Around the AL Central (6/2): Woes at the Top

[Ted Schwerzler]

After the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins were riding high last week, both came crashing back down to earth. The Cleveland Guardians are now second in the division, and the Detroit Tigers nearly swept the leaders in a five game set.

 

The Standings:

• Minnesota 30-23
• Cleveland 22-24
• Chicago 23-26
• Detroit 21-30
• Kansas City 16-33

Despite going just 5-5 over their last ten games, a three-game winning streak for the Guardians was enough to overtake second in a division trending downwards. Detroit has gone 7-3 in their last ten and looked like a better club than the division-leading Minnesota Twins. Only the NL East can join in the misery of having a single team with a winning record.

The Stories:
For Minnesota at the top, this week has been marred with injury and Covid. Losing Royce Lewis innings after his promotion and then watching Sonny Gray join him on the IL, it’s been a continued downfall. Add in a trio of players testing positive for Covid and it’s been an experiment to see who’s even available.

Chicago has had a mixed bag of emotions. They were manhandled north of the border by the Blue Jays, and lost star shortstop Tim Anderson to a groin injury. It does appear that they’ll be getting reinforcements soon, however, with Lance Lynn and Eloy Jimenez both out on rehab assignments. The hope for Tony La Russa’s club is that Anderson could be back before the end of the month. They’ll get a bit easier stretch at the end of the month, but the Dodgers come to town and will provide another tough test.

Jose Ramirez continues to be one of the best third basemen in baseball, and his production this year has kept the Guardians relevant. It’s a good thing they got a contract extension done because seeing him walk would’ve been a catastrophe. Cleveland needs pitching help and they’re looking at getting it in the form of star reliever James Karinchak. He’s begun a rehab assignment at Triple-A. Infielder Yu Chang was recently designated for assignment by the club and he ultimately dealt to the Pirates for cash considerations. Starter Aaron Civale was set to return from glute tightness, but he doesn’t seem ready when he’ll be eligible on June 6. There’s also no certain timetable for the return of Franmil Reyes.

It’s not as though Minnesota is a juggernaut of a division leader, but Detroit certainly reminded them of that this week. Detroit kept things light with Beau Brieske introducing a new pregame routine of throwing footballs amongst the pitching staff. More fun than that may be Riley Greene blasting his first homer of 2022, albeit at Triple-A. He’s now played in three games but was slated to open the year with Detroit. The Tigers could get added power to their lineup in short order. This may win up being among the best stretches A.J. Hinch’s team sees all season.

While Detroit and Cleveland took advantage this week, Kansas City slid further back. They are just 2-8 over their last ten and now own the worst record in baseball. Michael A. Taylor is nearing a return as he’s begun a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha, but it remains to be seen how his body reacts as he’s been out since May 19 with Covid. Catcher Cam Gallagher is also nearing a return, but how he fits remains a mystery as Salvador Perez and M.J. Melendez are both superior talents. Veteran Zack Greinke was placed on the injured list with a right flexor strain. It’s certainly not ideal seeing him dealing with forearm discomfort.

The Week Ahead:
This could be a defining week in the first half for the Twins. Licking their wounds from Detroit, they head across the border shorthanded to play the Blue Jays before returning home to face the Yankees. Against the top of the AL East, they’ll have their work cut out for them.

It doesn’t exactly get easier for the White Sox either. They continue the AL East tour heading to St. Petersburg for three with Tampa and then return home to face a very good Los Angeles Dodgers team. The top of the AL Central could look much different by this time next week.

Playing good baseball right now, Cleveland has to be excited about the prospects of a series with the Orioles, even if it’s on the road. They do get another beatable group in Texas and Oakland when they return home.

Although Detroit handled the Twins, they’ll have a tougher task in going to The Bronx over the weekend. If there’s a reprieve, it’s that they head to Pittsburgh from there with off days on both sides of that two-game set.

If the Royals weren’t already sick of taking their lumps, they’ll get rewarded by welcoming both Houston and Toronto to Kansas City.

What are you looking forward to this week? Can the Twins hang on? Who’s coming for them?

 

View full article

[Dman]

I don't know who said it first but unless the teams in the AL central start improving the division could be won with a losing record or a record very close to 500.  Hard to believe how every team in the central has has such tough injury luck and the young pitching for the Royals and Detroit delayed by injury.  Hopefully the Twins can find a way to play with the big boys of the East otherwise it looks like they about to get reeled in.

[Rosterman]

I'm looking forward to the return of Joe Ryan, and Correa. Also Winder and Alcala at some pooiint (although who will be gone). Can Buxton play regularly in centerfield and start hitting again? 

When will we see Alex Kirilloff, and will he be at first. Then what happens to Arraez?

And will Chi Chi no-hit Toronto?

[mikelink45]

This is a frightening time of year.  The last week against Detroit and KC we could have sewn everything up, but this is the MN Twins so the roller coaster keeps going. 

[Puckettsprintstofirst]

Find a way to go 3-6 over the next nine games.  Hope chicago and cleveland play under .500.  

Amazing that we are in front by 4.5 when considering where we'd be in any other division.

[rwilfong86]

5 hours ago, Dman said:

I don't know who said it first but unless the teams in the AL central start improving the division could be won with a losing record or a record very close to 500.  Hard to believe how every team in the central has has such tough injury luck and the young pitching for the Royals and Detroit delayed by injury.  Hopefully the Twins can find a way to play with the big boys of the East otherwise it looks like they about to get reeled in.

I found it amazing that a team that went 3-7 over 10 games didn't lose any ground in a division race. You're right, 81-85 wins may win this division.

[Dman]

2 hours ago, rwilfong86 said:

I found it amazing that a team that went 3-7 over 10 games didn't lose any ground in a division race. You're right, 81-85 wins may win this division.

To be honest I think I was sneering at the person who mentioned a losing record might win it as I thought the White Sox would at least be somewhat dominant.  It seemed like the central might be an ascending division with Detroit and KC ready to debut their latest prospects and looked to have better pitching.  The Indians seemed like if they could find some offense would be challenging.  The Twins had a lot of wild cards coming into the season but I thought they could probably compete in the division.  I just never thought the entire division could be this bad though.  Usually one team is dominant. Still a lot of season left but things don't look that great again for the central.

[rwilfong86]

9 minutes ago, Dman said:

To be honest I think I was sneering at the person who mentioned a losing record might win it as I thought the White Sox would at least be somewhat dominant.  It seemed like the central might be an ascending division with Detroit and KC ready to debut their latest prospects and looked to have better pitching.  The Indians seemed like if they could find some offense would be challenging.  The Twins had a lot of wild cards coming into the season but I thought they could probably compete in the division.  I just never thought the entire division could be this bad though.  Usually one team is dominant. Still a lot of season left but things don't look that great again for the central.

Cleveland is currently in 2nd and winning right now, if we lose and they win the lead is 3.5 games I believe. They've got the pitching to contend but to your point, their hitting has to pick up. 

[Game7-91]

3 hours ago, Dman said:

just never thought the entire division could be this bad though.

Agree. CBA kicks in a more balanced schedule next season , which is a good thing imho. I was disappointed though that no consideration given to a two division league. With expanded playoffs one division winner has to play WC round, so having a 3rd division is superflous. 2 dvision winners and 4 wc's make more sense, as long as schedules are more balanced.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

In spite of that crapulous 5-game series in the Motor City, after taking the first  game from the Jays this club is on a 93-win pace.  If the club gets healthy, there is good reason to believe they can build on that.