American League Central

**jj-cyclones** · 03-31-2011, 01:36 PM

I know there are a lot of fans of teams in the AL central on here.

So, how do you think it was shake out this year?

I'm an Indians fan, not a good start and the season doesn't start until tomorrow for them! Sizemore will begin the year on the 15 day DL.

As an Indians fan, two things I'm looking for is consistancy out of Travis Hafner and big things from Matt LaPorta...

The Twins (as much as it pains me to say it) are going to be tough!

**jdoggivjc** · 03-31-2011, 01:42 PM

Three team race between the Twins, Tigers, and White Sox (like usual). The White Sox, according to I want to say it was Buster Onley or Jason Stark on Mike and Mike this morning, have both the best upside and the greatest ability to fall apart at the same time if Peavy doesn't get healthy and those players don't mesh. The Twins are going to be tough, especially if they get the back end of their rotation and bullpen figured out, and the Tigers have a lot of bats.

My biased opinion says it's going to be the Twins are going to win this division again, but objectively this is going to be a three team race all the way to the end - again.

**cyfanatic** · 03-31-2011, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by jj-cyclones

I'm an Indians fan, not a good start and the season doesn't start until tomorrow for them! Sizemore will begin the year on the 15 day DL.

White Sox fan here...and I HOPE the season opens tomorrow for our teams...but not too optimistic about it:

Snow greets Sox, Guillen: 'Very stupid to play in Cleveland' - Chicago Breaking Sports

**BryceC** · 03-31-2011, 01:53 PM

The Royals will suck. Really bad. There is my hard hitting analysis. The pitching staff will be gawd-freaking awful (Hochevar as your opening day starter?) outside of Soria. Soria is one of those guys that just has no chance to have too much success in his prime as a closer for the Royals. I hope they trade him so he can have a chance to win.

Their lineup consists of has-been's and never was', outside of their extreme youth. I keep hearing about how good their farm system is and that is outstanding if you are an Omaha Royals fan. However those of us interested in KC get to see Alex Gordon batting THIRD after some spring training fools gold. I do give the bats a chance to be decent, but that is about 1000 "ifs" all end up being true.

The life of a Royals fan.

**cyfanatic** · 03-31-2011, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by BryceC

The Royals will suck. Really bad. There is my hard hitting analysis. The pitching staff will be gawd-freaking awful (Hochevar as your opening day starter?) outside of Soria. Soria is one of those guys that just has no chance to have too much success in his prime as a closer for the Royals. I hope they trade him so he can have a chance to win.

Their lineup consists of has-been's and never was', outside of their extreme youth. I keep hearing about how good their farm system is and that is outstanding if you are an Omaha Royals fan. However those of us interested in KC get to see Alex Gordon batting THIRD after some spring training fools gold. I do give the bats a chance to be decent, but that is about 1000 "ifs" all end up being true.

The life of a Royals fan.

Did I read somewhere that the Royals AA team is playing their AAA team after the game opening day? That game might be better than the MLB game!

**RayShimley** · 03-31-2011, 01:59 PM

I know the CWS are the sexy pick (yet again), but I think it is the twins or the tigers. I'm leaning towards the Tigers because they have a solid ace (Verlander) and a #2 with a lot of upside (Scherzer). Mauer is going to fall off a cliff in offensive production one of these years, it's just a part of being an every day catcher, and Morneau is a big ??. I still don't have a lot of faith in Liriano as a #1 guy, Pavano will probably be consistently slightly above average again. Who knows about Baker and the back end of the rotation? Also, will Nathan be himself again? It's just damn hard to win a Division three years in a row, especially one as tight as the AL Central.

**geburgess** · 03-31-2011, 02:29 PM

Pretty much every media outlet has the White Sox winning the Central this year, mostly based on Peavy being healthy. It's then the Tigers and Twins being 2-3 games back at the finish, but who knows. It's gonna be a nutty year in the Central again.

**Bewilderme** · 03-31-2011, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by RayShimley

Mauer is going to fall off a cliff in offensive production one of these years, it's just a part of being an every day catcher.

Two points- Mauer is not, nor has ever been an everyday catcher. He's more of a 2 out of 3 days catcher. Hopefully that gives him a bit more durability.
Secondly, I don't think that Mauer will see a huge reduction in his offensive production like other catchers with power. Mauer may lose some power over time, but it is his eye and patience that makes him so special. I personally think that his average will only go up as he gets older.

**JJ4ISU** · 03-31-2011, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by BryceC

The Royals will suck. Really bad. There is my hard hitting analysis. The pitching staff will be gawd-freaking awful (Hochevar as your opening day starter?) outside of Soria. Soria is one of those guys that just has no chance to have too much success in his prime as a closer for the Royals. I hope they trade him so he can have a chance to win.

Their lineup consists of has-been's and never was', outside of their extreme youth. I keep hearing about how good their farm system is and that is outstanding if you are an Omaha Royals fan. However those of us interested in KC get to see Alex Gordon batting THIRD after some spring training fools gold. I do give the bats a chance to be decent, but that is about 1000 "ifs" all end up being true.

The life of a Royals fan.

Royals - best spring training record in the American League. You can't take that away!

**RayShimley** · 03-31-2011, 03:19 PM

Edit: Repeat post

**WalkingCY** · 03-31-2011, 03:33 PM

White Sox take it this year. AL pick to go to the series as well.

Phillies in the NL... and the Fightin' Phils to win it all.

**edr247** · 03-31-2011, 03:35 PM

Twins by a mile.

**RayShimley** · 03-31-2011, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Bewilderme

Two points- Mauer is not, nor has ever been an everyday catcher. He's more of a 2 out of 3 days catcher. Hopefully that gives him a bit more durability.
Secondly, I don't think that Mauer will see a huge reduction in his offensive production like other catchers with power. Mauer may lose some power over time, but it is his eye and patience that makes him so special. I personally think that his average will only go up as he gets older.

I respectfully disagree. I couldn't find how many games Mauer missed to injury last year, but even if I leave those in he still started in 130 games at catcher, which is more like 4 out of 5 days. Also, catching is as much a psychological drain as it is a mental one. Add on the pressure of being the only consistent offensive production on the team (If Morneau can't bounce back) and he is just going to ware down.

**Cytom5** · 03-31-2011, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by edr247

Twins by a mile.

How they Have no pitching they are a joke. their magic has to run out at some point. and now playing at target field they have no home field advantage

**edr247** · 03-31-2011, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Cytom5

How they Have no pitching they are a joke. their magic has to run out at some point. and now playing at target field they have no home field advantage

Good lord, did you type that by slamming your head against the keyboard?

The lack of a bullpen is concerning, but our pitching wasn't fantastic last year either. Also, please explain the 'no home field advantage' thing again...