2016 MLB Regular-Season Thread

I think in the A.L. Central I'd go:

1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Kansas City
4. Detroit
5. Minnesota

From what I've seen so far, it's difficult to imagine that the White Sox don't win 88-90 games.

 

White Sox are averaging four runs a game, have a sub-.300 OBP, and have stolen one base. That won't change if they keep giving regular ABs to Austin Jackson, Jimmy Rollins, Brett Lawrie, and Avisail Garcia.

 

The two gaping holes are Danks in the fifth starter spot and Rollins at shortstop. I don't think either holds their role by June 1. Their 1-2-3 and, if Latos is serviceable, 1-2-3-4, is as good as just about anybody's, though.

 

Latos is terrible, and they have to have someone better in their system than Danks.

 

They have some options. Carson Fullmer is their first-round pick from a couple years ago and is about ready. Erik Johnson has performed well in limited chances in his career, but Latos beat him out in the spring. They also grabbed Miguel Gonzalez after the Orioles cut bait.

I've never understood the love affair with Danks. I have friends who are fans who still support the guy. Should have signed Buehrle instead. One of the biggest mistakes of the Williams regime.

 

Danks has a career 4.35 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, and he's made $57 million in his career. Nice work if you can get it.
Of course he has the advantage of being born left-handed, which helps if you're going to be a shitballer at the bottom of a rotation in the American League.

 

Who are the guys who always had talent?

 

Earl Weaver 3 run HR in the top of the ninth. Now 6-0. After a crappy spring training, and with Adam Jones out, I will definitely enjoy this unexpected start.

 

Am I wrong or is strange that the White Sox and Cubs are both off today after opening series yesterday?

 

Very common to schedule an off-day a day after the home opener in case of bad weather postponing the opener. It allows all the tickets sold for the opener to be used the next day, rather than having all those tickets forced to be used on Thursday for the third home game should a makeup be scheduled then.

 

Right. As I think about it, that often happens after opening day. It threw me that it's week 2, but both teams played in home openers. Guess Mrs. Whitman and I will have some free time tonight to draw the shades.

 

I would guess it's much more a thing in climates of the upper midwest -- which Chicago most certainly is -- rather than the Florida and California teams or the dome teams. I don't think they've scheduled the off day for the day after the opener in Milwaukee since Miller Park has opened.