Boston's pitching staff has only one certainty--weakness. Bill Monbouquette (15-13) is a local favorite, but there were many days last year when opponents liked him even more. Earl Wilson (12.8) did pitch a no-hitter, although he allowed far too many hits on numerous other occasions. Gene Conley (15-14), if he can catch the team bus in time, might become a reliable hurler, but then again....
One possible challenger--if everything goes all right--could be Detroit. The Tigers possess considerable teeth with Rocky Colivito (37 homers), Norm Cash (39 homers), and Al Kaline: (.304). Detroit's infield, however, is rather leaky defensively, and their big sluggers seem to alternate good years.
Lary Must Win
Jim Bunning (19-10), ERA champ Hank Aguirre (16-8), and Don Mossi (11-13) are more than adequate material to build a mound corps around, but unless Frank Lary (2-6) can regain his touch, the Tigers will have considerable difficulty battling the Twins and Angels.
Chicago's Al Lopez claims (for the ninth time in ten years) that he has a contender, and perhaps he does. Joe Cunningham (.295), Floyd Robinson (.312), and Al Smith (292) give him a significant outfield, but he has lots of troubles elsewhere--like the entire infield. Ray Herbert might win 20 games for the Chisox; if he doesn't forget it. There isn't much else on the staff.
The picture at Baltimore is brighter, although a lot of the glitter so far has been in press releases. Steve Barber (9-6) is out of the Army, and he, Chuck Estrada (9-17), and Milt Pappas (12-10) are a youthful, effective mound aggregation. Robin Roberts (10-9) might have one more year, and that could be important.
Baltimore's major problem last year was the team's inability to score. Unless some of the youngsters have great years the pitching staff could be in for another season of close losses. Jim Gentile (.251) and Boog Powell (.243) were two major reasons for the club's severe affliction of plate anemia. If they, and Brooks Robinson (.303) can have a good season together, the Birds will fly.
Good Indian Rookies
The situation at Cleveland is very confusing, and sports scribes differ greatly in their estimations of the team. Those who are optimistic stress the potential of rookies Vic Davillilo. Tony Martinez, and Max Alvis. The addition of Joe Adcock at first should also help.
Most of the veterans are old and undistinguished though, and youth alone, despite its eagerness, won't succeed in the improved American League. Manager Birdie Tebbetts cannot rely on pitching to do the job either, as only Dick Donovan (20-10) is consistently effective.
But after the 15th of August all these fine clubs will be battling for second place. By that time the New York Yankees will have begun scouting their National League opponent for the World Series. Behind the incomparable Yanks (whose wonders are world famous), look for Minnesota, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Washington in approximately that order.