Predictions for the 2nd half?

danks stays good

floyd falls apart

dye win AL mvp

bullpen doesnt hold up (middle relief)

sox win divison by 3 games

lose in ALCS in 6 to boston

AL Central: Twins, White Sox confound predictions

Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune

Michael Cuddyer and the MInnesota Twins are in hot pursuit of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central Division.

The Tigers and Indians were supposed to pull away from the pack, but the surprising White Sox and Twins are in the lead.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: July 16, 2008 - 10:29 PM


The American League Central was supposed to be a two-team sprint: Tigers vs. Indians. ¶ But as baseball returns from the All-Star break, it's shaping up as a three-team survival test, with the surprising White Sox and Twins trying to fend off a Tigers team slowly climbing back from a hellish 0-7 start. ¶ Detroit returns to action tonight at Baltimore. The Twins will hold a light workout tonight, but they don't play until Friday, at home against Texas. ¶ Baseball is entering the "second half," but the season is actually 60 percent finished. For a closer look at what to expect over the final 10 1/2 weeks, turn to C5. White Sox (54-40)
What we've learned: GM Kenny Williams isn't perfect, but when he gets it right, look out.

Why they can win it: Gavin Floyd and John Danks are for real, Jose Contreras has risen from the ashes, and the starting pitching staff leads the division with a 3.87 ERA. The bullpen, woeful in 2006 and 2007, leads the AL with a 2.87 ERA, and closer Bobby Jenks is returning from a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury.

Why they could stumble: Paul Konerko and Jim Thome are showing signs of age. The White Sox average 5.8 runs per game at home, and 4.2 runs on the road. All seven of their remaining games with the Twins are at the Metrodome.

Bold prediction: All-Star left fielder Carlos Quentin will come back to Earth, but Jermaine Dye will continue carrying this team.

The pressure's on: manager Ozzie Guillen. Williams loves to deal, but the payroll is over budget, and he has limited prospects to offer. So it's up to the ever-volatile Guillen to maximize this roster's potential.

Twins (53-42, 1 1/2 GB)
What we've learned: They can contend even without Johan Santana and Torii Hunter.

Why they can win it: A big strength is their speed, and speed doesn't slump. Also, they've received only six home runs and 71 RBI combined from corner outfielders Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer. If those two righthanded hitters get hot -- or, in Cuddyer's case, get healthy -- the lineup will have better balance.

Why they could stumble: Alexi Casilla, Brian Buscher and Denard Span have exceeded expectations, but their track records offer no guarantee for sustained success. Also, from Aug. 21 through Sept. 21, the Twins play 24 of 30 games on the road.

Bold prediction: They won't make an impact trade. Some suggest trading Livan Hernandez to make room for Francisco Liriano, who has been dominant at Class AAA. But what happens if one of the young starters -- Glen Perkins, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey or Liriano -- hits a late-season wall?

The pressure's on: The bullpen trio of Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain and Brian Bass. The Twins are 42-4 when leading after seven innings, but it's been dicey getting through the eighth with setup man Pat Neshek injured.

Tigers (47-47, 7 GB)
What we've learned: A team with aging stars can look unbeatable on paper and still be rotten.

Why they can win it: Magglio Ordonez and Brandon Inge are back from their oblique injuries. Also, the schedule is favorable. They are done traveling to the West Coast, where they've struggled, done facing Boston and have only one makeup game against the Yankees.

Why they could stumble: Forget the preseason hype. Dontrelle Willis and Edgar Renteria are shadows of their former selves, and a shoulder injury has plagued Gary Sheffield. Marcus Thames had a torrid June but is batting .216 in July.

Bold prediction: GM Dave Dombrowski will make a trade to bolster his pitching staff or inject life at shortstop. This team has too much invested not to go all-in, but this will only further deplete the farm system.

The pressure's on: Miguel Cabrera. He's had enough time to get comfortable, and it's time for him to justify the blockbuster trade Detroit made to get him, as well as his new $152 million contract.

Royals (43-53, 12 GB)
What we've learned: This team is improved, but in Kansas City, that's a relative term.

Why they can win it: It won't happen this year or next year, but if the Royals maintain this slow, steady climb, they might be a factor by 2010. Potential championship pieces appear to include Joakim Soria, Alex Gordon, Zack Greinke, Luke Hochevar, David DeJesus, Jose Guillen (who overcame a slow start) and Gil Meche (though not as the ace).

Why they could stumble: The offense is so bad, it's demoralizing, and this has stunted the Royals' growth.

Bold prediction: The roller-coaster ride will continue. In the first half, the Royals went 13-5 in interleague play but also managed another 12-game losing streak. A division foe that catches Kansas City on a hot streak could come away very frustrated.

The pressure's on: Billy Butler. He looked like an offensive force when the Twins faced him in April, but he lost his confidence and got shipped to Class AAA. He came back saying he hoped to be a better teammate, and at age 22, there's still time to prove he belongs.

Indians (41-53, 13 GB)
What we've learned: We should never make another prediction after picking this team first in spring training.

Why they can win it: Trading CC Sabathia to Milwaukee signaled a 2008 surrender, so let's address this category for 2009. In August, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner will return from the DL, and important evaluations will be made about this lineup's future.

Why they could stumble: Again, focusing on the rebuilding project, let's assume Fausto Carmona returns from his hip injury and regains his dominant form. Carmona and Cliff Lee offer a solid 1-2 punch, but Jake Westbrook had Tommy John elbow surgery and might not be a factor again until 2010.

Bold prediction: The Indians will continue their free-fall, leaving some to speculate about manager Eric Wedge's future. But it's not his fault. Injuries have killed this team's chances, and based on his past success, he deserves a fresh start next year.

The pressure's on: Matt LaPorta. He was the centerpiece of the Sabathia trade, and all eyes will be on his continued development as a power hitter at Class AA, and at the Olympics. The way the Indians are configured with Hafner and Ryan Garko, they'd like to see LaPorta improve as a corner outfielder, too.

Joe Christensen jchristensen@startribune.com

I have some major concerns with the second half schedule. Besides a few games with Seattle and quite a few games with KC (who can jump up and bite us at any time)- we still have games with the Red Sox, Twins, Tigers, Indians, Yankees, O's, Angels, Blue Jays, Rangers and Rays. September is awfully tough and the rest of our games with the Twins are on the road.

It looks to me like the WS can be a top 3 AL team if they can win the division with that nasty schedule. No excuses- we have to play ‘em and earn the division.

Some cons:

While we have had a fun year thus far- the errors are going to cost us when we play a team as fundamentally sound as the Twins- especially on the road. Jose is starting to look like the pitcher that was lost and confused in 2007. Javier has struggled in the past month and will need to turn it around. PK is killing the middle of the lineup and if the team waits on him it might just cost us in the long run. The catchers are not doing a good enough job throwing runners out and that is going to kill us when teams with speed like the Rays, Angels and the Twins come calling.

Some pros:

The continued star power of the young guns has vast potential with the Cuban Missile and Q leading the way. JD and AJ staying healthy- reaching for some better numbers to fill the void left by PK. Swish making a move to 1st base if the team feels that PK can no longer get it done and/or spelling him late in games or when PK needs a day off. Thome continues to hit the ball the way that he can. Wise and Anderson providing some good talent with speed/defense off the bench or when there is a need for a start in center field. MB stepping up taking the ace roll that he is more than capable of filling and giving the WS 10 wins in the second half. Joe Crede staying healthy and getting his average to the .300 level. The bullpen doing what they were doing in the first half (even though we are past the first half).

While a lot to ask for- these are the pros that take teams to the promised land. Let’s just see some good baseball and here is to the hope that the team stays healthy.

Cabrera and Ramirez staying productive should help stabilize the offense. If Javie or Hernandez do not get it together after their long breaks maybe Masset can get a shot at 4th or 5th slot in the rotation.

Q is a gamer if he stays healthy the middle of lineup will be fine.

The Fat Kid is hopefully healthy and back to his best form or the bullpen might be in trouble.

Go Sox.

Contreras?

Bases loaded, no outs.

Konerko (infield fly)
Swish (strikeout)
Crede (flyout)

This team still can't get the big hit when they need it. And yes, i realize they are up 6 runs.

Green= most negative Sox fan ever


Great win tonight! Talk about a hitting clinic in the 1st inning! Good times. Lets sweep these guys.

As a White Sox fan, the lack of situational hitting doesn't concern you in the least?

I'll be at the game tonight

Every night is mullet night at the cell.

That's some funny stuff, Wrigley.

Yeah, but when we're up by 6 or 7 runs I tend to play it down.

Have fun at the game tonight.

I can't make this #### up

I'm concerned. Besides Buerhle and Danks, the rest of the staff is shaky. Floyd has been lit up his last two starts. Conteras is looking like he's going through his divorce again. Vasquez's ERA is working toward 5. We need another starter. Minnesota's young pitching is getting better and they still have Liriano in the wings. The Sox need to go back to the lineup they had while Konerko was on the DL. Swisher at 1B and Wise/Anderson in center improves oyu defensively and also gets a little speed in the lineup. I'm sick of hearing Konerko and Thome CAN be capable of helping score runs in bunches. Konerko has been awful for over a year and a half. Let him get an occasional start at 1B or DH. With a half game lead, we can't afford to give Konerko a month to try and work through this.

My prediction: Kenny gets us one more starter for the stretch run and we actually do win the division by a game. Contreras goes to long relief. Dye carries the team. First round loss in 4 games to the Red Sox (Angels will beat Rays in other ALDS)

Ozzie Guillen doesn't always have the first word, but he certainly has the last.
USA TODAY

As Texas closer C.J. Wilson learned on Friday, it's usually not a jab, either, but a full-blown knockout punch from the White Sox manager.

Following Sunday's 12-11 win over the Sox, the Texas closer claimed that Guillen's remarks from the dugout was what motivated him to finally end the Sox rally and hold onto the victory.

With the All-Star break to absorb what Wilson said, Guillen gave his side of the story before the game with the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.

"It's a funny thing about it," Guillen said of the incident to an MLB reporter. "I like people when they are good. I don't like people when they are (bad) and they are cocky. When you are good and cocky, that's fine with me. But when you aren't that good and you try to pretend like you are that good.

"He showed a couple of my players up, and I don't like that. He showed my dugout up in that inning and that's why I screamed at him. The only reason I was screaming is because he was not professional."

Guillen is no stranger to getting into it with different baseball personalities, with a list that includes Magglio Ordonez, Buck Showalter and Alex Rodriguez to name a few.

As far as Wilson was concerned, Guillen pointed out that the pitcher entered Friday with 22 saves but also a 5.01 ERA.

"I don't think he read my quote about 'whoever pitched in this game, he should be embarrassed,'" Guillen said, referring to his Sunday comments in which he criticized both pitching staffs. "I think that was one of the biggest reasons.

"When your closer comes up with a seven-run lead and you almost blow it, then look yourself in the mirror and then start talking."

All of a sudden, the Texas-Sox series starting Monday just got a bit more interesting.



Texas-Sox series should be a barn burner

How can a team have one of if not the best radio pair in MLB in Stone and Farmer, yet have two of the biggest goofs in the TV booth (Hawk and DJ). Konerko gets hit with a changeup and Dye with a slider and Hawk calls for one of their guys (Royals) to go down hard. Hawk, please go play some more golf. Being a homer is ok, but being a completely irrational fool isn't.

Well, looks like Ozzie got the message from Hawk. Carrasco's first pitch was inside which drew a warning from the ump. Next TV shot has Ozzie looking out to the mound and throwing down his cup and storming around the dugout.......could Carrasco be on the bus back to Charlotte after this game. We all know what happened to Tracey when he didn't hit the guy he was supposed to....

As stated above, SIT KONERKO DOWN!!!!!! 3-0 count, stare at two pitches down the middle and swing at a third pitch above your head. Way to get the runner over Paulie......and to think in the offseason the Angels would have given us Urban Santana for him.........way to pick him up Swish!

Contreras to the DL....looks like Masset might be moving to the rotation.

its ervin, and i thought it was howie kendrick?

its hard to watch those games sometimes.

Nice job rockin' the early 80s uni in the win yesterday. Two questions:
1) Did you have LaMarr Hoyt going yesterday?
2) Are you bringing back the shorts from the 70s? Then again, perhaps not.

Um, the Sox lost.

Sorry.

Glad the game was on WCIU tonight and I couldn't watch it.

The 10 game road trip is going to doom this team. They look like they are running on fumes

I'll be at the game tonight, this losing #### has to stop.

Is Linebrink hurt?

I'd like it to continue. Thanks.

It's inevitable at this point, Detroit is already back in it. 1 week of baseball and they within a game or two of the lead. It's going to happen, I'm surprised the White Sox held on this long.

If Detroit had Bonderman and the Dontrelle Willis that doesn't throw like Rick Ankiel the pitcher, I'd agree with you. But they don't have the starting pitching and will need some sort of incredible contributions from two of Galarraga, Miner, Willis, and Robertson to make the playoffs and Verlander and Rogers to be absolute slump busters. Either that or they will have to score 8 runs off teams with good pitching three of every five nights, not impossible but unlikely.

That was quite the pounding. Buehrle also pitched an awesome game.

Nice win and I second that great pitching from MB. Needed that one. Ohhh my let's get this game today as 10 on the road is going to be tough. We need the pitching to tighten it up NOW!

STILL ####### LOVE HIM

Game was awesome last night, great atmosphere. Sox pounded on Mendoza or whatever the F his name was.

Hit and Run was a great call by Ozzie in the 1st, really got the team going.

First time in a box, pretty nice up there. Except for the beer being warm in the refrigerator

All and all, great time. Going again in early August against the Sawx.

F'n elitist.

I beginning to hate this team.

konerko sucks
bullpen is falling apart
defense sucks


F it

WOW.

Quentin unbelivable, talk about coming out of nowhere.

Play didn't matter cause they gave up a homer, but alexi might make number 1 on web gems tonight.

Ozzie 1 CJ Wilson 0

Big win

Minny now 2 1/2 back and keeps Detroit 5 1/2 back.

They get a day off tomorrow and then starts the 10 game roader through the AL Central. Det for 3, Minny for 4 and KC for 3.

If they can get out that @ .500 or better, it will go a long way to winning the division.

The weekend in Detroit shapes up like this

Floyd v Robertson
Danks v Verlander
Vazquez v Miner

Taking 2 of 3 here is more than realisitic.

Turned on the game right as Quentin was squaring up that 3-run bomb.

Who are you?

Can't wait to watch the replay tonight

He's hitting .336 since May 1st.

I think only Holliday and Bradley have been better.

I have no idea which is harder to believe Q or the lousy defense! Can we start to think that Q is MVP of the AL? Also- Logan sucks. Kittens are looking tough.

WSCR radio in Chicago is reporting that the Sox are close to obtaining SP Justin Duchserer (SP?) form Oakland for minor league 3B Josh Fields and another SP prospect. I know the Score can be a bit quick and then retract, but if that's true, I wouldn't have trouble going for it. I know Crede will probably leave, then we don't have Fields either, but having another pitcher that can start or be in the pen (he's been an all-star in both facets) would be a great add. Thoughts on the chances?