{"id":629,"date":"2008-08-18T11:08:10","date_gmt":"2008-08-18T18:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2008\/08\/18\/climbing-the-ladder-with-the-american-league-81808\/"},"modified":"2008-08-18T11:08:10","modified_gmt":"2008-08-18T18:08:10","slug":"climbing-the-ladder-with-the-american-league-81808","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2008\/08\/18\/climbing-the-ladder-with-the-american-league-81808\/","title":{"rendered":"Climbing the Ladder with the American League 8\/18\/08"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back-to-Back x2 in Chicago, A Texas Size Whopping in Boston plus more in this weeks Climbing the Ladder with the American League.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
A.L. East<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nPCT.<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nGB<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL10<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nSTRK<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tampa Bay<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n75<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n48<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.610<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n—<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n7-3<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boston<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n71<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n53<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.573<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n4.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New York<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n66<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n58<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.532<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n9.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n4-6<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toronto<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n64<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n60<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.516<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n11.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Baltimore<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n60<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n63<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.488<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n15.0<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of the 261 Major League clubs who have lost 95+ games, only 3 have been 26 games over .500 on August 17th or later in the season.\u00c2\u00a0 Tampa Bay joins the 1999 Diamondbacks (+38) and the 1991 Braves (+27) as the only 3 teams to do so.\u00c2\u00a0 Ray’s pitching has had a lot to do with the teams success in 2008.\u00c2\u00a0 With Scott Kazmir’s<\/strong> start last night, Tampa Bay now has 5 pitchers, age 26 or younger, who have made 20 starts each.\u00c2\u00a0 This makes the Rays just the 4th team in Major League history to achieve this.<\/p>\n

Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Red Sox ended their historic week on a bad note, losing two straight to the Toronto Blue Jays.\u00c2\u00a0 Earlier in the week, Boston faced the Texas Rangers in a game filled oddities and never before’s.\u00c2\u00a0 David Ortiz<\/strong> became the first player to hit two 3t run home runs in the first inning of a game.\u00c2\u00a0 Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis <\/strong>also combined for 11 RBI’s, something that Big Papi and Manny Ramirez<\/strong> had never done.\u00c2\u00a0 As Jason Stark notes, in the 108 seasons between 1900 and 2007, only two teams managed to score at least 17 runs in a 9 inning game and lose. Stark also notes that this feat has happened in two consecutive months this year, the first being when the Marlins lost 18-17 in Colorado on the 4th of July.\u00c2\u00a0 Before this week, the record for American League teams who scored 17 runs or more was 522-0…it now stands at 522-1.<\/p>\n

New York Yankees<\/strong><\/p>\n

The New York Yankees continue their slide down the American League East standings, going just 4-6 in their last 10 games.\u00c2\u00a0 With Toronto just 2 games behind New York in the East, the Yankees face the possibility of finishing the season in 4th place. \u00c2\u00a0 Outfielder Hideki Matsui<\/strong> hopes to prevent that from happening and will return from the disabled list on Tuesday.\u00c2\u00a0 Matsui will likely be limited to designated hitter duties when he returns.<\/p>\n

Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toronto starter, Roy Halladay<\/strong> completed his American League leading 8th complete game on Saturday when he faced the Boston Red Sox.\u00c2\u00a0 Halladay has completed 34 games since 2003, 12 more than runner up Livan Hernandez<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Toronto’s pitching staff now leads the Major’s in ERA (3.63), complete games (10), and leads the American League in fewest runs allowed (444), and strike outs (895).<\/p>\n

Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Baltimore Orioles have been going through an impressive offensive outburst over their last 19 games, reaching double digits in hits in 14 of those games while averaging 6.6 runs per game.\u00c2\u00a0 O’s hurlers have also pitched in, picking up a win and a quality start in the teams last 11 wins while posting a 1.98 ERA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
A.L. Central<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nPCT.<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nGB<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL10<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nSTRK<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chicago<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n70<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n53<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.569<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n—<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n7-3<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minnesota<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n70<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n53<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.569<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n—<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n8-2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Detroit<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n60<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n64<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.484<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n10.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n4-6<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kansas City<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n56<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n67<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.455<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n14.0<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n7-3<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cleveland<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n55<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n69<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.444<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n15.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2-8<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Chicago White Sox <\/strong><\/p>\n

Slugger Carlos Quintin<\/strong> is looking to\u00c2\u00a0 become the first White Sox hitter in the history of the franchise to lead the Major Leagues in home runs and the first to lead the American League since Dick Allen<\/strong> hit 32 in 1974.\u00c2\u00a0 Allen (37 in 1972) and Bill Melton<\/strong> (33 in 1971) are the only other Sox hitters to top the league in home runs.\u00c2\u00a0 Quinton’s 34 home runs put him one home run ahead of Ryan Howard <\/strong>(33) <\/strong>and two home runs ahead of Adam Dunn <\/strong>(32) <\/strong>for the Major League lead. \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since the All Star break, the Minnesota Twins have posted a record of 16-11 while hitting .277.\u00c2\u00a0 Their pitching staff has posted a 4.09 ERA and Twins pitching has held their opponents to a .263 batting average.\u00c2\u00a0 What the Twins have done that the White Sox and Tigers have not is hit .316 with runners in scoring position, good enough for best in the Majors in that department.<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Miguel Cabrera <\/strong>hit his 25th home run of the season this weekend, making it 5 straight seasons with 25 home runs or more.\u00c2\u00a0 Miggy joins Andrew Jones<\/strong>, Albert Pujols<\/strong>, and Alex Rodriguez<\/strong> as the only active players to have five 25 home run seasons before turning 26 years old.<\/p>\n

Cleveland Indians<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cleveland Indians are out of last place in the American League Central after going 7-3 in their last 10 games and taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels.\u00c2\u00a0 Cliff Lee<\/strong> continues to impress and has posted a 17-2 record this season.\u00c2\u00a0 The last Major League pitcher to start 17-2 was Roger Clemens <\/strong>in 2001 when he was with New York.\u00c2\u00a0 Lee is just the 6th pitcher since 1970 to win 17 of his first 19 decisions and is on pace to win 23 games in 2008.<\/p>\n

Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Kansas City Royals finished a 28 game stretch against clubs with a winning record. The Royals are 12-16 during that span, showing that there is life to this team.\u00c2\u00a0 Kansas City stated off this 28 game stretch playing well but faded towards the end, going 2-8 in their last 10 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
A.L. West
\n<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n		W<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nPCT.<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nGB<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL10<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nSTRK<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Los Angeles <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n76<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n46<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.623<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n—<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Texas<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n62<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n63<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.496<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n15.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2-8<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oakland<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n56<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n67<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.455<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n20.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n3-7<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seattle<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n46<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n77<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.374<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n30.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2-8<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL3<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Angels have won 6 of their last ten and appear to\u00c2\u00a0 be returning back to earth after losing two of three to the Cleveland Indians.\u00c2\u00a0 The Angels hold the best record in the Majors and are one of just two teams in the American League to have a winning percentage over .600.\u00c2\u00a0 If the Angels continue to play as they have, they could end up winning over 100 games in 2008, which would be the first 100 win season in franchise history.<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Rangers had a tough week playing some good baseball teams.\u00c2\u00a0 After being swept by the Boston Red Sox, Texas then went on to play the first place Tampa Bay Rays, winning just once and falling to 2-8 in their last ten games.\u00c2\u00a0 Rookie pitcher Matt Harriosn<\/strong> tossed 8.0 innings of shut out baseball on Saturday night, making him just the second pitcher for the Rangers this season to pitch 8.0 innings or more of scoreless baseball.<\/p>\n

Oakland Athletics<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Oakland Athletics gave up two earned runs on Saturday and lost, marking the 9th time this season that the A’s have allowed exactly two runs and lost.\u00c2\u00a0 The last time the A’s allowed two runs and lost at least nine games was in 1974 with Oakland had 10 such losses.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Oakland scored just one run on Saturday and have scored one run or less in 32 of the teams 123 games they’ve played this year.<\/p>\n

Seattle Mariners<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winless in Seattle?\u00c2\u00a0 I think so.\u00c2\u00a0 The Mariners are just 2-8 over their last 10 games and 21-29 since manager Jim Riggleman<\/strong> took over on 6\/20\/08. \u00c2\u00a0 Brandon Morrow <\/strong>continues to transition from reliever to stater, throwing 61 pitches over 3.2 innings, with 5K’s, 2 BB’s, 3 hits and 2 runs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Back-to-Back x2 in Chicago, A Texas Size Whopping in Boston plus more in this weeks Climbing the Ladder with the American League.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-629","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t