AL Central

[Frayed Knot]

Didn't want to totally ignore the semi-race in the AL Central (even though most people do).

The Twinkies have a solid 6-game lead over the ChiSox and the biggest deal might be watching them stay not just on top of their division but put up the 3rd highest number of wins in all baseball while surviving the year-long loss of closer Joe Nathan and the half-season loss of Justin Morneau (hasn't played since July 7th - concussion).
A big chunk of the Morneau slack has been taken up by the resurgence of Jim Thome. In what seemed like just an expensive PH pick-up in the pre-season from Chicago, Thome, who turned 40 y/o a few weeks back, has 300+ PAs and is at or near his career averages at BA, OBA & SLG. His 23 HRs shoved him past Palmiero, Killebrew, McGwire, and Frank Robinson up to 8th on the all-time list and put him to within 13 of becoming the 8th member of the 600 club. His 12th inning HR on Saturday was the only run in Minnesota's 1-0 win.

Twins & White Sox have once last three-game series left starting Tuesday in Chicago.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Morneau and Nathan are good players, but both are over-rated. Indeed, most top closers are. I'm just disappionted they went to Jon Rauch as a full-time closer instead of throwing some glory work to the excellent support staffers like Guerrrier and Duensing.

[Frayed Knot]

A sweep for the Twins over the ChiSox puts this 'race' into the dead letter office as the Twinkies are now up by 9 full games.

- Twins now have the best record in the majors since the ASG: 42-16 vs their first half of 46-42. They're also tied with the Yanx and half-game behind Tampa for the AL's best record. Mmmmmm, home games in Minneapolis in November.

- Carl Pavano won his 17th last night

- Manny is hitting .293 (12 for 41) since going to the Sox with a .463 OBA. But in those hits is Not One XBH and Not One RBI
$4mil for a partial season rent-a-player just doesn't buy as much as it used to.

Morneau and Nathan are good players, but both are over-rated. Indeed, most top closers are. I'm just disappionted they went to Jon Rauch as a full-time closer instead of throwing some glory work to the excellent support staffers like Guerrrier and Duensing.

Morneau -- I know replacing 1st basemen is easier than just about anywhere else, but take 350 PAs of .345/.437/.618 out of any lineup and that's going to be a downer on your run production
Nathan -- He hasn't just been good over the last few years, he's been tops in the league good (65-70 appearances, sub-2.00 ERAs, sub-1.00 WHiPs) or at least until he fell apart each October when facing the Yanx

[Guest Edgy DC]

Frayed Knot wrote: Morneau -- I know replacing 1st basemen is easier than just about anywhere else, but take 350 PAs of .345/.437/.618 out of any lineup and that's going to be a downer on your run production.

He has indeed been excellent in his half season this year, but that's not really the guy I'm thinking of, but rather the .280 / .359 / .501 // .860 guy he had been up until this year.

My point is only that the Twinks are a good, deep team.

[Frayed Knot]

Twins clinch Central becoming the first team to sew up a division this year. It's their 6th AL Central title in the last 9 years.

Now all they have to concentrate on is AL's best record (they're 1 game behind NYY) and keeping their guys on the field.
Morneau still hasn't played and now Mauer is out for "4-to-5 days" (knee inflammation) while the words 'cortisone shot' get tossed around.