The Indians weren't supposed to be sitting atop the AL Central standings a month into the season and the Twins weren't supposed to be in the cellar. Here are some links from the AL Central, including the latest reaction to a surprising April…
- Everyone's wondering if the Indians are for real and Dave Cameron of FanGraphs provided an answer today: they aren't as good as they've seemed (19-8), but their offense should keep them in the race for much of the season, even if their pitching regresses, as expected.
- Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com points out that the Indians now have a chance. "Nobody predicted they'd have it, and few seem to think they can sustain it. But with each win comes a little more belief."
- MLB.com's Dick Kaegel explains that the Royals are taking advantage of technology to approach advance scouting in a new way.
- Removing Francisco Liriano from the rotation may not be the worst decision the last-place Twins could make, writes Chris Cwik of FanGraphs.
- White Sox GM Kenny Williams told MLB.com's Scott Merkin that he isn't looking to blame anyone for his team's 10-19 start.
Maybe grabbing a guy like Rodrigo Lopez from the Braves could be cheap and helpful for the Indians. I’d love to see them keep contending personally.
Liriano was a top 5 pitcher in the AL last year, what the heck is wrong with him?
Not looking to blame someone? Anything that happens it because of someone or a group of someone’s. So lets blame the team.
Yes, the team. And let’s NOT blame the manager. I’m sick of managers becoming the easy scapegoats. 2 weeks ago everyone wanted Francona’s head. Why? His players weren’t producing. He can only pencil in the lineup, other than that it’s the job of the players to prepare to the best of their ability. Everyone slumps, it’s a fact of the game, but we tend to blame managers way too easily. Different team but same stuff really… sad, sad stuff.
I agree to an extent. But, I do not like Ozzie and his buddies in the dugout. He takes his job like a joke, and is not a good manager.
Walker has consistently been behind an offense that can NEVER get a runner on third with less than two outs home. Batting average is consistently poor. If it wasn’t for Paulie, Walker would be gone.
to be fair, he hasn’t been penciling in lineups very well and he definitely hasn’t managed the bullpen well at all. so even if those were his only jobs (they aren’t), he wouldn’t be acing the test
no, i didn’t and don’t want him fired. but i’d like him to spend less time massaging egos and more time not bringing dan wheeler in against lefties, for example
Ben. I seem to remember your “might be the worst team in baseball” and “might lose 100 games” predictions for the Indians. I know I’m para-phrasing but you said it. You sticking with those predictions?
Ben. Why no news about the move the Tigers made? They sent down Rhymes and recalled Sizemore, who has been hitting over .400 in Toledo for the past month. Do you think this will breath life into an anemic tigers offense?
Good thing the twins stuck with Liriano
Removing Francisco Liriano from the rotation may not be the worst decision the last-place Twins could make, writes Chris Cwik of FanGraphs.
Hhahaahahah or not……….
FIRE GREG WALKER