1918 AL Preseason Predictions
The White Sox have surprised a lot of people outside of Chicago by winning three straight pennants in a very tough American League. They have done it with superb pitching and a strong offense. However, last year was their biggest challenge as they finished the season in a 3-way tie with the Red Sox and A's. Chicago won both tiebreaker games to clinch that 3rd pennant and then went on to rout the Cubs. This year, they are expected to be at the top of the standings again, but it will be another tough fight. The White Sox pitching staff is still amazing and their offense is quite productive, led by first baseman
Jack Fournier (.296, 39 HR, 119 RBI).
However, the Red Sox cannot be overlooked. They have been disappointed by the past three seasons, feeling as if they are the ones who should have been atop the AL each year. Perhaps that chip on their shoulder will give them an edge. Boston also has a great pitching staff, second only to Chicago's. While their offense was ranked just 4th in the league last year, many still believe it is the best in the league. The Red Sox will have to prove that to be true. Without the explosive offense they expect, this team could be sitting home watching another team play in the World Series yet again.
The Tigers and Athletics have something to say about the top offense in the league. Both teams ranked ahead of both Boston and Chicago in that category last year. In fact, it was Oakland who led all of MLHR with 803 runs scored. They still feature the three-headed monster of
Eddie Collins (.321, 15 HR, 122 R, 64 SB),
"Shoeless Joe" Jackson (.320, 30 HR, 102 RBI, 17 SB) and
"Home Run" Baker (.280, 43 HR, 138 RBI). However, their pitching staff must do better if they hope to win the pennant. After all, their bullpen ranked last in the league in 1917.
As for Detroit, they were near the top of the standings for much of last season before faltering late in the summer. They still have a deadly offense, but pitching is the big question for them. Their pitching staff performed well last year and ranked 3rd overall, but that is not what fans in Detroit have come to expect for the Tigers pitching staffs in the past. But, if they are to surpass the other American League titans, Detroit's pitching must have a season as strong, if not stronger, than last year.
Predicted Standings
(Scale of 1-12)
| Rank | Team | Rotation | Bullpen | Offense | Bench | Speed | Defense | Totals | Grade | Predicted Record |
| 1 | Chicago White Sox | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8.3 | A- | 97 | 65 |
| 2 | Boston Red Sox | 9 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8.2 | A- | 96 | 66 |
| 3 | Detroit Tigers | 6 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 7.8 | B+ | 92 | 70 |
| 4 | Oakland Athletics | 8 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 7.8 | B+ | 91 | 71 |
| 5 | New York Yankees | 7 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6.4 | C+ | 75 | 87 |
| 6 | Cleveland Indians | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6.1 | C | 71 | 91 |
| 7 | Minnesota Twins | 8 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6.0 | C | 70 | 92 |
| 8 | Baltimore Orioles | 5 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 4.8 | D+ | 56 | 106 |
Champs: Boston Red Sox, (75-51, .595)
World Series: Red Sox defeated Cubs 4-2
For players who appear below on a team they are not playing with in MLHR, their MLHR team is listed in parenthesis
Combined WAR: George Sisler, Orioles, 6.8
Offensive WAR: Ty Cobb, Tigers, 6.8
Defensive WAR: Roger Peckinpaugh, Yankees (Indians), 3.0
Batting Title: Ty Cobb, Tigers, .382
On-Base%: Ty Cobb, Tigers, .440
Slugging%: Babe Ruth, Red Sox, .555
Runs: Ray Chapman, Indians, 84
RBI: Bobby Veach, Tigers, 84
SB: George Sisler, Orioles, 45
OPS+: Ty Cobb, Tigers, 194
AB/HR: Babe Ruth, Red Sox, 28.8
Pitching WAR: Walter Johnson, Twins, 10.2
Win%: Sad Sam Jones, Red Sox (Indians), .762
WHIP: Walter Johnson, Twins, 0.954
K/9: Guy Morton, Indians, 5.157
Innings: Scott Perry, Athletics (Orioles), 332.1
K/BB: Eddie Cicotte, White Sox (Tigers), 2.600
ERA+: Walter Johnson, Twins, 214
FIP: Eddie Cicotte, White Sox (Tigers), 2.02