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A.L. central

Sporting News, The, Sept 23, 2005

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Ozzie Guillen plans to rest his regulars once the White Sox clinch the A.L. Central, but the days off will be occasional, not in long stretches. ... Pablo Ozuna has filled in capably for injured 3B Joe Crede (fractured finger). Ozuna's speed and ability to get on base essentially provide another leadoff hitter from the No. 9 spot. ... RHP Dustin Hermanson will be limited for the rest of the season because of vertebrae problems in his lower back. He will use the offseason to relax and recover, but he'll avoid surgery. If Hermanson needs a game off, Guillen will turn to RHP Bobby Jenks, LHP Damaso Matte or RHP Cliff Politte, depending on matchups. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: SS Juan Uribe has added a timing device during his swing--a tap with his front left leg--that has helped him remain more patient. Instead of flying open while swinging and trying to pull pitches, Uribe is seeing the ball longer and using the entire field. The move paid dividends during a recent seven-game hitting streak.--Scott Merkin

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CLEVELAND INDIANS

Don't look for manager Eric Wedge to give SS Jhonny Peralta or CF Grady Sizemore much time off down the stretch. Though neither has experienced the grind of a major league playoff race, they shouldn't wear down. Wedge says both have paced themselves well during the season. ... The team has gone to a platoon system at first base, with Ben Broussard playing against righthanders and Jose Hernandez playing against lefties. Broussard's ineffectiveness at the plate cost him the everyday job. ... RHP Matt Miller will not return this season because he had a setback in his recovery from tightness in his forearm. The team didn't want to take any chances with him. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: RHP Bob Howry altered his two-seam fastball grip, and it has given the pitch more movement. A power pitcher, Howry now is able to throw his hard stuff inside against lefthanded and righthanded hitters. With his velocity back up to 95 mph, Howry has been a more effective setup man.--Justice B. Hill

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

CF Aaron Guiel, filling in for injured David DeJesus, got plenty of chances after he was called up. He had an 8-for-21 surge after a 2-for-22 start. At 32, he doesn't fit the team's youthful profile, but he could provide needed depth, especially if LF Terrence Long moves on. ... DH/1B Mike Sweeney, in range of his sixth 20-homer season and fifth .300 season, wants a healthy finish. After sitting out for seven games because of a sore back, Sweeney had missed 33 games because of injuries. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Second base is unsettled heading into the offseason. Andres Blanco, a converted shortstop, is a defensive whiz who must prove himself at the plate. Ruben Gotay, whose hot hitting won him the job out of spring training, has faded to Class AA Wichita. Donnie Murphy, also a strong defender, quickly made four errors after being called up and then broke a finger. Teaming Blanco with SS Angel Berroa could solidify one of the A.L.'s worst defenses, a priority for 2006.--Dick Kaegel

DETROIT TIGERS

RHP Fernando Rodney's fastball again is registering around 98 mph, which was the velocity he had before missing last season because of elbow surgery. The team is expecting Rodney to be more effective in 2006. Not only will he be further removed from surgery, but he will work this offseason on improving his slider so he can have three quality pitches. ... The team continues to encourage OF Nook Logan to bunt more so he can better use his speed, but it hasn't been a productive tactic lately. Defenses have played in to take the bunt away, and Logan has popped up a lot of his recent attempts. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: RHP Jason Johnson says a mechanical flaw is a reason for his second half slide. He has been falling off the mound at the end of his delivery, causing poor command. Johnson had the same problem earlier in the season but was able to fix it quickly. This time, he hasn't been able to make repairs. In Johnson's first 10 starts after the All-Star break, his ERA was 5.73.--Jason Beck

MINNESOTA TWINS

RHP Travis Bowyer, the organization's top bullpen prospect, got his first big-league call-up last week. His fastball reaches the mid-to-high 90s, but he has been told to develop his off-speed pitches, which will be important to his success in the majors. A closer for Class AAA Rochester this year, Bowyer says he threw mostly fastballs because he had success with them. He plans to work on his curve in the Arizona Fall League. ... The chances of RHP Kyle Lohse leaving the team in the offseason increased after his clubhouse tantrum and critical comments about the offense and manager Ron Gardenhire. Lohse, who is arbitration-eligible this winter, had only one win in his first 11 starts after the All-Star break. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: RHP Jesse Crain's pregame routine involves lifting small dumbbells and doing other fitness activities in front of his locker. Crain, 24, credits his durability this season to the extra workouts. The rookie leads the staff in appearances.--Mark Sheldon

A.L. central

Sporting News, The, Sept 23, 2005

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