AL Central Notes
Chicago White Sox (2-0)
The White Sox, benefiting from a new culture, took the first two games of a four game set in Oakland on Monday and Tuesday night. Chris Sale was strong on Monday night, and the bullpen was equally as good as the White Sox picked up the 4-3 win.
On Tuesday evening Jose Quintana received his almost signature no decision, as the bullpen allowed the A’s to tie the game at four. Newcomer Jimmy Rollins hit a go-ahead, and eventual game winning home run off of Oakland closer Sean Doolittle. David Robertson notched his second save in as many nights as the White Sox won 5-4, going two games above .500 in nearly two years.
Kansas City Royals (1-1)
The first week of the Major League Baseball regular season is underway, and the defending AL Central and World Series Champion Kansas City Royals opened the 2016 campaign this past Sunday with a victory over the New York Mets.
The Royals celebrated their 2015 World Championship in front of the very team they beat this past October. Although the Royals got their rings on Tuesday, they were unable to sweep the Mets in a brief two-game series as they were shut out by Noah Syndergaard in a 2-0 loss.
With their core players intact, the Royals will look to repeat as World Champions, and could very well return to the postseason in what appears to be a tough AL Central division. The road to repeating as champions will be tough however as the Royals lost pitcher Johnny Cueto, and utility infielder and outfielder Ben Zobrist to free agency. Through two games, the Royals still look like the team to beat in the AL Central.
Detroit Tigers (2-0)
The Tigers got off to a fast start in their opening game against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, but their bullpen ultimately let the team down before winning its game in extra innings 8-7. Justin Verlander held the Marlins hit-less for 5 1/3 innings and the Tigers newest outfielder Justin Upton went 2-for-6 in his first game for Detroit.
Victor Martinez is still dangerous has he has two pinch-hit home runs to start the season and the Tigers are off to a 2-0 start after sweeping the Marlins in a short two-game series. Anibal Sanchez pitched five innings against the Marlins on Wednesday while giving up two earned runs in a 7-3 Tigers victory. Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a 4 RBI game against in former team, which included a two-run home run.
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Cleveland Indians (1-1)
After losing their home opener to the Boston Red Sox 6-2 on Tuesday, the Cleveland Indians were able to return the favor with a 7-6 victory on Wednesday. Mike Napoli hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the seventh inning for the Indians. Through two games, Indians starting pitching hasn’t been strong as former Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber gave up four earned runs against the Red Sox in the team’s opening game, and Carlos Carrasco surrendered four earned runs over five innings pitched.
Minnesota Twins (0-2)
The Minnesota Twins haven’t gotten off to a good start as they’ve lost their first two games of the season to the Baltimore Orioles. The Twins have scored two runs in each of their games against the Orioles, but their pitching only gave up three runs on Monday and four runs on Wednesday. Twins designated hitter Byung Ho Park has struggled in his first two major league games as he had three strikeouts in a 4-2 loss against the Orioles.