Tribe in Good Position to Scalp AL Central. The Indians entered last season with somewhat stymied expectations. Many pundits around the league had made them one of the teams to beat prior to the 2006 season, only to watch them sputter to a disappointing 78-84 record. However, these new-look Indians finally arrived last year, winning 96 games and advancing all the way to the ALCS, only to blow a 3-1 series lead against the Red Sox. With another year under their belts, this young team should be able to keep Chief Wahoo smiling all season long.

Bats. While these Indians won’t be confused for the slugging teams of the mid-1990s, they still scored the 8th most runs in Major League Baseball last year. They’re started at the top with leadoff man Grady Sizemore, who, when he’s not making girls scream and throw their panties, does it all for the Indians. Aside from winning his first hand ax throwing competition Gold Glove, Sizemore set career highs in walks, on base percentage and stolen bases. He is a lock for over 100 runs and could gain entry into baseball’s 30-30 club this season. Sizemore is Mr. Consistency in center field, but the Indians don’t have that stability in the corner outfield positions. Left field is expected to be again divided between Jason Michaels and David Dellucci, two dependable, albeit unspectacular veterans. Old bastards Trot Nixon and Kenny Lofton gave this outfield a boost last season but both moved on during the offseason. The right field job is expected to be given to Pedro Cerrano Franklin Gutierrez, who managed to slug 13 homers in just 271 at-bats.

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