MIDWEST MEDIOCRITY – HUMP DAY EDITION
AL CENTRAL – Looks like it will be a three team race. Haven’t I already seen this before?
Detroit (45-38) beat KC 8-5 at home. Sure, Verlander struck out 11, but he threw 114 pitches in 6 innings giving up 5 runs (admittedly only 3 earned). Only thing that impressed me was Placido Polanco. The best 2B/Tenor in the American League.
White Sox (43-40) beat up on Cleveland 10-6 at home. Paul Konerko hits three home runs, and gets his first curtain call preempted by AJ’s first pitch foul out. Alexei Ramirez hits a home run, but still fails to sign Aroldis Chapman. Rumors run rampant that Ramirez and Contreras will sit until after the All Star Break to focus their efforts on recruiting Chapman.
Minnesota (43-41) lost 2-10 in the launch pad that is Yankee Stadium. CC Sabathia pitches a gem, Morneau reportedly blames time zone change. Look on the bright side Twinkies fans, the Reds loss yesterday was twice as bad.
Kansas City (36-47) lost 5-8 in Detroit. Still managed 10 hits and saw 170 pitches from Detroit pitchers. Unfortunately, they had Bruce Chen starting for them. A few more years and hopefully the Royals won’t have to resort to starting Oriole retreads.
Cleveland (33-51) lost 6-10 to the Sox at the Cell. Reported cat fight in Section 137 during the bottom of the second inning between Scotty Pods’ admirers and Grady’s ladies. Can’t count out the Indians’ bats, but their bullpen is down for the count.
Division Standings
Team GB
Detroit – -
Sox 2.0
Minnesota 2.5
Kansas City 9.0
Cleveland 12.5
NL Central – With the All-Star game in STL, not likely the Cardinals will sputter into the break. Just wouldn’t make for a good story to tell as we see panoramic videos of the Arch.
St. Louis (46-39) beat Brewers on the road 5-0. These guys are firing on all cylinders. Pitching was great, hitting both timely and patient. Who would you have as your closer Cubs fans? Ryan Franklin and his 0.83 ERA or the two-headed monster that is Gregg/Marmol?
Milwaukee (43-40) lose to the Cards at home 0-5. I don’t want to say that the wheels are coming off, but when your Bench Coach and Hitting Coach get ejected in consecutive frames it’s not a good sign.
Cubs (41-40) lost to the Braves and Javy Vazquez in a close one 2-1. Have you guys traded Carlos Zambrano yet? You know it’s bad when Vazquez is making it out of the 6th and you’re not. Tough loss for the Cubs all in all.
Cincinnati (41-41) find their manhood, his name is Brandon Phillips (2 HR, 3 RBIs). Take a 4-3 win over the Phillies, scoring the winning run in the top of the 9th, then letting Francisco Cordero lock it down for his 21st save of the season.
Houston (40-42) lose 3-6 to Houston. Can’t solve the magician Paul Maholm’s nasty stuff.
Pittsburgh (38-46) bounce back and win 6-3 in Houston. Big 7th inning helps put the ‘Stros away. Jack Wilson has hit over 16% of his career home runs in Houston. I know, fascinating stuff. In other observations, the Pirates should be beating a team with a man named Cecil at the helm, relying on guys named Lance and Hunter.
Division Standings
Team GB
St. Louis – -
Milwaukee 2.0
Cubs 3.0
Cincinnati 3.5
Houston 4.5
Pittsburgh 7.5
Loading ...
Comment from Stormin’ Norman Disciple
Time July 8, 2009 at 9:20 am
As a Cubs fan, I would say I’d rather have Kerry Wood than any of those guys. Just saying.