2011 AL Central Thread

[king3pj]

Liked what they did after they got here...just haven't been too keen on their performance the past 3-4 seasons. Along the way they've had the 5th largest payroll in baseball (certainly the highest in the AL Central) yet they have failed to win a single division title. In other words, compiling a 329-320 record and not winning any division titles nor making the playoffs with the MLB's 5th largest payroll IS NOT my definition of winning. Perhaps in Charlie Sheen's world, but not mine. Just saying...

Like I said, I don't think they are the best in the league, but I do think they are above average. I'm not sure why they didn't just wait until the season ended to make a decision if they were going to wait this long anyways. The timing was definitely weird.

I'm not up on all my GM's and coaches that are on the free market right now, but I would think these guys would be as good or better as the guys looking for jobs right now. I can see why people would be tired of Leyland. I think it would be hard to find people who honestly think Dombrowski has done a bad job though. Yes, Ilitch gave him money to play with but in my opinion he did a good job of rebuilding our team.

 

[riffjim4069]

Big series between the Tigers and Indians starting this evening...

 

[HD MM]

Big series between the Tigers and Indians starting this evening...

Yes indeedy!

Here's the pitching matchups by day:

Tuesday: Masterson vs. Fister
Wednesday: Jimenez vs. Porcello
Thursday: Carmona vs. Verlander (I'll be at this game)

 

[king3pj]

Yes indeedy!

Here's the pitching matchups by day:

Tuesday: Masterson vs. Fister
Wednesday: Jimenez vs. Porcello
Thursday: Carmona vs. Verlander (I'll be at this game)

I'm more excited for this series than anything since opening day. Even though the Tigers still have 12 games left against the Indians I really think this series will set the tone for the home stretch. There are some good pitching match ups and it should be an exciting series. I'm taking the Tigers to win 2 out of 3. I would be pretty pumped if they could do that on the road in Cleveland.

 

[HD MM]

I'm more excited for this series than anything since opening day. Even though the Tigers still have 12 games left against the Indians I really think this series will set the tone for the home stretch. There are some good pitching match ups and it should be an exciting series. I'm taking the Tigers to win 2 out of 3. I would be pretty pumped if they could do that on the road in Cleveland.

Masterson has been our ace all year, but everytime he pitches, he get's lousy run support. Jimenez will be making his second start as an Indian, and first in Cleveland. Hopefully he can settle down. He was reaching 95-97mph with his fastball last game, so his velocity (that everyone was saying was "lost from last year") seems to be coming back. As for the Carmona/Verlander game, well, that has classic written all over it. Especially because Fausto has looked rather impressive lately.

While you're right about this series setting the tone, I hope both teams take it in stride, no matter the outcome. Especially since our club is still hampered with key injuries that we hope to get back in there soon!

 

[king3pj]

Masterson has been our ace all year, but everytime he pitches, he get's lousy run support. Jimenez will be making his second start as an Indian, and first in Cleveland. Hopefully he can settle down. He was reaching 95-97mph with his fastball last game, so his velocity (that everyone was saying was "lost from last year") seems to be coming back. As for the Carmona/Verlander game, well, that has classic written all over it. Especially because Fausto has looked rather impressive lately.

While you're right about this series setting the tone, I hope both teams take it in stride, no matter the outcome. Especially since our club is still hampered with key injuries that we hope to get back in there soon!

I agree. The division won't be won by either team this week. There is still a long ways to go, but it could give us a good preview of whats to come.

Victor Martinez is hurt for us as well. He may or may not play in this series. He has been one of our most clutch hitters all year so that will hurt. Thanks for him and Peralta by the way. Who would have thought that two former Indians would be competing with Cabrera for the highest batting average on the team.

 

[HD MM]

I agree. The division won't be won by either team this week. There is still a long ways to go, but it could give us a good preview of whats to come.

Victor Martinez is hurt for us as well. He may or may not play in this series. He has been one of our most clutch hitters all year so that will hurt. Thanks for him and Peralta by the way. Who would have thought that two former Indians would be competing with Cabrera for the highest batting average on the team.

I hated to see V-Mart go. He was our heart and soul. You got him from the Red Sox though (who we originally traded for Masterson). Thank them. That's who we traded him to first.

As for Peralta, I never could've imagined he'd turn into the player he is now with Detroit. He always seemed uninterested and lacked heart in Cleveland. While he was an above average player, he seemed to take days off mentally. The kid we have now at SS (Asdrubal Cabrera) has been a perfect replacement. I think Peralta benefited from a change in scenery. He just didn't cut it in Cleveland for whatever reason.

 

[satjay]

Big series it is, but wont decide the division, I see that theyare playing each other 12 more times this year!

 

[HD MM]

Big series it is, but wont decide the division, I see that theyare playing each other 12 more times this year!

Yep. I see this thing being decided in September. BTW, did you notice which two teams play eachother to close out the regular season? 3 games in Mo-town!

I'm hoping these youngsters don't buckle under pressure. We've lost a few games recently in the late innings, reminiscent of a young team who doesn't yet know how to close out a game/season.

 

[riffjim4069]

I think the Tigers take 2 of 3 from the Indians. We shall see.

 

[king3pj]

I hated to see V-Mart go. He was our heart and soul. You got him from the Red Sox though (who we originally traded for Masterson). Thank them. That's who we traded him to first.

As for Peralta, I never could've imagined he'd turn into the player he is now with Detroit. He always seemed uninterested and lacked heart in Cleveland. While he was an above average player, he seemed to take days off mentally. The kid we have now at SS (Asdrubal Cabrera) has been a perfect replacement. I think Peralta benefited from a change in scenery. He just didn't cut it in Cleveland for whatever reason.

Yeah, Masterson and your Cabrera have both worked out pretty nicely for you. I think both teams really benefited from the changes they have made over the last few years.

That was just a little ribbing at a division rival earlier. I respect what Cleveland, Minnesota, and even Kansas City are doing to make the division better. Kansas City isn't great now but with all their young talent they should be in a few years.

They only team I really can't stand are those damn White Sox. I hope both are teams can keep them under our thumbs where they belong. I have a feeling they will make another run at the division before the season is over though.

 

[HD MM]

Yeah, Masterson and your Cabrera have both worked out pretty nicely for you. I think both teams really benefited from the changes they have made over the last few years.

That was just a little ribbing at a division rival earlier. I respect what Cleveland, Minnesota, and even Kansas City are doing to make the division better. Kansas City isn't great now but with all their young talent they should be in a few years.

They only team I really can't stand are those damn White Sox. I hope both are teams can keep them under our thumbs where they belong. I have a feeling they will make another run at the division before the season is over though.

I agree with you on the White Sox. Can't stand them or their coach, Ozzie. They do have quite the pitching staff though, and that's why they'll probably hang around.

 

[riffjim4069]

Looking forward to this evening's game. I'm going to get something to eat, pick-up some dry cleaning, and settle in for a few hours of [hopeful] bliss.

 

[Jimbo]

Liked what they did after they got here...just haven't been too keen on their performance the past 3-4 seasons. Along the way they've had the 5th largest payroll in baseball (certainly the highest in the AL Central) yet they have failed to win a single division title. In other words, compiling a 329-320 record and not winning any division titles nor making the playoffs with the MLB's 5th largest payroll IS NOT my definition of winning. Perhaps in Charlie Sheen's world, but not mine. Just saying...

The Yanks have proved that for many years, ANY year they don't win it all.

 

[Jimbo]

I agree. The division won't be won by either team this week. There is still a long ways to go, but it could give us a good preview of whats to come.

Victor Martinez is hurt for us as well. He may or may not play in this series. He has been one of our most clutch hitters all year so that will hurt. Thanks for him and Peralta by the way. Who would have thought that two former Indians would be competing with Cabrera for the highest batting average on the team.

I hated to see V-Mart go. He was our heart and soul. You got him from the Red Sox though (who we originally traded for Masterson). Thank them. That's who we traded him to first.

As for Peralta, I never could've imagined he'd turn into the player he is now with Detroit. He always seemed uninterested and lacked heart in Cleveland. While he was an above average player, he seemed to take days off mentally. The kid we have now at SS (Asdrubal Cabrera) has been a perfect replacement. I think Peralta benefited from a change in scenery. He just didn't cut it in Cleveland for whatever reason.

FYI,
Victor Martinez is back in the line up tonight !

 

[riffjim4069]

Fooey! I missed the first inning, but the Tigers are threatening in the 2nd.

 

[riffjim4069]

Wow! I didn't know we had lost 11 in a row on-the-road at Cleveland. Ugh! Rain...

 

[jrp]

Twins & Red Sox your a record in the first inning: six men left on base.

 

[hwkn]

Whitesox are leading 4-3 in the 7th.

 

[hwkn]

Whitesox win 4-3 over Baltimore.