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At least for my team, it's been a better than expected start to the season. The Tigers are competitive in the AL Central,(insert AL Central jokes here), and are 1/2 game up on the Twins after 81 games. I thought with the off season moves that the Tigers were giving up being competitive in the present in orderto field a stronger team in the future. That hasn't been the case so far.

This despite the fact that one starter at the beginning of the season, Rick Porcello, is playing in AAA, and another starter, Dontrelle Willis, having been traded to the D-Backs. Three bullpen pitchers are currently on the DL, with Joel Zumaya questionable for being able to pitch in the majors again. Ryan Perry just got called back after spending most of the first half on the DL.

On the plus side Justin Verlander has been solid in the first half, Max Scherzer has pitched well lately after a shaky start and Jeremy Bonderman has been decent overall. Jose Valverde has been an excellent pick up as a closer and has been named to the All Star game.

Miguel Cabrera has had a great first half and may compete for the triple crown. Brennan Boesch has been a nice surprise and should compete for AL Rookie of the Year. Austin Jackson looks like a keeper in Center Field and may make us forget Curtis Granderson.

I don't think this translates to making the playoffs this year. The lack of pitching depth makes keeping up the pace nearly impossible, and the Twins haven't made their typical second half move yet. But overall I've been very happy with how the season has progressed so far.


How about your team?

I speak for all Diamondbacks fans when I say this:

Who gives a shit about baseball?

AZGrizFan wrote:I speak for all Diamondbacks fans when I say this:

Who gives a **** about baseball?

Thanks for Scherzer.

The Red Sox basically have an All-Star team on the DL...and they are still in the hunt...

I am really surprised, especailly when you consider how deep a hole they dug themselves in April and early May...

Get D-Pod...Ellsbury...and all the pitching that sits on the DL right now back on the active roster...and the second half will be interesting...

For the Phillies, one word: injuries.

Jimmy Rollins (starting SS) missed over two months with pulled calf.
Chase Utley (starting 2B) out for at least eight weeks after thumb surgery.
Placido Polanco (starting 3B) currently on DL.
Carlos Ruiz (starting C) currently on DL due to getting hit in head with broken bat.
JA Happ (#3 starting pitcher) has missed a couple months with a forearm/elbow injury.
Chad Durbin (reliever) has missed several games due to a pulled hammy.
Ryan Madson (setup man) has been out over a month on the DL.
Brad Lidge (closer) missed several games due to elbow tenderness.

Still, the Phils are only four games behind the Braves, and other than Utley, guys should be coming back soon. I am amazed they've hung.

Detroit Tigers 2010 World Series Champions - You heard it here first.

I knew with brian Roberts going on the Dl to start the season was a bad omen, but I would never have guessed THIS bad. WTF!?!

I went to the O's-Nat game a week or so ago. 43,000+ in the stands, it was nice to see the old market reunited again.

AshevilleApp wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:I speak for all Diamondbacks fans when I say this:

Who gives a **** about baseball?

Thanks for Scherzer.

Add him to the ever-growing list of ex-Diamondbacks who go somewhere else to shine.

Gil Dobie wrote:Detroit Tigers 2010 World Series Champions - You heard it here first.

andy7171 wrote:I knew with brian Roberts going on the Dl to start the season was a bad omen, but I would never have guessed THIS bad. WTF!?!

I went to the O's-Nat game a week or so ago. 43,000+ in the stands, it was nice to see the old market reunited again.

well your 6-6 vs Boston so theres a little battle you can be proud of.

AZGrizFan wrote:

AshevilleApp wrote:

Thanks for Scherzer.

Add him to the ever-growing list of ex-Diamondbacks who go somewhere else to shine.

In fairness he and Edwin Jackson have put up similar numbers this year. Scherzer costs less though.

Padres have exceeded any expectations (ok I really didn't have any) I had for them this year. Going into tonights game the Padres had the best record in the NL.

SDHornet wrote:Padres have exceeded any expectations (ok I really didn't have any) I had for them this year. Going into tonights game the Padres had the best record in the NL.

And they still won't make the playoffs...

Nats starting to catch fire. When we get back some of our 4 starting pitchers on the DL, we have a chance to go on a run.

eagleskins wrote:Nats starting to catch fire. When we get back some of our 4 starting pitchers on the DL, we have a chance to go on a run.

Wtf?! There's a Nats fan on this website beside bandl?




Btw, where is bandl? His wife was expecting, no?

Watched the Tigers beat the Twins tonight. Boesch is on pace to win the AL Rookie of the year. Verlander can help win a short series for the Tigers. 3 games up on the Twinkies and a half game up on the Sox after tonight.

Gil Dobie wrote:Watched the Tigers beat the Twins tonight. Boesch is on pace to win the AL Rookie of the year. Verlander can help win a short series for the Tigers. 3 games up on the Twinkies and a half game up on the Sox after tonight.

The Twins melt down started sooner this year than other years...


Hopefully we get another late season run.

Twins will win the division.

free7694 wrote:

SDHornet wrote:Padres have exceeded any expectations (ok I really didn't have any) I had for them this year. Going into tonights game the Padres had the best record in the NL.

And they still won't make the playoffs...

Oh, the division champion is going to be denied entry?!?

I don't see ANYONE in the NL West catching up with the Pads. The Snakes are a complete lost cause (no offense, Jon). The Giants and Dodgers have bad managers (OK, the Dodgers' manager is a WHOLE lot better than the Giants' manager, but he doesn't have much around him). The Rockies are a one-man show.

Pads vs. Reds for the pennant.

SuperHornet wrote:

free7694 wrote:
And they still won't make the playoffs...

Oh, the division champion is going to be denied entry?!?

I don't see ANYONE in the NL West catching up with the Pads. The Snakes are a complete lost cause (no offense, Jon). The Giants and Dodgers have bad managers (OK, the Dodgers' manager is a WHOLE lot better than the Giants' manager, but he doesn't have much around him). The Rockies are a one-man show.

Pads vs. Reds for the pennant.

Are you actually saying Jimenez is all the Rockies have? They have about 10 hitters better than any Padre not named 'Gonzalez'. San Diego won't be in first place at the end of July, much less the end of the season.

SuperHornet wrote:

free7694 wrote:
And they still won't make the playoffs...

Oh, the division champion is going to be denied entry?!?

I don't see ANYONE in the NL West catching up with the Pads. The Snakes are a complete lost cause (no offense, Jon). The Giants and Dodgers have bad managers (OK, the Dodgers' manager is a WHOLE lot better than the Giants' manager, but he doesn't have much around him). The Rockies are a one-man show.

Pads vs. Reds for the pennant.

The very idea of you picking the Padres to win makes me think the Rockies and Dodgers are in great shape.

The Cincinnati Reds can certainly compete for exceeding expectations. First in the NL Central. Take that Cards and Cubs.

free7694 wrote:

SuperHornet wrote:
Oh, the division champion is going to be denied entry?!?

I don't see ANYONE in the NL West catching up with the Pads. The Snakes are a complete lost cause (no offense, Jon). The Giants and Dodgers have bad managers (OK, the Dodgers' manager is a WHOLE lot better than the Giants' manager, but he doesn't have much around him). The Rockies are a one-man show.

Pads vs. Reds for the pennant.

Are you actually saying Jimenez is all the Rockies have? They have about 10 hitters better than any Padre not named 'Gonzalez'. San Diego won't be in first place at the end of July, much less the end of the season.

I won't argue the Padres maintaining the division lead the whole season as that is a hard thing to do. But if the pitching can hold up, they might stand a chance. Plus the stingy front office won't go out and sign a desperately needed bat to help the Padre offense.