Comments on: Perusing the AL Central

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:52:45 +0000

Galarraga seems to have the same disease that Verlander had last year: he gets ahead of the batter but then can’t put him away.

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:43:02 +0000

Even though they are not hitting well right now, the fact that they have finally learned patience at the plate is paying off.

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:22:14 +0000

Leyland really needs to start letting the pitchers bat and DH for Sardhina when he catches.

By: Mr. X

Mr. X — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:30:24 +0000

Like the Contreras (0-5, 8.19 ERA) vs Bonderman match-up.

Bonderman hasn’t pitched in a MLB game for a year, while Contreras hasn’t pitched like a MLB pitcher for a year.

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:26:04 +0000

The key to success will be dominating the other teams in the Central, which no team has done yet. The Silly Season (IL play) probably won’t help, because, if trends hold, everybody plays “well” against NL teams – when done, the standings will look much the same as they do after Thursday’s games finish. When the Tigers start to catch up on games vs. the East, they will lose some ground (Tampa Bay, Toronto, Boston and New York are all better teams). They need to minimize the damage as much as possible by beefing up the offense. Tiger pitching is very good, but not good enough to hold those teams to 3 runs or less very often.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:22:18 +0000

Jamie Walker and Jason Grilli have both been released. Just for kicks, who do you want: Walker, Grilli, or Lyon? I think I stick with Lyon.

By: Ryan P.

Ryan P. — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:15:45 +0000

So uh, who is going down after the first game to make room for Bondo?

By: Kyle J

Kyle J — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:30:25 +0000

Have to feel good about being 3.5 games up in the division, considering all the injuries/issues we’ve had with the batting lineup.

BP’s PECOTA-based projections still have us as just under a 50% shot to make the playoffs.

http://www.baseballprospectus......ddspec.php

By: David

David — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:08:43 +0000

What is it? 20 out of our next 26 games are on the road?Hopefully we’ll do well against the NL and Chi Sox. I’m hoping we can get 3. As long as Verlander and Jackson continue rocking it, and the White Sox hit .215!!!!!!! at home it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

The Indian’s thing is interesting I didn’t realize that. I still saw/see them as making a push within the next few months.

And of course the Twinkies use their park to their advantage – its been that way for years – although most not usually this much of a difference.

One thing that sticks out to me a bit is that the AL West is 7 games over .500 against the AL East

ATM –

AL East vs AL Central – Al East is +23
AL East vs AL West – AL East is -7
AL Central vs AL West – AL Central is +6

So against non division opponents

AL East +16
AL Central -17
AL West +1