9. Detroit Tigers
Why they could win it:
The offense is loaded and they can ride any one of 3-4 sluggers for stretches at a time. Curtis Granderson and Miguel Cabrera (health permitting) can spark an offense to long winning streaks. The starting pitchers showed in June that they can compete with anyone, and Justin Verlander could be a monster in the post-season

Why they probably won’t win it:
They have shaky defense in the infield, Pudge Rodriguez is pretty much done offensively, and their closer (Todd Jones), though having a decent season, is not a premier reliever. And if that weren’t enough, half the team has a pulled oblique muscle. 

8. New York Yankees
Why they could win it:
Can anyone say A-Rod? Personality quirks aside, in A-Rod, we’re witnessing one of the 2-3 greatest players to ever don a uniform. Add in the leadership of Derek Jeter and the best pitcher in post-season history in Mariano Rivera, and the Yanks could pull it off.

Why they probably won’t win it:
The starting pitching is a crapshoot. The defense is improved, but theys till miss enough balls to make their undermanned pitching staff have to work too hard. They also have two teams ahead of them in the standings.

7. Chicago Cubs
Why they could win the whole thing (finally):
Since the season started, the Cubs have been the most consistent team in baseball. Usually, teams like that roll deep into the playoffs. Carlos Zambrano is the sizzle on the steak - he’s a big-time ace. Add a rejuvenated Kerry Wood in the closer role, and the Cubs look good. Also, doesn’t it just seem like Fukudome is destined to play in the Fall Classic?

6. Oakland A’s
Why they could win it all:
The team pitching is very, very good. They have the second best bullpen ERA in baseball, and the second best starters’ ERA. They catch the ball well and are (as usual for a Billy Bean team) well prepared.

Why they probably won’t win it:
They always find a way to lose in the playoffs. The franchise is 1-5 in their last six playoff series, losing in the fifth game of a five-game series four times.

5. St. Louis Cardinals
Why they might win it all:
The core of the team remains from the 2006 World Series champions, who survived a late-season collapse to win the title. The Cards are a well-managed team and they have a marquee slugger in Albert Pujols. Kyle Lohse is showing signs of having a magical season, and magic is nice when you’re trying to navigate three rounds of post-season baseball.

Why they probably won’t win it:
After Lohse, the starting rotation is suspect, and the bullpen has been shaky at times. Also, the Cards had a lot of things go their way two seasons ago, and the likelihood of that happening again is slim.

4. Tampa Bay Rays
Why they may win it all:
The ghosts of the 1969 Mets may have resurfaced in this Tampa team. But, it’s much more than that - the Rays got talent. They lead the majors in starting pitchers’ ERA and are great out of the bullpen too. They lead the AL in stolen bases and are fourth in homers, so they feature a balanced offense. Evan Longoria is an emerging star.

Why they probably won’t win it all:
These are the Rays, after all. But seriously, the lineup, though balanced, doesn’t have that many hitters who scare the opposition. They also lack the e-word: experience.

3. Chicago White Sox
Why they could win it all:
The ChiSox have loads of experience, and they’ve been able to fly under the radar this season as the division favorites: the Tigers and Indians, have struggled. The Sox bullpen boasts and amazing 2.72 ERA and they’re starting pitching is just as good as it was when Ozzie Guillen’s team won the 2005 World Series. Oh yes, and they can also hit the baseball out of the ballpark.

Why they probably won’t win it all:
The White Sox are a station-to-station team who has difficulty winning the low-scoring, one-run ballgames that so often make up the post-season.

2. Boston Red Sox
Why they could win it all again:
In Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and Dice-K, the Red Sox have three pitchers who can dominate in the playoffs. Their lineup is filled with veterans who can sock the ball out of the park, and J.D Drew is having an MVP-type season. Manager Terry Francona is a master at having his team loose and prepared for the post-season. Tito is 22-9 in the post-season.

Why they may not win it all:
The team may have to face the post-season without the Big Papi. Even if he is in the lineup, David Ortiz has been hurt much of the season. Although Jonathan Papelbon has had a fine first-half, he has blown four saves.

1. Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim
Why the Angels will win it all:
They play the perfect game for the post-season: advancing the extra base, hitting the cut off man, stealing bases, making plays in the field. Though they don’t boast the offense of Detroit, Boston, Chicago, or the Yankees, Vlad Guerrero is still in the middle of the Halos lineup. All five of their starting pitchers have been solid this season, and Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana have electric stuff that could dominate in the playoffs. Frankie Rodriguez is lights out as the closer.

Why they may not win the World Series:
The offense may not provide enough runs to support the talented pitching staff, and the Angels will have to get past the Red Sox, Rays, or White Sox (or two of them) to even make the Fall Classic.

The top four teams on our list are from the American League. There’s a reason for that. The Al is clearly better than the National League, and we think it’s a longshot for any NL team to win the Series this fall.