Just to recap the last 44 games....

 

Sox 21-23

Det 22-22

 

Exciting s*** in that ole AL Central.

 

Exciting? I guess, but these wild swings in performance really suck to watch. We need to get on a bit of a run here to finish the year and win the division.

Not pointing at anyone specific but just the general thought, why is it so bad that we are in the AL central?

 

If we were in the east, we would have been eliminated a couple weeks ago, being where we are allows to enjoy baseball right now. Sit back and relax to enjoy the ride, to whatever end.

 

There are ten games left in the season, and we are in first. Who woulda thought.

Neither team is playing like they want the division. It all comes down to this week. The Sox need to take care of business against Cleveland and hold their own against Tampa. The Sox cannot worry about what the Tigers do, but every loss by the Tigers reduces that magic number. It's up to us as the fans to scoreboard watch. Hopefully the bats wake up for the Sox. They looked dead in LA.

Exciting? I guess, but these wild swings in performance really suck to watch. We need to get on a bit of a run here to finish the year and win the division.

 

You couldn't tell I was being facetious? This division and race are a joke. It's an absolute joke to baseball the Sox or Tigers are taking a playoff spot with the 7th best record in the league, especially with the new format.

AL Central is easily the weakest division in baseball. But hey somebody has to win it and hope that it is us. Just get hot here at the end. I do believe that we are better than the Tiggs this year because of their horrible defense.

here is an odd question. Historically, how have teams(division winners) fared that have entered the playoffs with the worst record?

 

It always seems like the best season record team seems to get bounced(not always i guess, but somewhat frequently) due to the team expending all of their energy in season

here is an odd question. Historically, how have teams(division winners) fared that have entered the playoffs with the worst record?

 

2011 Arizona (94 wins) Lost DS 3-2 vs Milwaukee

2010 Texas (90) Lost in WS 4-1 vs San Francisco

2009 Minnesota (87) Lost DS 3-0 vs NY Yankees

2008 LA Dodgers (84) Lost CS 4-1 vs Philadelphia

2007 Cubs (85) Lost in DS 3-0 vs Arizona

2006 St. Louis (83) Won WS 4-1 vs Detroit

2005 San Diego (82) Lost DS 3-0 vs St. Louis

2004 Minnesota (91) Lost DS 3-1 vs NY Yankees

2003 Cubs (88) Lost CS 4-3 vs Florida

2002 Minnesota (94) Lost CS 4-1 vs Anaheim

Edited September 24, 201213 yr by HickoryHuskers

here is an odd question. Historically, how have teams(division winners) fared that have entered the playoffs with the worst record?

 

It always seems like the best season record team seems to get bounced(not always i guess, but somewhat frequently) due to the team expending all of their energy in season

 

Since 2001 (worst division winners)- teams with win totals in the 80's in bold:

 

01 Cle (91 wins)- Lost ALDS

01 Arz (92)- Won World Series

02 Min (94) - Lost ALCS

02 Stl (97) - Lost NLCS

03 Min (90) - Lost ALDS

03 Cubs (88) - Lost NLCS

04 Min/LAA (92) - Both lost ALDS

04 LAD (93) Lost NLDS

05 NY/LAA (95) - you know

05 SD (82) - Lost NLDS

06 Oak (93) - Lost ALCS

06 StL (83) - Won World Series

07 LAA (94) - Lost ALDS

07 Cubs (85) -Lost NLDS

08 Sox (89) - Lost ALDS

08 LAD (84) - Lost NLCS

09 Min (87) - Lost ALDS

09 StL (91) - Lost NLDS

10 Tex (90) - Lost World Series

10 Cin (91) - Lost NLDS

11 Det (95) - Lost ALCS

11 Arz (94) - Lost NLDS

 

12 out of 22 worst division winners lose in the first round.

7 more lose in the CS

1 lost the WS

2 won the WS

Edited September 24, 201213 yr by flavum

2011 Arizona (94 wins) Lost DS 3-2 vs Milwaukee

2010 Texas (90) Lost in WS 4-1 vs San Francisco

2009 Minnesota (87) Lost DS 3-0 vs NY Yankees

2008 LA Dodgers (84) Lost CS 4-1 vs Philadelphia

2007 Cubs (85) Lost in DS 3-0 vs Arizona

2006 St. Louis (83) Won WS 4-1 vs Detroit

2005 San Diego (82) Lost DS 3-0 vs St. Louis

2004 Minnesota (91) Lost DS 3-1 vs NY Yankees

2003 Cubs (88) Lost CS 4-3 vs Florida

2002 Minnesota (94) Lost CS 4-1 vs Anaheim

 

Very interesting. 2 world series(one win), 3 championship series, 5 Divisional series exits. baseball is indeed a funny game

Very interesting. 2 world series(one win), 3 championship series, 5 Divisional series exits. baseball is indeed a funny game

 

A big part of the quirk in baseball is that there is such a change in personnel usage from regular season to postseason. In the regular season, the #5 starter and backup catcher each play in about 20% of the games. In the postseason, they play very little if at all.

Let's use this to track the final 54 games for each team, taking strength of schedule in consideration.

 

Sox

vs KC 1-1 (0-2) -1

vs Oak 2-1

at Tor 2-2

at KC 2-1

vs NY 2-1

vs Sea 2-1

at Bal 2-2

at Det 1-2

vs Min 2-1

vs KC 2-1

vs Det 2-2

at Min 2-1

at KC 2-1

at LAA 1-2

vs Cle 2-1

vs TB 2-2

at Cle 2-1

 

Tigers

vs NY 2-2 (2-2) E

at Tex 1-2

at Min 2-1

vs Bal 2-1

vs Tor 2-1

vs LAA 2-1

at KC 2-1

vs Chi 2-1

vs Cle 2-1

at LAA 1-2

at Chi 2-2

at Cle 2-1

vs Oak 2-1

vs Min 2-1

vs KC 3-1

at Min 2-1

at KC 2-1

 

This thread can probably be updated to the 'Road to 85 wins'.

 

History has indicated that all you need to do is GET IN THE PLAYOFFS. From there, anything is possible!

Leaning left? Ventura wouldn't confirm that Jake Peavy's next start will be moved from Wednesday to Thursday against the Rays, but all signs point to such a move.

 

Before Monday's game, left-hander Hector Santiago said he was available in the bullpen but had been told to prepare in case he's needed to start Wednesday.

 

That would make sense because Santiago has limited left-handers to a .220 average and one home run in 91 at-bats. The Indians were batting .225 against left-handers entering Monday.

 

 

Peavy in 7 starts against CLE (2009-12)

3-2, 3.97 ERA, 47.6 IP, 41 hits, 38 K'S

 

2 starts against TB, none this year

1-1, 11.17 ERA, 9.6 IP, 17 hits, 7 walks

 

 

 

Sox

vs KC 1-1 (0-2) -1

vs Oak 2-1 (2-1) -1

at Tor 2-2 (3-1) E

at KC 2-1 (0-3) -2

vs NY 2-1 (3-0) -1

vs Sea 2-1 (3-0) E

at Bal 2-2 (1-3) -1

at Det 1-2 (0-3) -2

vs Min 2-1 (2-1) -2

vs KC 2-1 (1-2) -3

vs Det 1-2 (1-2) -3

at Min 2-1 (3-0) -2

vs Det 1-0 (1-0) -2

at KC 2-1 (1-2) -3

at LAA 1-2 (0-3) -4

vs Cle 2-1 (1-2) -5

vs TB 2-2

at Cle 2-1

 

 

Tigers

vs NY 2-2 (2-2) E

at Tex 1-2 (1-2) E

at Min 2-1 (2-1) E

vs Bal 2-1 (1-2) -1

vs Tor 2-1 (3-0) E

vs LAA 2-1 (2-1) E

at KC 2-1 (0-3) -2

vs Chi 2-1 (3-0) -1

vs Cle 2-1 (1-2) -2

at LAA 1-2 (0-3) -3

at Chi 2-1 (2-1) -3

at Cle 2-1 (2-1) -3

at Chi 0-1 (0-1) -3

vs Oak 2-1 (2-1) -3

vs Min 2-1 (1-2) -4

vs KC 3-1 (4-0) -3

at Min 2-1

at KC 2-1

 

I think we're done here.

Edited September 27, 201213 yr by flavum

^

I feel ok about already updating it.

 

Who changed it from 91 to 90?

 

Tigers go 4-2 the last two series. 88 wins. Playoffs.

Tigers go 4-2 the last two series. 88 wins. Playoffs.

I would like to point out that if you donned a Rally Crede, they'd have to go undefeated, because the White Sox would win out.

 

Tigers go 4-2 the last two series. 88 wins. Playoffs.

 

More like 3-3 the last two series. 87 wins. Sox go 5-2. Game 163.

More like 3-3 the last two series. 87 wins. Sox go 5-2. Game 163.

 

We agree as I just posted the same thing in the Rally Crede thread.

We agree as I just posted the same thing in the Rally Crede thread.

 

Final 54 games:

 

Sox 22-25, 7 left

Det 26-22, 6 left

I'm done with this after this...

 

Final 54 games, with 3 left:

 

Sox 23-28 (suck)

Det 28-23 (respectable)