AL CENTRAL DISCUSSION

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Everyone in this thread needs to just calm the hell down man.

You're not the boss of me.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Anyone know of any avatar bets on the Detroit/Cleveland series?

@Voltaire26 and I have one, and if he loses, you're all going to find out what kind of peckers he likes.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

What's Albert Belle been up to lately?

Shakin' his pecker.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Too many holes on all the teams

<wonders if Lions knows what the word all means>

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

my point is. As always. Central will go down to the last week of season

<wonders if doug wears velcro shoes>

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Doug. Stop. Why do you just make up sh1t? The Indians won the Central by 17 games last year. They won it by 8 games the year before. There was no " down to the last week" stuff. YOU JUST MADE IT UP!

KC won division by 12 games in 2015 too

In fairness to doug, he can probably only remember those four lucky years when the Tigers weren't the shit box of the AL Central. In those four years, Detroit won the division by three games once, and eeked it out by one game twice.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Prove me wrong. You lied. Where are your buddies to back you up? C'mon @bksballer89 , @broncosmitty, SuCktheLiOn. Doug said the AL Central always is decided in the last week of the season. I showed facts that said it has not been. Shouldn't you guys be backing up your old butt buddy?

2017- Indians win by 17 games
2016- Indians win by 8 games
2015- KC wins by 12 games

You seem sad. You should try to do something fun today.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I see the D'Backs swept the Dodgers. Just saying

That's nine straight wins against the Dodgers for Arizona, dating back to August 29th, 2017.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

My fear was our bats coming into the season. So far...

I think this is overblown. last year they were a top offensive team, ranking second in the AL in AVE, OBP, SLG, OPS and third in runs.

The only major difference is the swap from Santana to Alonso; which frankly I don't think is the drop off that people are making it out to be. Alonso was actually quite a bit better than Santana in 2017, and their OPS' over the last three years are 110 and 113.

If Kipnis and Brantley can bounce back, and Zimmer starts coming around, they could potentially have a better offense than they did last year.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

walk off for the angels

Fuck you, bk.

 

[bksballer89]

WIGGY IS BACK @broncosmitty

 

[Sgt Brutus]

I think this is overblown. last year they were a top offensive team, ranking second in the AL in AVE, OBP, SLG, OPS and third in runs.

The only major difference is the swap from Santana to Alonso; which frankly I don't think is the drop off that people are making it out to be. Alonso was actually quite a bit better than Santana in 2017, and their OPS' over the last three years are 110 and 113.

If Kipnis and Brantley can bounce back, and Zimmer starts coming around, they could potentially have a better offense than they did last year.

Don't forget Bruce!

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I just looked up Tito Francona's managerial record. He is 25th in wins - all time, for managers. I did not realize he was that high on the list. With two WS wins under his belt, he could end up with a shot at the HOF down the road IF he stays healthy and stays with a winning team. He has already passed Earl Weaver and Al Lopez in wins and they are in the HOF. He's had a winning record every year with the Indians and several division titles and a WS trip....yet everyones' favorite butt buddy keeps repeating over and over how Francona is a failure and how Indian fans are being fooled by him.
Of course his butt buddy friends remain silent. I guess because douggie is so cute and wonderful to have around because he makes them look like geniuses.

What Francona has done in Cleveland is remarkable. He's currently "untouchable" as doug points out because he's been fucking awesome.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Don't forget Bruce!

People love that line. His "loss" is way overblown.

Acquired in mid-August, Bruce only played in 1/4th of the Indians' games, slashing .248/.331/.447/.808/108. He batted in only 3% of the Indians 818 runs.

Would it be nice to still have his bat in the lineup? Sure, but 169 PA's of 108 OPS is hardly irreplaceable, particularly if there's improvement from Kipnis/Brantley/Zimmer.

 

[Sgt Brutus]

Big if, and we're assuming Jose Ramirez puts up insane numbers again

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Big if, and we're assuming Jose Ramirez puts up insane numbers again

The improvements are a big if, but the point was, replacing what Bruce did for the 2017 offense is in no way as big of a deal as people are making it.

Fair point about Ramirez. I think it's reasonable to expect some regression in 2018.

Regardless, even if the offense regresses all the way down to average, an average offense with a top-notch pitching staff will make the playoffs more often than not, especially in a division with teams as shitty as the Tigers.

 

[Lions=TeHsUcKs]

Ohtani and destroying the Indians pitchers. Name a more iconic duo.

 

[Lions=TeHsUcKs]

<wonders if Lions knows what the word all means>

INdians are good, but I think they are weaker this year than the last two. I also think the Twins were flukish last year. Buxton needs to be more consistent.

 

[Sgt Brutus]

The improvements are a big if, but the point was, replacing what Bruce did for the 2017 offense is in no way as big of a deal as people are making it.

Fair point about Ramirez. I think it's reasonable to expect some regression in 2018.

Regardless, even if the offense regresses all the way down to average, an average offense with a top-notch pitching staff will make the playoffs more often than not, especially in a division with teams as shitty as the Tigers.

Agreed

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

INdians are good, but I think they are weaker this year than the last two.

Could be. Or not.

They look to have top-end starters, bullpen and defense and at least average offense.

I just don't understand where one would see "too many holes" on that team.