MLB Standings as of right now

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

So who isn't making the playoffs out of the east?...cuz like I said, The Wild Card is coming out of the central.


Also, my team, The Braves, have fallen apart. :angry:

pp2

You're talking AL right? lol

Don't be so sure about the wild card coming out of the Central just yet. The Twins haven't hit a wall yet, and they seem to be fodder for the White Sox this year and still have (I think) 13 games left with them. Still plenty of time for someone to make some wild card ground out of the East.

As far as the White Sox go, they've hit a buzzsaw also known as the Diamondbacks. They're game tonight just went final and its another beatdown at the hands of Arizona. They haven't been pummelled like this all season. I think the Sox are running into 3 problems:

1) Contreras and Hernandez are unreliable anymore in the starting rotation.

2) Aside from 3 guys, their bullpen is full of arsonists.

3) Frank Thomas is becoming "Bad Frank" again and its causing some behind the scenes trouble.

I still think they're going to win the Central though, but it won't be easy. I still think Minnesota is going to slump a bit though, but it will probably take about 94-97 wins to take the division

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Yes, but I'm just taking the odds and running with them. I find it hard to beleive that the White Sox are going to do any worse than .500 the rest of the way...If they do that, that would give them over 90 wins. For the Yanks to get 90 wins they would have to go about 20 games over .500 the rest of the way, which while very possible, I haven't seen many signs of a huge run like that.


Then I take into account the fact that the Twins always play around 90 wins and should still be able to pound on the likes of the Tigers, Royals, and Indians. Of course, I could be wrong, but it's just a big hunch that I have. A situation where one of the Eastern Power Houses get left out.

Back to the White Sox for a sec, You have to love the production you've gotten out of Buerle, Garland, etc. I would be a bit worried about Frank but if he gets back to being even "half way decent Frank", that could mean 30 homers with a poor average, which I'd take at this point, and it'd be nice for Konerko to keep his average over .250 to go along with the power numbers.

pp2

Yeah, Konerko's having another year like he did in 2003, except slighty better power numbers. He's been hitting into a lot of double plays and doesn't seem to be able to drive the ball, lots of grounders.

When I say "Bad Frank", I mean attitude. He first came back as "Good Frank", but as soon as he was platooned at DH Bad Frank came around. The Sox had a beautiful chemistry going up until that point, and I'm afraid Bad Frank is going to kill it and the team will implode.

Another thing they have to look at is 3B. Crede is a hack. He's got a decent glove but the errors he makes always seem to let in the go ahead or tying run and he seldom makes up for it at the plate. He's the textbook definition of "streak hitter". When he's going hot he might get his average up to .260-.280, but then he gets cold and starts hanging out around .220 again. They have a kid in the minors who's supposed to be a ringer at 3B (can't remember the name right now) and I would like to see him up here next year. But again, Crede was a world-beater in AAA as well so who knows? Maybe Kenny Williams can work a Crede for Vinny Castilla deal. I'd support Castilla here, at least to finish out this year. It would be an upgrade at least.

Simon

Founder/Admin

Still too early to tell. But here is my guess if I were a betting man.


Sox win AL East.

Sox win AL Central

Angels win the West

Texas wins Wildcard (if they pick up some pitching, me thinks they will)


Atlanta wins NL East

St Louis wins Central

San Diego wins West

Marlins win wildcard

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Ok..I see what you're saying about Thomas now.With Castillia, just don't expect to see "Colorado Vinny". The Braves picked him up and he was pretty much an average hitter. If anyone is the definition of a "Coor's Player" it's that guy. How can you have a .300 avg. with 40 homers and 120 RBIs and then become a .260 hitter with 20 homers? That's Coor's for ya.

pp2

I'm going to say I totally agree with Simon's outlook aside from Texas taking the wild card in the AL. I see either Minnesota or NY getting it, but I don't think Texas is out of the realm of possibility there.

I would take Castilla as a short-term upgrade over Crede. They could trade him away or let him go (not sure on his contract status) after this year for all I care, I just want the help now. Everything seems to be clicking, I think Castilla could be something to help push them over the top. They have some decent minor league pitching too, that should help as far as Contreras and Hernandez goes for next year. I still like Garcia's potential, and Buehrle and Garland are going to be around for awhile as well.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator