 |
 |
2009 MLB American League Central Notebook
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen never keeps an idle thought. He recently ripped Wrigley Field last weekend. He then ripped his own fans when the team was scuffling through some hard times.
But for whatever reason, just when it looks like his team is about to fall apart, they rally to restore the fans faith.
Chicago is on a streak of winning nine out of 11 and has been playing its way into second place with Minnesota. The credit goes to the offense and solid starting pitching. Led by Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko, the White Sox have averaged more than seven runs in the last eight games.
CLEVELAND
Center fielder Grady Sizemore is suffering through a horrible year because of an elbow injury. Cleveland’s trainers have acknowledged that Sizemore will probably need surgery in the offseason to deal with the problem. He is just going to have to endure the discomfort for the remainder of the year.
Sizemore’s power is OK with 10 home runs and 12 doubles. However, he has really fallen off hitting .219 and an even more rough .306 on-base percentage. He has walked only 29 times. But the team is hoping that his recent return from the disabled list will give him a little more of a lift.
KANSAS CITY
Shortstop Mike Aviles, who was the team’s 2008 player of the year, has seen his year end because he will have elbow ligament replacement surgery later this year.
Aviles enjoyed a robust 2008 campaign at .325 with 10 home runs. However, he was never right and went on the disabled list in May. And it really showed as he hit .184 with only one home run.
The best case scenario is to have him back by the beginning of the 2010 season. But these surgery and rehab time frames usually last about a year. Getting him back at some point in the year would be the best result.
> Apply online today for a MLB team credit card!
MINNESOTA
While the talk is being focused on first baseman Justin Morneau and catcher Joe Mauer, not many are talking about the kind of year right fielder Michael Cuddyer is having.
Cuddyer is up to 12 home runs and 42RBIs.
The home runs rank third, while the RBI total is tied for second. He is on pace to hit a career-high 25 long balls this season.
Actually, the Twins’ offense has been better this year. They are averaging 4.7 runs per game.
If Cuddyer can continue to be a great compliment, then the Twins will be a lot different to pitch to. The team also came off a very impressive road trip by winning six out of nine against Milwaukee, St. Louis and Kansas City.
DETROIT
The Tigers, who have been setting the pace in the division, will get a great test when they go to the Metrodome to play the Twins. The series starts Friday.
They have dropped four out of their last six. But third baseman Brandon Inge has really enjoyed quite a turnaround. With 18 home runs, that is the second most for his career. He hit 27 in 2006, the year the team went to the World Series. His 52 RBIs already surpassed his 2008 total of 51.
By Kevin Lonnquist
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
> View all of the 2008 MLB team previews from Pro Baseball Fans
Advertisement