Mighty Miggy

Thoughts on Miggy

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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.

The Miguel Cabrera Show

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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!

Detroit 9 Rays 4

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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.

Weekend Debacle…

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The Tribe completed their sweep of the Tigers on Sunday with 6-3 thrashing.

The Tigers are struggling mightily, perhaps non more than the Mighty Miggy.  Although Miggy always starts slow, the start to this season is exceptionally so.

There were two things from Sundays game that really annoyed me. First, having Miggy pinch hit with the bases loaded.  I know he was the go-ahead run but he is only hitting .210 and expecting his slow bat to produce a big pinch hit, late in the game, I think was more hope than anything else.  What does Nebraska say, “hope is not a strategy”?

Second, BA’s complaining about the the tape on the ring finger of the Indians pitcher was more desperation and frustration than anything else.  I was irritated, I thought it was un-called for and just another sign of the funk this team is in.

 

Royals 8 Tigers 6

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Twelve games into the season the Tigers are 7-5. The offense is better than I expected, the pitching, however, is a hair shy of an abomination.

Shane Greene and Blaine Hardy were not good last night, as Sanchez was not good on Sunday in Houston.

While the offense is humming along nicely, I am little concerned about two things.  First, the outs made on the base paths, it will come back to haunt them.  Second, I love Miggy.  I really do.  He’s probably the best hitter I’ve ever seen but I’m beginning to wonder if he is on the downside of his career.  His bat looks slow and he didn’t look good against Herrera in big spot with the bases loaded. That being said, if you score six runs, you should be able to win.

I hope I’m wrong about the Mighy Miggy.

White Sox 4 Tigers 3

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Here’s the good news:

  • JV struck out nine, walked one, and allowed only two earned runs in six complete innings.  It looks like he could be the Ace of next year’s staff.
  • Miggy had three hits including his 18th HR of the season.  Perhaps he can be healthy for next year.
  • VerHagen looks like he can be an arm out of the pen next year.

The best news is that the 2015 Detroit Tigers season will end later this afternoon.

I’m looking forward to the playoffs and the start of hockey season.

Tigers 7 White Sox 4

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The Tigers earned a split in the four game series with the White Sox and they did it the hard way. After losing a doubleheader on Monday they won in extra innings yesterday and evened it up this afternoon in the finale behind another quality start from Justin Verlander.

JV lasted seven innings and allowed three earned.  He was impressive in the seventh. Knowing it was his last inning he left it all on the mound. He pounded Sox hitters with high nineties fastballs reminding us all he can still bring the heat.

More good news.  The offense showed up today and scored some runs. J.D. drove in two and brought is RBI total up to 98 on the season and Victor hit his 11th home run.

The Twins come to town this weekend and it is a big series for the Minnesotans.  They’re still in the wild card hunt.  Perhaps the Tigers can play spoiler?

Miggy rested a sore back today. I’m a little worried about him. He hasn’t hit with much power and I’m wondering if we’ll ever see the Mighty Miggy again.

Royals 12 Tigers 1

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The Royals beat Randy Wolf and Tigers into a conniption and for the second straight game I didn’t see or hear one pitch.  I was on my back from San Diego through Atlanta.  I was getting updates but decided not to tune in.

As the Tigers fall ten games below the .500 mark it is looking like three things are true.  First, Sark is correct, it will be hard for this team to win 70 games.  Second, Nebraska is correct, watching the Tigers is much easier with beer and whiskey.  Third, the only remaining games in which the Tigers have a chance to win are those that JV pitches.

Although this season has been very disappointing I’m hoping that JV and JD finish strong and Miggy gets his head out if his arse and wins another batting title.

I’d really like to see J.D. drive in 100 runs.  He needs 13 more with 30 games to get there.