OT: 8/23 MLB Open Thread

Submitted by Moleskyn on

Alright so it's a slow Tuesday afternoon, the Tigers have game 2 against the Rays tonight, and the Indians are playing game 1 of a day/night doubleheader right now. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited about the fact that we could lose tonight and still increase our lead over the Indians (although they're currently winning 4-3 in the 9th... EDIT: Dang, Seattle takes the lead in the 9th, then Choo hits a walk-off, three-run homer for Cleveland. Oh well).

Some topics for discussion:

  • Rick Porcello: do you think he can turn things around come October? Was July a fluke, or does he have what it takes to be a post-season contributor this year?
  • Catcher depth: what should the Tigers do to get Avila some rest while Martinez's knee continues to heal? Is Avila a robot, thus making that question a moot point?
  • AL Central title: for the Tigers fans, are you more worried about the Indians, or the ChiSox? For Sox and Indians fans, do you think either of your teams have what it takes to overcome a 5.5 game deficit?

DISCUSS.

kirtip

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^

Cleveland unable to hold onto the 9th inning lead and are now down 5-4 going into the bottom half.

Rick Porcello: I think he can turn it around a little before the end of the season. He is very streaky and if he can get a few wins under his belt he can get hot fast. Unfortunately, if he doesnt he could remain in his current average state throughout the year.

Catcher: As much as I hate to say it, I think Leyland needs to give Inge a couple of starts eventually. Avila is literally on fire right now so maybe not this instant, but soon enough he is going to need some rest to combat these hits he has taken. We need him healthy for the post-season.

AL Central: I think I am still more worried about the indians, but in all honesty Im more worried of a tigers choke. If we lose it is because of our own issues. Chicago and Cleveland are not good.

a2_electricboogaloo

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^

About Porcello.  I feel like he has the stuff to be a great pitcher.  But he just cant seem to keep things together long enough to really prove it.  He had a great July, and if he could get back to that before October rolls around then I think he could play a part in the rotation for the playoffs.  That being said, I think it's unlikely that he will be a part of the rotation come ALDS time, due to the fact that the tigers (likely) will move to a three man rotation (Verlander, Scherzer and Fister) putting Rick in the bullpen.

Trader Jack

August 23rd, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^

Moving to a 3 man rotation in the playoffs is pretty common. The reasoning is simply to allow your best 3 starters to pitch as many games as possible. For instance, assuming the Tigers make the playoffs they could move to a 3 man rotation & start Verlander in games 1 & 4 of the ALDS, while Scherzer could start games 2 & 5. If they made it to the ALCS or World Series, Verlander could start games 1, 4, & 7 with Scherzer & Fister starting two games each. Using a 4 man rotation would make any scenario where Verlander starts three games in a series impossible. For this reason, 3 man rotations are very common in the postseason. If Porcello pitched well from here on out they could make him the 3rd starter in place of Scherzer or (more likely) Fister, though.

BornInAA

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^

tonight section 117 behind vistors dugout.

Should be a batter's duel as Penny is 4.97 ERA and 0-3 at Tropicana while Price for the Rays is 4-6, 3.59 ERA.

Moleskyn

August 23rd, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^

Since I live in Cleveland, I haven't gotten to see Porcello pitch very much this year, but I did watch him on Sunday, and he was leaving a lot of his breaking balls up and over the plate. I know he's been working on some mechanical issues, so hopefully they at least know where the problem is and he's able to correct it.

WMUgoblue

August 23rd, 2011 at 4:13 PM ^

Porcello basically screwed himself in his start on Sunday. He's really only been effective against LH bats by crowding them inside, and by throwing behind Asdrubal on Sunday he really got the whole inside strike zone taken away from him. I have no doubt that Cabrera was checking to see if that ball was fair or foul with that near miss HR, and I'm sorry I don't buy Rick's excuse saying that the pitch just got away from him.

If he can get back to pitching inside to lefties than he shouldn't have too much of a problem getting back to the pitcher we all know he can be

bronxblue

August 23rd, 2011 at 4:18 PM ^

Porcello is just having a down part of the year, but I still see him being an integral part of the pennant run.  Plus, having Pfsiter helps because at least you have another guy who can move up to 3/4 in the rotation if needed.  Before that trade, you were relying on Furbush and the Oliveres to pick up the slack.

As for catcher, I'm not sure Inge makes sense because he hasn't played back there for years and will undobutedly be rusty.  Maybe if the match-up is right and he shows the ability in practice, but beyond that I'd rather just trot out Avila  or call up a kid in September for some spot starts (not sure about C prospects in AA/AAA, though). 

As for the Central, the White Sox are probably the scariest because they have more talent, but Cleveland is hanging around.  I think that Jiminez trade will screw them come 2-3 years from now when they are again without much in the way of prospects and have a #2/3 starter (at best) to show for it, but right now they are the team to beat.  They have some easy games the next couple of weeks (finish up with Sea, then KC), so Detroit needs to keep pace.  I don't foresee a Tiger's "choke" because they actually have a decent set of starters and bullpen, and the schedule only lightens up after TB.  The rest of the way are AL central teams with the Orioles thrown in just before the end of the season.  I'm marginally confident that if Detroit that split this current series and not gack away games to Minny and KC, they should win this division comfortably. 

Va Azul

August 23rd, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^

I agree with the easy schedule down the stretch comment.

If the Tigers can go .500+ (18-17) the rest of the way, one of the other two teams would have to go on a .650+ tear to finish out just to catch the Tigers. That's 24-12 for a White Sox team that hasn't hit very well, and 24-13 for a Cleveland team that hasn't pitched well outside of Masterson. I don't see that kind of run being likely.

So can the Tigs play .500 ball the rest of the way? You've got three more games against Tampa, 6 against Minny, 6 against KC, and 4 each against Oak and Balt in addition to the aforementioned Cle/Chi games. You've also got Verlander taking the hill every 5 start.

Baltimore's the worst team in the American League, record-wise, followed by KC. (And yes, I do remember the last weekend in '06) Both Minnesota and Oakland are still bad teams right now as well.  

jmblue

August 23rd, 2011 at 6:19 PM ^

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited about the fact that we could lose tonight and still increase our lead over the Indians (although they're currently winning 4-3 in the 9th

Huh? If both teams lost, the margin wouldn't change.

Va Azul

August 23rd, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^

Chicago and Cleveland have eight games left against each other.  Detroit has six games left against both Chicago and Cleveland.   That's alot of opportunity to either distance yourself from, or come back to the pack.  The next "biggest series of the year" will have to wait for a whole 10 days when the White Sox come to town. 

 

alwaystrueblue

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:39 PM ^

pitch is torture.   He really looks like a guy who belongs in an old-timers league somewhere. 

 

He gets hit and hit hard almost every time out and his only hope is that they hit those rockets right at someone.   Add in the 2-5 walks he gives up and its a long night for the Tigers when he pitches.