The Tigers are sitting at 38-37, sitting 7 games back from the Tigers. Lets look at some of the comments made in the thread and compare them to reality so far...
Dahs - " I realize that the Indians are a sexy sabermetric pick this year, and that they win the division in the Fangraphs projections. But I don't see it. They're rotation is really, really good, no doubt about it.... I don't see how they can really improve all that much without scoring more runs, and I don't see how this lineup can score all that many more runs."
I guess Dahs was right so far. The Indians needed to score more runs. And they have. Close to .75 more runs a game so far.
" I expect Detroit to win more than 84-85 games. "
Not looking good there.
skunk206
"I'm rooting for a 5-way tie at 86-76"
Not happening.
sjpoker
"Got better: Chicago, Minnesota, and the Indians.
Maintained the status quo - Tigers and KC.
Can get better if in contention: All but Detroit
The Tigers have nothing to trade, so what they go into ST with is basically what they will have the rest of the year. So if the competition is better, then Detroit needs an uptick in production. They are an aging roster with injury issues. The guys they brought on are basically replacing production that was there last year.
Hence, I don't see Detroit improving. Therefore they don't make the playoffs. JMO."
Not quite correct so far, but not horrible. Cleveland HAS gotten better. Chicago is scoring more, and is technically 'better' recordwise, but they're still a .500 team. Minnesota sucks. Detroit will - not - make the playoffs.
d_rock
"So with what looks like the weakest lineup in the AL, they (Cleveland) look like last year's Mets depending on starting pitching and an underrated bullpen to carry them to the postseason but unlike the Mets, they won't give up prospects to get them over the hump because they can't afford to lose prospects"
Meh, Cleveland is 13 games over .500 and has significantly improved their scoring.
"Frazier can hit homeruns but he doesnt get on base much and is an average fielding 3rd baseman."
All true.