AL Central All-Stars

Before I get started with this, here's a classic Ozzie Guillen rant.


In terms of reality television, I think Ozzie having his own tball team to manage would make for some quality viewing. Just thinking about him cussing and screaming at 5 year olds makes me giggle. The ChiSox are up 1 1/2 games on the Twinkies, and look to be in the driver seat. Detroit looms as a potential sleeper if they get any pitching at all. Kansas City has been frisky, while Cleveland has been a major disappointment. Without further ado the All-Stars......


C- Joe Mauer, Minnesota (.322, 5 HR, 41 RBI, 97 H, 58 R)
1B- Justin Morneau, Minnesota (.323, 14 HR, 68 RBI, 118 H, 55 R)
2B- Placido Polanco, Detroit (.304, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 103 H, 44 R)
3B- Carlos Guillen, Detroit (.284, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 8 SB, 92 H, 45 R)
SS- Orlando Cabrera, Chicago (.270, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 15 SB, 104 H, 56 R)
OF- Delmon Young, Minnesota (.286, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 10 SB, 97 H, 47 R)
OF- Grady Sizemore, Cleveland (.273, 23 HR, 54 RBI, 22 SB, 99 H, 60 R)
OF- Jermaine Dye, Chicago (.306, 21 HR, 56 RBI, 105 H, 56 R)
DH- Jim Thome, Chicago (.253, 18 HR, 51 RBI, 72 H, 50 R)

The M and M boys have keyed the Twins offense, with Morneau hitting for a much higher average than usual. Cabrera started out slow, and despite rumors that he is a cancer in the clubhouse, gets the nod at SS. Polanco and Guillen have been steady for Motown. Grady Sizemore leads the league in Homers, and could potentially be a 40-40 man with a big second half. Dye leads the Sox offense, while Thome is simply the best out of the others. Nothing spectacular from him so far, and the Sox need bigger production out of him to keep their lead. Delmon Young brings a decent amount to the table and doesn't take anything off, unless he decides to throw his bat at the umpire again.

SP- Cliff Lee, Cleveland ( 12-2, 2.31 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 106 K's)
SP- Jon Danks, Chicago ( 7-4 2.67 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 94 K's)
SP- Zach Grienke, Kansas City (7-5, 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 104 K's)
SP- Gavin Floyd, Chicago ( 10-5, 3.63 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 75 K's)
SP- Andres Galarraga, Detroit ( 7-3, 3.27 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 62 K's)
RP- Joe Nathan, Minnesota ( 27 SV's, 1.13 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 46 K's)
RP- Joakim Soria, Kansas City ( 25 SV's, 1.47 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 46 K's)
RP- Bobby Jenks, Chicago ( 18 SV's, 1.95 ERA, 1.11 WHIP)

Cliff Lee should be comeback player of the year. Less than a year after a minor league stint, he's been the best pitcher in the American League not named Roy Hallday. Aside from Lee, I guarantee only diehards had ever even heard of the rest of the starters. All have had very solid seasons up to this points however. In a year where closers have been dominant, Nathan and Soria have been up near the top. The Palehose need Jenks to come back from injury soon.

Bench
A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago
Miguel Cabrera, Detroit
Mark Grudzielanek, Kansas City
Jhonny Peralta, Cleveland
Joe Crede, Chicago
Carlos Quentin, Chicago
Jose Guillen, Kansas City
Magglio Ordonez, Detroit
Todd Jones, Detroit
Jesse Crain, Minnesota
Scott Baker, Minnesota
Nick Blackburn, Minnesota
Glen Perkins, Minnesota
Ron Mahay, Kansas City
Masado Kobayashi, Cleveland

In looking at this, how in the hell is Minnesota in 2nd? Look for them to fall off with Detroit getting hot and challenging the White Sox. Next up, the AL West All-Stars. (I think Josh Hamilton might make it).