Climbing the Ladder with the American League 8/10/08

Manny Mania Continues, Rays Stay Hot, & the Angels Continue to Fly plus more in this weeks Climbing the Ladder with the American League.

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa acquired reliever Chad Bradfordfrom the Baltimore Orioles this past week.  Bradford has posted a 2.34 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP through 42.1 innings.  Tampa will likely receive its biggest pitching boost from a player who isn’t currently on the roster.  LHP David Pricewas the recipient of Rays pitcher of the month for July after going 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA, 31 K’s,  8BB in 39 innings over 6 starts with the Montgomery Biscuits. Its only a matter of time before Price makes his presence known in the American League East.

Boston Red Sox

Sophomore second baseman Dustin Pedroiahit his 10th home run of the season on Friday marking just the 20th time in Red Sox history that a second baseman has hit 10 or more home runs in a season.  Bobby Doerrhad the first 12 of those seasons over a 13 year span from 1939-51.  Jason Bayhad his hit streak come to an end last night. Bay had previously hit in his first 7 games with the Red Sox.  The last mid-season acquisition to begin his Red Sox career with a hitting streak of at least 6 games was Hall-of-Fame third baseman George Kell.

New York Yankees

The Yankees 2008 season has been marked with injury and New York added another name to that list this week.  Joba Chamberlainwas placed on the 15 day disabled list with “rotator cuff tendinitis” on August 6th after visiting Dr. James Andrews, the same initial diagnosis given to Jorge Posadawho was later found to have a rotator cuff tear.  The diagnosis is  very non-descriptive and some think that the extreme heat in Texas has something to do with it but we should know more on the severity of this injury if Chamberlain isn’t up and throwing in 2-3 weeks.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays will get slugger Vernon Wellsback from the disabled list today.  Toronto hopes that Wells can give them the shot in the arm they need to get their offense going.  Its unlikely that the Blue Jays will be able to make a run at the American League East or even the Wild Card in 2008 largely due to Toronto’s inability to string together wins.  The Blue Jays haven’t had a win streak of 6 or more games since 2004, good enough to be the longest streak of its kind in the Majors.

Baltimore Orioles

Don’t look now but the Orioles have won 8 of their last 12 games while averaging 6.25 runs and 11.5 hits per contest.  O’s starters have earned a win and posted a quality start in each of the teams last 8 wins and have posted a 1.78ERA in those games.  Over their last 4 starts, Baltimore’s pitchers have given up just 10 earned runs.  Despite the O’s recent success, Baltimore remains in last place in the American League East, 13.5 games out of first place.

Minnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are clinging to their half game lead over the Chicago White Sox.  After briefly taking over first place last week, the Twins lost two to Seattle and were once again looking up at Chicago.  Minnesota has since won three in a row on the arms of Blackburn, Slowey, and Liriano. Since June 13th, the Twins have posted a 33-16 (.673) record, one win ahead of the Angels and the most wins during the 49 game stetch.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are now looking up at the red hot Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.  Chicago lost Jose Contrerasfor the year last night when the right hander ruptured his achillies’ tendon during the second inning of Saturdays game against the Boston Red Sox.  The game was Contreras’ first since returing from the disabled list with right elbow tendonitis.  Contreras was just 7-6 with a 4.60 ERA this season and hadn’t beaten an American League team since June 5th.
Detroit Tigers

Detroit’s Gary Sheffieldpledged to be “productive”  in 2009, stating “I know I have another year on my contract, so I put in the work,” he said. “I want to finish what I started. I knew, eventually, I would get better and I would be healthy. But it was a process — a painful process, a frustrating process.”  I’m sure Sheffield’s pledge more than makes up for the .225 batting average, 10 home runs and 33 RBI’s he’s contributed in 2008.  Its a good thing that Miguel Cabrerrahas decided to carry the team on his back.  Cabrerra is hitting .348 with five doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 32 RBI in 22 games following the all-star break. He is leading the American League with 32 RBI following the break and is hitting .515 with runners in scoring position over his last 20 games.

Kansas City Royals

Since Kansas City has no reason to fight for the division this year, they’ve decided to fight everyone they play.  Royals starter Zack Greinke threw at Delmon Young during last nights game and got into a bench clearing brawl with the Chicago White Sox last Sunday.  The losing must be getting to the Royals and Zack Greinke and what better way to take out dhis frustration than throwing at Nick Swisher(6’0, 200lbs) and Delmon Young(50 game suspension for throwing bat at replacement umpire in 2006).

Cleveland Indians

The one good thing about Victor Martinezgetting hurt is the emergence of his replacement, Kelly Shoppach. Since taking over the regular catching duties, Shoppach is hitting .312 with 16 doubles, 9 home runs, 28 RBI’s, .617 slugging %, and an OPS of 1.005 in 42 games. Cliff Leecontinues to roll and now holds a 15-2 record.  The last pitcher to start a season 15-2 was Toronto’s Roy Halladayin2003 when he won the American League Cy Young Award.

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels hold the best record in baseball for another week and are now 30 games over .500 and 14.0 games ahead of the second place Texas Rangers.  The 14 game lead is a club record for the Angels and the addition of Gold Glove first baseman Mark Teixeirahas really helped add to that lead.  Angels starters  have also remained consistent and lead the Majors with 58 victories and 732 innings pitched, an average of 6.1 innings per start.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have lost 4 straight games after winning 3 in a row.  The inconsistency of the Texas Rangers lies in its pitching, a serious issue that will need to be addressed during the off season.  Texas has totaled just one run over its last three games which is just the fifth time in team history and the first time since 1992 that the Rangers have totaled one run in a three game span.

Oakland Athletics

It appears that the Oakland triple-A’s are trying to lose as the team is just 1-9 in their last 10 games, falling to 19 games out of first place.  Oakland is just 3-20 over their last 23 and may challenge the Mariners for worst team in the American League before the season’s over.  When will enough be enough for the Oakland faithful who have seen Billy Beanespin his wheels, season after season with only one playoff series win?

Seattle Mariners

Seattle has won 3 of its last 4 but remain the American Leagues worst team.  Seattle’s Jarrod Washburnhas reportedly cleared waivers but may draw little interest due to the $10.35 Million he’s owed next season.  The Yankees may be a good fit for the expensive lefty as they may be one of the only teams with the need and means of picking up Washburn if Chamberlin’s season is over.