3B
6. R. Martin C
7. Saunders LF
8. D. Navarro DH
9. Pompey CF

Adjusted lineup:

1. Reyes SS
2. Izturis 2B
3. Bautista RF
4. Encarnacion 1B
5. Donaldson 3B
6. R. Martin C
7. D. Navarro DH
8. Viciedo LF
9. Pompey CF

Possible rotation:

1. Dickey
2. Buehrle
3. Stroman
4. Hutchinson
5. Aa. Sanchez

Possible rotation:

1. Dickey
2. Buehrle
3. Hutchinson
4. Aa. Sanchez
5. Norris

Games against Red Sox in 2015: April 27-29; May 8-10; June 12-14; June 29-July 2; September 7-9; September 18-20

4. New York – Manager Joe Girardi (8th year/11th overall)

I have the Yankees at .500 in 2015 as they have a lot of questions that need to be answered. Are C.C. Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka healthy? Can Nathan Eovaldi take the next step under New York pressure? Was that the real Chris Capuano last year? The lineup is very un-Yankee like with questions about who hits in the 3-4-5 slots and little to no offense expected from Stephen Drew and Didi Gregorius. The bullpen may have the fewest questions and should be a strong point for them.

SP Ivan Nova may miss at least half of the season.

Projected Record: 81-81

Home Field: Yankee Stadium III; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2009; Capacity: 50,291

2014 Attendance: 3,401,624 (1st in A.L.)

Key Players: CF Jacoby Ellsbury; SP Masahiro Tanaka; C Brian McCann; LF Brett Gardner; SS Didi Gregorius

MVP Candidate: CF Jacoby Ellsbury

Cy Young Candidate: SP Masahiro Tanaka

ROY Candidate: RP Jacob Lindgren

Key Additions: DH/1B Garrett Jones; SS Didi Gregorius; SP Nathan Eovaldi; RP Andrew Miller; RP Justin Wilson; RP Johnny Barbato; RP David Carpenter

Possible lineup:

1. Ellsbury CF
2. Gardner LF
3. McCann C
4. Teixeira 1B
5. Beltran RF
6. Headley 3B
7. Jones DH
8. Drew 2B
9. Gregorius SS

Possible rotation:

1. Sabathia
2. Tanaka
3. Pineda
4. Eovaldi
5. Nova

Adjusted rotation:

1. Sabathia
2. Tanaka
3. Pineda
4. Eovaldi
5. Capuano

Games against Red Sox in 2015: April 10-12; May 1-3; July 7-12; August 4-6; August 31-September 2; September 28-October 1

5. Tampa Bay – Manager Kevin Cash (1st year)

Since the 2014 trade deadline there have been a lot of changes in Tampa Bay. Many feel they got fleeced by Detroit in the David Price deal, they lost GM Andrew Friedman to the Dodgers, manager Joe Maddon to the Cubs and traded Ben Zobrist, Sean Rodriguez, Matt Joyce and Wil Myers and not everyone they brought in matches with what they gave up. Former catcher Kevin Cash, takes over the team and his first season doesn’t look to be very pretty but they’re hoping in a couple years they can be back to near where they have been the last 5-7 years.

SP Drew Smyly (shoulder) and SP ALex Cobb (forearm) are expected to possibly miss the 2-4 weeks of the season.  SP Matt Moore is expected to miss half the season or more and RP Jake McGee will probably start the season the DL.

Projected Record: 72-90

Home Field: Tropicana Field; Playing Surface: turf/domed stadium; Opened: 1990;

Capacity: 34,078

2014 Attendance: 1,446,464 (14th in A.L.)

Key Players: 3B Evan Longoria; 2B/SS Asdrubal Cabrera; CF Desmond Jennings; RF Kevin Kiermeyer; SP Alex Cobb

MVP Candidate: 3B Evan Longoria

Cy Young Candidate: SP Alex Cobb

ROY Candidate: LF Steven Souza

Key Additions: Mgr. Kevin Cash; 2B/SS Asdrubal Cabrera; LF Steven Souza; C Rene Rivera; RP Kevin Jepsen; RP Ernesto Frieri; RP Jose Dominguez; C John Jaso; SP Burch Smith

Possible lineup:

1. D. Jennings CF
2. DeJesus DH
3. Longoria 3B
4. Loney 1B
5. Souza LF
6. Kiermeyer RF
7. A. Cabrera SS
8. R. Rivera C
9. Franklin 2B

Possible rotation:

1. Cobb
2. Moore
3. Archer
4. Smyly
5. Odorizzi

Adjusted rotation:

1. Archer
2. Odorizzi
3. Colome
4. Karns
5. Smith

Games against Red Sox in 2015: April 21-23; May 4-6; June 26-28; July 31-August 2; September 11-13; September 21-24

Tomorrow, in our final day, we will look at the big winners in 2015.

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2015 MLB preview. Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary.

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

And once again this year is some home stadium information along with dates the teams will play against the Boston Red Sox. The red shaded games are at Fenway; the blue shaded games are road games.

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.

Yesterday we looked at the AL Central, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West, Tuesday we previewed the NL Central and today it’s the NL East.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

National League East

This division is Washington’s to lose, the Nationals are head and shoulders better than any of the other four teams and could win 100 games. Look for significant improvement by the Marlins and the Mets as they battle for second place, while the Braves end up fourth and the Phillies could lose 100 games.

1. Washington – Manager Matt Williams (2nd year)

Matt Williams is looking to go 2 for 2 on division titles as a manager and he should do it with ease. Dominant pitching with free agent signee Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister, a very solid and balanced lineup and good bullpen despite trading away Tyler Clippard to Oakland.

CF Denard Span (abdomen) and LF Jayson Werth (shoulder) are expected to start the season on the DL, OF Nate McLouth is questionable for the start of the season and RP Erik Davis is expected to miss most of the season.

Projected Record: 99-63

Home Field: Nationals Park; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2008; Capacity: 41,418

2014 Attendance: 2,579,389 (7th in NL)

Key Players: RF Bryce Harper; LF Jayson Werth; 3B Anthony Rendon; SP Jordan Zimmermann; SP Max Scherzer

MVP Candidate: RF Bryce Harper

Cy Young Candidate: SP Max Scherzer

ROY Candidate: CF Brian Goodwin

Key Additions: SP Max Scherzer; RP Heath Bell; 2B/SS Yunel Escobar; RP Casey Janssen

Possible lineup:

1. Span CF
2. Rendon 3B
3. Werth LF
4. Harper RF
5. Zimmerman 1B
6. Desmond SS
7. Ramos C
8. Escobar 2B

Adjusted lineup:

1. Escobar 2B
2. Rendon 3B
3. Harper RF
4. Zimmerman 1B
5. Desmond SS
6. Frandsen LF
7. Ramos C
8. Taylor CF

Possible rotation:

1. Scherzer
2. Zimmermann
3. Strasburg
4. Gonzalez
5. Fister

Games against Red Sox in 2015: April 13-15

2. Miami – Manager Mike Redmond (3rd year)

The Marlins are getting better and there will be improvement on the 77 wins of last season. They made some great acquisitions in the off season getting Dee Gordon, Martin Prado and Mat Latos and even if Dan Haren forces his way out of Miami they should be fine in the rotation with Jose Fernandez returning hopefully around the mid point. They also strengthened the bench with Ichiro Suzuki, Scott Sizemore and Reid Brignac.

SP Jose Fernandez is expected to miss 2 months of the season.

Projected Record: 86-76

Home Field: Marlins Park; Playing Surface: natural grass/retractable roof; Opened: 2012; Capacity: 36,742

2014 Attendance: 1,732,283 (15th in NL)

Key Players: 2B Dee Gordon; LF Christian Yelich; RF Giancarlo Stanton; SP Mat Latos; SP Henderson Alvarez

MVP Candidate: RF Giancarlo Stanton

Cy Young Candidate: SP Mat Latos

ROY Candidate: C J.T. Realmuto

Key Additions: 2B Dee Gordon; 1B Michael Morse; 3B Martin Prado; SP Mat Latos; SP Dan Haren; OF Ichiro Suzuki; RP Aaron Crow; RP David Phelps; 2B/3B Scott Sizemore; IF/OF Reid Brignac

Possible lineup:

1. Gordon 2B
2. Yelich LF
3. Stanton RF
4. Morse 1B
5. Prado 3B
6. Ozuna CF
7. Saltalamacchia C
8. Hechavarria SS

Possible rotation:

1. Fernandez
2. Latos
3. Cosart
4. Alvarez
5. Haren

Adjusted rotation:

1. Latos
2. Cosart
3. Alvarez
4. Haren
5. Koehler

Games against Red Sox in 2015: July 7-8; August 11-12

3. New York – Manager: Terry Collins (5th year/ 11th overall)

Terry Collins has gone from hot seat to safe as the Mets are finally starting to see some upward movement in the team. Now is the time for them to strike too as both the Braves and Phillies, once division giants, are on the downside. Mets pitching should be strong it’s the lineup that will hold them back. I don’t think they did enough this off season as I still feel the need for improvement at catcher, short stop and first base for this team to truly challenge the Nationals.

RP Bobby Parnell is expected to miss a few months and SP Zack Wheeler tore his UCL and is expected to miss the season.

Projected Record: 81-81

Home Field: Citi Field; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2009; Capacity: 41,922

2014 Attendance: 2,148,808 (13th in NL)

Key Players: 3B David Wright; CF Juan Lagares; RF Michael Cuddyer; SP Matt Harvey; SP Jacob deGrom

MVP Candidate: 3B David Wright

Cy Young Candidate: SP Matt Harvey

ROY Candidate: SP Noah Syndergaard

Key Additions: RF Michael Cuddyer; RP Sean Gilmartin; 1B/OF John Mayberry Jr.

Possible lineup:

1. Lagares CF
2. Murphy 2B
3. Wright 3B
4. Duda 1B
5. Cuddyer RF
6. Granderson LF
7. d’Arnaud C
8. Flores SS

Possible rotation:

1. Harvey
2. Wheeler
3. Colon
4. deGrom
5. Syndergaard

Adjusted rotation:

1. Harvey
2. Colon
3. deGrom
4. Neise
5. Syndergaard

Games against Red Sox in 2015: August 28-30

4. Atlanta – Manager Fredi Gonzalez (5th year/9th overall)

We could be looking at the worst Braves team in quite sometime and only the Phillies who are atrocious will keep them out of the basement. The off season additions haven’t been very significant other than getting SP Shelby Miller from the Cardinals in the Jason Heyward trade. They signed RF Nick Markakis to a 4 year contract and a week later he had neck surgery, they’ve brought in role guys OF Jonny Gomes and C A.J. Pierzynski and added arms to the bullpen but it’s more about what they lost or moved this winter. Heyward, C/OF Evan Gattis, OF Justin Upton, RP David Carpenter, RP Anthony Varvaro, RP Jordan Walden and 2B Tommy LaStella were all traded. IF Emilio Bonafacio, and SP’s Gavin Floyd, Kris Medlen, Earvin Santana and Aaron Harang were all lost to free agency and Mgr. Fredi Gonzalez could be gone by year’s end too. It won’t be pretty in Atlanta this summer.

CF Melvin Upton Jr (foot) will miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season and SP Mike Minor (shoulder) is questionable for the start of the season.

Projected Record: 71-91

Home Field: Turner Field; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1996; Capacity: 49,586

2014 Attendance: 2,354,305 (11th in NL)

Key Players: 1B Freddie Freeman; SS Andrelton Simmons; SP Julio Teheran; SP Mike Minor; RP Craig Kimbrel

MVP Candidate: 1B Freddie Freeman

Cy Young Candidate: RP Craig Kimbrel

ROY Candidate: 2B Jose Peraza

Key Additions: SP Shelby Miller; RF Nick Markakis; 2B Alberto Callaspo; OF Jonny Gomes; C A.J. Pierzynski; OF Zoilo Almonte; RP Jason Grilli; RP Jim Johnson; C Eli Whiteside; RP Josh Outman; SP Manny Banuelos; OF Dian Toscano; SP Mike Foltynewicz

Possible lineup:

1. Markakis RF
2. Callaspo 2B
3. Freeman 1B
4. C. Johnson 3B
5. Simmons SS
6. M. Upton Jr. CF
7. J. Gomes LF
8. Bethancourt C

Adjusted lineup:

1. E. Young Jr. CF
2. Callaspo 2B
3. Freeman 1B
4. C. Johnson 3B
5. Markakis RF
6. Simmons SS
7. J. Gomes LF
8. Bethancourt C

Possible rotation:

1. Teheran
2. Minor
3. S. Miller
4. A. Wood
5. Foltynewicz

Adjusted rotation:

1. Teheran
2. S. Miller
3. Wood
4. Foltynewicz
5. Banuelos

Games against Red Sox in 2015: June 15-16; June 17-18

5. Philadelphia – Manager Ryne Sandberg (3rd year)

This team is a disaster and it starts with GM Ruben Amaro Jr. who has severely over valued his veteran players and has done the team and the fans a huge disservice. I felt Amaro should have been let go after last season but surprisingly the ownership kept him on and now they’re truly paying for that mistake. The only player he brought in that you could say has any significance is SP Aaron Harang and he isn’t the pitcher he was 5-6 years ago. They finally dealt off SS Jimmy Rollins but 2B Chase Utley refuses to waive his no-trade and 1B Ryan Howard’s contract as well as closer Jonathan Papelbon’s are albatrosses that Amaro refuses to eat part of in order to improve the team with younger players. His one true commodity is SP Cole Hamels and he has steadfastly refused to make a deal with the rumored 3,4 or 5 teams who are willing to take him on. The Bank will be an ugly place to watch a game in 2015 and something needs to happen to shake this team up.

SP Cliff Lee (elbow injury) is expected to miss at least two months of the season.

Projected Record: 63-99

Home Field: Citizens Bank Park; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2004; Capacity: 43,651

2014 Attendance: 2,423,852 (10th in NL)

Key Players: CF Ben Revere; C Carlos Ruiz; 2B Chase Utley; SP Cole Hamels; SS Freddy Galvis

MVP Candidate: CF Ben Revere

Cy Young Candidate: SP Cole Hamels

ROY Candidate: 1B Maikel Franco

Key Additions: IF/OF Odubel Herrera; RP Andy Oliver; IF/OF Chase d’Arnaud; OF Jeff Francouer; OF Xavier Paul; SP Kevin Slowey; SP Ben Lively; SP Aaron Harang; SP Chad Billingsley; OF Jordan (J.C.) Danks

Possible lineup:

1. Revere CF
2. Utley 2B
3. Ruiz C
4. Howard 1B
5. D. Brown LF
6. Sizemore RF
7. Asche 3B
8. Galvis SS

Possible rotation:

1. Hamels
2. Lee
3. Harang
4. Buchanan
5. Slowey

Adjusted rotation:

1. Hamels
2. Harang
3. Buchanan
4. Slowey
5. Williams

Games against Red Sox in 2015: April 6, 8-9; September 4-6

Tomorrow, in Day 6, we will preview the AL East.

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2015 MLB preview. Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary.

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

And once again this year is some home stadium information along with dates the teams will play against the Boston Red Sox. The red shaded games are at Fenway; the blue shaded games are road games.

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.

Yesterday we looked at the NL Central, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West and today it’s the AL Central.

American League Central

I have the AL Central shaking out the same way it actually finished in 2014 with it mostly being a two team race at the end between Kansas City and Detroit with Cleveland making a push and Chicago improving but still falling short of .500. Minnesota is slated to pick up the rear again despite having one of top ROY candidates in Byron Buxton.

1. Detroit – Manager Brad Ausmus (2nd year)

The Tigers won the division for the fourth year in a row last season and they are my 2015 pick just barely edging out the Royals for the second year in a row. They were active in the offseason bringing in Yoenis Cespedes to replace Torii Hunter, and Alfredo Simon and Shane Greene to replace Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello. They should also get SS Jose Iglesias back after missing all of 2014 with shin splints. The everyday lineup is good but the back end of the rotation and the bullpen are question marks.

1B Miguel Cabrera and DH Victor Martinez may miss some time at the beginning of the season. RP Bruce Rondon may miss half the season.

Projected Record: 87-75

Home Field: Comerica Park; Playing Surface: natural grass Opened: 2000; Capacity: 41,255

2014 Attendance: 2,917,209 (4th in A.L.)

Key Players: 1B Miguel Cabrera; LF Yoenis Cespedes; SP David Price; DH Victor Martinez; 2B Ian Kinsler

MVP Candidate: 1B Miguel Cabrera

Cy Young Candidate: SP David Price

ROY Candidate: RF Steven Moya

Key Additions: CF Anthony Gose; LF Yoenis Cespedes; SP Alfredo Simon; SP Shane Greene; RP Alex Wilson; RP Tom Gorzelanny

Possible lineup:

1. Kinsler 2B
2. Gose CF
3. Cabrera 1B
4. Martinez DH
5. Cespedes LF
6. D. Martinez RF
7. Avila C
8. Castellanos 3B
9. Iglesias SS

Adjusted lineup:

1. Kinsler 2B
2. Gose CF
3. D. Martinez RF
4. Cespedes LF
5. Moya DH
6. Avila C
7. Castellanos 3B
8. Romine 1B
9. Iglesias SS

Possible rotation:

1. Price
2. Verlander
3. Sanchez
4. Simon
5. Greene

Games against Red Sox in 2015: July 24-26; August 7-9

2. Kansas City – Manager Ned Yost (6th year/12th overall)

Let this sink in, 2014 American League Champion Kansas City Royals. They had a really nice season to get to the wild card game and then a magical playoff run winning the wild card game and sweeping the ALDS and ALCS and then took the San Francisco Giants to a deciding seventh game in the World Series. It took 29 years to get back to the playoffs but it was worth it for Royals fans. The biggest loss they suffered in the offseason was SP James Shields signing with San Diego but they had prepared to let him go. Other than that a few pieces were changed Kendrys Morales replaces Billy Butler at DH and Alex Rios takes over for Nori Aoki in RF.

RP Kris Medlen and RP Luke Hochevar are questionable to start the season.

Projected Record: 86-76

Home Field: Kauffman Stadium; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1973; Capacity: 37,903

2014 Attendance: 1,956,482 (11th in A.L.)

Key Players: 1B Eric Hosmer; LF Alex Gordon; C Salvador Perez; CF Lorenzo Cain, SP Yordano Ventura

MVP Candidate: 1B Eric Hosmer

Cy Young Candidate: SP Yordano Ventura

ROY Candidate: RP Brandon Finnegan

Key Additions: DH Kendrys Morales; RF Alex Rios; OF Raymond Fuentes; SP Edison Volquez; RP Kris Medlen

Possible lineup:

1. Escobar SS
2. Gordon LF
3. Cain CF
4. Hosmer 1B
5. Perez C
6. Morales DH
7. Rios RF
8. Moustakas 3B
9. Infante 2B

Possible Rotation:

1. Ventura
2. Vargas
3. Guthrie
4. Volquez
5. Duffy

Games against Red Sox in 2015: June 19-21; Aug 20-23

3. Cleveland – Manager Terry Francona (3rd year/15th overall)

The Indians are a difficult team to project.  Looking on paper they can contend in the Central and a lot obviously will depend on how well they play head to head against the Tigers and Royals. This team needs to add some more power to the lineup and a middle rotation guy to really keep pace.  If they are in it around deadline time look for them to make some moves to give Terry Francona some players to work with.

SP Gavin Floyd will miss significant time with an elbow injury.

Projected Record: 81-81

Home Field: Progressive Field; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1994; Capacity: 42,241

2014 Attendance: 1,437,393 (15th in A.L.)

Key Players: SP Corey Kluber; 1B Carlos Santana; CF Michael Bourn; 2B Jason Kipnis; SP Carlos Carrasco

MVP Candidate: 1B Carlos Santana

Cy Young Candidate: SP Corey Kluber

ROY Candidate: SS Francisco Lindor

Key Additions: RF Brandon Moss; SP Gavin Floyd

Possible lineup:

1. Bourn CF
2. Kipnis 2B
3. Brantley LF
4. C. Santana 1B
5. Moss RF
6. Y. Gomes C
7. Swisher DH
8. Chisenhall 3B
9. Lindor SS

Possible rotation:

1. Kluber
2. C. Carrasco
3. Bauer
4. Floyd
5. Salazar

Adjusted rotation:

1. Kluber
2. C. Carrasco
3. Bauer
4. Salazar
5. McAllister

Games against Red Sox in 2015: August 17-19; October 2-4

4. Chicago – Manager Robin Ventura (4th year)

The White Sox were one of the teams to make a lot of roster moves in the offseason and it will definitely help as they should be able to improve their record over last year. They strengthened the rotation by trading for SP Jeff Samardzija, the bullpen is better with closer David Robertson on the back end of the bullpen and now have Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche to lengthen the lineup. There’s still work to do but there will be improvement on the South Side.

SP Chris Sale (foot) is expected to miss the start of the season and RP Nate Jones (TJS) is expected to miss most of the season.

Projected Record: 79-83

Home Field: U.S. Cellular Field; Playing Surface: natural grass Opened: 1991; Capacity: 40,615

2014 Attendance: 1,650,821 (13th in A.L.)

Key Players: SP Chris Sale; CF Adam Eaton; 1B Jose Abreu; SP Jeff Samardzija; RP David Robertson

MVP Candidate: 1B Jose Abreu

Cy Young Candidate: SP Chris Sale

ROY Candidate: SP Erik Johnson; SP Carlos Rondon

Key Additions: LF Melky Cabrera; DH Adam LaRoche; C Rob Brantley; SP Jeff Samardzija; RP David Robertson; RP Zach Duke; SP Brad Penny; IF/OF Emilio Bonifacio; 2B/3B Gordon Beckham

Possible lineup:

1. Eaton CF
2. Cabrera LF
3. Abreu 1B
4. LaRoche DH
5. Garcia RF
6. Gillaspie 3B
7. Ramirez SS
8. Flowers C
9. Bonafacio 2B

Possible rotation:

1. Sale
2. Samardzija
3. Quintana
4. W. Danks
5. Noesi

Adjusted rotation:

1. Samardzija
2. Quintana
3. W. Danks
4. Noesi
5. Johnson

Games against Red Sox in 2015: July 27-30; August 24-26

5. Minnesota – Manager Paul Molitor (1st year)

It’s going to be another long season in the Twin Cities in 2015 despite having a new manager in HOF player Paul Molitor on the bench. The lineup is not very deep and if they were to lose 1B Joe Mauer, 2B Brian Dozier or rookie CF Byron Buxton to injury they could lose 100 games. The starting rotation isn’t bad and hopefully will keep them in games so they can compete at least.

Projected Record: 67-95

Home Field: Target Field; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2010; Capacity: 39,021

2014 Attendance: 2,250,606 (8th in A.L.)

Key Players: 1B Joe Mauer; 2B Brian Dozier; SP Phil Hughes; SP Earvin Santana; RP Glenn Perkins

MVP Candidate: 1B Joe Mauer

Cy Young Candidate: SP Phil Hughes

ROY Candidate: CF Byron Buxton

Key Additions: Mgr. Paul Molitor; RF Torii Hunter; SP Earvin Santana; RP Tim Stauffer; RP J.R. Graham

Possible lineup:

1. Santana SS
2. Dozier 2B
3. Mauer 1B
4. Vargas DH
5. Hunter RF
6. Plouffe 3B
7. Suzuki C
8. Hicks LF
9. Buxton CF

Possible rotation:

1. Hughes
2. Santana
3. Nolasco
4. Gibson
5. Milone

Games against Red Sox in 2015: May 25-27; June 1-4

Tomorrow, in Day 5, we will preview the NL East.