Sort of?
Tigers 10 Cubs 8
I was listening to MLB radio yesterday afternoon, I guess like every afternoon, and they were discussing what went wrong with the Tigers in 2015. One host said that basically it is starting pitching. It isn’t the bullpen because they have never had a bullpen. The difference between this year and the past few years is starting pitching. I guess you don’t have to be a genius to figure that out. When you don’t have good starting pitching it taxes your bullpen even more, not good, especially when it’s weak, and it demands that your offense produce everyday, and produce a lot. Tuesday night, the Tigers’ offense, despite a two hour and sixteen minute rain delay, produced a harvest and the pitching staff needed it.
Kinsler had five hits, Iggy had two and J.D. had a conniption shot in the first. Kinsler has really turned a miserable season around. Too bad it isn’t in the middle of a playoff run.
Can the Tigers afford J.D. now?
Jackie Bradley Jr. | Flashin’ Leather
This catch was against the Tigers on August 10th, 2015. I forgot to post it then but better late than never. This was a fantastic, Willie Mays-esque catch.
Astros 6 Tigers 5
Another loss. Another series loss. But there were a few things to like.
First, the Tigers battled back from a 5-2 deficit. Second, Jose Miguel Cabrera.
In his third game back from the DL Miggy went 2-3, with a HR, 3 RBIs, two walks, and two runs scored.
Miggy drove in the Tigers’ first run in the first inning with a double off the wall in left center. He was able to pull his hands inside and drive an inside pitch to get the Tigers on the board early. In the seventh, Miggy got the Tigers within a run by hitting a two-run homer, his 16th of the year. Basically, with JD struggling, Miggy was a one man wrecking crew. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
Tigers 4 Astros 2
The Tigers evened up the series with the Astros behind a fabulous pitching performance from Justin Verlander. JV didn’t get rewarded with a W but he pitched seven strong innings and he looks like he might be getting back to the form that got him his big contract.
Getting back to my watch list, Castellanos went 0-4 and his batting average is down to .237.
Iggy was 2-5. He’s hitting .306. I wish he’d take more walks.
Miggy had two hits and a walk.
Let’s see what happens this afternoon.
Astros 5 Tigers 1
Well I didn’t give the Tigers much of a chance to win this game going into it. Astros’ starter Dallas Kuechel was undefeated at home and I didn’t think the Tigers offense, even with the return of Jose Miguel Cabrera, was much of a threat to change that.
I was correct.
Alfredo Simon wasn’t good and neither was the offense.
The best offensive play came from the Astros. They executed a beautiful safety squeeze, a play I wish the Tigers would try, in the sixth to extend their lead to 4-1.
JV pitches tomorrow.
Cabrera was 0-3 with a walk and two strike outs. He hit the ball hard his last time up but lined out to I believe short or second.
Flashin' Leather 