Key Trends : Central Divisions
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The two Central Divisions should furnish a pair of close playoff races. Right now, writing before games of the 19th, the big difference between them might be in interleague games, where the AL Central is 7 games over .500, and the NL Central plays at 7 games under .500 so far in IL contests.
CLEVELAND may be a surprise to some, but the Indians had a falling-down season last year, while remaining a team with the kind of potential they show now. The Indians have the second-best home record in the majors ... won last 5 home v. lefts, but lost 6 of last 7 home v. rights after a great run of success ... won 4 of last 5 away v. lefts, lost 9 of last 14 away v. rights ... are 9-1 in home day ... won 7 of last 11 away night ... 7 of last 11 home were unders, while 7 of last 10 road also went under the betting number, ties excluded ... won last 5 home starts by Carmona, lost 4 of last 6 by Lee, won 5 of last 7 by Sabathia, lost last 3 by Byrd ...
DETROIT is a strong second, occupying the AL wild card seat right now ... the Tigers strength so far is v. left-handed pitching, as they are getting 6.8 runs per game and are 13-6 v. lefts ... recently, lost 5 of 6 home v. rights, won last 4 after a 5-game losing streak away v. rights ... won 12 of last 14 v. lefts ... won 7 of last 9 home day games ... 7 of last 11 home were overs, as were 9 of last 11 away overs ... won last 7 in a row by Bonderman, lost 4 of last 6 by Maroth, won 5 of last 7 by Verlander, lost 4 of last 6 by Durbin, Tigers get Rogers back this week ...
MINNESOTA is back of the leaders, but within striking distance, playing consistently around .500 so far ... won last 3 home v. lefts, lost 4 of last 7 home v. rights, lost 7 of last 10 away v. rights ... won last 5 home day, lost 9 of last 13 away night games ... 7 of last 11 home were overs, away about a split lately ... strangely, lost 4 of last 7 by Santana, although all 7 were quality starts with 4 or 5 game ratings ... won 6 of last 8 by Bonser, lost 7 of last 9 by Silva ...
MILWAUKEE had a nice opening month to lead the NL Central, and cooling off has not cost them much, as the rest of the division is under .500 ... the Brewers have thrived home v. lefts, at 11-3, winning 7 of the last 8 ... lost 6 of last 9 home v. rights ... won 4 of last 6 away v. rights, but lost 6 straight before that ... good in home day, they lost 12 of the last 17 games played away at night ... total about split lately, home and road ... won 7 of last 9 by Sheets, Vargas a surprise at 6-0 home, lost 6 of last 8 by Suppan, lost 5 of last 7 by Bush ...
The CUBS edged into second, the only other team over .450 in the Central ... lost 6 of last 10 home v. righthanders ... 3-7 with low scoring away v. lefts, lost 6 of last 10 away v. rights ... Cubs lost 6 of last 9 home daywon 5 of last 8 away day ... lost 7 of last 11 away night ... 6 of last 7 home went under, away about a split lately ... won 4 of last 7 by Zambrano, lost 7 of last 8 Hill starts, lost 4 of last 5 by Lilly, won 4 of last 6 by Marquis ...
ST. LOUIS has had troubles, but like most Central teams, has a chance to get back in the race ... won 8 of last 11 home v. rights, but lost 7 of last 11 away v. rights ... Cards won 5 of last 9 overall v. lefts ... won 4 of last 5 home day, won 6 of last 11 home night, lost 5 of last 7 away day, won 5 of last 8 away night ... home an over-under split, but mainly overs in away games recently ... lost last 4 by Wells, won 5 of last 9 by Wainwright ...
PITTSBURGH is .500 home v. lefts, mostly as underdogs ... won 4 of last 5 home v. rights, lost 10 of last 14 away v. rights ... a few more overs than unders at home, 7 of last 9 away were overs ... won 3 of last 5 by Duke, lost 5 of last 6 by Gorzelanny, lost 5 of last 7 by Maholm ... Pirates are 13-16 as road ‘dogs ...
HOUSTON still tries to get started, but Clemens this time ... won last 6 home v. lefts, lost 9 of last 13 home v. rights, poor away v. lefts, lost 10 of last 12 away v. rights ... lost 5 of last 6 away day ... lost 9 of last 11 away night ... 9 of last 10 home were overs, as were 8 of last 12 away ... won 6 of last 9 by Rodriguez, lost 4 of last 6 by Williams ...
CINCINNATI is the disappointment of the NL so far ... Reds are poor generally v. southpaws ... lost 6 of last 9 home v. rights, lost 10 of last 13 away v. rights ... are 6-5 home day, lost 14 of last 18 home night games ... 12 of last 17 home went over, 8 of last 11 away were unders ... won 5 of last 8 by Harang, lost 6 of last 8 by Arroyo, lost 9 of last 11 by Lohse ...
CHICAGO rates as the big AL disappointment ... lost 6 of last 9 home v. rights, lost last 5 away v. lefts, lost 7 of last 9 away v. rights ... dropped last 6 away day ... overs-unders a split, home or road recently ... lost 8 of last 9 by Vazquez, won 5 of last 8 by Buehrle, lost 5 of last 7 by Contreras, lost last 4 by Danks, lost 4 of last 5 by Garland ...
KANSAS CITY brings up the rear here, but have played better lately and are 9-4 v. the NL ... won 4 of last 7 home v. rights, won 3 of last 5 away v. lefts, won 7 of last 10 away v. rights ... won 6 of last 8 away night ... overs-unders a split at home, more unders away ... won 5 of last 8 by Perez, lost 5 of last 6 by Meche, won last 4 by Bannister, ... are 14-17 and winning $ as road underdogs ...