quote:

Originally posted by EricG75:

quote:

Originally posted by PaddyG:
If they can continue to provide their pitchers with some run support, I think they can make a push in the Central.

Or if they continue to play the Tigers, who've been kind enough to provide the White Sox with lots of runs so far this season.

True, but it embarrasses me one of Detroit's wins came against the White Sox.

Come to think of it, both their wins have come against the Sox teams.

Well, I really don't expect the Tigers to stay out of the picture for long. At least I hope they don't, it isn't very productive to my bitching and moaning against payroll inequality. I guess they would have play .633+ ball from here on out in order to win 97 games, the average wins needed to top the AL Central the last three years. Given that the Royals have been the perennial punching bag those last three years and that it doesn't look like they'll be quiet as terrible this year, I don't think it will take quiet that many to win. It'd be exciting to see a close multiple team, NL like, race in for the AL Central all year.

As for which team is truly the best right now in the AL Central, I guess the standings speak for the Sox but let's wait until everyones had their fair play against everyone else . The Twins are, almost inexplicably, a very balanced and effective team.... very interesting.

It's not how much money you spend but how you spend it. I think the Tigers are proving that so far this year. The bulk of the extra cash they spent in the offseason was beefing up their offense. Why? The Tigers already had one of the strongest offensive lineups in baseball. Pitching is what did them in last year, and I think it'll do them in again this year. Because not only did they not really acquire anyone good, they gave away all their top pitching prospects in trades for more offense. The hope that the offense will be good enough to offset the worst team ERA in baseball was a big gamble.

Well, I think the Tigers bats are finally coming alive. 17 hits and 13 runs against the Tribe tonight. Renteria had a grand slam and Cabrera finally started earning his paycheck going 4 for 6 with 5 RBIs.

If they continue hitting this well, their terrible pitching might not be a factor. However, the guy they brought up to replace the injured Dontrelle Willis, Armando Galgarraga, looked pretty sharp -- 1 hit and 3 ERs in 7 innings. I have a feeling that's way better than we would've gotten from D-Train. So praise the lord for that injured knee.

I like your optimism, it's funny. Those are pretty impressive numbers; however the Yanks got 16 hits and 15 runs against a much better team in the Red Sox.

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Originally posted by FragileKidA:
the Yanks got 16 hits and 15 runs against a much better team in the Red Sox.

Don't get too excited. The starting pitching was horrible on both sides. Not as horrible as the Jays going 1 for 15 with RISP, but still pretty bad.

I watched the 5 hour and 14 inning marathon, between the Rangers and Jays, last night. Interesting happenings:

Milton Bradley walked 5 times. Maybe that's not too interesting, but it should be known that his first walk of the night came in the 7th inning. wtf?

Jesse Carlson has been in the majors for less than two weeks. He's a lefty reliever for the Jays. They brought him into the game in the 11th inning with the bases loaded and nobody out. What does he do? He strikes out the side!!! A rookie! No pitcher has come into an extra-innings, bases-juiced, no one out situation to strike out the side in 50 years!

I love baseball. Deja Vu...

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 596th steroid-free home run today in a Reds win over the Cubs.

Thinking of what might-have been for Griffey makes me sick to my stomach. Damn astro-turf.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mymindsblank,

Yes, congrats to Griffey Jr., it's well deserved.

It was an interesting game tonight between the Yankees and Red Sox. Regular Yankee killer, Manny Ramirez, had a field day with Mussina, again, and the Red Sox won 7-5.

What really bothers me is the fact that an always erratic Kyle Farnsworth decided to plunk Ramirez. Sportscenter said that it might have been Girardi's way to send a message to Boston. I just wonder, what message would he be trying to send? Maybe, "Hey, we know that you play really good against us. Now stop."? I don't like it one bit and I have never liked that approach in baseball. The sports anchor also said that that usually wouldn't have happened under Joe Torre.

Either way, I applaud the Red Sox and Josh Beckett for not plunking one of our players in retaliation. They showed true class.

Jeez it seems like the Yankees and Red Sox play each other 75 times a year.

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:
Jeez it seems like the Yankees and Red Sox play each other 75 times a year.

I wish that were the case. It's shitty that the best...er, biggest rivalry in baseball has already had 5 games this early into the schedule. 5 games in April!? Really, Mr schedule maker? Well, you sir are a douche.

I really hope that wasn't Girardi's way of sending a "message." I'd like to think it was just Farnsworth being his usual douchebag self.

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:
Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 596th steroid-free home run today in a Reds win over the Cubs.

Thinking of what might-have been for Griffey makes me sick to my stomach. Damn astro-turf.

Yeah, I remember reading an article about a year ago when Bonds was approaching the record about the "what ifs" of Griffey's career. I can't remember who the author was (maybe Bill Simmons?) but he basically was echoing your sentiment. You're not alone.

With 3 wins in a row the Cubs are on top of the Central for the first time this year. They're actually winning games at home for the first time in years, it seems like. I'm just hoping their pitching comes along a bit and that Soriano gets into gear like he did last year. They've got the potential to be seriously competitive.

quote:

Originally posted by sans_success:
With 3 wins in a row the Cubs are on top of the Central for the first time this year. They're actually winning games at home for the first time in years, it seems like. I'm just hoping their pitching comes along a bit and that Soriano gets into gear like he did last year. They've got the potential to be seriously competitive.

Hey Less, how's Reed Johnson been playing? Are the Wrigley Faithful taking to him, or what? I miss that guy, he's a sparkplug. Great hustle.

quote:

Hey Less, how's Reed Johnson been playing? Are the Wrigley Faithful taking to him, or what? I miss that guy, he's a sparkplug. Great hustle.

He's playing well. He's seeing a lot more action since Soriano went down. I think he's even hitting about 0.350 right now!

Cubs faithful here, and i like what i see from reed johnson. old school hustle guy. make it 4 straight for the cubbies, and they maintain a half game lead in the NL Central. Scared about Lilly vs. the Mets today, the Mets eat up left-handed pitching.

It looks like the Tigers are finally heating up after their rocky start and we officially have a race in the AL Central.

The offense and the bullpen have been solid the last couple weeks. I think we have two major issues right now:

1. Starting Pitching. It's terrible. In our sweep of the Rangers, only one starting pitcher, Verlander, got a decision. Our bullpen has twice the number of wins as our starting rotation. I really think Kenny Rogers should've retired and they need to find something to do with Nate Robertson (either trade him or start grooming him as a closer), but I haven't seen him pitch a really impressive game since 2006.

2. Sheffield. As much as I love Sheff, he too should've retired after last year. He's been completely useless since his injury late last summer, and we're really lucky to get a game a week out of him when he's not off getting cortisone shots.

And frankly, with all the hitting talent Detroit has, a full-time DH is the last thing we need. Without Sheff on the roster we could get a good defensive player at first or third, or God forbid, a real backup catcher who enjoys catching.

Well it looks as if it will be another long empty summer for Reds fans. Just trade Dunn, Griffey Jr., or both. Bring up Bailey and Jay Bruce and see what happens, and I return to my statement that Corey Patterson sucks ass.

How disappointing...

On an infinitely more pleasing note, for those who live outside of the FoxSportsOhio Coverage, is this gem of a commercial of Bronson Arroyo shilling JTM meat-like substances in the form of my new favorite song "Together Again".

This video comes at my highest recommendation! It easily beats the other Reds commercials like FarmersOnly.com and "Lost in the Taste" Gold Star Chili's Song. Reds fans know what I'm talking about!

Bit of a backwards year thus far: the Cubs are in first, the Yankees are in last.