There are a lot of words that can be used to describe the 1992 American League West.

Predictable isn't one of them.

But talented is -- and the White Sox, frustrated bridesmaids the past two seasons, are poised to win the division with two of the hottest young hitters in baseball: Frank Thomas and Robin Ventura.

This year, it looks as though the designated travel route to the Series is by way of the Ventura Highway -- with a final stop in the Windy City.

Predicted finish : 1) Chicago, 2) Texas, 3) Minnesota, 4) Oakland, 5) Kansas City, 6) Seattle, 7) California

Chicago -- Manager: Gene Lamont. 1991 Record: 87-75.

The White Sox have forced themselves into a make-or-break year after two consecutive second-place finishes.

Last year, Thomas and Ventura combined for 55 home runs and 209 runs batted in, and with last week's acquisition of former Chicago Cub George Bell, the White Sox add stability and protection for Thomas with a bona fide power hitter.

They have an established ace in righthander Jack McDowell, who finished 1991 with a 17-10 record and 3.41 ERA in 254 innings of work and one of the league's elite in the bullpen with closer Bobby Thigpen.

The Sox have more talent here than the entire AL East and will have little problem winning this thing on talent alone.

Texas -- Manager: Bobby Valentine. 1991 Record: 85-77.

This team has offense written all over it.

And if everything falls in place, Texas could legitimately challenge Chicago.

The Rangers have never had a problem scoring runs, with outfielders Ruben Sierra (.307, 25 HR, 116 RBI) and Juan Gonzalez (27 HR, 102 RBI) leading the pack, and won't again this year. Texas scored 829 runs in 1991 -- tops in the majors -- an average of 5.1 per game.

The Nolan Ryan-led staff, however, isn't any better this year and unless the pitchers stay healthy, the Rangers' run for a division title could come to a grinding halt early on.

Minnesota -- Manager: Tom Kelly. 1991 Record: 95-67.

Worst to first. And then back again.

Not quite, but don't expect the Twins to make the same headlines as they did in 1991.

Despite the loss of 20-game winner Jack Morris, the boys from the twin cities have three legitimate starters with Scott Erickson (20-8, 3.18 ERA), Kevin Tapani (16-9, 2.99 ERA) and former Pirate John Smiley.

In order to repeat, however, the Twins will need some offense, and that most likely means a repeat of DH Chili Davis's 1991 numbers (.277, 29 HRs, 93 RBIs).

Not likely.

If the Twins are forced to rely on talent alone in 1992, they'll be golfing come mid-October.

Too many things need to fall into place -- making the whole issue of repeating a generally moot point.

Oakland -- Manager: Tony LaRussa. 1991 Record: 84-78.

What is happening here?

The team that won three consecutive AL pennants from 1988-90 went on hiatus last year -- and the diseases that afflicted this seemingly invincible machine don't appear to be anywhere near cured.

This team is getting old. The average age is 31 and it's beginning to show. Injuries and weak starting pitching decimated the mighty A's last season and with no one getting younger Oakland could be in for a 1991 sequel.

With the Hendersons (Dave and Rickey) and muscle-bound playboy Jose Canseco (.266, 44 HR, 122 RBI) in the outfield, the A's need not worry about scoring runs.

But will it be enough?

Only time will tell, but these aging A's are running out of time and probably need a major youth movement before they can return to their lat '80s form.

Kansas City -- Manager: Hal McRae. 1991 Record: 82-80.

In the offseason, Kansas City lost superstar outfielder Danny Tartabull to the power-starved New York Yankees through free agency and traded away pitching phenom Bret Saberhagen to the New York Mets.

What they got in return was a revamped infield. But pitching remains the problem.

Kansas City is holding its breath on the successful return of injury-ridden Mark Gubicza and a return-to-form of reliever-turned-starter Mark Davis.

Don't count on it. There's only so long the Royals can hold their breath before they pass out. And it'll probably happen long before the oven burners heat up for the stretch run.

Seattle -- Manager: Bill Plummer. 1991 Record: 83-79.

The outfield is the strength here, with 22-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. (.327, 22 HR, 100 RBI) leading the way. Off-season acquisition Kevin Mitchell should put up good offensive numbers, but might stuggle defensively on a pair of bum knees which may not be able to handle a full slate of games on the turf in the dome.

Last season, Seattle picked up the majority of its wins beating up on the bad teams, but when it came to the elite of the league, Seattle got pounded.

Don't expect much to change. There's not enough depth, or pitching, or offense here for the Mariners to do little more than battle for last.

California -- Manager: Buck Rodgers. 1991 Record: 81-81.

Last season, the Angels finished .500 and still wound up in last place. They'll probably be able to cash in on at least one of those this season.

Last place is probably a safe bet.

The Angels' top three pitchers, Jim Abbott, Chuck Finley and Mark Langston combined for 55 of California's 81 wins. But after that it's all uphill.

It's tough to win with all pitching and no hitting in this league -- in fact next to impossible. And the Angels will find that out in 1992.