European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 31, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Stars and stripes saturday March 31 2007 sport final four matchup Center on the men in the Middle Page 37 2007 major league baseball preview american league of the Boston red sox Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka aka Dacek Charles weight world far East Al East will have eyes on Bostons Matsuzaka by Mike Fitzpatrick the associated press everyone is curious about Daisuke Matsuzaka which makes perfect sense Dick As Hes also known throws something like seven or eight pitches for strikes and the Boston red sox coughed up million to import him from Japan before he even set foot on a major league Mound he also spiced up that of Yankees red sox rivalry in a hurry while so Many eyes Are fixed on baseballs most mysterious Rookie this season the toughest Tugo War around lies smack in the mid dle of americas heartland the Al Central four teams in that Dogma dog division Are Good enough to expect a playoff berth of course theres room for Only two at most the Minnesota twins boast two time by Young award Winner Johan Santana 2006 league map Justin Morneau and last years Bat Ting Champion Joe Mauer by the Way Treyve won four of the past five Central titles Jim Ley lands Detroit tigers return almost their entire team in tact after a surprising run to the world series last year plus they added slugger Gary Sheffield in a Trade with the new York Yankees the Chicago White sox won 90 games last season and still missed the playoffs but remember there not far removed from their 2005 world series championship the Cleveland indians appear ready to reach the postseason with Young stars such As Grady Sizemore backing an underrated rotation they plan to rebound from a disappoint ing drop off last year weve got challenges ahead of us but so does every other team in our division indians general manager Mark Shapiro said our goal is to get into the playoffs starting now and every year and we feel we have a legitimate reason to believe we can Derek Jeter Mariano Rivera and the Yankees always expect a spot in the playoffs Treyve won nine consecutive Al East titles but Are without a world series ring since 2000 now there with out longtime Stalwart Bernie Williams too looking to end the drought new York brought Back left handed Pitcher Andy Pettitte and added a japanese Pitcher of its own Kei Igawa Alex Rodriguez is under immense pres sure again As the Yankees try to hold off Boston in the Al East again the red sox went on a spending spree in the of season sign ing cd Drew to protect David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez in the Middle of a dangerous lineup see Al on Page 39 coming sunday National league preview Foyt celebrates his 50th year in racing 5426000101