Inside Pitch

If you want a wide-open division, the AL Central might be it. Every team has a reason to like them and every team has some big holes. The Indians are poised for another odd-numbered year run and having Kerry Wood as their closer might be enough to take them over the top. But Travis Hafner's comeback  from shoulder trouble is still going poorly, Cy Young winner Cliff Lee has been brutal this spring and those are major worries for ex-Bisons manager Eric Wedge.

The Twins' final year in the Metrodome has been marred by Joe Mauer's mysterious back ailment and they can't have him out for any extended period. (An aside: The new ballpark, Target Field, is open-air and a retractable roof was cut out of the plans. Minnesota in April. Nice thinking there). The Royals  could be the game's surprise team. They have some nice bats (Alex Gordon), nice arms (Gil Meche, Zach Greinke) and a top closer in Joakim Soria combined with a heady manager in Trey Hillman

The White Sox are the defending champions but seemed to stand pat over the winter. But they still have a tough lineup and Bobby Jenks at the back of the bullpen. The Tigers have overpriced talent on the downside (think Gary Sheffield and the baffling Dontrelle Willis). Maybe things turn around, likely they don't.

So my picks are: 1-Indians; 2-Royals; 3-White Sox; 4-Twins; 5-Tigers.

Choose your AL Central winner below. Next: NL Central.

---Mike Harrington