The Division Race - Road to 90 Wins

[Jake]

Correct. When I set it up, I had the Sox going 31-23 and the Tigers 33-21 in the final 54 games to tie at 91-71.

 

They were going ok for a while, but neither team is playing very well.

 

The Sox are leading the division with the 7th best record in the AL.

 

The AL Central: Where you can play bad baseball and be treated like a Champion.

 

The poor records are an effect of the divisional depth

[spiderman]

There is no way either team, Detroit or Chicago, is getting to 90 victories. At best, it's going to be 87 or 88 wins.

[elrockinMT]

The poor records are an effect of the divisional depth

 

 

And don't forget the great clutch play

[KnoxSox]

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 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 (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 2-2

at Cle 2-1

vs Oak 2-1

vs Min 2-1

vs KC 3-1

at Min 2-1

at KC 2-1

 

And now it's down to 88. AL Central Baseball!!! Woo hoo!!

 

Both teams 15-16 in the last 31. 23 left. I have the Sox going 13-10, and the Tigers going 15-8 to tie at 88-74. I doubt either will make it there now.

 

 

Really got to hope that Oakland sweeps DET. A Sox sweep this series would be HUGE! ...at least 3 of 4 please?

[Balta1701]

In case anyone was wondering how to get a 7 way tie in the AL...

[kitekrazy]

The series that worries me is against the Rays. I think the Angels will be out if it by the time they play the Sox.

[flavum]

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 Sale, Liriano, Peavy

vs Det 1-0 Quintana

at KC 2-1 Floyd, Sale, Liriano

at LAA 1-2 Peavy, Quintana, Floyd

vs Cle 2-1 Sale, Liriano, Peavy

vs TB 2-2 Quintana, Floyd, Sale, Liriano

at Cle 2-1 Peavy, Quintana, Floyd

at Det - Sale

 

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 Verlander, Sanchez, Porcello

at Chi 0-1 Fister

vs Oak 2-1 Scherzer, Verlander, Sanchez

vs Min 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

vs KC 3-1 Verlander, Sanchez, Porcello, Fister

at Min 2-1 Scherzer, Verlander, Sanchez

at KC 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

vs Chi - Verlander

Edited September 14, 2012 by flavum

[caulfield12]

So the Tigers have to rely on watching the scoreboard and hoping somebody else helps them, which might be a huge chore given the Sox are 38-24 against their remaining opponents. That includes 11-4 against the Twins, whom they play this weekend, and 8-4 against the Indians, whom they play six more times.

 

"We've played (the White Sox) tough," Leyland said. "The thing we haven't done is when they've slipped a little bit we haven't taken advantage of it. We'll have to do that, if they lose."

 

Yes, while the White Sox were losing two of three to the Royals before this series, the Tigers were losing three straight to the Angels.

 

The Tigers just haven't been able to stomp on the Sox when they are down.

 

Example One: After the Tigers swept the Sox at Comerica Park July 20-22 to take a 11/2-game lead, they lost six of eight to fall 21/2 behind.

 

Example Two: After the Tigers swept the Sox Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Comerica Park to tie for the lead, they lost six of seven to fall two games behind.

 

Interestingly, the Tigers started their slumps against the Indians, losing two of three the first time and three of four the second.

 

Now, after taking two of three from the Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, the Tigers play … the Indians.

 

But what will really make the difference in the final two-plus weeks?

 

"Starting pitching," Leyland said. "It gets tough his time of year sometimes to score runs. You have so many extra pitchers in the bullpen and you're seeing different pitchers all the time, some you've never seen before."

 

That would seem to favor the Tigers, especially with their big three of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Doug Fister seemingly getting stronger as the season gets longer.

 

Verlander's marquee matchup against the Sox's Chris Sale on Thursday was washed away, which certainly can't make the Tigers happy. They were counting on riding him to another divisional tie, but now will have to settle Monday for Fister vs. Gavin Floyd.

 

The Tigers' starters had registered 15 quality starts in the 21 games before Thursday with a 2.80 ERA. The Sox's recent troubles have been well-chronicled.

 

Another key down the stretch, as Leyland puts it, is "timely hits."

 

His team led the lead the AL with runners in scoring position Thursday with a .283 average while the Sox were tied for second at .281.

 

If health is an issue, the Sox could be in trouble, having played the entire series without RBI leader Adam Dunn, who is also questionable for this weekend against the Twins.

 

If experience, at least that in the dugout is an issue, then the Sox are in trouble. Leyland has managed 3,318 games, Robin Ventura 142.

 

But Leyland is a huge fan of the rookie Sox manager.

 

"I told him, I'm jealous, he's making it look too easy," Leyland said with a laugh. "No, I think he's doing a helluva job."

 

Ventura's strength may not yet be x's and o's but he has been through September pennant races before as a player. His forte has been an ability to make players believe in his no-nonsense, one-game-at–a-time approach.

 

Even though it can't be found in any statistical analysis, that could be a huge factor during final sprint, when pressure can mount.

 

"There's nothing I can do (about pressure)," Ventura said. "That's just part of playing, (but) we realize these are important games and fun games.

 

"Just the freedom to enjoy (playing) the game is more (important) than anything. I think most the coaches are jealous."

 

chicagotribune.com (mark gonzales)

[justBLAZE]

I'm interested what both team records is since let's say All-Star Break...

[nickofypres]

I'm interested what both team records is since let's say All-Star Break...

 

Sox: 29-28

Det: 31-25

[justBLAZE]

Sox: 29-28

Det: 31-25

 

Thanks!

 

I thought it would be better record for Detroit. Man we could use a 6-1 stretch in the next 7 games.

[justBLAZE]

18 games left.

 

12-6 gets you 90 wins.

[BigSqwert]

18 games left.

 

12-6 gets you 90 wins.

The team doesn't look like it has a 12-6 stretch in them. Hopefully they prove me wrong.

[LittleHurt05]

18 games left.

 

12-6 gets you 90 wins.

 

90 wins doesn't matter. Just win as many games as Detroit and you win the division. Case closed.

[flavum]

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 Quintana

at KC 2-1 Floyd, Sale, Liriano

at LAA 1-2 Peavy, Quintana, Floyd

vs Cle 2-1 Sale, Liriano, Peavy

vs TB 2-2 Quintana, Floyd, Sale, Liriano

at Cle 2-1 Peavy, Quintana, Floyd

 

 

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 Fister

vs Oak 2-1 Scherzer, Verlander, Sanchez

vs Min 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

vs KC 3-1 Verlander, Sanchez, Porcello, Fister

at Min 2-1 Scherzer, Verlander, Sanchez

at KC 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

 

[flavum]

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 Floyd, Sale, Liriano

at LAA 1-2 Peavy, Quintana, Floyd

vs Cle 2-1 Sale, Liriano, Peavy

vs TB 2-2 Quintana, Floyd, Sale, Liriano

at Cle 2-1 Peavy, Quintana, Floyd

 

 

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 Scherzer, Verlander, Sanchez

vs Min 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

vs KC 3-1 Verlander, Sanchez, Porcello, Fister

at Min 2-1 Scherzer, Verlander, Sanchez

at KC 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

 

Sox are in great position. They go 11-5, Sox go 9-7. Sox win the division.

[cabiness42]

Sox are in great position. They go 11-5, Sox go 9-7. Sox win the division.

 

How about the Sox just go 10-6 or 11-5 and then not have to worry about how Detroit finishes?

[Real]

How about the Sox just go 10-6 or 11-5 and then not have to worry about how Detroit finishes?

 

it'd be nice if the Sox could go on a winning streak and be able to put detroit out of the hunt with about 4 games left, we could rest our starters and set up the rotation against presumably baltimore

 

ugh i hope we dont play baltimore in the first round, that would be awful

[daggins]

it'd be nice if the Sox could go on a winning streak and be able to put detroit out of the hunt with about 4 games left, we could rest our starters and set up the rotation against presumably baltimore

 

ugh i hope we dont play baltimore in the first round, that would be awful

 

Barring a huge Texas-sized collapse by the Rangers, they should draw the WC winner. I don't see the O's winning the division, but of course, getting the Yankees is like going from the frying pan to the fire.

[LittleHurt05]

it'd be nice if the Sox could go on a winning streak and be able to put detroit out of the hunt with about 4 games left, we could rest our starters and set up the rotation against presumably baltimore

 

ugh i hope we dont play baltimore in the first round, that would be awful

 

Well right now we would be playing the Yankees who have a one-game lead.

[caulfield12]

Such a strange set of emotions game to game with this new WC system.

 

Now instead of cheering against the Orioles and Oakland, we're cheering FOR THEM and the Yankees/Rangers...in order to dishearten the Angels and especially the Rays before we end up playing them.

 

Meanwhile, GO OAKLAND!

 

 

White Sox all the way up to an 85.5% probability of making the playoffs at ESPN.

 

 

[flavum]

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 Peavy, Quintana, Floyd

vs Cle 2-1 Sale, Liriano, Peavy

vs TB 2-2 Quintana, Floyd, Sale, Liriano

at Cle 2-1 Peavy, Quintana, Floyd

 

 

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 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

vs KC 3-1 Verlander, Sanchez, Porcello, Fister

at Min 2-1 Scherzer, Verlander, Sanchez

at KC 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

 

All I can say is Go Sox/Go Royals.

[LittleHurt05]

Tigers

vs Min 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

vs KC 3-1 Verlander, Sanchez, Porcello, Fister

at Min 2-1 Scherzer, Verlander, Sanchez

at KC 2-1 Porcello, Fister, Scherzer

 

he is definitely out this Sunday, his other 2 starts TBD

[flavum]

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

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

at Min 2-1

at KC 2-1

 

And now we're down to 87. Who wants it?

[flavum]

Just to recap the last 44 games....

 

Sox 21-23

Det 22-22

 

Exciting s*** in that ole AL Central.