After winning the division in 2008, the Chicago White Sox disappointed in 2009 when they finished the year under .500 and just third in the division. Behind a stronger pitching staff and a few developing young batters, the Southsiders are looking to make a return to the postseason in 2010.

Offense

After a stellar rookie season in 2008 and finishing second in the Rookie of the Year race, Alexei Ramirez hit the sophomore slump last season. His numbers were by no means terrible (.277, 15 home runs, 68 RBIs) but he fell short of his 2008 numbers in every category while playing in more games.

The White Sox need him to be productive at the top of the order if their offense is going to make some noise this season.

Last year, 22-year-old Gordon Beckham broke onto the scene and earned the AL Rookie of the Year award. A .270 average, 14 home runs, and 63 RBIs assured him a starting spot this year, where Beckham will be shifting to second base. Look for his numbers to improve as he gets more comfortable in the major leagues.

Carlos Quentin, who will start in left field, is looking to stay healthy this year in hopes of returning to the stellar form he showed two seasons ago (36 home runs and 100 RBIs). In 99 games lasts season, Quentin hit 21 homers and drove in 56.

The White Sox will need Quentin to stay both healthy and cool-headed this year if they are going to challenge the Twins for the division.

When the White Sox traded for Alex Rios last season, they were hoping a change of scenery would inspire him to play as he had in years past.

If Rios can find his form, he can combine with the other young bats on this team to make a very dangerous lineup. If he continues to struggle it will really hurt the Sox, as his contract is so substantial.

Andrew Jones (who had a strong 2009 season only compared to what he did in LA) will take over a designated hitter, in 2010. Paul Konerko, who is 34 years old now but still hit 28 home runs last season, will man first, while Juan Pierre will play left. Mark Teahen and Jayson Nix will battle it out at third and A.J. Pierzynski will start behind home plate.

Pitching

Mark Buehrle, who pitched a perfect game last season (and continued to retire the next 17 batters in his next start), will take the mound on opening day for the Sox.

Buehrle has been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball over the past decade, winning at least 10 games in every season that he has been a starter. As he has aged, his strikeout totals have fallen, but he has changed his game as needed.

Buehrle won 13 games last season; expect him to do about the same in 2010.

Pitching behind Buehrle will be Jake Peavy, who came over from the Padres last season.

Peavy is looking to find the dominant form that made him such a threat for so many years in San Diego. While he only started three games for the White Sox last season, Peavy went 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA. If Peavy can handle pitching in the American League, look for him to bounce back in a major way.

A 24-year-old John Danks is entering his fourth season as a starter, and is showing that he is both durable and consistent. What makes Danks so valuable is that he can pitch through adversity, allowing him to eat up innings and pitch late into games.

Danks is a very strong third starter in a league with so many thin rotations.

Gavin Floyd and Freddy Garcia (assuming he survives spring training) will fill out the final two spots in the rotation, with Bobby Jenks returning as the Sox closer.

Prediction

The AL Central is always the most interesting division to watch as the season comes to an end. There are always two or three teams that are in the race (although it is not always the same two or three), and it usually comes down to the wire.

The White Sox have the pitching to win the Central, but their young bats will need to step up their game.

As long as the pitching staff can get enough run support then they will win games, and could easily challenge Minnesota for the division. It will come down to the wire, and whoever is playing their best ball come August and September will take the division.