1. Detroit: 775 runs
2. KC -10
3. Cleveland -45
4. Chicago -140
5. Minnesota -145
The Lineups
1. Detroit
2011 Rankings: 787 runs; 4th in AL
2011 Numbers (BA/OBP/SLG): .277/.340/.434
Key Additions: Prince Fielder
Key Losses: Victor Martinez, Magglio Ordonez, Wilson Betemit
2012 Prediction: 775 runs; (-12) off 2011 production
Rundown: What the Tigers gained in power with the addition of Prince Fielder they lost in lineup flexibility. Last season the catcher position was manned by Avila and Victor Martinez. Unlike most teams that face a dramatic drop in offensive production when the starting catcher needs a break, the Tigers were actually able to maintain the integrity of their lineup by shifting Avila to DH and moving Marinez behind the plate with little to no drop off in production. If you assume a frontline catcher is able to play 120-130 games (if healthy) that means the 2012 Tigers will potentially play 40+ games (1/4 of the season) without their best lineup on the field. If Miguel Cabrera is unable to hold down the hot corner the team may have to weaken the lineup by inserting Brandon Inge at third base and losing the ability to use Alex Avila as the DH twice a week. Perhaps Cabrera only plays third when Avila needs a day off from behind the plate. Ideally, Avila would take his days off when a lefty is on the mound which would place Gerald Laird and Brandon Inge in the lineup at catcher and 3rd base and Delmon Young would have to sit in order to keep Cabrera in the lineup. Kansas City fans should be checking post office regulations regarding the shipment of cake and alcohol throught the mail because if Cabrera can not play 3rd, the Tigers lineup will not be able to repeat 2011 production levels.
Detroit Probable Lineup
| # | Player | Pos | R/L | 2011 |
| 1 | Jackson | CF | R | .249/317/.374 |
| 2 | Boesch | RF | L | .283/.341/.458 |
| 3 | Cabrera | 3B | R | .344/.448/.586 |
| 4 | Fielder | 1B | L | .299/415/.566 |
| 5 | Peralta | SS | R | .299/.345/.478 |
| 6 | Avila | C | L | .295/.389/.506 |
| 7 | Young | DH | R | .274/.298/.458 |
| 8 | Raburn | 2B | R | .256/.297/.432 |
| 9 | Dirks | LF | L | .251/.296/.406 |
2. Kansas City
2011 Rankings: 730 Runs; 6th in AL
2011 Numbers: .275/.329/.415
Key Additions: Lorenzo Cain, experience for Hosmer, Moustakas, and Giavotella
Key Losses: Melky Cabrera
2012 Prediction: 765 runs; (+35) above 2011 production
Rundown: The Royals made marked offensive improvement in 2011. Alex Gordon finally had a breakout season in which he hit for power and average. Gordon was extremely lucky in 2011, he needed a .358 BABIP (Batting AVG on Balls In Play) to maintain his numbers, a BABIP that far above .300 is not likely to be repeated but there are exceptions to the norm. There are three keys to the emergence of a dominant Kansas City offense in 2012: Mike Moustakas, Salvador Perez, and Johnny Giavotella. If Moose and Perez can build off their September numbers and Giavotella is healthy after tearing the labrum in his hip the Royals offense could become the deepest lineup in the AL Central and potentially top 4 in the American League.
Royals Probable Lineup
| # | Player | Pos | R/L | 2011 |
| 1 | Gordon | LF | L | .303/.376/.502 |
| 2 | Giavotella | 2B | R | .247/.273/.376 |
| 3 | Hosmer | 1B | L | .293/.334/.465 |
| 4 | Butler | DH | R | .291/.361/.461 |
| 5 | Moustakas | 3B | L | .263/.309/.367 |
| 6 | Francoeur | RF | R | .285/.329/.476 |
| 7 | Perez | C | R | .331/.361/.473 |
| 8 | Cain | CF | R | .273/.304/.318 |
| 9 | Escobar | SS | R | .254/.290/.343 |
3. Cleveland
2011 Rankings: 704 runs; 9th in AL
2011Numbers: .250/.317/.396
Key Additions: Casey Kotchman
Key Losses: None
2012 Prediction: 730 Runs; (+26) above 2011 production
Rundown: What do the Indians do when Santana needs a rest? It would make sense to place Santana in the DH spot against left-handed pitchers because of Hafner's poor splits against left-handed pitching. This lineup is lefty heavy with two switch hitters, luckily those to switch hitters are Cabrera and Santana, two of their best hitters. Quality left handed pitching could potentially cause the Indians to shift to a less impressive lineup. (How many Lefties do the Royals have in the rotation? 3.) Shin-Soo Choo had an injury filled 2011 and did not produce at a level to which he had grown accustomed and the rest of the AL can expect an improved performance in 2012. The only significant addition to the lineup is Casey Kotchman who is an exceptional defender but lacks the power to hold down a corner infield spot for a significant period of time. It has already been determined that Sizemore will not be ready to play on Opening Day, which could mean Brantley moves to CF and someone like Shelley Duncan could see more at-bats.
Cleveland Probable Lineup
| # | Player | Pos | R/L | 2011 |
| 1 | Sizemore | CF | L | .224/.285/.422 |
| 2 | Cabrera | SS | S | .273/.332/.460 |
| 3 | Choo | RF | L | .259/.344/..390 |
| 4 | Santana | C | S | .239/.351/.457 |
| 5 | Hafner | DH | L | .280/.361/.449 |
| 6 | Kipnis | 2B | L | .272/.333/.507 |
| 7 | Kotchman | 1B | L | .306/.378/.422 |
| 8 | Chisenhall | 3B | L | .255/.284/.415 |
| 9 | Brantley | LF | L | .266/.318/.384 |
4. Chicago
2011Rankings: 654 runs; 11th in AL
2011 Numbers: .252/.319/.388
Key Additions: Adam Dunn's corpse
Key Losses: Carlos Quentin, Juan Pierre
2012 Prediction: 635 runs; (-19) below 2011 production
Rundown: Among returning players, only Alexei Ramirez and Paul Konerko met offensive expectations in 2011. De Aza had limited exposure to major league pitching in 2011 but ample power for a left fielder. Adam Dunn had one of the worst seasons in baseball history and is now another year older. Many teams refused to reward Dunn with a long term contract because of fears that his lack of athleticism would translate into a steep regression in skills. Alex Rios has never been a consistent performer on a year to year basis and Gordon Beckham has never lived up to the promise of his rookie season. What would you say if I told you you could start a 2nd basemen with a 2011 batting line of:
.255/.313.287
vs
.230/.296/.337
What if I told you the first set of numbers belong to Chris Getz (who the Sox traded) and the second set belong to former 1st round pick Gordon Beckham? The real question is whether the Sox will lose 100 games and challenge Seattle's offensive futility of the last few seasons. Will the Sox score more than 600 runs in 2012? Without major progression from Beckham and bounce back performances from Dunn and Rios, "signs point to no".
Chicago Probably Lineup
| # | Player | Pos | R/L | 2011 |
| 1 | Ramirez | SS | R | .269/.328/.399 |
| 2 | De Aza | LF | L | .329/.400/..520 |
| 3 | Konerko | 1B | R | .300/.388./.517 |
| 4 | Dunn | DH | L | .159/.292/.277 |
| 5 | Rios | CF | R | .227/.265/.348 |
| 6 | Pierzynski | C | L | .287/.323/.405 |
| 7 | Viciedo | RF | R | .255/.327/.314 |
| 8 | Morel | 3B | R | .245/.287/.366 |
| 9 | Beckham | 2B | R | .230/.296/.337 |
5. Minnesota
2011 Rankings: 619 runs; 13th in AL
2011 Numbers: .247/.306/.360
Key Additions: Josh Willingham, Jamey Carroll
Key Losses: Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel
2012 Prediction: 630 runs; (+11) above 2011 production
Rundown: The 2011 Twins had one of the most injury ravaged campaigns in recent memory. Mauer, Kubel, Span, and Morneau all missed significant portions of the season. Now Delmon Young (trade), Kubel and Cuddyer have left for greener pastures and the Twins are left hoping Mauer and Morneau can regain their 2009 Metrodome form. Mauer has only homered twice at Target Field and produced the same slugging percentage as Mike Moustakas in 2011. Yes, that Mike Moustakas who batted under .200 for a majority of his time in the big leagues. If Mauer and Morneau do not return to pre-injury form this will be another long year in the twin cities because the addition of Josh Willingham and an aged Jamey Carroll is not enough to compensate for the regressions and Free Agency losses over the last two years. To be quite honest, even if Mauer and Morneau do return to form the lineup is short and devoid of difference makers past the 5th position in the order.
Minnesota Probable Lineup
| # | Player | Pos | R/L | 2011 |
| 1 | Span | CF | R | .264/.328/.359 |
| 2 | Doumit | DH | S | .303/.353/.477 |
| 3 | Mauer | C | L | .287/.360/.368 |
| 4 | Morneau | 1B | L | .227/.285/.333 |
| 5 | Willingham | RF | R | .246/.332/.477 |
| 6 | Valencia | 3B | R | .246/.294/.383 |
| 7 | Revere | LF | L | .267/.310/.309 |
| 8 | Carroll | SS | R | .290/.359/.347 |
| 9 | Casilla | 2B | S | .260/.322/..368 |
Upcoming: Ranking of AL Central Starting Rotations
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