A.L. Central Smack Talk 2014

[Lions=TeHsUcKs]

Man the Twins are doing their best job on making Ortiz look like Ted Williams.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I like hosmer but i had just pointed out he had zero HR's. I still think kc is the one team can stay within range of detroit. With an injury u never know

That's fine, we have some underperformers to go along with some overachievers (or bounceback or whatever you wish to call it) like Escobar and Cain.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Personally, the key things for the Royals to keep positive momentum is production offensively from Butler, Perez, and Gordon-- and something out of 3B. Vargas isn't going to pitch like an ace forever, so it is imperative Duffy and Ventura perform to help out the offense which will likely by homerun challenged again this year.

 

[navamind]

I admit I was exaggerating by saying Verlander's "struggling." It's hard for Tigers fans to complain about a 3.15~ ERA. But you have to admit he isn't quite looking like the Verlander of 2011-12 (that's not to say that I think he'll be out of the league anytime soon). Hope it's just a blip and he shows much better command and returns to that form.

Corey Kluber with another strong performance.

 

[gvsulaker82]

GVSU
I posted on other thread this one was started. Nevermind, I see you found it.

Appreciate it! Didnt see it until I posted several posts over there. Doh.

 

[gvsulaker82]

You are right. He would look better as the 7th or 8th on depth chart.

I bet he would have had more success than akers as a kicker last year. Management just has to find a spot for him.

 

[gvsulaker82]

calling Porcello the best 5th starter in the league is defensible, though it has nothing to do with W-L (a team stat). And there is a lot of room for upside with him. Every year, he's improved his FIP/xFIP and K/BB rates. He also raised his K/9 from 4.6 in 2010 to 7.2 (about league average) in 2013, though the strikeouts are down so far this year (only 5.8, but if you look at xK% (expected K%), there's room for improvement). But he's done a great job limiting the walks so far (only 1.21 BB/9 so far). I could see him finally breaking out this year.

Granted, I thought Cahill would breakout last year and possibly be a darkhorse CYA contender (his K/9 improved from 4.53 in 2009 to 7.02 in 2012, and his GB% went from 47.8% in 2009 to 61.2% in 2012). And that hasn't worked out too well.

Hes shown improvement out of the pen (cahill). I wouldnt call this season a lost cause, I think he will return to the starting role with much better success although he may no longer contend for CYA.

 

[gvsulaker82]

How many times you gonna tell us that?

Yeah many owners make great acquisitions, but they see no need to brag constantly.First eaton (who is a free agent lol). Now dozier.

 

[dougplayer]

yes. Verlander is struggling... start before last..he had a no hitter going into the 6th inning...


tell us again how he is struggling??

 

[dougplayer]

Twins walk it off against the red sox...maybe red sox had the Tigers on there mind? just saying.


Tigers going for there 9th straight road win on Friday. I got Miggy marked down with at least 3 HRs in this up coming series. He is on top of his game now.

 

[navamind]

yes. Verlander is struggling... start before last..he had a no hitter going into the 6th inning...


tell us again how he is struggling??

I posted this earlier.

I admit I was exaggerating by saying Verlander's "struggling." It's hard for Tigers fans to complain about a 3.15~ ERA. But you have to admit he isn't quite looking like the Verlander of 2011-12 (that's not to say that I think he'll be out of the league anytime soon). Hope it's just a blip and he shows much better command and returns to that form.

But hey, I know literacy isn't a strong suit of your's.

 

[Howie115]

Twins walk it off against the red sox...maybe red sox had the Tigers on there [sic] mind? just saying.

The Tigers lost 2 of 3 from the Twins before sweeping Baltimore. Shit happens when you play 162 games.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Lineup needs moar Infante.

 

[Howie115]

At the risk of sounding like Homer Dougie, the ERAs for Tiger starters as of today:

(1) Justin Verlander, 3.15
(2) Max Scherzer, 2.04
(3) Anibal Sanchez [DL], 3.13
(4) Rick Porcello, 3.22
(5) Drew Smyly, 2.70
Plus Robbie Ray (2 starts) is at 0.79.

Can you say "DOMINATION"?

 

[navamind]

At the risk of sounding like Homer Dougie, the ERAs for Tiger starters as of today:

(1) Justin Verlander, 3.15
(2) Max Scherzer, 2.04
(3) Anibal Sanchez [DL], 3.13
(4) Rick Porcello, 3.22
(5) Drew Smyly, 2.70
Plus Robbie Ray (2 starts) is at 0.79.

Can you say "DOMINATION"?

It wasn't too shabby last year either.

Verlander: 218.1 IP, 118 ERA+, 8.9 K/9, 4.6 bWAR
Scherzer: 214.1 IP, 141 ERA+, 0.97 WHIP, 4.29 K/BB, 10.1 K/9, 6.7 bWAR
Sanchez: 182 IP, 159 ERA+, 1.15 WHIP, 3.74 K/BB, 10 K/9, 6.3 bWAR
Fister: 208.2 IP, 111 ERA+, 3.61 K/BB, 4.1 bWAR
Porcello: 177 IP, 94 ERA+, 3.38 K/BB, 2.4 bWAR (how many teams can say they got that kind of production from their #5 starter?)

Verlander, Scherzer and Sanchez all finished in the top 10 in the AL in WAR. Even Fister finished just outside the top 10 (Tillman was 10th at 4.1). Tigers defense hurt their pitchers last year. And when someone like Drew Smyly is stuck in your bullpen, that's how you know you have a good rotation. Even without Fister, this Tigers rotation should be among the best in the league again.

 

[navamind]

I just noticed Jose Quintana had a 5.4 WAR last year. Huh. I knew he's been good in the majors so far, but that was kinda surprising.

 

[Howie115]

Tigers defense hurt their pitchers last year.

Especially ground ball pitchers like Porcello and Fister. I think Fister would have been low-3's and Porcello would have been under a 4.00 ERA last season if they had this year's infield defense.

 

[navamind]

Especially ground ball pitchers like Porcello and Fister. I think Fister would have been low-3's and Porcello would have been under a 4.00 ERA last season if they had this year's infield defense.

Oh, no doubt.

 

[navamind]

Chris Getz is retiring from baseball. Can't say I blame him...

 

[Howie115]

Heh ... Getz is a Southfield, MI native.

He retires at age 30, while Julio Franco (55) is back in professional baseball. LOL.

Julio Franco, 55, to play Independent ball - CBSSports.com