I have been paying moderate attention to the World Baseball Classic. When I remember, I turn it on. On Monday, Miggy hit a solo shot in the ninth, against Italy for Venezuela, that tied the game at 2. Venezuela went on to win the game.
Miggy
Thoughts on Miggy
Miggy has had two good games in Chicago and while I’m not saying, ‘he’s back’, his production has been nice to see. That being said, I have noticed a few differences in his normal demeanor. First, when he hit his home run yesterday, he put his head down and ran around the bases, foregoing his usual stutter-step before third base. Second, I haven’t seen him constantly clowning around with everyone at first base whether on offense or defense.
While the commentators play off his incessant clowning as ‘a love for playing the game, IMHO, he takes it to the extreme and this extreme clowning projects a lack of seriousness. Perhaps his lack of seriousness is understandable considering the amount of success he’s had and his success came immediately. The Marlins brought him up at 19, he hit the ground running, and never looked back. Maybe his recent struggles have humbled him a bit and forced him to refocus and take this craft a bit more seriously. Like I said, I’m not sure he’s back, but the last few games have been fun to watch him again.
On another note, I wasn’t a big fan of Jack Morris’ color commentary with Mario Impemba but I like him a lot with Dan Dickerson. They seem to have good chemistry. I don’t like Gibson period. The booth rotation has to get Rod on more and get rid of Gibson for good. He’s horrible.
Miguel Cabrera | Conniption Shot
This normally wouldn’t qualify as a Conniption Shot. However, three things make it so. First, I’m the editor of this blog. Second, the game circumstances. Third, Jose Miguel Cabrera is that damn good.
BIG WIN! Tigers 3 Blue Jays 2
I haven’t seen a comeback win like this in a long time.
For eight innings the Tigers could do nothing with Aaron Sanchez. He struck out 10 and allowed one hard hit ball, a double off of the bat of Justin Upton. That all changed in the ninth.
Iggy led off the ninth with a single. Kinlser doubled him in. Romine, playing in place of Maybin, IMHO a questionable move, bunted Kinsler to third. Then Jose Miguel Cabrera stepped to the plate. Miggy didn’t look good in his first three at-bats but when Jays reliever Osuna came up and in on the Big Man, I had a feeling the deal was done. Two pitches after the brushback, Miggy launched a one hop double off of the center field wall to drive in Kinsler and tie the game.
Hat Tips go to Ian Kinsler for driving in the first and winning runs, Tigers starter Matt Boyd and relievers Shane Greene, Blaine Hardy and Bobby Parnell for keeping the game close. Also, a huge Hat Tip to Nick “The Quick” Castellanos for flashin’ leather at third. I dare say, Nick has improved considerably in the field.
Five in a row!
Sweep tomorrow?
The Miguel Cabrera Show
Jose Miguel Cabrera put the Tigers on his back and carried the them to a 5-4 win over Philadelphia.
Miggy was 3 for 3 with two more Conniption Shots, a double, a walk, 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Perhaps the Phillies should have considered walking him after his second conniption shot?
Honorable mentions got to J.D. Martinez and Nick “The Quick” Castellanos for chipping in with home runs; Victor Martinez for going 3-4 and driving in Miggy with the winning run and Mark Lowe and K-Rod for pitching clean 8th and 9th innings.
Speaking of Francisco Rodriguez, perhaps reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated. If I’m not mistaken, this is his 6th save conversion in a row.
FYI: Jose Miguel Cabrera is that damn good!
Jose Miguel Cabrera | Conniption Shot
From Friday, May 20th, 2016 against Tampa Bay.
This one is in the camera well and is the definition of hitting a ball into a conniption!
Detroit 9 Rays 4
Well, it appears that Miggy’s demise was greatly exaggerated. The Mighty Miggy has four homers in the last three games, including two conniption shots, and has his batting average up to .315 with an OBS of .925.
More importantly, after losing 11 of 13, the Tigers have now won 6 of their last 7 and are within a game of the .500 mark.
I am concerned with the injuries to Zimmerman and Miggy. If either one misses an extended period of time, the Tigers could be in a lot of trouble.
Tigers 6 Orioles 5
Could the break the Tigers got on the J.D. Martinez check swing in the 8th be the turning point in the dismal 2016 season? I’ve seen stranger things happen.
Here are a few observations after the call:
- Miggy, followed with the go ahead solo homer.
- The bullpen didn’t give the runs back in the bottom of the 8th.
- K-Rod pitched a clean 9th.
This might be wishful thinking but I am an eternal “optimist”. 🙂
They’re back home tomorrow against the Twins.
Tigers 9 Twins 2
Well the offense seems to have woken up. The Tigers have won three in a row, four of five and Miggy hit a ball into a conniption. I don’t think I’ve seen power like that from Miggy in over year.
Oh yeah, you still have to pitch to win and Michael Fulmer did a pretty good job. He lasted five innings, allowed two earned on seven hits. He struck out four and only issued one free pass.
Astros 1 Tigers 0
Well, I expected the loss in the opener. Keuchel, the reigning Cy Young winner, is excellent at home and Pelfrey was less than inspiring in his first start in a Tigers uniform.
However, Pelfrey was able to pitch out of trouble and give the Tigers an excellent chance to win. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t do anything in Houston.
I know Miggy is a slow starter, but he looks horrible. His bat looks slow.
Flashin' Leather 