2008 Chicago White Sox Predictions & Season Preview

"Don't Stop Believing" was the White Sox theme song when they won the World Series. But ever since Chicago started the season 56-29 in 2006, the believers have become doubters, especially with the little changes this pitching staff has made. The White Sox have just a .444 winning percentage since that hot start after the World Series crown, barely avoiding last place in the American League last season. The most troubling aspect is the fact that there is really no event to trace it to. The problems in 2006 were with the pitching staff, which saw its earned run average jump from a remarkable 3.61 in the championship season to 4.61, but the biggest downfall of 2007 was their slumping batting line-up. This putrid batting order finished last in the AL in scoring, batting average and on-base percentage last season. It's hard to envision the White Sox competing with the Tigers and Indians in the AL Central, but the management is hoping for another run from their veteran corps of guys. See what kind of run Larry Cook thinks the Sox can make with his 2008 Chicago White Sox predictions.

Starting Rotation:

Mark Buehrle and Javier Vasquez didn't seek riches in the offseason, so the White Sox continue to rely on this veteran group of starters. Jon Garland and Freddy Garcia are gone from recent years, but this was probably a very good thing for this aging staff as Garcia and Garland are both dropping in production. Buehrle pitched like his old self, throwing a no-hitter and delivering his 7th consecutive 200-plus innings. Vasquez miraculously boasted a 15-8 record on a putrid team that was 18 games below .500 last season. Buehrle and Vasquez will be asked to match the likes of Sabathia and Carmona in Cleveland and Verlander and Bonderman in Detroit. This will be a very tall order to ask. Jose Contreras had his worst season as a starter last year, and his ability or inability to turn things around will tell the tale in 2008 for this starting rotation as he mans the 3 spot. The final two spots on the rotation are uncertain heading into spring training, with lefty John Danks and righthander Gavin Floyd needing to show they are worthy early to hold off candidates that include Gio Gonzalez, Lance Broadway and Jack Egbert.

Bullpen:

Bobby Jenks has established himself as one of the most reliable closers in the game. He is still one of the league's best bargains, but that will change very soon if he continues his dominance. The problem for the White Sox was getting leads into Jenks' hands last season. This is why they gave Scott Linebrink $19 million over four years. He's being paid as one of the best setup men in baseball, but must answer questions of high workloads on his arm. Matt Thornton and Mike MacDougal were both effective setup men in frond of Jenks in the second half of 2006. MacDougal must improve on his control because he really does have some of the best stuff in the league if he can just get the ball over the plate. Ehren Wasserman and Boone Logan are the best bets to fill out the bullpen, but the Sox wouldn't mind a pleasant surprise from knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, winter standouts in Oneli Perez and Dewon Day, or 2007 disappointments Nick Masset, David Aardsma and Andy Sisco.

Line-Up:

The White Sox did make a couple big moves in bringing SS Orlando Cabrera over from the Angels and CF Nick Swisher over from Oakland. Cabrera scored over 100 runs for the Angels last season and should be able to reach that number again as long as Thome, Konerko and Dye live up to their abilities. Cabrera will lead off while Swisher will bat 2nd after he upped his average and OBP last season with Oakland. Thome has hit 35-plus home runs in 7 of the last 8 season in the 3 hole. Konerko needs to be the same clean-up hitter he was during Chicago's championship year after his batting average fell 54 points from a year ago. Jermaine Dye got his contract extended and had a big post-All-Star breakout in the 2nd half of the season following his slow start last year. Joe Crede is back at 3rd base and will sure up the corners of the Sox defense while providing clutch hitting along the way. A.J. Pierzynski is a durable catcher that has as much security as anyone on the roster. He doesn't throw batters out very efficiently, but his game-calling behind the plate is second to none and his bat adds some pop to this line-up. Carlos Quinten will likely bat 8th and play LF after being acquired from Arizona in a trade that gives him a second chance for a .230 hitter in 138 big leagues games. The White Sox must see something in Quentin that the D-Backs did not. Danny Richar also comes over from Arizona and will try to fill big shoes at 2B left by Tadahito Iguchi. He will be batting 9th. The Sox are relying on two players from Arizona that couldn't cut it there, a D-Backs team that was at the bottom of the league in scoring. That fact alone does not look bright for the bottom of this line-up. Thome will likely be the White Sox' best hitter off the bench in the DH role. Juan Uribe and Pablo Ozuna add experience, but it's hard to see how the Sox will have enough hitting to follow through on a plan to have Josh Fields spend the season working on his fielding with Triple-A Charlotte. Fields is a threat to hit the long-ball every time he takes a bat, but his fielding woes are keeping him from being and everyday player.

White Sox 2008 Predictions:

Rebuilding looked to be the only thing the White Sox could have done, but GM Ken Williams continues to build up the White Sox' payroll, stubbornly trying to recapture some lost magic. The additions of Cabrera and Swisher will help, but the Sox are still left with a lineup that doesn't look so hot stacked up against Detroit and Cleveland. The organization's goal is clearly to make the playoffs, but a realistic target would be 3rd place in baseball's best division. This is where we predict the White Sox to finish the 2008 season, ahead of Kansas City and Minnesota but well behind the Tigers and Indians in the AL Central.

Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won't believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry's long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.

2008 Chicago White Sox Odds:
Odds to win AL Central: 11/2
Odds to win 2008 AL Pennant: 12/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 25/1