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MLB: AL Central not equalling epic fail in 2009

ZCyclone

ZCyclone

Member
Mar 24, 2009
204
12
18
Ames, IA
Just an observation from the first 2 months of the season, but this year's AL central looks to be a big improvement from last year's race to see who could hit the links first between the ChiSox and the Twins.

ChiSox - Occasionally getting runs without having to hit the ball over the fence, and always a force even if no free-agent pitcher will touch them.

Twins - After horrendoes pitching to begin the season, their starters are coming around. Their bats are heating up too, from Cuddyer to Mauer.

Tigers - Much improved, as a pitching staff that has come down from its Himilayan-esque ERA last year is finally backing the offensive power that was always tehre

Royals - Constantly edging towards respectability, with a pitching staff that's more than just Grienke and potential hitters.

Indians - eesh. 8 guys on the DL can't help, but probably not a factor this year from the looks of it.

Any other thoughts?
 
I see the division finishing Twins, Tigers, Sox, Indians, Royals. Of course I'm pullin for the Sox, but they'd need to make a big move or two. Or Gordon "Slayer" Beckham can take over the world.
 
Really, the Royals ahead of the Indians? I just see the Royals keeping on a pace just under .500 for the rest of the season, which the Tribe will have a tough time keeping up with
 
ZCyclone said:
Really, the Royals ahead of the Indians? I just see the Royals keeping on a pace just under .500 for the rest of the season, which the Tribe will have a tough time keeping up with
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They're coming back to earth.
 
The Twins have the worst record in the league on the road. They have to start taking a series or two on the road before I think they're ready to make a run at the division. This month will tell us a lot about the Twins with a relatively soft schedule early (home vs. Cleveland now, then road for Seattle and Oakland).

Also they tore up interleague play last year, doing the same at the end of June (Cubs, Pirates, Astros, Brewers, and Cards) would be huge.
 
I think the Twins have the best overall team by far. They have not been playing well to start the year, but over the course of the long season, I see them coming around and winning. I think the only team that can challenge them is the Tigers, as they have looked great thus far.
 
06Panther said:
I think the Twins have the best overall team by far. They have not been playing well to start the year, but over the course of the long season, I see them coming around and winning. I think the only team that can challenge them is the Tigers, as they have looked great thus far.
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We're doing a pretty admirable job of wasting the best bullpen in baseball.

Jenks: 3.00
Linebrink: 1.93
Thornton: 1.71
Dotel: 1.04
Carrasco: 2.45
Whisler: 0.00
Gobble: 9.45

Neither Whisler nor Gobble will be asked to get important outs, but we should never lose a game we lead after 5.

If we fall out of the race, we have three guys in Jenks, Thornton and Dotel that could get us a lot for a reliever.
 
jtd9046 said:
The Twins have the worst record in the league on the road. They have to start taking a series or two on the road before I think they're ready to make a run at the division. This month will tell us a lot about the Twins with a relatively soft schedule early (home vs. Cleveland now, then road for Seattle and Oakland).

Also they tore up interleague play last year, doing the same at the end of June (Cubs, Pirates, Astros, Brewers, and Cards) would be huge.
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Agreed. While splitting the 4-game set with Boston at home was kind of nice, they promptly went on to lose 2 of 3 at Tampa. The good news is for the most part they're showing signs of life on the road - being in all four games at Yankee Stadium was kind of nice, and they've been in almost every road game. They just need to learn to get over the top and/or close out.

Their other issue that may ultimately come back and bite them is their performance against the AL East so far this season - they are 6-16 against the teams from that division (1-3 against Toronto, 2-4 against Boston, 3-3 against Tampa, 0-4 against New York, and 0-2 against Baltimore). While it may have little impact on how the season plays out, if they do happen to survive the AL Central this year they are more than likely going to be playing an AL East team in the first round. They had better learn how to survive against AL East teams if they want to do more damage than a 1-and-done this time around.
 
It's only a matter of time before the firesale begins in Cleveland. Cliff Lee, Kerry Wood, DeRosa, Peralta are all on the block.

I don't really follow the Sox, but are they 100% sold on Ramirez at short, or is that temp until Beckham gets called up?
 
We're sold on his talent I think. I'm not sure if we're sold with him at short. We want to develop beckham in the minors, but you can be sure we won't call him up until he's past the time that he can include this year in his arbitration count...or whatever the hell all that is.
 
CylentButDeadly said:
It's only a matter of time before the firesale begins in Cleveland. Cliff Lee, Kerry Wood, DeRosa, Peralta are all on the block.

I don't really follow the Sox, but are they 100% sold on Ramirez at short, or is that temp until Beckham gets called up?
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That is a good question? Alexei has been playing well at SS of late...and it is his natural position. But he was so good at 2B last year I am not sure why they would hesitate to move him back...especially if Beckham is as good as many people think he is!
 
Unfortunately the Royals have came crashing to Earth. With Soria out the bullpen has imploded, and we are just plain not scoring any runs.

The Royals are looking like they are not ready to contend yet. Hopefully they can make some deals at the deadline. We will have a lot of money to spend on the free agent market with the high luxury tax revenue from last year and the increased revenue the renovated stadium has brought in. We need better defense, and just plain better hitting. Plus, our owner is one of the few who is flourishing during the recession (Pres. of Walmart).

We have a good pitching staff to build around but need major changes to our position players. Too many average players, too slow, and too poor defensively, we really need some good hitters.
 
WalkingCY said:
Here is how I think it will end up.

1. White Sox
2. Tigers
3. Twins
4. Royals
5. Indians
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Personally I would switch the Tigers and the White Sox. I think Detroit has the best starting pitching in the division, and maybe the best hitting as well.
 
CloneIce said:
Personally I would switch the Tigers and the White Sox. I think Detroit has the best starting pitching in the division, and maybe the best hitting as well.
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Well, the Sox have made it pretty obvious they want to add a big arm by the deadline......you'd have to imagine if they're in it, they're going to add a guy they can slot in between Buehrle and Danks.

Maybe it'll be a lefty, that way we can go with the quad-southpaw rotation.
 
I think that if Dontrelle is actually somewhat his old self and if the 20 year old Porcello can hold up all year, it is probably Detroit's division. I really wish Tampa didn't send them Edwin Jackson.
 
I'm not sure sure about Porcello keeping up the pace he started with. Its only 2 months into the season, and it should be interesting to see how he holds up.

I'm just curious about who the ChiSox are going to add in the form of a big arm? It's always tough to bring over pitchers from the NL, and I'm not really sure what AL pitchers are willing to be dealt to the windy city.
 
Yeah, when have the White Sox ever acquired a big name pitcher via trade under Kenny Williams? Assuming you ignore Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, David Wells, or to a lesser extent, Javier Vazquez (who had to waive a no trade clause).
 
Its definitely been a dissapointing year for my tribe. And I doubt its going to get any better. A player every day going to the DL it seems doesn't make it any easier.
 
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