2012 AL Central Thread

[Gil Dobie]

Detroit has to be the favorite with both hitting and pitching.
Adding Prince Fielder did not hurt.

[darell1976]

Hopefully Cleveland can start out fast like they did last year...but this time keep up that pace! GO TRIBE!!

[LakesBison]

Minnesota can get back to the top if ... BIG IF... Mauer & Morneau return to their MVP forms..... which would lead to more fastballs for Danny Valencia in the 5th spot so he can hit more homeruns (he has 3-4 this spring)

[PaladinFan]

Watched the Tigers play in Spring Training on Sunday. Team will have a ton of pop, but their defense has to be a concern. Committed several errors on routine plays (even for spring training). Not a lot of mobility out there aside from Jackson in center.

Also noticeable (and apparently critical talking to a few DET fans in the stands) is the absence of a quality left handed reliever. First impression is Detroit will wear out the fences, but their run prevention will keep their opponents in ball games.

[UMass922]

Minnesota can get back to the top if ... BIG IF... Mauer & Morneau return to their MVP forms..... which would lead to more fastballs for Danny Valencia in the 5th spot so he can hit more homeruns (he has 3-4 this spring)

Francisco Liriano is another one of those big ifs. He's had a great spring (18 K and just 2 BB in 13 innings), so maybe he'll have a bounce-back year.

[UMass922]

Watched the Tigers play in Spring Training on Sunday. Team will have a ton of pop, but their defense has to be a concern. Committed several errors on routine plays (even for spring training). Not a lot of mobility out there aside from Jackson in center.

Also noticeable (and apparently critical talking to a few DET fans in the stands) is the absence of a quality left handed reliever. First impression is Detroit will wear out the fences, but their run prevention will keep their opponents in ball games.

That infield defense is definitely going to be an issue. Verlander should be ok since he strikes so many guys out, but the pitch-to-contact guys like Fister and Porcello who rely on getting groundball outs could be in for a long year.

[Gil Dobie]

Minnesota can get back to the top if ... BIG IF... Mauer & Morneau return to their MVP forms..... which would lead to more fastballs for Danny Valencia in the 5th spot so he can hit more homeruns (he has 3-4 this spring)

Nishioka has been sent to the minors, starting SS has 1 hit in Spring Training and Morneau has 3 singles. On a good note, Mauer recently celebrated his Silver Anniversary, 25 days without getting injured.

[Gil Dobie]

Watched the Tigers play in Spring Training on Sunday. Team will have a ton of pop, but their defense has to be a concern. Committed several errors on routine plays (even for spring training). Not a lot of mobility out there aside from Jackson in center.

Also noticeable (and apparently critical talking to a few DET fans in the stands) is the absence of a quality left handed reliever. First impression is Detroit will wear out the fences, but their run prevention will keep their opponents in ball games.

Cabrera gets injured fielding a ball at 3rd will be out a couple weeks. They will have concerns on defense, just hope they can score a couple touchdowns a game.

[Gil Dobie]

Delmon Young announced he is changing his stance for the 2012 season, aka David Ortiz and JJ Hardy after leaving the Twins.

[AshevilleApp2]

Watched the Tigers play in Spring Training on Sunday. Team will have a ton of pop, but their defense has to be a concern. Committed several errors on routine plays (even for spring training). Not a lot of mobility out there aside from Jackson in center.

Also noticeable (and apparently critical talking to a few DET fans in the stands) is the absence of a quality left handed reliever. First impression is Detroit will wear out the fences, but their run prevention will keep their opponents in ball games.

The defense will work itself out. It will be less somewhat less effective than last year with Cabrera at third in place of Inge. But Inge batted .197 last year, so hopefully the additional offense will help offset the defensive lapses.

Brennan Boesch has decent range in the outfield and can steal some bases as well. Delmon Young, not so much.

As far as left handed relievers, Phil Coke has been effective the last two years. He didn't work out as a starter, but pitched well in relief. A big bonus will be if Daniel Schlereth finally shows some consistency to go with his talent.

I'm actually more concerned with the lack of a left handed starter. Hopefully Andy Oliver can fill the role.

In any event I think the Tigers have a good shot at making the post season in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1944-1945.

[Gil Dobie]

Morneau gets 2 home runs for Twins, maybe he will be back.

[LakesBison]

got my season tickets for twins, lets PARTY!! its baseball season!!

[Gil Dobie]

Joel Zumaya officially released by the Twins Today.
Sad ending to a promising career and amazing fastball.

[AshevilleApp2]

Joel Zumaya officially released by the Twins Today.
Sad ending to a promising career and amazing fastball.

I agree. Apparently he's going to try one more surgery and comeback,but I don't think his body can take the strain.

[Gil Dobie]

Oft injured Justin Morneau will be starting at DH this season for the Twinkies.
No concussion symptoms since January.

[darell1976]

Opening Day games:
Thursday April 5th- Boston at Detroit, Toronto at Cleveland

Friday April 6th- Chicago at Texas, Minnesota at Baltimore, Kansas City at LA

[UMass922]

Morneau gets 2 home runs for Twins, maybe he will be back.

Liriano finishes the spring with 33:5 K:BB in 27 innings and a 2.33 ERA. If he and Morneau are back in form, that would be enormous for the Twins.

[AshevilleApp2]

Tiger's opening day lineup.

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Brennan Boesch, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
4. Prince Fielder, 1B
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Ryan Raburn, DH
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Ramon Santiago, 2B

Pitcher: Justin Verlander


Brandon Inge is on the 15 day DL, so the decision concerning his future is delayed. Luis Marte finally makes it to the big leagues as the last member of the relief staff, only to hurt his hamstring on the last day of Spring Training. 15 day DL for him.

[Gil Dobie]

Can Verlander continue to dominate like last year and if he does, will it rain ruin his playoff starts.

[AshevilleApp2]

Can Verlander continue to dominate like last year and if he does, will it rain ruin his playoff starts.

I doubt his numbers will equal last year, but I expect him to still be very good. I'm hoping that another year's experience will make Scherzer and Porcello even more effective then last year. I love the fact that all five Tiger starting pitchers are in their 20's.

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers defeat the Roid Sox 3-2, no decision for Verlander, 7 k's, 0 runs in 8 innings.
Fielder goes 1-3 in Tigers Debut, Jackson and Peralta 3 hits each.

[LakesBison]

TWINS WILL WIN TODAY!!

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers roll past the Sox again today, 10-0. Fielder and Cabrera hit 2 dingers each off Beckett

[Gil Dobie]

Walk-off HR by Alex Avila, as the Tigers complete the sweep of the Red Sox.

[LakesBison]

anyone want my twins season tickets? argh 0-3 im not even gonna skip work tomorrow to goto it.

[darell1976]

Detroit 3-0
KC 2-1
Chicago 1-1 (at Texas tonight)
Cleveland 1-2
Minnesota 0-3

Monday
White Sox at Indians
Angels at Twins
Royals at A's

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers get Tampa for 3, Verlander pitching the middle game on Wednesday.

[AshevilleApp2]

A good start, but losing Fister obviously may cause problems. Two rookie starters?

An impressive start by Kansas City as well, taking two out of three at Anaheim.

[PaladinFan]

A good start, but losing Fister obviously may cause problems. Two rookie starters?

An impressive start by Kansas City as well, taking two out of three at Anaheim.

The Royals have always been the AL team I've pulled for. Good fanbase, hope they can get a winner this season.

[Gil Dobie]

A good start, but losing Fister obviously may cause problems. Two rookie starters?

An impressive start by Kansas City as well, taking two out of three at Anaheim.

They are going to have to win a lot of 13-12 games that Verlander isn't pitching.

[AshevilleApp2]

They are going to have to win a lot of 13-12 games that Verlander isn't pitching.

I'm more confident in the pitching than you, but I'm glad they can score some runs. They did manage a shutout against a pretty good offensive team on Saturday.

[PaladinFan]

I'm more confident in the pitching than you, but I'm glad they can score some runs. They did manage a shutout against a pretty good offensive team on Saturday.

It goes back to some of my earlier comments. Defense is not just about errors and strong arms, but the ability to cover territory. I think with guys that are not strikeout pitchers, the Tigers will have a lot of high scoring affairs, not because the pitching is poor, but because some of those grounders up the middle that find gloves on other rosters will find grass in Detroit.

[clenz]

I was hoping the twins could get to 75-82 wins this year....

3 games is too early to judge but the pitching didn't seem to be the issue against the O's....the offense did.


RUNS
5
30thOverall
BATTING AVERAGE
.163
28thOverall
ON BASE PERCENTAGE
.238
30thOverall
SLUGGING PCT
.228
30thOverall

[AshevilleApp2]

It goes back to some of my earlier comments. Defense is not just about errors and strong arms, but the ability to cover territory. I think with guys that are not strikeout pitchers, the Tigers will have a lot of high scoring affairs, not because the pitching is poor, but because some of those grounders up the middle that find gloves on other rosters will find grass in Detroit.

I agree with your premise, but I think you underestimate the defensive ability of the team. I may be wrong, we'll see.

The biggest problem I saw yesterday was that Scherzer (and others) got rocked. And again I'd point to the first two games, where they let up two runs combined.

[AshevilleApp2]

Tigers take game one from the Rays 5-2. xthumbsupx Rick Porcello and Matt Moore both went seven innings and gave up two runs each. Phil Coke got the win.

[Gil Dobie]

Adam Wilk will start in place of Fister
Cabrera gets AL Player of the Week

Power Rankings
27 - White Sox
23 - Twins
20 - Indians
18 - Royals
2 - Tigers

[Gil Dobie]

Twinkies have rebounded from 4 straight losses to beat the Angels 2 in a row.
Tigers get 2 out of from the Rays.

Tiger v White Sox, Cleveland v Royals and Twinkies v Rangers for the weekend series.

[AshevilleApp2]

Twinkies have rebounded from 4 straight losses to beat the Angels 2 in a row.
Tigers get 2 out of from the Rays.

Tiger v White Sox, Cleveland v Royals and Twinkies v Rangers for the weekend series.

Obviously the health of the 2 M's is a big issue on how the Twins do this season. How does the rest of the team compare to a couple of seasons ago?

[Gil Dobie]

Obviously the health of the 2 M's is a big issue on how the Twins do this season. How does the rest of the team compare to a couple of seasons ago?

Joe Mauer, day 55 without an injury. Local radio talky has a daily count for the Baby Jesus.

[darell1976]

Standings

Detroit 6-3
Chicago 5-3
Cleveland 4-4
KC 3-6
Minnesota 2-7

[AshevilleApp2]

Tigers take the series in KC and go for the sweep tonight! Texas coming up in what could be a very interesting series.

[darell1976]

Standings:

Detroit 9-3
Sox 6-5
Tribe 5-5
Twins 4-8
KC 3-9

Someone needs to stop Detroit!!!

[Gil Dobie]

Only Detroit can stop Detroit :)

[darell1976]

Only Detroit can stop Detroit :)

:(

[AshevilleApp2]

Only Detroit can stop Detroit :)

And, ahem, Texas.

[Gil Dobie]

And, ahem, Texas.

The error by Santiago didn't help things out when the game was close.

[AshevilleApp2]

The error by Santiago didn't help things out when the game was close.

Very true. The defense has been great overall this year, but fell apart in the 5th inning last night.

[bonarae]

PERFECT GAME! Philip Humber pitched a perfect game against Seattle today; the White Sox won 4-0.

[AshevilleApp2]

Texas is a good team. xnodx xnonono2x

[darell1976]

Indians 7-2 on the road!!! Now if only they can win at home. (1-4):(

[darell1976]

FIRST PLACE INDIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Indians 9-6 .600 -
Sox 10-7 .588 -
Tigers 10-7 .588 -
Twins 5-13 .278 5.5GB
KC 3-14 .176 7GB

[AshevilleApp2]

FIRST PLACE INDIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Indians 9-6 .600 -
Sox 10-7 .588 -
Tigers 10-7 .588 -
Twins 5-13 .278 5.5GB
KC 3-14 .176 7GB

xnodx xlolx

[Gil Dobie]

Did the Tigers send a split squad to Seattle?

Hernandez I guess was the reason last night. Except for Cabrera and Fielder, the bats have been pretty quiet since week 1.

[AshevilleApp2]

Did the Tigers send a split squad to Seattle?

Hernandez I guess was the reason last night. Except for Cabrera and Fielder, the bats have been pretty quiet since week 1.

No doubt. I remember Seattle thumping them early last season as well. I don't know why they give them so much trouble.

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers will need to find a #5 hitter now that Delmon Young has been arrested for a hate crime in the big apple.

[darell1976]

First Place teams:

Indians 9-8
Sox 10-9
Tigers 10-9

The Rest:

Twins 5-14
Royals 5-14 Both 5 back

Angels @ Indians
Tigers @ Yanks
Red Sox @ White Sox
KC @ Minnesota

[AshevilleApp2]

Note to Max Scherzer. Seven walks and 119 pitches in 4 and 2/3 innings doesn't lead to success.

[Gil Dobie]

Fister is scheduled to start today, hopefully that will stablize the rotation.

[AshevilleApp2]

Fister is scheduled to start today, hopefully that will stablize the rotation.

I hope so. But I was heartened over the weekend by both Scherzer and Porcello. One run allowed in each game. If not for the blown save by Valverde on Saturday, the Tigers would have gotten a sweep.

[AshevilleApp2]

Fister throws seven shutout innings. xthumbsupx

Dotel blows a two run lead in the 9th and the Tigers lose. xthumbsdownx

[darell1976]

Indians sweep doubleheader with White Sox.xthumbsupx

[AshevilleApp2]

Indians sweep doubleheader with White Sox.xthumbsupx

I didn't check the standings today, but doesn't that put ya'll up three games now?

[darell1976]

I didn't check the standings today, but doesn't that put ya'll up three games now?

Yep

Tribe 17-11
Tigers 14-14 3GB
Sox 13-17 5GB
KC 9-19 8GB
Twins 7-21 (worst in MLB) 10GB

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers still stuck in the mud, lose to the Twins with their Triple A loaded lineup.

[Gil Dobie]

Nice games by Verlander and Scherzer over the weekend.

Good early season series with the division leading Indians on Tuesday

[AshevilleApp2]

Halfway through June and still a four team race. Twins aren't too far back either.

[Gil Dobie]

Prince Fielder wins the Home Run Derby and Verlander will be starting the All-Star game.

[PaladinFan]

Not sure if there are any on here, but thanks to the KC fans for Chipper's warm reception last night.

[AshevilleApp2]

Verlander got rocked last night. Best time to get to him is early in the game, and the NL hitters did just that.

[PaladinFan]

Verlander got rocked last night. Best time to get to him is early in the game, and the NL hitters did just that.

I felt sorry for the AL. Not easy to be down and then have to face Kimbrel, Papelbon, Chapman, and Hanrahan. Facing one would be tough enough.

[AshevilleApp2]

Royals are slipping a bit, and it's starting to look like a three team race. Tigers are playing better, but Chicago isn't giving much ground. Should be an interesting series over the weekend.

[darell1976]

Royals are slipping a bit, and it's starting to look like a three team race. Tigers are playing better, but Chicago isn't giving much ground. Should be an interesting series over the weekend.

Cleveland is doing their usual up one week down the next... 3 back in the division and 1/2 GB in the Wild Card Race. I wonder which shot Cleveland has a better chance at clinching.

[AshevilleApp2]

Cleveland is doing their usual up one week down the next... 3 back in the division and 1/2 GB in the Wild Card Race. I wonder which shot Cleveland has a better chance at clinching.

Cleveland is hanging tough as well. A month ago, I would have thought there was no way a team from the Central could get a wild card spot. Now any of the top three could compete for a spot until the end of the season. Still a long way to go of course.

[darell1976]

Cleveland is hanging tough as well. A month ago, I would have thought there was no way a team from the Central could get a wild card spot. Now any of the top three could compete for a spot until the end of the season. Still a long way to go of course.

Hell....the Twins still have a shot at the Wild Card. The AL Wild Card is very much wide open.

[Gil Dobie]

Verlander made a nice comeback from his All-star game fail, by shutting out the Orioles.

[TheRevSFA]

only division that matters is the AL West :D

[Gil Dobie]

only division that matters is the AL West :D

Start YOFT ;)

[NHwildEcat]

YOUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKK!

[AshevilleApp2]

YOUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKK!


Great pick up by the White Sox.

[AshevilleApp2]

Thank you Red Sox!

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers 1.5 games out with a big weekend series against the Sox. Verlander going against Peavy today.

[darell1976]

Standings:

Sox 50-42
Tigers 49-44 1.5 GB
Tribe 47-45 3 GB
Royals 39-52 10.5 GB
Twins 38-54 12 GB

Wild Card

LA
Detroit

Baltimore 1/2 GB
Oakland 1/2 GB
Boston 1 GB
Tampa 1 GB
Cleveland 1 1/2 GB
Toronto 3 1/2 GB

KC 9 GB
Seattle 9 1/2 GB
Twins 10 1/2 GB

[NHwildEcat]

Thank you Red Sox!

Your welcome...I wish the White Sox all the best now that my favorite player has gotten a second chance! But, thanks for the 3 out of 4 this week!

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers win, move within 1/2 game.

Brian Dozier gaff tonight, only Twins with the Blue Twins Jersey, rest of the team had Blue Minnesota Jersey :)

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers take over first place with a win today.

[clenz]

If it can't be the Twins....Anyone but the White Sux....

[Gil Dobie]

Congrats to Miguel today, HR #299 & 300, becoming the 14th player to hit 300 before their 30th birthday.

[AshevilleApp2]

Great weekend!

Big road trip beginning tomorrow. Three each at Cleveland, Toronto and Boston.

[AshevilleApp2]

Tigers get Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez from the Marlins for Jacob Turner and two other minor leaguers. I hate to see Turner go, but I think (hope) this trade will work out well.

The biggest need was at second and Infante should be a significant upgrade to the committee that's played there this year. With Drew Smyly hurt, picking up Sanchez should stabilize the fifth starter spot. The downside is that he's in the last year of his contract, and they stand to lose him at the end of the season.

Now if they can add a little depth to the bullpen, they may make a nice second half push. Al Albuquerque coming off the DL would be just the right addition there.

[Gil Dobie]

http://www.terezowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/joe-mauer-1.jpg

[Gil Dobie]

Twins throw the White Sox a gimme, pitching Blackburn with an ERA over 7. Twins lose big, White Sox 1/2 game up pending Tigers game tonight.
Scherzer going for Detroit against Cleveland.

[Gil Dobie]

Verlander going tonight against the Indians. White Sox off, so this game will break the tie.

[AshevilleApp2]

Cleveland tops the Tigers. The Tribe has their number this year, leading the season series 7-2. On to Toronto.

[AshevilleApp2]

Cleveland tops the Tigers. The Tribe has their number this year, leading the season series 7-2.

7-5

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers needed those games.

[AshevilleApp2]

Tigers needed those games.

Yep. Chicago isn't backing off at all.

[AshevilleApp2]

Valverde does his best Todd Jones impersonation last night, but the Tigers hold on and beat the Yankees.

[darell1976]

11 in row...GO CLEVELAND!!!!!!!!!!!xbawlingx

[AshevilleApp2]

11 in row...GO CLEVELAND!!!!!!!!!!!xbawlingx

The streak is broken!!

Seriously, it's hard to believe how the wheels fell off for Cleveland in the past couple of weeks. Still time to right the ship and climb back into contention, but not a whole lot of it.

[darell1976]

The streak is broken!!

Seriously, it's hard to believe how the wheels fell off for Cleveland in the past couple of weeks. Still time to right the ship and climb back into contention, but not a whole lot of it.

A read a lot of fan comments on Facebook the funniest one was a fan said, "the lineup in Major League could beat the Indians". Ever since the new ownership took over this team its been downhill. I have been a fan since 1994 and I never seen a collapse this bad. They seem to do well in the first half then get destroyed the second half. Time for a team overhaul. I miss the Indians of the mid and late 90's with Belle, Baerga, Alomar Jr., Lofton, Vizquel etc. They rocked the AL Central plus 2 WS appearances in 3 years...I wish for that again.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

A read a lot of fan comments on Facebook the funniest one was a fan said, "the lineup in Major League could beat the Indians". Ever since the new ownership took over this team its been downhill. I have been a fan since 1994 and I never seen a collapse this bad. They seem to do well in the first half then get destroyed the second half. Time for a team overhaul. I miss the Indians of the mid and late 90's with Belle, Baerga, Alomar Jr., Lofton, Vizquel etc. They rocked the AL Central plus 2 WS appearances in 3 years...I wish for that again.

It has made the broadcasts easier to watch this year. Rick Manning is a smug bastard when they are winning and on suicide watch when they are losing. Lots of fun.

[Gil Dobie]

Miguel Cabrera for MVP!

[Gil Dobie]

Miguel Cabrera for MVP!

I'd like to see a triple crown. Right now he's 2nd in batting, 3rd in Home runs and first in Runs Batted In.

[AshevilleApp2]

Miguel Cabrera for MVP!

That would be nice, but the kid from the Angels seems to be the media darling this year.

[AshevilleApp2]

Big series with the Orioles starting tonight.

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers gain on the Sox, Cabrera gains on the HR and Batting leaders, expands RBI lead

[Gil Dobie]

Meet the 3rd place team in the American League Central

http://newspaper.li/static/9fffa1dd7998c6ade6b4189b52926d14.jpg

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers 1.5 back facing the Blue Jays for 3, Sox get the Yankees.

[Laker]

That would be nice, but the kid from the Angels seems to be the media darling this year.

You mean "Trouser" Trout?

[AshevilleApp2]

You mean "Trouser" Trout?

Trout. That's his name. Thanks.

[AshevilleApp2]

xnonono2xNo help from the Yankees as they get swept by the Chi Sux.

[Gil Dobie]

Delmon Young steps up to keep the Tigers close.

[Laker]

Not a lot of hope for the Twinkies this year. They keep saying that the 2014 All Star game will be at Target Field- that the announcement will be "soon". The pitching staff is in shambles.

[darell1976]

Isn't baseball over yet? If my Indians are out of the race the season should just end. Damn, now I know what a Royals fan feels like.

[Gil Dobie]

Sox finally lose, Tigers 2 back

[AshevilleApp2]

Missed it by that much.


Still two games back.

[Gil Dobie]

In the eternal words of Michael Ray Richardson "Ship be sinking". Tigers get swept by KC :(

[Gil Dobie]

A step back in the right direction, beating the Sox last night. Need 2 more this weekend.

[Gil Dobie]

Looking better after the KC sweep, looking to finish a sweep of their own against the hated Sox. Sale vs Verlander, should be fun.
Delmon Young has been hot lately, another dinger last yesterday.

[Laker]

I believe that the Twins had their FIRST grand slam of the year yesterday. If you have to wait until Sept. 1 for that you are looking at a hundred loss season. xmadx

[Gil Dobie]

I believe that the Twins had their FIRST grand slam of the year yesterday. If you have to wait until Sept. 1 for that you are looking at a hundred loss season. xmadx

The Bill Smith error at Minnesota took the Twins down a long way. They need to make a big off-season trade for a #1 pitcher.

[Laker]

The Bill Smith error at Minnesota took the Twins down a long way. They need to make a big off-season trade for a #1 pitcher.

The pitching staff is a disaster. Do you think that is why they put Mauer up on revocable waivers to see what they could get?

[Gil Dobie]

Delmon Young again, as Detroit sweeps and ties the Sox for first place.

[AshevilleApp2]

And off come the wheels.

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers stay 1 game back on a nice Verlander game. Just doesn't look like they want the division very bad.

[Gil Dobie]

I'd like to see a triple crown. Right now he's 2nd in batting, 3rd in Home runs and first in Runs Batted In.

1st in RBI
1st in Batting
2nd in Homers, 2 behind Josh Hamilton

[Gil Dobie]

Well, Hamilton is back and has taken the lead in HR's over Cabrera and his quest for the Triple Crown.
Will Justin Verlander win the Cy Young for the 2nd consecutive year? If he keeps up his pace, he should.

[Gil Dobie]

Detroit up 4-1 on KC and a game up on the Sox. Fister sets AL Record with 9 consecutive K's

[Gil Dobie]

Detroit up 2 with 4 to play, all against the Twins. Hopefully they can pull it out.

[Laker]

Detroit up 2 with 4 to play, all against the Twins. Hopefully they can pull it out.

The Twins might win one. That would be about it.

[Gil Dobie]

The Twins might win one. That would be about it.

I'm betting on Verlander for 1 game. Diamond is the Twins best pitcher, he goes tonight. I was wrong in my initial post, there are 6 to play, 3 vs Twins 3 vs Royals.

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers up 3 with 3 to play, looking good.

[AshevilleApp2]

Tigers up 3 with 3 to play, looking good.

Knock on wood.

[Gil Dobie]

Knock on wood.

I don't see any USA Ryder cup members on the Tigers Roster, unless the name Tiger is jinxed. ;)

[AshevilleApp2]

Postseason!

[darell1976]

Indians have a new manager....Terry Francona

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/?p=9013&srvc=blogs&position=recent


Terry Francona will be introduced Monday as the manager of the Cleveland Indians, according to multiple reports.

Francona left the Red Sox only 372 days ago in the aftermath of an epic September collapse and spent the past season working for ESPN, ironically in the role vacated by Bobby Valentine. Yesterday, only one day after the Red Sox fired Valentine, Francona interviewed with the Indians, who finished with a 68-94 record.

The Indians’ only other candidate was Sandy Alomar Jr., who had served as deposed manager Manny Acta’s bench coach before taking over on an interim basis last month. Alomar interviewed for the Red Sox’ managerial opening last year and may be a candidate again this season if the Sox are unable to pry John Farrell from the final year of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. If the Blue Jays find themselves looking for a manager, Alomar may be a candidate there, too.

Francona has a 1,029-915 record in 12 seasons as a manager. Almost all of his success came during an eight-year run with the Red Sox in which he posted a 744-552 mark and won the World Series in 2004 and 2007. He previously worked for the Indians in 2001 as a special assistant in a front office that included both Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti, now the Indians president and GM, respectively.

Please...please let this be a start of better things to come for the Tribe!!

[bonarae]

Detroit has struck first in the ALDS 2012 against the A's. 3-1 victory.

[Laker]

Indians have a new manager....Terry Francona

Please...please let this be a start of better things to come for the Tribe!!

You mean- you didn't want Bobby Valentine? xsmiley_wix

[Gil Dobie]

Down to 1 game between the Tigers and A's today.
A little more confident with Verlander throwing.

[DSUrocks07]

Down to 1 game between the Tigers and A's today.
A little more confident with Verlander throwing.

I wouldn't be...I smell a high scoring game.

[Gil Dobie]

I wouldn't be...I smell a high scoring game.

Tigers up 6-0, still confident. ;)

[Gil Dobie]

Amazing season by the A's. Bring on the beast of the East.

[Gil Dobie]

After last night, no confidence in Valverde. Great job by Smyly!

Hope Jeter can recover to play another season, tough break, no pun intended.

[Laker]

After last night, no confidence in Valverde. Great job by Smyly!

Hope Jeter can recover to play another season, tough break, no pun intended.

I fell asleep wearing my road Detroit cap during extra innings- woke up to find that the Tigers had won and Jeter was out. Good and bad news.

[AshevilleApp2]

Valverde is costing himself $$$ every time he takes the hill.

Hate to see what happened to Jeter. He's a class act as well as a great player.

[Gil Dobie]

Tiger up 2-0 going into Detroit with Velander starting game 3, it's looking good, let's finish it Tigers.

[AshevilleApp2]

Tigers winning with defense. Doesn't sound right, does it?

[Laker]

Tiger up 2-0 going into Detroit with Velander starting game 3, it's looking good, let's finish it Tigers.

That should be a huge advantage. I've seen NY come back to win too many times to count them out, but without Jeter they may be psyched out.

Right now- and I know that things change in a hurry- we could have a rematch of the 1968 World Series, which most posters on here can't remember but I remember watching on TV. Denny McLain- who won 31 game and Mickey Lolich, the MVP- against Bob Gibson. Tigers came back from 3-1 down in games to win in 7 in the last Series before divisional playoffs were held.

[Gil Dobie]

That should be a huge advantage. I've seen NY come back to win too many times to count them out, but without Jeter they may be psyched out.

Right now- and I know that things change in a hurry- we could have a rematch of the 1968 World Series, which most posters on here can't remember but I remember watching on TV. Denny McLain- who won 31 game and Mickey Lolich, the MVP- against Bob Gibson. Tigers came back from 3-1 down in games to win in 7 in the last Series before divisional playoffs were held.

That was a great series. Mickey Lolich wins 3 games and outduels Gibson in Game 7. Yankees hitters can't keep sleeping, but I hope they do. Should be a good game tomorrow.

[AshevilleApp2]

That should be a huge advantage. I've seen NY come back to win too many times to count them out, but without Jeter they may be psyched out.

Right now- and I know that things change in a hurry- we could have a rematch of the 1968 World Series, which most posters on here can't remember but I remember watching on TV. Denny McLain- who won 31 game and Mickey Lolich, the MVP- against Bob Gibson. Tigers came back from 3-1 down in games to win in 7 in the last Series before divisional playoffs were held.

Great series! I was eight years old and living in Detroit.

[Gil Dobie]

I would recomend "A City on Fire: The Story of the '68 Detroit Tigers". It was an HBO documentary from 2002.

[Gil Dobie]

Yankee killer, Delmon Young strikes again. Detroit up 3-0.

[Laker]

You can thank the Twins for sending you Delmon. At least he helped the Tigers beat the Yankees- the Twins just couldn't get the job done against them in the playoffs.

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers Sweep Yankees!

17038

[Laker]

Tigers Sweep Yankees!

17038

That is the nicest sweep that I've ever seen...........

[darell1976]

Congrats to the Tigers. You represent the Central very well...now bring home the title!! As a Cleveland Indians fan...I am cheering for you.

[Gil Dobie]

Second year in a row the AL Central has the MVP with Miguel Cabrera taking it this year. Trout also had a great season, but his slow August and September hurt his chances and the Angels pennant chances. Interesting stat, Cabrera played 142 complete games out of 161 played, Trout completed 96 of the 139 games he played.