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Divisional Outlook for June - AL CentralCopyright © 2006-2008 Jay NaultThe past month has been one of change atop the division standings, and the World Champion White Sox have been issued a challenge by the surging Detroit Tigers, who enjoyed an amazing month. The rest of the division has been mostly status quo, but each team has made the news for different reasons since the beginning of May. Detroit Tigers Currently: The Tigers, even though they recently dropped four of five games to the Yankees, blew past the White Sox by winning 15 of their last 21 games and lead the division by 2.5 games as of this writing. They've done so with a combination of powerful offense and timely pitching. The Tigers have scored at least 5 runs in 15 of those 21 games, and posted shutouts in four of those wins. Outlook: If the Tigers can continue to have all their forces click at once, they could realistically keep the White Sox at bay through the season. The team still has five regulars batting over or near .300, and pitcher Justin Verlander has added to the strong pitching staff. Chicago White Sox Currently: The White Sox have stumbled a bit while the Tigers have been hot, which is why they suddenly find themselves looking up at Detroit in the standings. The White Sox have gone only 10-11 in their past 21 games, and the main reason is that their pitching has been rocked for at least five runs in 16 of those games. During that same span, the team has only scored more than five runs only three times, and lost two of those games. Outlook: It's still early, so there's no reason to panic as of yet. If the Sox can get their pitching together, they'll still be a team to be reckoned with in October. Cleveland Indians Currently: Although the Indians remained near .500 in the past month, they have been streaky, as they both enjoyed a four-game winning streak and a four-game losing streak in the past month to go 10-10 in their last 20 games. The Indians remain a team centered on offense, as their pitching has continued to be pounded with regularity. Outlook: The team is still searching for help on the mound, and if they want to move up in the standings, they may need to make a move to bolster their staff. The Tribe will be in every game as long as Casey Blake and Ben Broussard continue their heavy-hitting ways. Minnesota Twins Currently: The Twins have also been streaky, even though they're staying at near .500 with a 10-10 record in the last 20 games. However, the Twins have suffered through a five-game losing streak and enjoyed two three-game winning streaks during that time. Their offense has come around a bit, and is still being led by young phenom Joe Mauer. Outlook: This is a young team that needs to find some consistency before the Tigers and White Sox run away and hide in the standings. It's still early enough to make a move, but that move needs to happen soon. Kansas City Royals Currently: What was bad has actually gotten worse in Kansas City. The Royals have the worst record in baseball, and they are a dismal The Royals suffered the humiliation of an historic 13-game losing streak and have won only three of their past 20 games. Although Esteban German continued to have success this season, Shane Costa had to spend some time on the DL. Outlook: The team needs to continue to develop its young players and take its lumps as it looks towards 2007. About The Author:
*** Digital Reprint Rights *** *** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of his or her work. Jay Nault can be reached at: juliana.lazari@gmail.com *** Print Publication Reprint Rights *** If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: juliana.lazari@gmail.com
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