Scouting Reports
SI'sRANKINGS
1. Chicago WhiteSox
2. OaklandAthletics
3. New YorkYankees
4. Los AngelesAngels
5. Boston RedSox
6. St. LouisCardinals
7. ClevelandIndians
8. AtlantaBraves
9. New YorkMets
10. Toronto BlueJays
11. TexasRangers
12. MinnesotaTwins
13. Los AngelesDodgers
14. SanFrancisco Giants
15. MilwaukeeBrewers
16. HoustonAstros
17. PhiladelphiaPhillies
18. DetroitTigers
19. ChicagoCubs
20. San DiegoPadres
21. PittsburghPirates
22. SeattleMariners
23. ArizonaDiamondbacks
24. Tampa BayDevil Rays
25. BaltimoreOrioles
26. ColoradoRockies
27. WashingtonNationals
28. CincinnatiReds
29. Kansas CityRoyals
30. FloridaMarlins
HOW THEY'LL FINISH
OVERALL RANK INPARENTHESES
AMERICANLEAGUE
EAST
1. Yankees(3)
2. Red Sox(5)
3. Blue Jays(10)
4. Devil Rays(24)
5. Orioles(25)
CENTRAL
1. White Sox(1)
2. Indians(7)
3. Twins(12)
4. Tigers(18)
5. Royals(29)
WEST
1. Athletics(2)
2. Angels*(4)
3. Rangers(11)
4. Mariners(22)
NATIONALLEAGUE
EAST
1. Braves(8)
2. Mets* (9)
3. Phillies(17)
4. Nationals(27)
5. Marlins(30)
CENTRAL
1. Cardinals(6)
2. Brewers(15)
3. Astros(16)
4. Cubs (19)
5. Pirates(21)
6. Reds (28)
WEST
1. Dodgers(13)
2. Giants(14)
3. Padres(20)
4. Diamondbacks(23)
5. Rockies(26)
*Wild-cardteam
PLAYOFFPREDICTIONS
AMERICANLEAGUE
DIVISIONSERIES
White Sox overAngels
Athletics overYankees
CHAMPIONSHIPSERIES
White Sox overAthletics
NATIONALLEAGUE
DIVISIONSERIES
Cardinals overMets
Braves overDodgers
CHAMPIONSHIPSERIES
Cardinals overBraves
WORLD SERIES
White Sox overCardinals
CONSIDER THIS boxes compiled by Baseball Prospectus(www.baseballprospectus.com). In some boxes there is a reference to the PECOTAsystem, which is a Baseball Prospectus prediction model that projects aplayer's numbers based on up to 100 statistically comparable players.
PLAYER VALUERANKINGS SI ranked the position players in the major leagues from 1 (the best)to 400 and the pitchers from 1 to 350, based on projections of theirstatistical production this season. The categories considered for positionplayers were batting average, home runs, RBIs and stolen bases; for pitchersthe categories were wins, saves, ERA and WHIP (walks plus hits per inningpitched). We also took into account each player's career stats as well as hisrole on his team, his prospects for improving or declining, and his injuryhistory and physical condition. Using these criteria, SI determined eachplayer's value ranking, or PVR, which appears next to his name in his team'sprojected roster in the following scouting reports. For a complete list of PVRsby position, go to SI.com/fantasy.
Projectedrosters, In Facts and Player Value Rankings compiled by David Sabino.
SI.COM
Scores, schedules and career stats on every player,plus the latest news and analysis from Tom Verducci at SI.com/baseball.
PHOTO
Photograph by Damian Strohmeyer
A LONG STRETCH Joe Crede and the White Sox will try to become the first team in six years to repeat as World Series champs.