Re-ranking the six divisional races

[caulfield12]

Simply put, this is the White Sox division to lose. That’s somewhat incredible considering they have lost two of their best hitters in Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert to months-long injuries and Tony La Russa can’t seem to get out of his own way. But the South Siders have a supremely talented roster and are now the overwhelming favorites to seize the Central title. FanGraphs puts their odds of that division title at 71.8% as of this writing -- the highest division odds of any team in baseball by far.

This is because the Twins have been, just, really, shockingly bad. A lot of that is related to injuries, but a disastrous bullpen hasn’t helped, either. Perhaps there’s a Minnesota Miracle in the offing, but, until or unless that happens, a good deal of air has been taken out of the Central balloon. The saving graces are the Royals’ awesome April and a plucky Cleveland team that keeps winning behind good pitching. But the Royals faded in May and the Tribe just lost Franmil Reyes and Zach Plesac to injury (the latter fractured his thumb while “aggressively ripping off his shirt,” which has happened to all of us at one point or another).

So, we repeat: It’s the White Sox division to lose.

https://www.mlb.com/news/ranking-2021-mlb-division-races-at-memorial-day?partnerId=zh-20210527-156906-MLB&qid=1026&bt_ee=Su%2BL6O86vi2Q%2Fe6z8NoBf2muDrpEEwx%2BphzL%2BB9cbgT1fBfnFzufoHsTyjh4yMD%2F&bt_ts=1622115498276

 

[35thstreetswarm]

White Sox may not see a clearer path to the playoffs in their window.  Let's get our horses back and make a run at this thing, shall we?

[Jerksticks]

I’ve always been an intangibles guy but since this offseason it’s just been so obvious that our WAR totals are going to dwarf most other teams’.  When you have one of the top players in the league at almost every position 1-26,27,28 etc….you’re going to beat everybody.  

That’s why it’s so dumb to get mad when we lose games   The talent is just ridiculous here.   Anybody who’s getting all pissy every time we lose or TLR does something, just go look at any other roster.  I beg you to go try to find a team you’d rather trade places with.   You can’t.  And if you can, it’s one of the other top teams.

We’re a top team.  Tip top.

 

 

[KrankinSox]

3 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Simply put, this is the White Sox division to lose. That’s somewhat incredible considering they have lost two of their best hitters in Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert to months-long injuries and Tony La Russa can’t seem to get out of his own way. But the South Siders have a supremely talented roster and are now the overwhelming favorites to seize the Central title. FanGraphs puts their odds of that division title at 71.8% as of this writing -- the highest division odds of any team in baseball by far.

This is because the Twins have been, just, really, shockingly bad. A lot of that is related to injuries, but a disastrous bullpen hasn’t helped, either. Perhaps there’s a Minnesota Miracle in the offing, but, until or unless that happens, a good deal of air has been taken out of the Central balloon. The saving graces are the Royals’ awesome April and a plucky Cleveland team that keeps winning behind good pitching. But the Royals faded in May and the Tribe just lost Franmil Reyes and Zach Plesac to injury (the latter fractured his thumb while “aggressively ripping off his shirt,” which has happened to all of us at one point or another).

So, we repeat: It’s the White Sox division to lose.

https://www.mlb.com/news/ranking-2021-mlb-division-races-at-memorial-day?partnerId=zh-20210527-156906-MLB&qid=1026&bt_ee=Su%2BL6O86vi2Q%2Fe6z8NoBf2muDrpEEwx%2BphzL%2BB9cbgT1fBfnFzufoHsTyjh4yMD%2F&bt_ts=1622115498276

 

Sox will win the division. Cleveland is a pain in the ass and has a really good manager and bullpen which is keeping them in it, but I expect them to fade a bit.  Their offense is just so piss poor and now with Reyes and Plesac out, injuries will catch up to them. Huge step would be to take 3 of 4 next week and assert ourselves as the top dog and not look back.

Sox schedule is pretty favorable from now until the All-Star break. Create some breathing room, get healthy, add some help at the deadline, and kick it into full gear in August/September. Believe in the talent.

[Dam8610]

All of this is happening with not one but two potential MVP candidates out for the season, or most of it. Can you imagine what this team will look like with a healthy Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert?

[Jerksticks]

7 hours ago, Dam8610 said:

All of this is happening with not one but two potential MVP candidates out for the season, or most of it. Can you imagine what this team will look like with a healthy Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert?

It’s insane.  And the talent in the minors is going to be stronger than most think this season.  Breakout city.  We’re beyond stocked.  It’s almost unfair. 

[caulfield12]

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-power-rankings-after-week-8?partnerId=zh-20210601-416244-MLB-1-A&qid&utm_id=zh-20210601-416244-MLB-1-A&bt_ee=m9oogvjyq45cSE%2B57g%2BMen24MG7RJYzp3ccJ8Jv6bWAHQ8KUC13nT3cYkfYdsvWZ&bt_ts=1622560409053
 

New power ranking out...Sox 3rd.

Rays ascending, winners of 16/17.

Red Sox right there, but will soon experience a brutal stretch in their schedule.

Are Yankees still the #1 threat to the Sox, the Rays (defending champs) or is it actually TLR? 
 

3. White Sox (3)
The White Sox run differential of +80 is impressive enough on its own, but considering they’re the only team in their division with a positive number in that category, it’s fair to wonder if the American League Central race will be a race at all.

It’s not just the offense that is humming -- prior to their doubleheader with Cleveland on Monday, Chicago starters produced a 2.24 ERA over an 11-game stretch, allowing one earned run or fewer nine times.

Edited June 1, 2021 by caulfield12