Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
The White Sox open a three-game series tonight against the Indians, who are coming off an embarrassing showing against the Reds. The Indians’ poor start is being felt at the gate.
Maybe just as important to Sox fans is the series that opens tonight between the Tigers and Twins at the Metrodome.
Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes that Major League Baseball’s hurry-up mandate lit a fire under the Twins.
Miguel Cabrera moves into the cleanup spot in the Tigers’ lineup after Magglio Ordonez was put on the disabled list.
Yours truly will sit in with host Laurence Holmes on Monday’s midmorning show on WSCR-AM 670. The timeslot is 10 a.m. to noon, and White Sox reliever Matt Thornton is the scheduled in-studio guest. We’re going to talk Sox-Cubs, hot actresses, ask manly questions and anything else we damn well feel like.
On Sunday afternoon, White Sox first baseman, and team captain, Paul Konerko was expected to be landing in Charlotte to begin his Monday rehab assignment, recovering from the strained left oblique muscle.
Instead, he remained in Chicago, taking any sort of timeline off the table.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central on a Cubs-Sox Saturday in Chicago.
Kelsie Smith of the Pioneer Press take a look at the numbers behind the Twins’ 10-game winning streak. Charley Walters breaks down how the Twins have wound up winners in the Johan Santana trade.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland — clearly focused on the big picture — prescribed rest for a red-hot Marcus Thames. Meanwhile, despite a war of words earlier this season with reliever Jason Grilli — formerly of the White Sox — Leyland says he has no issues with the pitcher who returned to Detroit this weekend with the Rockies.
They’re calling it ‘‘The C.C. Sabathia Trade Bait Tour’’ in Cleveland and the Indians’ left-hander put on quite a show for the scouts. Sabathia might be gone by the time fellow ace Fausto Carmona returns from the disabled list.
Elsewhere, Barry Bonds’ aunt, appearing in Cleveland, says racism and collusion are the reasons here nephew is sitting at home this season.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
In the span of five games, the red-hot Twins — now sitting just half a game behind the first-place White Sox — have knocked off pitching giants Randy Johnson. Brandon Webb. Jake Peavy and Greg Maddux. The latest Piranha to join the Twins’ hit parade is young third baseman Brian Buscher.
The Tigers continue to roll, thanks to the return of Gary Sheffield. A potential trouble spot: Joel Zumaya and his bullpen mates are allowing a lot of walks. Meanwhile, a freak injury — involving a pillow — lands Brandon Inge on the Tigers’ disabled list.
How bad have things gotten for the Indians’ lackluster offense? Giants left-hander Barry Zito even looked good against the Tribe.
Jeffrey Flanagan of the Kansas City Star wonders if the Royals thrive in interleague play because they were built like an NL team.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
Brendan Harris and Brian Buscher hit back-to-back home runs off Padres closer Trevor Hoffman with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Twins to their seventh consecutive victory and keeping the pressure on the White Sox. With the Twins rolling along, manager Ron Gardenhire refuses to alter his red-hot lineup.
The Tigers continued a recent trend of dropping the opener of a series. They hope another trend continues the next two days.
Indians ace C.C. Sabathia tops the wish list of nearly every contender seeking to add help before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. But he’s not the only name under the microscope.
Meanwhile, plate umpire Brian O'Nora became the latest victim of a broken maple bat. Major League Baseball is looking deeper into the increase in shattered maple bats.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
Tom Gage of the Detroit News argues that the Tigers are legit contenders in this division, noting that since arriving at Comerica Park with a seven-game winning streak, the White Sox are 4-8. Meanwhile, there is a strong feeling the Tigers could get Gary Sheffield back in their lineup by tonight.
Alexi Casilla is looking like the Twins’ long-term solution for second base. In 35 games since being promoted from Class AAA, he is hitting .302 with three home runs and 27 RBI. Meanwhile, La Velle E. Neal III wonders if a trip to Milwaukee helped get the Twins on the right track.
A sore back has knocked second baseman Mark Grudzielanek out of the Royals’ lineup.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
If you want to know what has kept the Twins so hot lately, look no further than their red-hot starting rotation. A soft spot for the Twins has been third base. Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune argues that the front office must help out the surprising Twins.
With their 12th win in 15 games, the Tigers are no longer taking baby steps in their comeback from last place. After a busy offseason, look for the Tigers to add another arm to their rotation before September.
The Royals are suddenly thinking big after a wild victory over the Giants. As Mike Aviles said, ‘‘We’re not going to lie down. We’re not going to be just an easy win for other teams.’’
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central during a Cubs-Sox Sunday in Chicago.
Since manager Ron Gardenhire’s meeting in Milwaukee a little more than a week ago, the Twins have been hitting on all cylinders, winning five straight and moving 2 1/2 games behind the division-leading White Sox. And closer Joe Nathan, who signed a four-year, $47 million contract during spring training, has been right on the money all season.
Here is more evidence the Tigers’ bats are out of hibernation. Meanwhile, the Tigers face a tough decision on whether Edgar Renteria should be their shortstop in 2009.
Indians ace C.C. Sabathia, who came up huge on the mound and at the plate Saturday, knows his future in Cleveland soon will no longer be in his own hands as contenders come knocking on GM Mark Shapiro’s door.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central during a Cubs-Sox Saturday in Chicago.
Watch out again for the Twins. They beat Randy Johnson and the Diamonbacks on Friday, giving and them seven wins in nine games, moving Minnesota 3 1/2 behind the first-place White Sox.
Tigers reliever Fernando Rodney took a page out of Dontrelle Willis’ book on wild pitching, throwing eight pitches and no strikes during a stinker of an outing against the Padres. On the flip side, fellow setup man Joel Zumaya hit 100 mph in his return to the Tigers’ bullpen.
The Indians’ bullpen blew up, but Jhonny Peralta came up big as the Indians beat the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, read all about the ambidextrous pitcher who met up with the switch-hitting batter.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
Upstaging reliever Joel Zumaya’s return to the Tigers tonight is an even better story — the Tigers — as the Detroit News’ Tom Gage points out.
Read this story and find out why White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen calls the Twins the ‘‘Piranhas.’’
The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Terry Pluto has seen enough to know the Indians are done. Meanwhile, the Indians continue to play the waiting game with designated hitter Travis Hafner.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
The Indians got bad news on hurting stars Travis Hafner, Fausto Carmona and Josh Barfield. Hard to imagine they are going to make a charge in the Central.
The Twins believe left-hander Francisco Liriano can rejoin their rotation next month. Liriano has won three consecutive starts at Class AAA.
Marcus Thames hit another home run as the Tigers jumped to an early lead against the Giants in a matinee today.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see where Richie Sexson lands. The Mariners reportedly are close to releasing the slumping first baseman.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
Though sources say he isn’t expected to be major-league-ready until next season, the Tigers are interested in signing former White Sox right-hander Freddy Garcia.
Indians manager Eric Wedge is sticking with Grady Sizemore in the leadoff spot.
Interesting matchup: The Twins' Delmon and the Nationals' Dmitri Young will meet as opponents tonight.
Here's a quick glance at what's happening around the American League Central.
More good news for the red-hot Tigers: Gary Sheffield, who begins a rehab assignment tonight, says he is just days away from returning to the club. Meanwhile, reliever Fernandon Rodney will return to the Tigers tonight, and fellow setup man Joel Zumaya is getting close.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was fuming over a speed-up called strike Sunday. Mea
