weasel3216

April 20th, 2012 at 7:20 AM ^

They sent hime down to Toledo last season and he made a start or two and then got called back up.  He was on down here, nothing special.  I think that he may just be a AAA calibar player at this point in his career.  I would like the Tigers to send him down again and let him play a good majority of the season down here, maybe he can start working out all of his problems.

MGoVillain

April 20th, 2012 at 10:50 AM ^

Below and Coke are the only lefties you mentioned other than Schlereth.  Below seems to be more long relief and Coke seems to be more of a late inning lefty specialist that can double as set-up man when Benoit isn't available.  That leaves Schlereth as your only left-handed middle relief.  I think that's why he gets thrown out there so often because he's the least important of the bunch, and he's also left handed.  I definitely didn't understand when Leyland brought him in in the 9th when Verlander blew the 9th against the Rays- but his role seems to be left handed middle relief. 

denardogasm

April 20th, 2012 at 1:17 AM ^

Not necessary.  Once Fister comes back (hopefully sooner rather than later) our rotation will be very solid.  It was highly touted coming into the season.  I actually think the bigger problem has been the hitting surprisingly.  This lineup should be averaging 6 or 7 runs a night, but they're closer to 4 I think.  It doesn't help when Leyland is sticking Inge into the lineup and resting everyone 10 games into the season.  Let the guys get into a groove before you give them the day off.  Some of the quotes I've seen from Inge this week have been embarrassing. He's talking about how strikeout number is the most overrated stat, because you have to attack the baseball without being afraid of striking out... I don't hear Cabrera or Pujols saying things like that buddy.

MightyMatt13

April 19th, 2012 at 11:13 PM ^

Game was looking bad from the start, Yu was dealing. Sometimes the skip has to pick a kid and have him take one on the chin, see how he reacts and bounces back. Schlery has potential, hes shown some signs, I give him automatic mulligan's because pops gives a shoutout on sportscenter ever chance he gets

MGoPietrowski

April 19th, 2012 at 11:32 PM ^

For anybody who ACTUALLY WATCHED THE GAME, you know we started Wilk (our AAA replacement for an injured Fister) and that Texas has the hottest offense in the bigs so far this young season. I expected us to lose this game. It was kind of a throw away (like when the Wings play back to back night road games and they put in Conklin).



Truth is, we can split this four gamer. Odds are, half of you freaking out and calling for signings or whatnot probably didn't even know we had Tex this thur, fri, sat and sun.



Tigers will be fine.

denardogasm

April 20th, 2012 at 1:22 AM ^

Good points, but I also expected our monster lineup to be able to make up for poor pitching at least once a week this season.  Haven't seen it thus far, so hopefully they settle in soon.  

Also, my sister went to school at UofEvansville.  I'm always surprised when I encounter people who even know where it is.

DK81

April 19th, 2012 at 11:33 PM ^

I have had Leyland's back when it comes to playing Raburn and Inge but Schlereth makes no sense. He has had his chance time and time again come up short. Which is sad cause he seems like a great guy and really funny but I would much rather see Below/Dotel in mid relief or even any hot hand from Toledo.

bacon1431

April 20th, 2012 at 12:46 AM ^

Schlereth is a AAAA player. Gets it done in the minors but can't quite get it in the big leagues. His stuff is very good. Just never hits his spots.

Moleskyn

April 20th, 2012 at 9:18 AM ^

Thanks for your insightful analysis of the game, OP.

That said, Schlereth sucks. They should send him down to AAA and bring up Oliver or Crosby, give them some time in the Bigs without the higher expectations that come with being a starter.

REDvsBLUE

April 20th, 2012 at 11:19 AM ^

I know it is April and the season just started so you can't really judge anything at this point.  I mean who realistically thinks Baltimore will win the AL east.  I have and still believe the Tigers and Texas are on a collision course for the ALCS again and the season should be treated as preparing for that matchup.  Illitch knows it which is why he shelled out big for Fielder who so far has been a great addition and I couldn't be more pleased with his transition from the NL to AL (unlike Adam Dunn who still is struggling).  

However, I would have hoped they would have put up a better effort in their first game against the team that outsted them from the run last year.  First off, they need to ship Schlereth off to Siberia, he has no business pitching in the big leagues and maybe not even AAA.  Almost every time they bring the guy in he gives up runs, its pretty pathetic.  I'm sorry at 5-1 in the 7th with 3 more at bats to go this team is far from out especially when 2 of their runs came from a routine douple play error.  The tigers production in the last 3 innings has been through the roof.  The fact is Leyland decided that the game was a throw away which as a fan is disheartening.  Either that or he just thinks the guy needs more reps in the big leagues to grow but every time he comes out of the bull pen my heart knows the game is over.    

I believe the tigers are the 2nd best team in the AL, but leaps and bounds behind Texas.  Texas' batting lineup is pretty unstoppable even compared to ours or a Pujols driven team and there is little chance we could beat them in a series off of production alone.  Their focus needs to be out pitching Texas which is going to be pretty tough.  For as good as Darvish looked last night again us, he is only going to get better.  In his first three starts alone his improvement has been amazing and once he works out the walks I think he will be an ace in the AL.  I believe this team can beat anybody but Texas at this point, which is pretty amazing of itself.  Our best bet is to make sure Verlander and Fister are ready for the playoffs and pray the lineup comes around that they both get to pitch 2 each in a series against who I presume will be Texas and mow em down.  

It would be great to get a more solid 2nd baseman who can actually hit but I don't see much the Tigers can trade away without compromising crucial pieces of their current lineup and I don't want to see them trade away minor league upcoming studs.  I believe in this team and definitely feel like if there was any year to follow the Tigers it would be this year.  Hopefully Porcello can impress tonight because his growth this offseason looks like it could pay off big.