Comparing The Tigers And Twins
by The Goose on Jun 22, 2010 2:59 PM EDT
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Starters
1. Justin Verlander vs. Francisco Liriano .. Liriano has had a good year but Verlander is the Tigers ace. Adv. Verlander
2. Jeremy Bonderman vs. Scott Baker... Bonderman's ERA is better but Baker has more run support. Adv. Bonderman
3. Max Scherzer vs. Kevin Slowey... Scherzer has turned it up late but has been inconsistent but Slowey hasn't done that well either. Adv. Tie
4. Armando Galaragga vs. Carl Pavano... Galaragga has been pitching well but Pavano is a tigers killer and very consistent. Adv. Tie
5. Andy Oliver vs. Nick Blackburn.. Blackburn has been horrible but so was Porcello before he got sent down.. Adv. Blackburn
Hitting
1B- Miguel Cabrera vs. Justin Morneau.. Morneau is leading the all-star voting but Cabrera has been the best player in the AL. Adv. Cabrera
2B- Carlos Guillen vs. Orlando Hudson. .. Guillen and Hudson have both been injured this year and have alike stats. Adv. Tie
3B- Brandon Inge vs. Danny Valencia.. Inge's hitting has perked up and he has a great glove. Adv. Inge
SS- Danny Worth vs. JJ Hardy.. Hardy is a better hitter and they both have good gloves. Adv. Hardy
LF- Brennan Boesch vs. Delmon Young.. Brennan has been on fire since his call-up. Adv. Boesch
CF- Austin Jackson vs. Denard Span.. Both players are alike. Adv. Tie
RF- Magglio Ordonez vs. Michael Cuddyer... Ordonez has had a great comeback season. Adv. Ordonez
DH- Johnny Damon vs. Jason Kubel.. Damon has been up and down but so has Kubel but Damon can beat you in so many ways. Adv. Damon
C- Laird/Avila vs. Joe Mauer.. No questions asked. adv. Mauer
Benches
Minnesota has a great combination of speed, power, and defense with Jim Thome and Nick Punto and Detroit really don't have that much. Adv. Minnesota
Bullpen
Both bullpens have been stellar this year. Adv. Tie
Managing
Ron gardenhire has a knack for winning division titles with his excellent managing. Adv. Minnesota
So who do you think will win the AL Central crown?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bless You Boys writing staff.
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both teams are slightly above average i think
i think both teams have played a tiny bit over their heads through 70 games or wherever we’re at.
tigers are on pace to win 90
twins are on pace to win 94
i don’t know if either team will quite get there, but i think the twins are a little bit more stable than the tigers. without researching, i feel like they are a bit more likely to get consistent starting pitching, i think their line up is a bit more consistent – the twins certainly can rely on a few more veterans
so, i think right now i’m quite happy with the way the tigers are playing, but i still think they are behind the twins for “division favorites”
if the tigers can figure out a way to beat the twins (and white sox), i’ll feel better about maybe winning 90, which i do think will take the division
The Tigers don't have the feel of a 90 win team
And then they go out and take care of business against subpar teams like they should, the way they did this past week, and you start thinking, why couldn’t they win the division? I fear it’s going to be a roller coaster the rest of the way in.
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1. But Justin Verlander hasn’t been even close to as good as Liriano has been this season (very few have). I wouldn’t just give the Tigers the advantage there.
2. Perfection aside, Armando Galarraga isn’t even close to Carl Pavano as well.
3. Morneau (babip aside) really has been better than Cabrera offensively and defensively this season. Not sure if it’ll continue throughout the year, but it’s true.
4. I like Johnny Damon, but he’s not more valuable than Jason Kubel at this point. Kubel’s OBP isn’t that much worse, and he’s got a ton more power (not to mention Johnny is just a DH at this point anyway).
Other than that, I agree with everything else.
by ozymandius1024 on Jun 22, 2010 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Kaveman Kubel
think Damon no look like caveman now. Caveman Damon better baseball.
by handsomerob1 on Jun 22, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Kubel no like small suns in baseball place.
Kubel also consider longer clubs useless when try to kill metal elephants.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
Not to pick nits
But how on earth is Galarraga vs. Pavano a tie?
Morneau is, at worst, the equal of Cabrera.
And Denard Span >> Jackson.
Cabrera is better than Morneau.
Miggy has more homers, more RBI, more runs scored, and has been far better over the past month of the season.
Over the last month, Cabrera has 10 homers to Morneau’s 4, 22 RBI to Morneau’s 14, and 22 runs scored to Morneau’s 14. Miguelito also has a .392 OBP to Morneau’s .375 over the past 30 days.
Advantage- Cabrera.
Where the Twinkies pick up a big advantage is that they don’t blow holes in their lineup by putting complete stiffs at the plate such as Laird, Everett/ Worth, or Sizemore. The Tigers have made a little correction, but not nearly enough. And Gardenhose knows how to manufacture a run when needed. The Tigers strand runners at a record pace.
i sometimes peruse the twins site
i think they struggle with RISP too. but i do agree with you, i think they have the more consistent lineup. their last name M&M is probably a bit better than our first name M&M, too.
if the tigers can play above expectations and reach 90, i think they will win. 90 wins requires them to beat teams like the white sox, which i think we have about 14 more times this year.
by redwingxviii on Jun 22, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it will come down to health
Slowey, Pavano and Liriano have all missed time within the past year. Another bullpen injury for the Twinks could really destabilize things.
Last year they lost Morneau and came back on us. This year they lost Nathan and haven’t missed a beat. But I still think health, particularly in the starting rotation, will have a big impact in this tight race.
Lots to debate/discuss
I agree with most of this.
However, unfortunately, Pavano is definitely better than Galaraga, and I’m not sure I would put Bonderman ahead of Baker.
Fun fanpost though. Good for starting debates and such.
A lifelong Tigers fan
Good comparison
Fun to look at position-by-position. I agree ozyman that Morneau = Miggy, Kubel > Damon, and Pavano > Perfecto. However, I would take JV over Liraino on most days (not yesterday, that’s for sure).
So, position by position, we look to be the favorite. How come we won’t win the division?
Granderson was my Tiger, then Sizemore, then Willis. I think I'll stop picking Tigers.
Because they have decent players at weak posiitons
And we have bad players at weak positions. It’s depth.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 23, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Winning positional comparisons
doesn’t = being a better team. Mauer vs. Laird makes up for about three of our positional “wins”.
A lifelong Tigers fan
Twins real advantage
The real reason the Twins usually finish ahead of the Tigers is depth and consistancy. When Nathan goes down, Rauch is there. When Morneau goes down, Cuddyer picks up the slack. Their starting pitchers may be less spectacular (overated?) than ours, but they have fewer horrible outings. Guerrier is a lot more dependable than Zumaya. Nick Punto is Nick Punto. They know what he will and won’t do. They must be a lot easier to manage.
I'll totally agree with the position depth
But I don’t really believe that their starting pitching is that much better than Detroit’s (if at all).
If Liriano can keep up his health/dominance, obviously he’d be the best pitcher of the bunch (the same could be said for Carl Pavano, as odd as that is). That being said, I’ll take the Tigers 3-4-5 (and beyond on the major league team, and in the minors) over what Minnesota is throwing out there. Scott Baker is very overrated, Kevin Slowey is a meatball throwing machine, and Nick Blackburn is garbage incarnate.
I’ll change my opinion if Minnesota goes out and deals for a starting pitcher, though. (Cliff Lee, Oswalt, etc.)
by ozymandius1024 on Jun 28, 2010 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions
This comparison is bunk.
There is no bad mouthing of Nick Punto so it is invalid.
I hate Nick Punto.
Ryan Raburn antagonist.
You forgot the most important category: mustaches
I think Carl Pavano has to give the Twins the advantage there.
Good luck fischean of Junebug, wherever you are! - less cowbell, more 'neau
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jun 23, 2010 9:33 PM EDT reply actions
Good point
The Tigers are sorely lacking in awesome facial hair.
by handsomerob1 on Jun 24, 2010 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't like to compare individuals on teams
I like to compare whether they can score, field and pitch, as a whole.
Thanks for the glance.
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 24, 2010 12:12 AM EDT reply actions
I hate the Twins
And kudos for the slap in the face to White Sox fans by not even bothering with them as an option!
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jun 24, 2010 3:13 PM EDT reply actions
Looks like you need to add the Sox.
They are going to pass us if we dont start winning.
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 26, 2010 10:28 AM EDT reply actions
Watch out for the Sox
Ozzie took Zambrano out to dinner after the meltdown…another Freddy Garcia in the future?
The Dark Lord is up to his mischief again! Maybe he can use his powers on Justin Morneau this year.
I think this whole division is somewhat pathetic
Honestly, none of the three teams have solid rotations,and have spotty hitting at best. It just seems like the team that gets hurt the least wins the division the last couple of years.
As far as the poster’s comparison’s go: yes, the tigers are better on paper than the Twins, but the Twinkies are far more consistent, and Detroit doesn’t have the luxury of Morneau and Maur batting back to back every three innings or so
The beginning of the end of the misery
I dunno
I’d say Ordonez and Cabrera hitting back-to-back are doing a mighty damn good impersonation.
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 27, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
If it was Ordonez of 2008
Then ya, we have as good of a combo as the Twins.
The beginning of the end of the misery
then you should be looking closer at the 2010 numbers too
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 27, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
2010 numbers are okay
Definately not the same mags we’re used to, but I don’t expect him to put up the same number at his current age. All I’m saying is that season in and season out, the twins can rely on Morneau and Maur. We have at best miggy to count on (right now…Boesch and Jackson are gonna prove themselves)
The beginning of the end of the misery
by Latif Masud on Jun 28, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
too early to start thinking about next season's lineup
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 28, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
tell that to everyone
thinking about next season’s pitching rotation
by handsomerob1 on Jun 28, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Every prospect David doesn't want brought up early is gonna be in it right?
Follow my Mechanics blog and music on Twitter
Man
If you think I’ve gone off the deep end with the Boesch stuff…
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 29, 2010 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Ha ha
Imagine how I’ll be if Turner or Crosby gets promoted early.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 29, 2010 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I see the headline now...
Rotation Scrapped for Tigers Prospects
Follow my Mechanics blog and music on Twitter
And also
Tigers Blogger kills 34 in Massacre
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 29, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
When finally brought down, the suspect muttered something about rushing starting pitching to the big leagues.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 29, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
How is it not the Maggs we're used to?
I mean, it’s not 2007’s OPS over 1, but that was a career year. This year has been better than any other year Magglio has had with the Tigers (and most of the other years with other teams as well).
I think you need to be realistic, and give Magglio a little bit of credit.
I’m also in the camp that thinks Morneau isn’t going to be hitting .346 all season.
by ozymandius1024 on Jun 28, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I dont think you got my point
The point I was trying to make is that the for the past couple of years, this year, and for the next four years or so, the Twins will be in a great situation because they have, do, and will get consistently great years from the M&Ms. We haven’t had that type of consistency every year. I agree that Mags is having a solid year, and believe me I do give him credit for that, but realistically how long can we expect him to do this for the Tigers?
The beginning of the end of the misery
good mags will be around for 1.5 more years (hope!)
by redwingxviii on Jun 28, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd love that
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 28, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Even the Yankees and Red Sox have problems with the back of their rotations.
Burnett and Vazquez have been crap.
Dice K, Beckett, Lackey, and Wakefield haven’t been that good either.
true
but they have aces atop their rotations, and far more consistent offenses, so they can hide their weaknesses
The beginning of the end of the misery
by Latif Masud on Jun 28, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Justin Verlander is confused
as to what your definition of “ace” is.
by handsomerob1 on Jun 28, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I said aces. You need more than one pitcher to win games, or else the rockies would be atop their division right now, and the Blue Jays would’ve won the AL East quite a few times. Verlander is good, but you really need two aces to win. When the tigers got to the world series, its b/c they had two guys that they could count on, not just one
The beginning of the end of the misery
So...
the Yankees and the Phillies had two aces when they won the last two World Series?
by handsomerob1 on Jun 29, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
That 2006 Cardinals team was flush with aces
Chris Carpenter…….uhhhhhhh. Yeah.
I mean, who wouldn’t kill to have Jason Marquis, Jeff Suppan, Jeff Weaver, and a washed up Mark Mulder. Just scary.
by ozymandius1024 on Jun 30, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
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