Re: American League Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Klone 
My prediction - the White Sox start the year poorly get down 10 games by May 15, start to make their usual run and are leading the division just after the all star break. But unlike every other year instead of fading into obscurity they get a little help from Peavy on the back side and finally will get over the hump and win the division in the last week of the season on a Paul Konerko home run off Joe Nathan and Chris Sale will strike out Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Jason Kubel in the 9th to seal it.
Boy isn't that optimistic.
Go White Sox!
It has been close the past couple of seasons with the Twinkies, a very formidable opponet the past couple of years. I think this season will be much like last year, very close....between these two clubs alone. The Tigers will not be in it after the all-star break. The pitching for the Sox will be key, (must be healthy though), and the addition of Dunn will get them over the top. But you gotta believe that the Twinkies will be in it til the end though.
As for the people saying Mauer will decline this year: you are nuts. The guy is a stud. I look for a huge year from him again.
*What would be sweet is that the central gets 2 teams in the Post season....but the east is just stacked.... it would be cool if the Sox and Twinkies could get in, it has been a great rivalry the past couple of years...(heck, last seasons games all had a "play-off" feel to them, and give it to the Twins..they performed well in those match-ups)....though the Sox will have to teach the Twinkies how to win an actual game in the post season. :wink:
At least the central has been very competitive the past couple of years...with good races and good clubs. The AL West truely struggles and most of the time is over a couple of weeks after the all-star break. Pretty boring out there.
Go Sox!
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Re: American League Central
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Originally Posted by
Wesley
I think anybody remotely familiar with baseball is aware of KC's farm system. Heck SI wrote a huge article on in a week or two ago. That doesn't change the fact that they will suck this year, and probably the next two or three until the prospects really start going.
Re: American League Central
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Originally Posted by
RayShimley True, but he did require minor surgery in the off-season right? So health was also at least a partial factor.
Yes, I believe that Cuddyer said that both himself and Mauer were dealing with knee issues for a good part of last season that limited their ability to use the back leg in their swings, thus accounting for some of the power drop for both along with the Target Field switch.
Re: American League Central
I love all this talk about Mauer's supposed decline last year. They all seem to relate to the drop-off in home runs, yet Mauer was never even considered to be a power hitter prior to last year.
Anyway, something else that these "analysts" (using the term loosely) rarely point out is that Mauer did not have Morneau hitting behind him for almost 1/2 of last year. Now, Thome, Cuddyer, Kubel, and Young are all decent hitters but they are still not as much of a threat as Morneau when he is healthy.
What I wish for this year is for both of the M&M combo to stay healthy for an entire season, or if they do miss time, it is very little time. I would love to see what kinds of numbers they can put up if both stay healthy an entire season.
If as a Twins fan, a White Sox fan keeps bragging about how good the Sox are or how bad the Twins are, just remind them of last year's record.....instead of scoreboard just say 13-5, the Twins record against the mighty Sox in 2010.
Re: American League Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FDWxMan Yes, I believe that Cuddyer said that both himself and Mauer were dealing with knee issues for a good part of last season that limited their ability to use the back leg in their swings, thus accounting for some of the power drop for both along with the Target Field switch.
I was going to post the same comment until I saw your post. The back side is the power side and a strong lower half is a necessity to drive the ball.
I expect both Cuddyer and Mauer to put up imprived numbers compared to last year along with Span who has had a solid spring after addressing a mechanics issue that was tied to his performance drop off last season.
Valencia has to prove that he can avoid the sophomore slump, but the only only position that might be a concern in the order would be Casilla in the 9 hole.
The Twins should be a much more potent offense this year along with an improved starting rotation after Baker has appeared to have overcome his injury handicap from last year.
Re: American League Central
Re: American League Central
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Originally Posted by
shagcarpetjesus
Very clever with the names. I like it.
Re: American League Central
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Originally Posted by
shagcarpetjesus
+1 :biggrin:
Re: American League Central
Thankfully there is still 98.2% of the season left to be played.
Re: American League Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RING4CY Thankfully there is still 98.2% of the season left to be played.
How much of the season though will Gardy waste on the Nathan experiment, and how many games will be lost because of it?
Re: American League Central
We are now 16.2% through the regualar season and the TRIBE IS ON TOP!
Will it stand? I think not BUT its nice to be able to say the Tribe is leading the AL central after a 93 loss season last year...
Re: American League Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jj-cyclones We are now 16.2% through the regualar season and the TRIBE IS ON TOP!
Will it stand? I think not BUT its nice to be able to say the Tribe is leading the AL central after a 93 loss season last year...
You might want to check your math there.
Indians are 8-2, which is 10 games played. 10/162 = .0617 which is roughly 6.2%
Re: American League Central
Quote:
Quote de jj-cyclones
We are now 16.2% through the regualar season and the TRIBE IS ON TOP!
Will it stand? I think not BUT its nice to be able to say the Tribe is leading the AL central after a 93 loss season last year...You might want to check your math there.
Indians are 8-2, which is 10 games played. 10/162 = .0617 which is roughly 6.2%
The percentage was sarcasm, sorry. Not funny.
Re: American League Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jj-cyclones The percentage was sarcasm, sorry. Not funny.
65% of all statistics are made up on the spot :jimlad:
