Predictions for the AL Central: Two Top Teams in a Dead Lock

One of if not the closest race is baseball is definitely the AL Central and it looks to stay this way to the very end. Even way back in April it was looking like it would be a neck and neck race until the end of the regular season.

At a glance you could honestly say that four out of the five teams in the AL Central should all be in the running and at one point it was but it's slowly toned down to just two but don't count anyone out yet. Here are some predictions for the final finishing spots this year for the AL Central.

Finishing out last place this year again will definitely be the Kansas City Royals. It's nothing personal against Kansas City but they are just not a strong ball club this year. They definitely have shown improvement from last year but still lacking in a lot of areas.

For the past month now they have been pretty close to tying the White Sox for fourth place but can never manage to get ahead of them. Maybe 2008 can be a break out year for this ball club but until them, they will dead least in the AL Central.

A Surprising fourth place spot this year goes to the Chicago White Sox. It is very surprising to see a ball club this good stuck way back fighting to stay out of last place. This team should be up their rivaling the Tigers and Indians for first place but have had several problems this year including pitching issues and injuries.

I wouldn't say the White Sox are in trouble right now because next year they could come out and dominate the AL Central. They are a good baseball team and have had some severe problems this year but you can definitely expect them back in 2008.

Finishing up third place this year and further back then expected are the Minnesota Twins. This is another team that has the capability of being a front-runner team next to the Indians and Tigers but I really don't know what has happened to them as of late.

The loss of Francisco Liriano this year was a big blow but the power they have and the pitching definitely should have them higher up then third place and six games out of first place. Just like the White Sox, I would say they just hit a slump and have had some issues as of late and they will definitely be back next year.

Probably the hardest decision for the AL Central predictions will be who finishes first and second. It's pretty much a 50/50 chance for the Tigers and Indians. Both teams are very good teams once again but at the same time there are certain areas for each ball club that can hold them back.

Tigers have been plagued by injuries this year but are finally starting to get some key bullpen guys back like Zumaya and Rodney. The Indians hit their slumps from time to time but between the two teams they are both pretty choices for first. It's going to be a tight race going through September but in the end I have to give the AL Central to the Tigers.

Yeah I'm a Detroit fan but in the end, I just feel the Tigers are going to pull it off. The big factor will be the next few weeks as the Tigers play the Yankees in a couple of four game series and will take on the Indians once again. Tigers need to get the AL Central title this year after giving it up in the final game last year. In terms of the playoffs, well that will be pretty hard to say.