Its been a stressful game. When Boesch was tagged out trying to score, I dont think the catcher had the ball in his mit when he tagged him. It has been a really exciting game though. Hopefully we pull one out!
Eat Em Up Tigers!
[Edit: well crap...]
Our bullpen really knows how to piss me off.
A few times...the tigers will never win a world series with Valverde as the closer...that being said he is only a year removed from 49/49, still can't believe he did that. Guy just seems to have lost ALL of his command.
The Orioles want to win it. Teagarden goes yaya.
Fucking blew two leads in extra innings.
Disappointing, especially Benoit of all people. Oh well 6 out of 7 isn't too bad and we got JV going tomorrow, take the series and go home for an important home stand.
F'in Benoit...
13 innings and Jackson still hasnt gotten a hit
17 game hit streak broken, just one game though. They've been playing better baseball, just take the series.
For the first eight innings, it felt like the Tigers have no chance. After that, it was at least semi-entertaining. But with the way they rallied, it really sucks they lost. That was a heartbreaker.
At least they have Verlander going tomorrow and (hopefully) shouldn't have to rely on the pen too much. Baltimore, on the other hand, has a spot starter going tomorrow. Hopefully the Tigers get to them early and make it ugly.
that is all
blowing two saves is frustrating but they (the bullpen) has been great lately...
My complaint is santiago at the 2 spot.
At this point they should just bat cabrera 2, fielder 3, and young 4. because the bums they have been putting there are ridiculous... (yes, I am part of the fire leyland crew... lol)
you have cabrera go 3-6 tonight and 5 of the 6 times the guy before him was an out, imagine if that guy could have just had two hits in 6 at bats... yuck
The past few weeks Berry has been in the 2nd spot, I think he gave Santiago one chance today. Would you agree with Berry in 2nd spot or are you serious about a power hitter batting second?
Next, and I ask this to all the fire Leyland crowd, who would you hire in his place? There isn't someone I personally see that would be a vast upgrade out there.
There is no reason not to play Berry at the 2 and those fire Leyland talks have calmed down during the win streak but Im sure they will pick back up since they lost.
the 9 spot puts him in front of Jackson, not a terrible experiment.
Also the possibility of less at bats. You figure Jackson and Berry are .300 hitters. So having two .300 hitters, with speed, in front of Cabrera and Fielder is huge.
I think it would be an interesting experiment, especially if they left berry at 9. It's unorthodox but the two hole has been so bad this year (sans dirks), and correct me if I'm wrong berry has hit better batting lower in the order, or maybe it just feels like that.
As for fireing leyland, I wouldn't do it right now because, like you said, who are you gonna replace him with... I would fire him in the offseason and find someone a little more statistically inclined.
For my part I don't like his loyalty to his veterans (letting them hit themselves out of town) and I think that aside from 2006, when every weird move went his way, I can't think of many times that his work has been even moderately impressive...
Why in god's name do you want to bat Cabby 2nd? I don't agree with Santiago batting in the 2 hole, but there is no way you take the RBI machine out of the 3 hole (which is where he should have been the past 3 years, Leyland why?).
Berry has clearly played above his head and deserves to play everyday at the moment, but once Andy Dirks comes back, there's your 2 hole hitter. I'd like to see what Omar Infante would cost, he'd fill in nicely at both second and could hit before Cabby.
Agree with the Andy Dirks comment, really liked his game before he was hurt, but it doesn't sound good about his returning anytime soon. I really like seeing the Phillies lose every night, they will be selling and the Tigers better be calling about Placido Polonco DAILY!
Darvin Barney is not going to be an option, Theo Epstein is known for asking a ton in prospects and I'm not willing to give up a fortune for a second baseman.
Ehh i'd rather inquire about Victorino from the Phillies instead of Polanco. Ole Quagmire was my favorite player, but he is far past his prime. Like I said I think the Tigers could acquire Omar Infante for Brantly and another decent prospect or Crosby and C level prospect. The fins could use a catching prospect, considering they throw John Buck out there everyday, and Crosby while streaky has great value as lefty. Regardless it will be an interesting next 2 weeks, hoping we continue to play solid baseball, that's all I really ask for.
While i agree that Ramon is not a #2 hitter at any time except sever lineup depletion, i can see Berry at #9 with Jacskon at #1. However, never Cabby at #2. I would have moved Young there. He hit very well when he came to Detroit partlyl because he's free swinging and hitting in front of Miggy meant he was going to get something to hit.
Keep in mind that 6 of the 6 times Miggy came to the plate, Jackson was an out before him too, which is abnormal on lengthy hitting streak for a guy who came into the game at ~.327.
eom.
Valverde apears to be losing his skills. He will be out of baseball in 2 years.
Where you dropped on the head as a small child or just more recently? Valverde was perfect in save situations last year. What did you expect this year?
Well, it looks like fears of a "Kate Upton effect" on Verlander's pitching are misplaced, at least for now.
Shook off that All-star game rather quickly, he needed to go deep today with the bullpen logging a large amount of innings yesterday, and in typical JV fashion he delivered. Porcello and Turner the next 2 days hopefully they can help us continue to play solid baseball.