A.L. Central Discussion 2016

[Iffster]

Vice....you can go now. Howie is here and can discuss things in a more mature manner.

 

[Howie115]

Fair points, though I would caution putting too much into what you acknowledge is a small sample. Gomes threw out 41% in a relatively similar small sample in 2013.

Gomes threw out 20 of 49 (41%) in 2013. McCann threw out 28 of 69 (also 41%) in 2015. But I agree, it is still a small sample. Part of my assessment is also the eyeball test, because I get to watch McCann play. By all measures, he appears to be a defensive stud at the position.

 

[MiamiVice]

You get what you can from a catcher as they don't have the longest lifespan... unless of course they roid like pudge. Yan Gomes best years are behind him... Knee issues for a catcher aren't a good thing...

 

[Iffster]

Vice
So, the Tribe's rotation along with Brantley, Lindor, and Kipnis are enough to win the AL Central. Seeing as how the rest of the team (outfield, Gomes, Uribe, Chisenhall, etc) are crap/bums in your eyes.....do you think that is enough to get by Detroit and KC?

 

[MiamiVice]

Vice
So, the Tribe's rotation along with Brantley, Lindor, and Kipnis are enough to win the AL Central. Seeing as how the rest of the team (outfield, Gomes, Uribe, Chisenhall, etc) are crap/bums in your eyes.....do you think that is enough to get by Detroit and KC?

If Detroit is healthy... no... i don't. I think if Detroit stays healthy they are going to win the division easily. I don't expect the Royals to do shit this year.

 

[MiamiVice]

I don't know how many times I have to tell you this iffy... I have the Indians winning it because I don't trust the health of the Tigers.. but if the Tigers stay healthy... they are a better team.

 

[Iffster]

''I Don't Expect the Royals to Do Shit This Year''.

I've listened to that record before. I think they are now using it as part of a Golden Oldies Tour. I think it is sung by the "DaBums". Good group, four-part harmonies, excellent steel-pedal guitar and solid bottom end. Song sounds a little like 'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer'!

 

[MiamiVice]

I've listened to that record before. I think they are now using it as part of a Golden Oldies Tour. I think it is sung by the "DaBums". Good group, four-part harmonies, excellent steel-pedal guitar and solid bottom end. Song sounds a little like 'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer'!

If you don't like it.. ignore it.

 

[MiamiVice]

Michigan with the huge win versus Indiana... That shows heart.

 

[Iffster]

Michigan with the huge win versus Indiana... That shows heart.

Did you forget to switch over to your dougie ID...

 

[MiamiVice]

Did you forget to switch over to your dougie ID...

Nope... I was lobbing a soft ball for dougie...

 

[Howie115]

Michigan with the huge win versus Indiana... That shows heart.

This is one of those times a Sparty fan was rooting for Ol' Blue. Nice to have the #1 seed in the tournament gone.

 

[Howie115]

I don't know how many times I have to tell you this iffy... I have the Indians winning it because I don't trust the health of the Tigers.. but if the Tigers stay healthy... they are a better team.

I know I'm biased, but I agree. The Tigers should have the top BA and OBP in the division again, and unlike last year's weird aberration, they WILL score runs. Their defense is solid. I see one below-average defender (Castellanos) among their starting 8 position players. If the Top 3 starters (JV, Zimmermann, Sanchez) are fully healthy and the bullpen is just middle-of-the-pack, they will contend for the division.

Unfortunately, with five of the team's key players (Miggy, V-mart, Kinsler, Verlander, F-Rod) getting on in years, good health is far from being something we can assume.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

I know I'm biased, but I agree. The Tigers should have the top BA and OBP in the division again, and unlike last year's weird aberration, they WILL score runs. Their defense is solid. I see one below-average defender (Castellanos) among their starting 8 position players. If the Top 3 starters (JV, Zimmermann, Sanchez) are fully healthy and the bullpen is just middle-of-the-pack, they will contend for the division.

Unfortunately, with five of the team's key players (Miggy, V-mart, Kinsler, Verlander, F-Rod) getting on in years, good health is far from being something we can assume.

Yeah. I don't think scoring runs will be an issue this year, as long as VMART is able to stay healthy. With him in the lineup, it really stretches the lineup out. If Castellanos picks up where he left off at the end, Detroit will be tough offensively.
Pitching is another story. Which Verlander will we see? Can Sanchez return to form? How will Zimmerman deal with a switch from the NL to the AL? Which Rondon will we see? How will the bullpen perform?

One other thing that I was just talking about with a buddy today. How disgusting will the Yankees bullpen be once Chapman is back? They will have 3 of the filthiest bullpen arms, so will be playong 6 inning games each night.

 

[MiamiVice]

Speaking of Steven Moya. One of the announcers compared him (batting) to Tony Clark. LOL. If only.....
More likely he'll be a Steve Bilko. Yeah....Iffy knows his Tiger history.

Moya with another Hr today....

 

[Howie115]

One other thing that I was just talking about with a buddy today. How disgusting will the Yankees bullpen be once Chapman is back? They will have 3 of the filthiest bullpen arms, so will be playong 6 inning games each night.

Yes, it will be like KC's combo of Holland, Davis and Herrera, when all three were healthy.

 

[Howie115]

Pitching is another story. Which Verlander will we see? Can Sanchez return to form? How will Zimmerman deal with a switch from the NL to the AL? Which Rondon will we see? How will the bullpen perform?

Pitching will make or break the Tigers season, for sure. Actually, anything we get out of Rondon is a bonus. The bullpen hinges more on our three acquisitions (F-Rod, Lowe and Wilson) more than him. If F-Rod just puts up numbers similar to last year's, and Lowe/Justin Wilson form a good righty/lefty setup combo, it makes the bullpen WAAAAAYYYY better than the 2015 Tigers had. We had bullpen arms last year that were overused, and guys put in roles they had no business being in. If you can ask Alex Wilson, Blaine Hardy and/or Drew Verhagen to pitch one inning, like the 6th or 7th, I believe they will be successful. Those guys had to throw multiple innings too many times last season. And Alex Wilson was great, except for the few times the Tigers had to use him as a closer. He is NOT a closer.

 

[dougplayer]

Yep. Iffy told us. Michigan be lucky to get in tourney. Yep another wise post by the iffy. BAWWWHAAAAAS michigan. Down with .2 seconds hit a 3 pointer to advance to big 10 semis. Yep. Wolverines always rise to the challenge

 

[dougplayer]

Tell us iffy. How choke boy Izzo is a genius. .Michigan will brush little brother to the side. If they get that far. Better have wolverines deep in your brackets this year

 

[dougplayer]

Think iffy doesn't factor in HEART . a wolverines have it. Tigers have it. .2 seconds is when you show HEART. this not the Fab 5. But they have HEART.
Iffy. Try to explain that to your BFF from texas.