It's False
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|  #1 Posted on 11.7.10 2201.57
Reposted on: 11.7.17 2202.04 | And these are the standings at the halfway point of 2010:
AL EAST
NEW YORK 56-32 -
TAMPA BAY 54-34 -- 2 GB
BOSTON 51-37 -- 5 GB
TORONTO 44-45 -- 12.5 GB
BALTIMORE 29-59 -- 27 GB
Ok, so the Yankees are winning the division. That's nothing new. So now it's just a matter of who's joining them in October. As long as the Rays stay healthy, they should be ok. And as for the Red Sox...well, they're what the Mets were a year ago: the walking wounded. I'm staggered that the Orioles are actually doing WORSE than they were a year ago.
AL CENTRAL
CHICAGO 49-38 -
DETROIT 48-38 -- .5 GB
MINNESOTA 46-42 -- 3.5 GB
KANSAS CITY 39-49 -- 10.5 GB
CLEVELAND 34-54 -- 15.5 GB
I actually expected the White Sox to be imploding right about now, but here they are in first place. And to think that Paul Konerko was on the trading block just a short time ago. It's a close division, but is it ever safe to bet against the Twins anymore? Making up a 3.5 game deficit should come easy to these guys by now. Can't wait for them to make their annual first-round exit.
AL WEST
TEXAS 50-38 -
LOS ANGELES OF ANAHEIM 47-44 -- 4.5 GB
OAKLAND 43-46 -- 7.5 GB
SEATTLE 35-53 -- 15 GB
I knew Texas was going to be good, but I didn't think they'd already have 50 wins by the break. Adding Cliff Lee will also make them incredibly dangerous in October, even if his ERA in Arlington is awful. The Rangers don't need him to win in Texas, they need him to win in the Bronx. As for the Angels, well...nothing says "It's not your year" like having your number one guy go down for the season while celebrating a walk-off home run. And frankly, I really don't want to talk about Vlad Guerrero's MVP-caliber season, because it'll just make me want to punch a hole through the wall. And between the Matsui signing, Scott Kazmir's season (I KNEW there was a reason Tampa let him go so easily), and Bill Stoneman's refusal to trade for a bigger bat or an ace pitcher, my wall has enough holes in it, thank you very much.
One last thing, what the hell happened to Seattle? This is the second straight year that they've gone into the season as the heavy favorites to win the AL West and both years they've bombed spectacularly. Why hasn't anyone on this team been fired yet? I mean, when a team goes in with such high expectations and it turns into a disaster movie TWICE, I mean...at what point does the GM hang for this?
NL EAST
ATLANTA 52-36 -
NEW YORK 48-40 -- 4 GB
PHILADELPHIA 47-40 -- 4.5 GB
FLORIDA 42-46 -- 10 GB
WASHINGTON 39-50 -- 13.5 GB
One of the more unexplainable phenomena from this season is that seemingly-long stretch where Philly had that major power outage. An offense this stacked should not have had that much trouble scoring runs. Philly should be running away from this division easily, but they've put themselves in a hole and are staring at the possibility of missing the playoffs entirely. I don't expect that to happen, because we're just a few months away from the annual New York Mets meltdown.
NL CENTRAL
CINCINNATI 49-41 -
ST. LOUIS 47-41 -- 1 GB
MILWAUKEE 40-49 -- 8.5 GB
CHICAGO 39-50 -- 9.5 GB
HOUSTON 36-53 -- 12.5 GB
PITTSBURGH 30-58 -- 18 GB
If you had told me six months ago that the White Sox would go into the break with the division lead and the Cubs would completely implode from within, I'd have never believed it. Carlos Zambrano is now the worst contract in baseball, by a far margin. Speaking of things I wouldn't believe, I'd have never guessed the Reds would be leading the division and WITHOUT Aroldis Chapman as a key contributor. I don't know where Joey Votto came from, but this guy's been taking the league by storm and unless Albert Pujols has a hell of a second half, I don't get how you wouldn't name Votto MVP.
NL WEST
SAN DIEGO 51-37 -
LOS ANGELES 49-39 -- 2 GB
COLORADO 49-39 -- 2 GB
SAN FRANCISCO 47-41 -- 4 GB
ARIZONA 34-55 -- 17.5 GB
And the surprises keep on coming. I had the Padres penciled in for last place and thought we'd be getting the Adrian Gonzales trade rumors by now. I never would have guessed that Ubaldo-mania would be running wild. And I didn't think the top four teams would be separated by a mere four games. The second half is going to be a lot of fun and I don't have the faintest idea as to who will come out on top. At the very least, we know who's coming at the bottom. Thanks for showing up, Arizona. Please don't send Dan Haren to the Bronx.
It still feels like the Yankees in the World Series is a foregone conclusion at this point, regardless of whether they pull off any moves. Guessing who goes in from the National League is going to be the harder task, because if the playoffs started today, you'd have three teams that weren't in it last year and the Mets are a few games away from making it a foursome. Can't wait to see what the second half has in store. | Promote this thread! |             | JayJayDean
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| #2 Posted on 12.7.10 1056.59
Reposted on: 12.7.17 1057.39 | Originally posted by It's False
One last thing, what the hell happened to Seattle?
Their offense stinks and their "pitching and defense" formula has been undone by some injuries and the fact that their bullpen isn't very good. Also, they re-signed Ken Griffey Jr. because upper management told them to, and he hit .184 with no HRs as the DH.
This is the second straight year that they've gone into the season as the heavy favorites to win the AL West and both years they've bombed spectacularly.
I'm 100% sure that coming off a 61-101 season in 2008, the Mariners were anything but "heavy favorites to win the AL West" in 2009. They weren't "heavy favorites" to win in 2010, either, except by people who went "Felix and Cliff Lee?!?! Those guys will win 50 games together." Most folks had the AL West as wide open and plenty of people had the M's third in the division. (Which they aren't close to, but that's not the point.)
Why hasn't anyone on this team been fired yet? I mean, when a team goes in with such high expectations and it turns into a disaster movie TWICE, I mean...at what point does the GM hang for this?
Because they just fired the GM is 2008. And the team the new guys put together last year won 85 games, which almost elevated Jack Z to Mike Holmgren-he-can-do-no-wrong status here.
He's been rightfully slammed for his awful 2009 off-season, though, and they (he and Don Wakamatsu) might be in trouble if they don't turn it around next year.
(edited by JayJayDean on 12.7.10 0857) | JimBob Skeeter
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| #3 Posted on 12.7.10 1125.42
Reposted on: 12.7.17 1125.45 | Originally posted by It's False
AL CENTRAL
CHICAGO 49-38 -
DETROIT 48-38 -- .5 GB
MINNESOTA 46-42 -- 3.5 GB
KANSAS CITY 39-49 -- 10.5 GB
CLEVELAND 34-54 -- 15.5 GB
I actually expected the White Sox to be imploding right about now, but here they are in first place. And to think that Paul Konerko was on the trading block just a short time ago. It's a close division, but is it ever safe to bet against the Twins anymore? Making up a 3.5 game deficit should come easy to these guys by now. Can't wait for them to make their annual first-round exit.
I am a die-hard Twins fan of many years. This team, like MANY years, started with so much build-up, only to fall apart mid-stream like every other year. I don't see how we make the first round when three of our starting pitchers, (Baker, Slowey & Blackburn) are so intermittent on their starts. Also, with Crain and Mijares as their back-ups? Granted, two months ago, every time they mentioned C&M, I just cringed and my lifes breath got sucked out of me. Something has happened in the past month that I got just "EH" when they're called out by Gardy.
Also, WTF is up with the grounding into double plays?!?!?!? Mauer signs his baby jesus deal and hits into the most double plays ever. Morneau gets a concussion and thankfully now has a couple of days to just sit and recoupe, (hopefully).
But then, just like every other year, after the all-star break they get their shit together and string us along until the playoffs, making Ozzie's life hell. | spf
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| #4 Posted on 12.7.10 1140.53
Reposted on: 12.7.17 1140.53 | Originally posted by JimBob Skeeter
Originally posted by It's False
AL CENTRAL
CHICAGO 49-38 -
DETROIT 48-38 -- .5 GB
MINNESOTA 46-42 -- 3.5 GB
KANSAS CITY 39-49 -- 10.5 GB
CLEVELAND 34-54 -- 15.5 GB
I actually expected the White Sox to be imploding right about now, but here they are in first place. And to think that Paul Konerko was on the trading block just a short time ago. It's a close division, but is it ever safe to bet against the Twins anymore? Making up a 3.5 game deficit should come easy to these guys by now. Can't wait for them to make their annual first-round exit.
I am a die-hard Twins fan of many years. This team, like MANY years, started with so much build-up, only to fall apart mid-stream like every other year. I don't see how we make the first round when three of our starting pitchers, (Baker, Slowey & Blackburn) are so intermittent on their starts. Also, with Crain and Mijares as their back-ups? Granted, two months ago, every time they mentioned C&M, I just cringed and my lifes breath got sucked out of me. Something has happened in the past month that I got just "EH" when they're called out by Gardy.
Also, WTF is up with the grounding into double plays?!?!?!? Mauer signs his baby jesus deal and hits into the most double plays ever. Morneau gets a concussion and thankfully now has a couple of days to just sit and recoupe, (hopefully).
But then, just like every other year, after the all-star break they get their shit together and string us along until the playoffs, making Ozzie's life hell.
As a White Sox fan, I am looking forward to our annual depantsing right after the ASB when the Sox go up to MIN and get swept by a combined score of like 34-7. Worst part about the Sox run is it makes people think they're not awful, so when they implode against real teams in the next month it will be too late to trade people. | Reverend J Shaft
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| #5 Posted on 12.7.10 1145.18
Reposted on: 12.7.17 1145.54 | Originally posted by spf
As a White Sox fan, I am looking forward to our annual depantsing right after the ASB when the Sox go up to MIN and get swept by a combined score of like 34-7. Worst part about the Sox run is it makes people think they're not awful, so when they implode against real teams in the next month it will be too late to trade people.
As a Tigers fan, I am looking forward to a depantsing by the Twins as well... we'll just wait until Game 162 (2006) or Game 163 (2009) to do so. Directly (getting beat by the Twins) or indirectly (getting swept by the Royals), whichever they prefer.
(edited by Reverend J Shaft on 12.7.10 1246) | JimBob Skeeter
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| #6 Posted on 12.7.10 1424.17
Reposted on: 12.7.17 1424.17 | | There is also our schedule after the break which of the first 17 games, 14 of them are against teams who are below .500, so we've got THAT going for us, too. | redsoxnation
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| #7 Posted on 12.7.10 2121.55
Reposted on: 12.7.17 2122.04 | Red Sox: With the schedule coming out of the break, I don't know if they can keep things together until the injured start returning. And even if everyone was somewhat healthy, they'd still need a Xavier Nady type right handed bat.
Rays: They've run hot and cold. When they are good, they are the best team in baseball. When they are bad, they are the Pirates. Have a lot of games with the Orioles still on the schedule.
AL Central: Depends who makes the big move. Thought the Twins might get Lee. At some point, the loss of Nathan is going to hurt the Twins in a big spot. Tigers have shown a history of spitting the bit under Leyland in September, and God knows what the White Sox do depending on Ozzie's mood.
AL West: Did the sweep by the Orioles signal the traditional Rangers summer swoon? Can't get a read on the Angels, as every time they look like they are returning to form, they fall back.
NL East: Can't see the Mets pitching holding up. Have to think eventually the Phillies offense propels them to at least the wild card. Braves rotation should keep them in first.
NL Central: Pinella has a shelf life, and it expired a few years ago. Dusty will burn out his starters and Arthur Rhodes will pitch to his refugee of the old Baltimore bullpen form in a big spot. Cardinals should cruise to the division.
NL West: Rockies might fly by everyone. Dodgers won't add anyone. Can't see the Padres holding on or the Giants making a run without getting at least 1 bat each. | graves9
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| #8 Posted on 14.7.10 1028.42
Reposted on: 14.7.17 1029.01 | I can see my Metsies being in it til the end but Jerry Manuel's historically bad in game managing will be the teams downfall. He has already lost 6-7 games almost on his own. Red Sox having all these injuries and still being in it shows you how bad the Mets depth was last year. Not that it's much better this year. Mets have a good schedule in the second half but are pretty damn bad both on the road and against bad teams not named The Indians or Orioles. Beltran coming back and Failcouer going to the bench helps. Mets have done another hideous job handling Reyes' oblique injury. Hopefully he can stay healthy. Pagan too.
(edited by graves9 on 14.7.10 1029)
(edited by graves9 on 14.7.10 1030)
(edited by graves9 on 14.7.10 1032) | | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
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