OT: 10-14-12 Tigers vs Yankees. Who's your closer?
Al Alburquerque? As a Tiger fan I would feel real good about this series if I had any faith the bullpen could protect a 4 run lead in the 9th, unfortunately I don't.
October 14th, 2012 at 3:57 PM ^
October 14th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
At this point Leyland just needs to say eff the establishment and let the situation determine which relievers to use.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:02 PM ^
I've never understood the idea of a closer. I get it if you have someone like Mariano Rivera, who is a near guarantee, but to replace someone who is pitching fine for a WORSE pitcher just because that is his established role?
October 15th, 2012 at 1:52 AM ^
mariano rivera over the last 4 years is near automatic with a save % of 92%, leading the majors. who is #2 on that list? Jose Valverde at 90%.
admittidly this season has been rocky but even in a "OMG HE IS TERRIBLE" year, he is still 13th best save % in MLB, and something like 6th or 7th in AL.
I understand the frustration with everbody because he is so animated and it can be frustrating sometime but even those automatic types like mariano rivera have blown saves in crunch time, like the 2004 playoffs he blew 3 saves.
not saying valverde is in the scope of rivera, but he is most certainly not a terrible closer, and anybody that thinks that is sadly mistaken. he is, statistically one of the best in the league.
October 15th, 2012 at 2:32 AM ^
STOP MAKING SENSE YOU'RE INTERFERING WITH MY RAGE.
October 14th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
October 14th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
A trim 54.00 ERA in the playoffs.
October 14th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
Alburquerque or Smyly. Stick with what's working.
I do think Valverde is getting a bad rap right now. He has been a pretty reliable closer for the past two seasons, but he is really struggling right now. Most closers struggle at some point, Valverde is just struggling at an extremely inopportune time. I think the Yankees benching A-Rod a couple days ago puts it in a bit of perspective. That said, I don't think we should let Valverde pitch the rest of the series.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:00 PM ^
October 14th, 2012 at 4:07 PM ^
How would you do the last 3 innings? Al-Al, Benoit, and Dotel. I have little faith in Benoit either.
Hopefully Benoit and Valverde will pitch better in the comfy confines of Comerica park. I prefer not to see either today
October 14th, 2012 at 4:03 PM ^
Either Smyly or Dotel. I like Smyly and seeing as we may need a new closer next year so why not start now? On the other hand Dotel may be the safer option.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^
Leyland will stick with Valverde for no good reason
October 14th, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^
is the correct answer.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^
Wrong
Detroit Tigers' Jim Leyland: Jose Valverde is team's closer but will be out of that role indefinitely
http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/10/detroit_tigers_closer_sit…
October 14th, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^
Rafael Soriano.
Oops, I'm a Yankee fan
October 14th, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^
How does it feel, not having a soul?
October 14th, 2012 at 4:42 PM ^
October 14th, 2012 at 4:50 PM ^
It's actually really depressing and I hate this team so much. But I'm stuck with them. I've watched them my whole life
October 14th, 2012 at 4:55 PM ^
Yes, it is awful to be the Yankees and make the playoffs EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR.
I feel horrible for you.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:01 PM ^
Hey we missed the playoffs in 2008!
/s
But seriously, it's not as exciting being able to buy a championship every few years.
I'm a little jealous of all my Orioles friends, they had so much unexpected fun this season.
My adopted Nationals were a similar experience, and I liked that a hell of a lot better than the Yankee season
October 14th, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^
(eye roll)
October 14th, 2012 at 5:10 PM ^
Dude, don't be such a dick all the time. I know that's your thing, and it's probably not a great time living in Wyoming, but I'm not being an ass here.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:06 PM ^
Upvoted for being a reasonable Yankees fan, not obnoxiously arrogant like so many I've seen. Good point about the high expectations taking some of the fun out of being a fan.
October 14th, 2012 at 6:11 PM ^
Yankees are one of the only teams that can say that. The fans go because they expect to watch great baseball.
Tigers fans go not only for decent baseball, but to have a good time and be loyal.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:13 PM ^
The fact that this comes from a michigan fan is so fucking perfect.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:15 PM ^
uhhh...in what way? i understand the sarcasm, just not what you mean
October 14th, 2012 at 5:21 PM ^
he's a fan of the winningest foortball team in history. Might as well have ManU fan chime in on the matter as well. Hell, any Laker fans out there too? Celtics? Red Wings?
October 14th, 2012 at 5:24 PM ^
I went to this fucking school. Do you expect me not to be a fan? We aren't all in-staters bred as Michigan fans from birth. Get off your high horse.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:39 PM ^
please, tell more about your qualifications to be a Michgan fan, b/c I care about this more than life itself
October 14th, 2012 at 6:26 PM ^
The funniest thing about your little argument with Michigan Arrogance is that he wasn't even talking to you.
He was defending you by replying to David from Wyoming.
If you look at that little picture by his name, you will realize that you two are on the same side.
October 14th, 2012 at 6:32 PM ^
Oh hahaha I didn't really see how the posts lined up. I noticed the picture afterwards. Doesn't change the fact that he was being an ass.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^
October 14th, 2012 at 4:24 PM ^
Can we just have Verlander throw left handed? I think I'd take that over our bullpen.
I say the Tigers just get their bats going and build up a double digit lead by the 9th inning.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^
Nice glove safe by Sanchez
October 14th, 2012 at 4:30 PM ^
I'd like them to pitch AL more innings. I don't think it should be that you just have a 7th inning guy, 8th inning guy and 9th inning guy. If your "7th inning guy" tears it up, then keep him in.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:33 PM ^
I'm pretty sure the lions are about to get fucked on a controversial Calvin Johnson catch again
edit: Color me shocked. They actually got it right.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:33 PM ^
Anybody. At this point Don Kelly is a better pitcher than Valverde.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:51 PM ^
off topic: lions win 26-23 in overtime. another 4th quarter comeback
October 14th, 2012 at 4:51 PM ^
LIONS WIN!
October 14th, 2012 at 5:10 PM ^
Looks like the Eagles had Valverde closing for them--blowing a 10 point lead with <5 minutes left, then losing in OT.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:52 PM ^
Damn, seven strikeouts in 3 innings for Kuroda.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:56 PM ^
Yeah, but he didn't enjoy one moment of it.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:53 PM ^
Jason Hanson has gotta be mentioned as one of the greatest Lions of all time. May sound a bit silly seeing as hes a kicker, but I stick by the statement.
October 14th, 2012 at 6:04 PM ^
They're the closers of football.
October 14th, 2012 at 4:59 PM ^
Go with Al. Anyone is better than Valverde
October 14th, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^
Kuroda pitching a Perfect Game though four innings
October 14th, 2012 at 5:07 PM ^
I don't think it's a - PERFECT GAME- good idea to jinx - PERFECT GAME - him by mentioning - PERFECT GAME - the kind of performance - PERFECT GAME - that he is putting on display.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:11 PM ^
PERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAMEPERFECT GAME
October 14th, 2012 at 5:08 PM ^
What did you say? Perfect Game? Make sure you tell everyone you know as soon as possible.
/Jinx