OT. Cabrera, Bonderman and the Tigers.
Wow late inning dramatics again, featuring Cabrera, Santiago and Laird. Left fielder didn't hardly move on Miggy's blast. I don't know how Laird beat the throw home, watching it, knowing Laird scores, I still think he is going to be out. Great slide. Great hustle.
Bonderman deals with his old bugaboo, giving up 3 in the first, then 5 scoreless innings. Bonderman (I can't tell from the box score) either gave up one hit or no hits his final 5 innings, with 5 K's total. Bonderman and Willis are doing ok so far, which makes me hopeful for the Motor City Kitties.
Going to be an interesting season for the Tigers, I'm in on the over 81 at this point, and expect the Tigers to be in the Central Division race the entire season.
am mildly surprised and extremely pleased that Willis and Bonderman aren't the complete train wrecks they've been in the past. I just wonder if the Twins are going to kill everyone in the division all year long or just break our hearts at the end again.
As opposed to "I, somebody else?"
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
Not sure what I was thinking on that one. Sometimes you haul ass to post because someone is about to pass by your office and you don't want them seeing you dicking around at work. Sorry I ruined your day. If I gave you some money from my wallet, would that help?
during the last 5.
We've go bats, we just need group our hits a little better, then we'll see the wins pile up. I'm also wondering when Verlander will settle down and start striking out 12 guys a game again. a 9.00 ERA, Justin? Really?
That's why I'm not really worried about the season yet. Verlander is not gonna be that lousy all season. If the Tigers can muddle along with 2 through 5 winning their share of games, just wait til Verlander gets right.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:54 AM ^
doesn't pitch well in the beginning of the season. I'm not worried about him as of now.
I have a nice sized investment on Tigers Over 80.5 wins
It's going to be a roller coaster all season
I fell asleep last nite after Damon got rung up on that bullshit 3rd strike (and was tossed very quickly) thinking to myself, "Dammit, why can't the Tigers get a break lately?!"
I then completely forgot about the game until just a few minutes ago when I remembered to check the score. Of course I assumed they had lost, because, well, that's how I tend to be. Wow was I happily surprised. I love me some Miguel Cabrera! Nice to see that the Tigers fought back and pulled this one out in exciting fashion.
Damn me for falling asleep in the 6th inning.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
I thought it was a strike. Regardless, Damon deserved to be tossed. You can't start drawing the strikezone on the ground.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^
I thought it was a pretty big framejob by Napoli.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:50 AM ^
It was a frame, but every catcher frames pitchers. Seth9 is spot on, if you draw in the dirt, you're toast.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
I was half asleep at the time so I must have missed Damon's drawing in the dirt. I remember him gesturing at the ump and give him some words but don't recall the dirt drawing.
I plead ignorance/stupidity.
Money in the bank son, money in the bank. You certainly have had some nice late inning surprises to start the year, I'll bet you've done some late inning fist punching.
PS: I love gambling when I win, but I hate it more when I lose, hence, I don't do much gambling. I am one sore ass loser when I lose a bet:(
is back to his '06 form... giving up 3 runs in the first, and nothing after that.
I agree with over 81, unfortunately I think the twins will be pushing 95-100 this year.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:14 AM ^
But about the time of the all-star break, that backup closer is going to realize he's used up all his stuff. They'll have a rough second half.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:56 AM ^
have 5 good RP they can use in their arsenals. They all bring different to the table and can use it in different type of matchups. This is part of the reason why the Twins are a great organization, they know how to build teams for the long run.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^
With the lack of run production we've had in early innings (and at all for that matter), I was expecting some pretty low BAs. I was pretty surprised when I actually checked them out; the only players not hitting around .300 are Everett and Laird. Eventually our luck has got to turn around. We're just in need of some old fashioned clutchiness™ (Stephen Colbert)
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^
They're on a little high right now with the new ballpark...and probably taking advantage of the cool april weather up there in minnesota. But by the time summer rolls around and whatever home-field advantage they have evaporates, they'll be wishing for the old metrodome when the elite teams (like the Tigers) are eating their lunch.
Tigers easily win 90 this year. Twins will be lucky to break .500.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
Enjoying a pre-lunch drink this Thursday morning I take it. The Twins are loaded and we'll need to play great baseball just to keep pace with them.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
Liriano is absolutely dealing right now. We're in trouble if he continues to pitch like this.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
you can sink your teeth into.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
I'm not one to buy into guys like Willis and Bonderman after one solid start. I didn't really forget about the turd Bondo threw against Seattle last week....it could easily happen at any time. That being said, it's really on the starters not named Verlander (terrible April pitcher in his career) to consistently step up. We have the second highest team OBP in the majors right now, and even though that number will fall a bit, we should be hovering around the top 10 all year meaning we should be able to score some runs. Porcello remains the key. He needs to step up as that 2/3 guy.
Occasionally your 4/5 starters will throw terrible games. That's what makes them the 4th and 5th guy. I'm okay with it as long as his season ERA stabilizes around 4.
They are both ticking time bombs. Bonderman is epic-level overrated by Detroit fans. He had one "good" year where he still had a 4+ ERA and finished .500. Good luck hoping for a 4 ERA.
The only thing that's really worrying me right now is Austin Jackson. He's got a lot of hits, but also has a ton of strikeouts already as well.
That was the book on him when he came to Detroit. Lots of hits but prone to striking out. If he keeps that BA over .300 I think it'll be okay. Hopefully as he matures he can cut down on the strikeouts.
Eventually he'll learn that 'looks like a strike' != 'strike' and those will go way down.
Damon had no right to bitch about that called 3rd strike. Weaver had been pounding the strike zone all night, and with two strikes, you knew the umpire was going up with the right hand on anything close. The strike zone is the size of a dinner plate as it is.
As soon as Damon started drawing in the dirt I knew he was a goner. That's a big-time no-no. You might as well be dropping 4-letter bombs about the ump's mother. It was like he was trying to get thrown out of the game. Mr. Damon, you have played this game at the major league level long enough to know that you have to use that little wooden stick in your hand with 2 strikes on something that close. You got what you deserved.
Oh, and the reason the left fielder didn't move in the 9th was because Cabrera hit the ball halfway to Dodger Stadium. Had it been a day game that ball might have needed a Green Card just to land. When I saw Laird rounding 3rd I thought he was going to get thrown out by 20 feet. And how in the hell does Guillen get picked off 2nd with 1 out in the 9th? How does he put himself in that position?!?