Part 5-Continuing the American League West

Milwaukee Brewers
Also known as Seattle Pilots in 1969 (moved to Milwaukee just prior to 1970 season)
Postseason Appearances: 1981-82, 2008 (total-3)
World Series Titles: 0
Best Season: 1979 (95-66), a half game better than 1982 (95-67)
Worst Season: 2002 (56-106)

The Brewers have had few moments in the sun over the past 40 or so years, but have had some great players including 3 HOFers on the roster (Fingers, Molitor, Yount). It will remain to be seen if their 2008 wild card was just a fluke or a rebirth.

Pitching-Unlike the Royals, the Brew Crew have decent hitting but only OK pitching. Heading up the rotation is 1978 Mike Caldwell (22-9, 2.37, was only one of three pitchers to beat Ron Guidry that year), followed by Ben Sheets 2004 (12-14, 2.70, 264 K), Jim Colborn 1973 (20-12, 3.18), Ted Higuera 1986 (20-11, 2.79) and Chris Bosio 1989 (15-10, 2.95). Moose Haas 1980 (16-15, 3.11) and Jeff D'Amico 2000 (12-7, 2.66) add depth. Rollie Fingers 1981 (9-4-42, 1.04) is the ace of the bullpen (if you're wondering why Fingers is not sporting his famed handlebar 'stache for Milwaukee and not Oakland, ask another mustachioed HOF closer who you'll see down the road), which also features Ken Sanders 1970 (5-2-11, 1.76), Dan Plesac 1987 (23 saves, 2.61), Tom Murphy 1974 (10-10-20, 1.90) and double duty reliever/pinch hitter Brooks Kieschnick 2003 (1-1, 5.26 as a pitcher but .300 with 7 HR in less than 80 AB as a hitter. Derrick Turnbow 2005 (7-1-39, 1.74) and Bill Castro 1978 (5-4-8, 1.80) are among the reserves.

Catching-Not the Brew Crew's strong point. B.J Surhoff 1995 (15, 82, .320) is the starter behind the dish, with Henry Blanco 2000 (.236 but a 1 (-4) behind the plate) adding much needed D as the backup. Dave Nilsson 1996 (.331) and Charlie Moore 1979 (.300) add depth.

Infield-Lots of punch here. Cecil Cooper 1980 (25, 122, .352) is at first, moving Prince Fielder 2007 (50, 119, .288-he and pop Cecil are the only father & son to each hit 50 HR in a season) to the DH role. Ryan Braun 2007 (34, 94, .324) could spell the Prince against tough LHPs. Paul Molitor 1987 (16, 57, .353, 45 SB) is at second, with Fernando Vina 1998 (.311) adding some late inning D. Another HOFer, Robin Yount 1982 (29, 114, .331) is at short, and Jeff Cirillo 1999 (15, 89, .326) is at third. Bill Hall 2006 (35, 85, .270) adds pop to the utility infield role.

Outfield-Major crunch time here. Ben Ogilvie 1980 (41, 118, .304) is in left, Gorman Thomas 1979 (45, 123, .244) is in center and Sixto Lezcano 1979 (28, 101, .321) is in right. Tommy Harper 1970 (31, 82, .296, 38 SB) adds speed, versatility (he can play all 3 OF positions as well as 2B & 3B) and pop. Darryl Hamilton 1993 (.310, 21 SB) adds speed and D.

Outlook-The key for the Brewers is to get in front early and hand it over to the bullpen. That may be too much to ask-many of these games will have the Brewers trying to come from behind afet a starter exits the game around the 3rd or 4th inning. A .500 finish in the middle of the pack would be the likely result.

Minnesota Twins
Also known as the Washington Senators from 1901-1960
Postseason Appearances: 1924-25, 1933, 1965, 1969-70, 1987, 1991, 2002-04, 2006, 2009 (total-13)
World Series Titles: 1924, 1987, 1991 (total-3)
Best Season: 1933 (99-53)
Worst Season: 1904 (38-113)

The 1st incarnation of the Senators was generally so bad (with the exception of the mid 1920s) that in the 1950's a musical was written about the Senators needing a hotshot player to finally win the pennant (Damn Yankees). Things improved somewhat after moving to Minneapolis, but the Twins have yet to win a World Series game on the road (0-9 in their three appearances). Were it not for the Twinkies having the Homerdome field edge in 1987 and '91, they would still be looking for their first Minny title.

Pitching-He last threw a pitch in 1927 and departed this world in 1946, but the Big Train, Walter Johnson, is still the all-time franchise leader in virtually all pitching categories. While his 1911 season (25-13, 1.89) is not his best, it's still good enough to ace the staff. Rounding out the rotation are Bert Blyleven 1973 (20-17, 2.52), Johan Santana 2004 (20-6, 2.61-his spot is a little precarious, though-a few more seasons in Flushing and a 22-8, 1.87, 285 K type season would likely move the Johan to the Mets), Jim Perry 1970 (24-13, 3.03) and Jim Kaat 1966 (25-13, 2.75). The team could easily move to a four man rotation if Santana falters. Frank Viola 1988 (24-7, 2.64) and Camilo Pascual 1959 (17-10, 2.64) add depth. Heading up the bullpen is Joe Nathan 2006 (7-0-36, 1.58), supported by J.C. Romero 2002 (9-2, 1.89), Tom Hall 1970 (11-6-4, 2.55, 184 K and only 94 hits in 155 innings), Bill Campbell 1976 (17-5-20, 3.00) and Doug Corbett 1980 (8-6-23, 1.99). Al Worthington 1964 (14 saves, 1.38) and Rick Aguilera 1991 (42 saves) add some more depth to the stoppers role.

Catching-Amazing, considering that the battery for the Twins are using seasons 98 years apart. Joe Mauer had one of the all time seasons for a catcher last year (28, 96, .365) and may get even better. Earl Battey 1961 (17, 55, .302), who would have been the starter for this format up until a few years ago, backs up Mauer. Brian Harper 1991 (.311) and Matt LeCroy 2001 (.425, 3, 12 in just 40 AB) add some more pop to the backstop position.

Infield-Rod Carew 1977 (14, 100, .388) is at first, Chuck Knoblauch 1996 (13, 72, .341, 45 SB) is at second, Joe Cronin 1930 (14, 126, .346) is at short and Eddie Yost 1950 (11, 58, .295, 141 walks) is at third. Harmon Killebrew 1969 (49, 141, .276) is the DH, as you might expect. Buddy Myer 1930 (.303) and Cecil Travis 1941 (.359, 101 RBI) back up the infield.

Outfield-Roy Sievers 1957 (42, 114, .301) crushes the ball in left. Kirby Puckett 1988 (24, 121, .356) will have to cover a lot of ground in center, but as his highlight reels have shown, Kirby should be up to the task. Tony Oliva 1970 (23, 107, .325) is in right. Shane Mack 1994 (22, 88, .333) can help out defensively in the late innings in left while losing almost no pop, and Bob Allison 1964 (32, 86, .287 with a .407 OBP and 10 SB) would start for a lot of teams.

Outlook-The Twins may have what it takes to win this division. The deciding factor could be just what an impact the 2009 Mauer will have. If it's not enough, the title should go to the...

Oakland Athletics
Played in Philadelphia 1901-1954 and Kansas City 1955-67
Postseason Appearances: 1905, 1910-11, 1913-14, 1929-31, 1971-75, 1981, 1988-90, 1992, 2000-03, 2006 (total-23)
World Series Titles: 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929-30, 1972-74, 1989 (total-9)
Best Season: 1931 (107-45)
Worst Season: 1916 (36-117)

It's safe to say that the Athletics have experienced the highs and lows during their history. Their 9 WS titles is third all time, but they also had just two winning seasons from 1933 to 1967. Never a dull moment, whether it's in Philly, KC or Oakland.

Pitching-The team's strong suit, it features a phenomenal rotation of Lefty Grove 1930 (28-5-9, 2.54, 209 K-led the majors in all those categories in 1930, INCLUDING SAVES!!) Jim "Catfish" Hunter 1972 (21-7, 2.04), Vida Blue 1971 (24-8, 1.82, 301 K), Tim Hudson 2003 (16-7, 2.70) and Dave Stewart 1990 (22-11, 2.56). Amazingly, HOFers Rube Waddell (20-9, 2.02, 236 K), Chief Bender (1911 version-17-5, 2.16) and Eddie Plank (also 1911-23-8, 2.10) have to take a back seat. The pen is even mightier than the rotation, starring Dennis Eckersley 1990 (4-2-48, 0.61-now you know why Fingers is in Milwaukee). Helping the Eck out are Jim Todd 1975 (8-3-12, 2.29), Rick Honeycutt 1989 (12 saves, 2.35), 2009 ROY Andrew Bailey (6-3-26, 1.84) and Diego Segui 1970 (10-10-2, 2.56 ERA). Segui can also spot start. Gene Nelson 1990 (1.57) adds depth.

Catching-It's in very capable hands with HOFer Mickey Cochrane 1930 (10, 85, .357), with Terry Steinbach 1996 (35, 100, .272) backing him up. Gene Tenace 1975 (29, 87, .255 but a .398 OBP) and Mike Heath 1985 (13 HR) add depth, though likely they won't be needed much.

Infield-Here comes the controversy-and something which needs to be addressed now. The topic of PED's is a hot one, and how it would impact a league like this could be potentially huge. Here's the verdict-for those players who have admitted to or have had fairly convincing evidence to taking the juice, we either will use seasons where PED use was not likely (Clemens 1986, Bonds 1993, A-Rod 1996, Manny 1999, McGwire 1987) or leave them out altogether (Sosa, Palmiero, Giambi). Giambi is impacted here since Jimmie Foxx 1934 (44, 130, .344) and Big Mac's rookie season of 1987 (49, 118, .289) will serve as the DH. Sorry Jason, no soup for you. Eddie Collins 1911 (.365, 38 SB) plays at second, Miguel Tejada 2002 (34, 131, .308) is at short and Sal Bando 1969 (31, 113, .281, 111 walks) is at third. Mark Ellis 2005 (.316) and Jimmy Dykes 1927 (.324) serve as the utility infielders, and Ferris Fain 1951 (.344) pinch hits and serves as the defensive whiz at first.

Outfield-An all Hall of Fame outfield here, with all-time leadoff disrputer Rickey Henderson 1990 (28, 61, .325, .441 OBP, 65 SB) in left, Al Simmons 1930 (36, 165, .381) in center and Reggie Jackson 1969 (47, 118, .275) in right. Only the Indians and Yankees may have better outfielders. Dave Henderson 1991 (25, 85, .276) and Matt Stairs 1997 (27, 73, .298 in just 352 AB) provide backup, and Joe Rudi 1972 (.305 with 19 HR and a game saving catch in the WS that year) is in reserve.

Outlook-The A's should take this division and likely convincingly-their backups would start for all but a few teams.

Next Time-we wrap up the AL West with the Mariners and Rangers