American League Questions
With about 29 percent of the MLB season played, you’ve got to wonder about a few things. Let’s consider a few teams when it comes to the Junior Circuit.
New York Yankees: Was it really time to get rid of Joe Torre? How many pitches has he thrown since 2001? Isn’t Torre managing the Dodgers and aren’t they 24- 21 as opposed to the Yankees who are at 21- 25? Aren’t the Dodgers in second-place and aren’t the Yanks under new manager Joe Girardi in last place? Girardi was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year as he manned the helm for the Florida Marlins. But that was the Marlins. Mike Mussina may be 6- 4, but he’s showing that inconsistency that must drive everyone crazy but not crazy enough to jettison the guy. Andy Pettitte, who has a 4.42 ERA, is 3- 5. Then there’s run production by the Bronx Bombers. They’ve scored a mere 181 runs in 45 games. They’re 12th in run production and 11th in ERA in the AL.
Detroit Tigers: Okay, what did everyone miss? (Including me!) I guess we all thought that Kenny Rogers and Jeremy Bonderman would be two of their best starters. Well they are, but who would have thought that the leader in wins, Rogers, would be 3-4 with a 6.65 ERA and that the club’s ERA leader, Bonderman, would be toting a 4.76 ERA? Also, Justin Verlander has posted a dismal 2- 7 record and an ERA of 5.61. It does not help that so many of the Tiger pitchers are on the DL, including Dontrelle Willis, The club’s hitting is pretty good and Magglio Ordonez with a .310 BA, 7 HR, .373 OBP and .494 SLG has been impressive. The Detroit bullpen has notched just seven saves, tying them for last with in the majors with Atlanta.
Tampa Bay: Okay, everyone knew that they had young talent, but who knew that so much of that young talent would be so effective in 2008? The Rays are currently 27- 20 and second in the AL East. They have posted an impressive .242 BAA (third in AL) and a team ERA of 3.69 (fifth in AL). Their pitching staff is tied for fifth in saves with 14. On the other side of the plate, Tampa has posted a BA of .260 (sixth in AL) and scored 212 runs (fifth in AL). And then there’s the club’s fielding. The team by the bay in Florida has a .988 fielding percentage, which is second best in the league. The Rays have committed just 21 errors.
Will the Yankees surge as they usually do? Probably. They have the cash to get the guys to create a surge. But will they make the post season? I’m saying “no.” I think that Brian Cashman, the Yank’s longtime GM, has let the pitching situation flounder for too long.
What about the Tigers? Can they possibly make a run at the AL Central crown or the Wild Card? I think it’s all too tenuous for the Leland managed club. I feel badly because Leland is such a class act and the Tigers are a good team.
What about those Rays? I believe that they have a shot at the Wild Card. If New York can’t get it together and contend, then from where will the Wild Card come in 2008? Most likely, the AL East will as usual generate it. If the team does come from the East division, who could it be? Baltimore? I doubt it. Toronto? Maybe. But Tampa Bay, with its young maturing talent, may also be the club with the chops to take the Wild Card.
Stay tuned. There’s a lot of baseball left to play in 2008.
Tags: American League, detroit tigers, MLB, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays
