Detroit Tigers

Tigers Start Homestand With Win Over the O’s

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The Tigers downed the Orioles 5-1 tonight at Comerica Park.  Besides the win, there was a lot I liked about the game.

First, the Tigers scored early and added on runs but the thing I really liked the most was Jim Leyland’s use of the bullpen.  After 6 strong innings from Scherzer, Leyland brought in Smyly for the seventh.  Smyly got the O’s in order on 9 or 10 pitches.  I was elated when Leyland sent Smyly out for the 8th and speechless when he let him pitch the 9th.  I thought for sure Leyland was going to replace Smyly after the 7th.

Scherzer moved his record to 10-0, the first time since 1909 that a Tiger pitcher has started a season this well.

On a different note, I’m very concerned that the Tigers are going to trade Rick Porcello sometime this year for a closer.  I hope I’m wrong and here are my reasons:

1) I have to admit it, like Avila, I’ve liked Porcello since they brought him up

2) I really think that Rickey is going to turn into a top of the rotation pitcher and would like to see him reach that potential in a Tiger uniform

3) I hate giving up prospects and/or paying closers a lot of money.  This thinking is probably influenced by my reading of Money Ball.  Billy Beane says he can always find a closer and he has the track record to prove it.

I guess I don’t have an answer for the closer problem but I’d hate to see another trade like the John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander trade.  It is true Alexander was great down the stretch in 1987 but the Tigers didn’t win the World Series and Smoltz became a hall of famer.

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural

Another Gem By Rickey

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Rick Porcello turned in another quality start going 7 innings, striking out 5, walking none, and allowing no runs as the Tigers downed the Twins 4-0.

Fielder again showed his dislike for teams walking Cabrera in front of him as he got the Tigers on the board in the 6th.  After a walk to Cabrera put runners on first and second.  Fielder promptly lined a double, the first of three consecutive Tiger doubles, to score Jackson and Cabrera.

Alex Avila continues to struggle mightily at the plate.  He went 0-3, striking out twice and dropping is average to .166.

Porcello threw 94 pitches through 7 and lowered his ERA to 4.37.  I would have liked to see him come out for the 8th but it appears that only JV is allowed to go much more than 100 pitches.

Valverde pitched a scoreless 9th rebounding a bit from his blown save in KC.

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural

Tigers Lose Game / Series in KC

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The Tigers wasted a JV-like performance from JV who pitched 7 strong innings striking out 8 and allow no runs.  However, the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead.  Lorenzo Cain hit a two run homer off of Valverde with two outs in the ninth to tie the game and give JV a no decision.

More importantly, the Tigers lost the game and the series.

Although it is easy to blame Valverde for giving up another long ball, and he does deserve blame, the vaunted Tiger offense could manage only 7 runs in the 3 games in KC.  Not exactly a great return on investment.

On the bright side, Bryan Pena continues to make the most of his opportunities.  He got 2 more hits this afternoon and raised his average up to .299.

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural

Tigers, Valverde Hang on in KC

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The Tigers scratched out a run in the 8th and Valverde pitched around a 9th inning lead off single and stolen base to move Max Scherzer’s record to 9-0.

Donny Kelly got the the scoring started in the 2nd on a line drive to left that scored Victor Martinez.

The 8 and 9 hitters in the lineup has six of the Tigers’ 11 hits. Infante had 3, Kelly had 2 and Garcia had 1.

Alex Avila went 0-3, striking out twice and walking once moving his batting average down to .169.

I’m not sure how long the Tigers can keep throwing him out there.  He is almost an automatic out.

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural

Tigers Waste Another Fister Gem

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Doug Fister pitched 8 innings, giving up three earned runs, and came away with his 4th loss of the season.  The Tigers could only get him two runs on a 3rd inning Miguel Cabrera two run homer.  That’s all the scoring the Tigers could muster.
In his last 3 starts the Tigers have scored only 2 runs.

Alex Avila continues to struggle at the plate going 0-3 with a walk.  How long can the Tigers let him hit under .200?  After tonight, his average is at .172.  I’m not sure the Tigers are doing Avila any favors by letting him go up there and struggle so mightily.

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural

 

Tigers Beat Indians 6-4; Another Good Outing for Rickey

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Saturday, June 8th, 2013

The Tigers beat the Indians 6-4 on Saturday with Rick Porcello pitching 6 strong innings giving up 2 runs but only 1 earned.

Porcello was solid but I was a little concerned early because a lot of his outs were in the air.  As a sinker ball pitcher it seemed like he was missing up but getting fly ball outs.

It doesn’t like Prince Fielder, aka PF Money, likes it when a pitcher walks Miggy in front of him.  In the 2nd inning Carrasco walked Miguel Cabrera to load the bases.  Fielder stepped to the plate and delivered a bases clearing double.

Papa Grande came in to close the game out and as usual, it wasn’t easy.  But to be fair, Santana hit a Texas Leaguer that dropped between Infante and Hunter.  It was a cheap hit but nothing is ever easy when Papa comes into the game.  Valverde walked Gomes but struck out Rayburn and Aviles to end the game.

I’m very concerned about Alex Avila.  I have been a huge fan of his since he came into the league but I’m not sure there is a place on any roster for a guy that hits under .200.  If he doesn’t get on a little roll in the next week or so, I’m wondering if sending him down to Toledo for a few weeks to work on his stroke might not be a good idea.

I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural

Tigers Win 7-5; JV OK

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JV was OK in his start tonight against the Cleveland Indians.  In what is becoming a pattern, he gave up 3 earned in 7 innings.  The rough inning was the 5th when the Indians got two infield hits and a Texas Leaguer to load the basis.

The first run was driven in on a hard single to left by Michael Bourn on an 0-2 pitch.  I really have to question the pitch selection.  From the third base side it looked like a 96 MPH fastball that obviously caught too much of the plate.  I guess I’m not sure why he threw Bourn an 0-2 fastball.

The damage could have been limited to 2 runs but a fly ball off the bat of Jason Kipnis went off the heal of Torii Hunter’s glove in right scoring two runs.  I thought Hunter should have been given an error on the play but what do I know.  JV got Swisher and Brantley to fly out to end the inning.

This is just an observation or suggestion.  I don’t understand why JV and other Tiger pitchers allow batters to hang over the plate and foul two strike pitches off. It is absolutely maddening.  It drives the pitch count up and gives the hitter the advantage.  Why not throw inside and move them off of the plate especially with less than a 3 ball count?  For example, in the 6th Mark Reynolds worked Verlander for a 9 pitch at bat.  Reynolds fouled off 3 pitches with the count full and eventually lined a single.  Even with a full count, after Reynolds fouled off the second pitch, JV should have buzzed him hard inside.  I’m not saying to hurt the guy but I would argue that lighting up his ribs with a 90 MPH fast ball would have moved him and the rest of the Indians off of the plate and he would have been no worse off.  Reynolds would still be on first but I bet he wouldn’t be leaning over the plate fouling off pitches the next time at bat.

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural

A Theory About J.V.

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Justin Verlander is the best pitcher in baseball but struggled mightily the past month.  Even his good starts in May, pitching 7 innings and giving up 3 earned runs, are not good by JV standards.  Three ERs in  7 innings is a 3.857 ERA.

I don’t claim to be in the know.  In fact, I don’t know much.  But I heard a rumor that his ex-girlfriend Emily Yuen got married.  Now I know J.V. has been dating Kate Upton.  However, from a little research, I found out that Justin and Emily began dating in High School, continued dating through college, and during his pro career.  I will conjecture that Emily was Justin’s first love.  If in fact, Emily is married or engaged to someone else, I don’t care who J.V. is dating or how much money he’s making, I would lay odds that his head is in a bad place.

In fact, I would bet that J.V. is re-evaluating a lot of things in his life.  If the rumor about Emily getting married is true, and my conjecture is accurate, this could take a long time for J.V. to get over and could make for a tough season on the mound.

But what do I know?

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural

 

Tigers take series from Rays 5-2

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In the 5-2 win there were some encouraging signs.

First Alex Avila, aka A Squared Money, got a hit again after getting two in last night’s game.

Victor Martinez drove in 3 runs including a two run HR.

And Papa Grande worked an uneventful 1-2-3 9th.

I guess I forgot to mention seven strong innings from Scherzer allowing only 1 run.  It is kind of nice that a seven inning, one run start feels pedestrian.  Now, if JV can get back into form, the Tigers could build a lead in the Central.

“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs

 

Jhonny Peralta Named in PED Scandal

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Tigers shortstop, Jhonny Peralta, who is hitting .338 with 6 HRs and 26 RBIs,  is one of the 20 players named in the Biogenesis scandal.

This is not good news for the Tigers.  If Peralta gets suspended, the Tigers will need a shortstop along with a closer.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9301536/major-league-baseball-suspend-20-players-including-alex-rodriguez-ryan-braun-part-miami-investigation