OT - JD Martinez

Submitted by chomz14 on
After Cleveland intentionally walked Vmart. JD just hit his 4th bomb and 11th RBI in his last 10 games. And now is a triple short of the cycle. Dude is killing it.

UMxWolverines

June 20th, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^

JD Martinez is a machine.

Bullpen is it's usual self. No matter who they stick in there they can't get it done. It's like watching a house fire. There's nothing you can do about it but you continue to watch.

edit: Or maybe a power plant fire 

LSAClassOf2000

June 20th, 2014 at 10:17 PM ^

I will say that when a great majority of your team's pitching stats sit considerably above MLB mean, you have to wonder if indeed that video is not exactly what is happening to the staff as a whole sometimes. 

That being said, Kinsler just showed us a bit of the spunk that keeps the Tigers' offensive stats in relatively good shape despite the appearance of the last few weeks, so we do have that. This would be a nice confidence boost, I believe, if they can silence Cleveland here. 

johnthesavage

June 21st, 2014 at 2:13 AM ^

They are 24th in ERA, so it's safe to say pitching has been the major problem. 11th in quality starts suggests the bullpen is an issue, not to mention the fact that the $9 million closer has a 6 ERA.

Regardless, this team is about where they should be at this point. Six games over .500, half-game up in a weak division. If the pitching settles down they should still win the division and once you're in the playoffs anything can happen. That's all you can ask for. They were cursed by running so hot to start the year, but on balance this is about what we expected. It's a good opportunity for the bandwagoners to jump off, which is welcome.

rob f

June 20th, 2014 at 10:48 PM ^

seems to be a streaky hitter who's on the hottest of streaks right now.  IIRC, when he was brought up from Toledo several weeks ago, he had just hit 4 HRs in a doubleheader, then continued hitting pretty well for several games before cooling way off.  But in the last week or so of games, wow, his bat has been en fuego' !

Generic MGoBlogger

June 20th, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^

We need this game for confidence more than anything... If Nathan can shut the door in the ninth, he will have two consecutive one run saves which could be huge for him... As for the rest of the bullpen, well... I don't know... Ship them all except for Joba and Al.

rob f

June 20th, 2014 at 10:33 PM ^

let it get interesting as the Indians got the potential tying run to the plate, but finally nailed it down.

Now need KC to lose, they were down by 2 in the 6th last time Rod and Mario gave an update.

WMUgoblue

June 20th, 2014 at 11:47 PM ^

Seeing eye bloop hit, i'll take that result from Joe Nathan any day of the week. He's looked sharp the past 2 days, need more to feel comfortable again but he's getting swinging strikes again....and that's encouraging.

hail2mich

June 20th, 2014 at 10:41 PM ^

Encouraging games from Nathan on back-to-back days. He's getting swinging strikes and locating. I'm not going to say he's back yet, but it would be huge if he continues to show this improvement.

hail2mich

June 20th, 2014 at 10:48 PM ^

Also, I love what JD Martinez has brought to the team. It should be interesting to see how the outfield situation plays out if Dirks comes back and does well. I know Torii is a clubhouse leader and a veteran, but he has left a lot to be desired at the plate and on the field. 

umchicago

June 20th, 2014 at 10:48 PM ^

I couldnt believe Houston cut this guy and the tigers got him for nothing. I was stoked based on his minors stats. He may be a solid RF for years to come.

Rodriguesqe

June 20th, 2014 at 10:56 PM ^

martinez' OPS is 900+.

anyone think he's at all legit or just boesch 2.0?

ausmus thinks he's got something, based on playing time + where hes hitting.

as for the rest of the team, hoping we might be out of that funk, but not expecting so.

the bullpen is a disaster, exacerbated by the starters all going off track. funny to hear criticism of pitching coach jeff jones - how is he supposed to put out 12 fires at once?

if the starters can get it together the bullpen will look alot better.

rob f

June 20th, 2014 at 11:27 PM ^

he's better than Boesch, as he's got a quicker, shorter swing, is better defensively, and has a little more speed. 

I took a quick  look at JD Martinez's minor league and MLB stats on a website of two when the Tigers brought him up from Toledo and was fairly impressed.  At best, he might end up being a Larry Herndon-level player, IMO, if long-term he can produce against both righties and lefties. 

Rodriguesqe

June 21st, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^

good point. when boesch came up, i think he hit 350 his first 2 months with like 40 rbis. but after that his long swing that was filled with holes plus terrible swing selection made him borderline worthless.

we'll see if pitchers find holes in his swing, but you are absolutely right that at least in the mechanics of it, martinez is nothing like boesch.