***** Official AL Central Thread *****

[Thythe]

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liriano, the master. i'm scared of the twins taking our wild card spot. i don't think any team could handle them in a 5 game set.

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Yeah, if we manage to make it to the playoffs, I think we have a great shot at going the whole way. I mean facing Santana/Liriano 4 out of 5 games in the Division Series, and then 4 out of 7 games in the ALCS and WS is not exactly something other teams look forward to.

[damaniac]

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Also, about the managerial decisions. Could you remind what Detroits record was last year. I think Leyland has quite a bit to do with the nice turn around from last season to this one.

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Right. But he was referring specifically to in-game tinkering, or in this case, specifically setting the lineup. Player development and chemistry are big factors that his comments didn't address. Even aside from that, there's got to be considerable luck in that a lot of their young players have panned out (or are doing so for the time being), which no matter who the manager is will require some luck. But yeah, Leyland has done SOMETHING good there.

[Baxter]

Trade rumors on CBSportsline.com:

Chicago White Sox Updated:07/26/2006
GM Ken Williams insisted he will not include Brandon McCarthy in any package to acquire Alfonso Soriano, says the Washington Times.

Cleveland Indians Updated:07/25/2006
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians are trying to move relief pitcher Guillermo Mota. The Rangers have shown some interest in the righty.

Detroit Tigers Updated:07/24/2006
The Pirates were one of four teams scouting prospect Humberto Sanchez in Toledo, says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. ... According to the Palm Beach Post, Zach Miner has been mentioned in trade rumors involving Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu, Atlanta's John Smoltz and New York's Cliff Floyd.

Kansas City Royals Updated:07/17/2006
It is believed the Royals are going to be big sellers before the trade deadline by moving veterans Reggie Sanders, Matt Stairs, Mark Grudzielanek and possibly Mark Redman, says the Boston Globe. (Under Colorado it says that the Royals are looking to trade Affeldt for Shealy)

Minnesota Twins Updated:07/25/2006
The St. Paul Pioneer Press says the Twins, despite a recent surge in the standings, are unlikely to make a big splash at the trade deadline.

[crockpot]

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liriano, the master. i'm scared of the twins taking our wild card spot. i don't think any team could handle them in a 5 game set.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, if we manage to make it to the playoffs, I think we have a great shot at going the whole way. I mean facing Santana/Liriano 4 out of 5 games in the Division Series, and then 4 out of 7 games in the ALCS and WS is not exactly something other teams look forward to.

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the only problem here is that liriano is now potentially throwing 250 innings this year. it would be a real shame to see his career spiral out of control mark prior-style after that.

[Thythe]

The Twins loss tonight to the Tigers was rather unfortunate. In the grand scheme of this year, it was relatively unimportant...but with the Yankees and ChiSox winning, it definitely feels like a morale buster. It also just seemed like a game we should have won.

[TheHip41]

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1. Detroit 67 33 .670 -
2. Chicago Sox 59 40 .596 7.5
3. Minnesota 58 41 .586 8.5


The incredible run of the Twins has completely changed the AL playoff race.

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Not much of a race with us being up 8.5 and 9.5 with about 60 games left. Tigers have 10 games vs. the sox and 9 games vs. the Twins left.

if the tigers go 5-5 vs. the white sox, and 4-5 vs. the twins from here on out, both teams have virtually 0 chance of catching the Tigers. Mainly because the sox-twins will probably beat each other up as well. Any talk of a "race" in the Central should be talk about the wild card, ie, Sox or Twins.

[TheHip41]

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Twins sweep White Sox and are now tied for the AL Wild Card lead. Liriano starting against Detroit = automatic win. If they some how pick up Carlos Lee/Alfonso Soriano they will run away with the wild card.

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This was a great game today. Both starting pitchers were great. Miner kinda got jobbed by the second base umpire. Both runs the twins scored the guy walked, then stole second, but both times, the guy stealing second was called safe, but he was really out. He then proceeded to score. This should have been a 2-0 win for the Tigers, with Liriano going to 12-3.

But whatever, enjoy being 9.5 back twinies.

[Dynasty]

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Not much of a race with us being up 8.5 and 9.5 with about 60 games left. Tigers have 10 games vs. the sox and 9 games vs. the Twins left.


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Are those the words of somebody not learning from history?

Wasn't it just last year that the White Sox had a 15 game lead on the Indians on August 1? The Indians cut it to 1.5 and should have had it at half a game if it weren't for a blown game against the Royals in the final week of the season.

The Tigers, as a young team, would seem more vulnerable to letting a big lead slip away.

[Thythe]

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Not much of a race with us being up 8.5 and 9.5 with about 60 games left. Tigers have 10 games vs. the sox and 9 games vs. the Twins left.


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Are those the words of somebody not learning from history?


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Exactly. 2 months is a long time. How many games did the ChiSox lose in the last 2 weeks to give up their entire WC lead? It's certainly not the most probable thing to happen, but 60 games is a lot of games.

[technologic]

if not the young master, the wiser and more experienced santana will destroy the tigers