AL Central Smack Talk

[Howie115]

As of today, I have the ALC looking a lot like last year, with just the Royals and Indians switching places.

Tigers
Royals
Indians
Twins
White Sox


Sorry, I don't see any major changes to the White Sox that scare me. Minnesota got some legit starting pitching in Hughes and Nolasco, but those guys would just be a #5 on the Tigers staff. Cleveland is a crap shoot because of their youth, but Francona will keep them competitive. The Royals have the pitching to push the Tigers all year, but Detroit is still the team to beat. Any loss of power is offset by the fact that they won't be as much of a station-to-station team on the bases. Plus, they are better on defense. This team suffered a down power year from Fielder, brutal first halves from Avila (.172) and Martinez (.232); they were minus-6 in 1-run games and minus-7 in extra innings, and their top hitter was injured the last 6 weeks and only hit two homers in September; they put a minor-league team on the field for the last 5 games after they clinched, and still won 93 games.

My two biggest concerns for the Tigers are bullpen depth and Smyly's durability as a starter, but the other teams in the division have far more concerns than that.

I reserve the right to change my predictions at the end of spring training.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Starting pitching:


Tigers
Indians
Royals
Twins
White Sox


Bullpen


Royals
Twins
Indians
White Sox
Tigers


Hitting


Tigers
Indians
Royals
Twins
White Sox


Baserunning:


Royals
Indians
Tigers
Twins
White Sox


Defense:


Royals
Tigers
Twins
Indians
White Sox


LF: Gordon
CF: Jackson
RF: Hunter


3rd: Going to assume Carlos Santana moves to 3rd base here
SS: Ramirez
2nd: Kipnis
1st: Miggy
C: Perez
DH: Butler
Ace: Scherzer

 

[Fountain City Blues]

This could change as the season goes along. A bit conservative in how I ranked these.

 

[broncosmitty]

Who's replacing Kazmir and Ubaldo for the Tribe?

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Who's replacing Kazmir and Ubaldo for the Tribe?

I think Marcum will replace Kazmir. I forget who replaced Ubaldo. Was either Bauer or Salazar.


Edit: I think it is McCallister actually.

 

[broncosmitty]

I think Marcum will replace Kazmir. I forget who replaced Ubaldo. Was either Bauer or Salazar.


Edit: I think it is McCallister actually.

Okay, that was my hangup on Cleveland. Scott was lightning in a bottle last year and Jimenez was a CY Young kind of guy down the stretch. (Not for the season, but man... he was huge in the hot streak to end the season.) I've always liked Masterson. Maybe Marcum can get himself back to where he was before the injuries got him.

 

[Nosferatu]

Early prediction

Tigers 92 - 70
Royals 86 - 76
Indians 78 - 84
Twins 73 - 89
Whie Sox 63 - 99

 

[Shanemansj13]

Who's replacing Kazmir and Ubaldo for the Tribe?

Yah, they picked up Marcum in the 5th slot. The 2,3, 4 is Kluber, Salazar, and Mccalister

 

[Shanemansj13]

Who's everyone's breakout performer for each team in the Central?

Mine for the Indians is Yan Gomes, he was clutch and times and is a young, power hitting talent at catcher.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Starting pitching:


Tigers
Indians
Royals
Twins
White Sox


Bullpen


Royals
Twins
Indians
White Sox
Tigers


Hitting


Tigers
Indians
Royals
Twins
White Sox


Baserunning:


Royals
Indians
Tigers
Twins
White Sox


Defense:


Royals
Tigers
Twins
Indians
White Sox


LF: Gordon
CF: Jackson
RF: Hunter


3rd: Going to assume Carlos Santana moves to 3rd base here
SS: Ramirez
2nd: Kipnis
1st: Miggy
C: Perez
DH: Butler
Ace: Scherzer

Chisenhall is at 3rd. Santana will be DH, backup catcher, and also 1st sometimes.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Chisenhall is at 3rd. Santana will be DH, backup catcher, and also 1st sometimes.

Alrighty.

 

[broncosmitty]

Yah, they picked up Marcum in the 5th slot. The 2,3, 4 is Kluber, Salazar, and Mccalister

How much do you think losing Ubaldo and Kazmir will hurt?

 

[Shanemansj13]

How much do you think losing Ubaldo and Kazmir will hurt?

Kazmir was strong, and Ubaldo ended very strong which put us in the WC.

I love Kluber and Salazar and Mccalister if healthy will be a good 4th. I like this rotation just as much maybe better. I know Ubaldo went off late in the season, but facts were he was inconsistent in the 2 1/2 years with Cleveland, overall hurt us more than he helped. I like our chances right now.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Jeebus, the best 3rd baseman in the Central this year might be Castellanos?


1. Castellanos
2. Moustakas
3. Chisenhall
4. Gillaspie
5. Plouffe

 

[broncosmitty]

Kazmir was strong, and Ubaldo ended very strong which put us in the WC.

I love Kluber and Salazar and Mccalister if healthy will be a good 4th. I like this rotation just as much maybe better. I know Ubaldo went off late in the season, but facts were he was inconsistent in the 2 1/2 years with Cleveland, overall hurt us more than he helped. I like our chances right now.

Well damn. I've been banking on a void in Cleveland's staff.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Well damn. I've been banking on a void in Cleveland's staff.

Probably is created with so many young guys just by chance.

 

[broncosmitty]

Probably is created with so many young guys just by chance.

After last night when I was stuck on Cleveland taking a dip, I starting thinking/wondering about why. Probably holding the Indian games I saw against them way too much. More than half of their games that I watched were against my Tigers. That season series won't end up as lopsided this year. Stubbs is gone, that will help. They aren't losing as many innings as I thought, Im gonna readjust.

 

[Cleaves2000]

You said the basement, now you say 2nd place. Remember last year (which you probably predicted the Tribe to be shit), we were right behind the glorious Tigers. Now with Pronce gone it will be fun to see how this season pans out.

GL!

Right behind? Like when detroit rested all their players in the last series vs miami? And got swept....we kicked the injuns teeth in whenever we played them....

 

[Cleaves2000]

People are starting to call. Michigan. That Basketball school.
B HOke wont let people forget football. Did. You see how tough he got with that kicker? Kicked him out of the program

Or they call them that school that lets their kicker r*pe a girl then dont kick him off team until his senior season comes to an end?

But a basketball school will make the sweet 16 more than once in 19 years...

 

[Cleaves2000]

I dont think the sox will be as bad as some think....sale is a beast....abreu is key....if he hits, they will take 3rd place.....eaton will help as the leadoff man....dunn ramirez and beckham all have the chance to turn it around......and they got lil miggy....but i still hate them....

Wonder if the sox get good if any sox fans will ever show up.....havent seen a sox fan since cbs with itsjustagame. Chicago has the biggest band wagon fans out there....except for the cubs.....when i first moved here in 06 you couldnt find blackhawk stuff....was all sox and bulls.....now you see hawks crap being sold on every corner and EVERYONE is a hawk fan.