Sunday, September 17, 2006
Maybe the Twins are just too much
I get it about the Minnesota Twins. How they have the best pitcher in the American League, lefty Johan Santana. I understand perfectly well that Twins first baseman Justin Morneau just might be the most underrated player in the major leagues. I know the Tigers neither have a pitcher the caliber of Santana (who does?) nor a power hitter as capable as Morneau. It is just I still do not feel the Twins are that good. I mean Jason Tyner could not play for Tampa Bay, but he stars for Minnesota? I am still not buying into the concept of Nick Punto. Also, the Twins were brutal early this season. The Tigers got much of their early lead in the American League Central from beating them night-after-night, sometimes by lopsided scores. Yet, every day the Twins keep winning. They lost just one of four games in Cleveland over the weekend - and they nearly won the game they lost. I know Fenway Park is difficult place for road teams, but the Red Sox have faded. I do not see the Twins losing there, either. It means the Tigers have their work cut out in Chicago.
Random thoughts
- OK. Sparty. I admit it. I was wrong about MSU's trip to Pitt. I thought the Spartans were going to lose that game. I was thinking the Spartans are not very good defensively. They played well defensively. As for my contention in Friday's column in the print edition of The Oakland Press that MSU athletics is "wallowing in mediocrity," I still believe that. Winning one game does not change that. Now if the Spartans beat Notre Dame Saturday and, say, win eight or more games this season, it would be different.
- It is amazing just how much better the Saints are by adding quarterback Drew Brees and drafting running back Reggie Bush. Houston was unbelievably unwise to bypass Bush with the first overall pick in the draft. He is a terrific football player.
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15 Comments:
Hey Book,
Well, I read and commented on your MSU print story from Friday. And despite a comeback win that actually showed a little character against Pitt, they have to beat ND. UofM just handed MSU the blueprint on how to do it. I'm afraid we don't have the blitz packages to pressure Quinn like UofM did, but we'll see. But our offense should roll baby. It just seems like our little buddies in ann arbor just took a hornets nest, whacked it with a bat, and threw it into east lansing.
Tigs vs CWS - really looking forward to this series. While I've been worried before, its Sept 18th. We're playing our most serious challenger to get in the playoffs. If we can't take the series, then screw it, we shouldn't be in the playoffs.
Oh yeah, hats off to the maize and blue. Just a dominating performance, well done. (wow, that hurt to type).
lastly, and my apologies Book because i know it annoys you when callers bring this up, about damn time your radio station finally got rid of that steaming pile that was opie and anthony.
the twins have a great pitcher in Santana. Morneau has been great all year, but lets see what he doesn next couple of years before throwing him a bone as a godo player. No what I mean. Not saying he won't, I am just saying you never know. If it is true about Polanco that in my mind is a huge blow. As long as Perez isn't in the lineup except for late innings or if we need to bunt a guy over I think we could be ok in the first round against the A's. If we are stuck playing the Yankees then yes we are in trouble. You'd have to be realistic. Another question I had was could GUillen be a number 1 or 2. I mean besides Polanco taht guy is always on base. To me that is what you want to lead off. I'd put granderson in the 9 whole to take away some pressure. You could go. Just a thought. I know he is an RBI guy, but I feel other guys could drive him in, but if we have a consistent double or triple in GUillen leading off I think It would solve some offensive problems.
Spartans were ok. I think Michigan is the real deal this year. A lot will tell how they handle a guy like Stanton (who in my mind is better then Henne and Quinn) and I think Wisconsin's D- is pretty good matchup. If we take care of business then I can see a OSU/MICH winner goes for the national title loser goes for the Rose Bowl. THis is awesome. I love the college season so far. Some great moments already.
Its funny you mention brees. He only through for 350 yards with a no name receiver and stud back. Not bad. Good thing we took Kitna. Look no knock on the guy. But to me with all the talking, and penalties the lions are the stupidest organization in the league from top to bottom. To me Mike Williams can help this team and should play. He is a big horse who can catch the ball and take hits. We should be using him. You watch a guy like Urlacher. the man is a great player. He always makes game changing plays. Then you watch a guy like Merriman who is a monster and a guy like Ware who only had a few sacks yesterday. But we didn't need them we got Mike Williams. Damn Millen Damn him to hell... hahaha
I Rule,
Sorry I didn't post a reply to your comment sooner. Monday was better for the Tigers. Rogers has been terrific. He has turned out to be a true ace. I think he should start the first game of the playoffs if the Tigers get there - and it appears they will one way or another. The one thing is the Tigers still rely too much on home runs. But 90 wins already. Who can complain?
Caputo
Nick P,
Sorry I didn't reply to your post sooner. Monday was a busy day for me. You always make great points and have good insight. I was at Michigan's game against Notre Dame and think the Spartans have a good shot to beat ND. I like the looks of MSU's secondary. They hit people and have better cover skills. Stopping Walker will be the key. Notre Dame's defense is suspect. The Spartans are going to score.
Caputo
Thinkingman,
Sorry I didn't reply to your comments sooner. You make a great point about the character of the Tigers. That, too me, is not an issue. This team is mentally tough. It's just that sometimes I am not so sure they're that good. I mean as good as the Yankees or the Twins or the Athletics - the other teams that will likely make the playoffs from the American League.
Caputo
Maddog52,
Sorry I didn't reply sooner. The situation with Brees in New Orleans and McNair in Baltimore makes you wonder if the Lions couldn't have done better than Kitna for a QB. He has decent stats, but isn't getting the offense into the end zone.
Caputo
Pat,
1) What is your take on the Mike Williams saga? Do you think he is a scapegoat, or is he just another guy who got his money but doesnt get it about what it takes in the NFL? I remember even Cris Carter, who had supposedly taken him under his wing was very critical of his work ethic.
2) I bashed the Tigers for signing Kenny Rogers - boy was I wrong. I love watching him throw a game, its great watching a guy who really knows the art of pitching - getting out of jams, working the strike zone. I fully expected him to stink in the second half, and he still may in the postseason, but he has been great for this team.
Tuesday Sept.19th Finally got access to your blog. The problem must have been on this end. Win one more at Chgo & 1 less team to worry about. Vinny
Pat,
One thing baffles me about this series in Chicago. For the life of me, I can't figure out why Leyland didn't set up his rotation better - considering that the ChiSox hit 100 pts. less against left-handers at U.S. Cellular Field. It was great seeing such a strong game from Nate Robertson against the O's, but I would have rather seen them save him for this series in Chicago, and play the odds; besides he's been pitching better than both of the Tigers prized right-handers.
I think we all expected to see Kenny Rogers continue his mastery over the White Sox, and we have the one victory that was essential in this series. So Ledezma and Robertson were wasted against Baltimore, when you could have used Larry, Mo, and Curly. What would be so risky at this point, about throwing Andrew Miller out there tonight? Verlander has been hit at over a .400 pace there! I'm not real optimistic, with Chicago's mighty left-hander sticks chomping at the bit in anticipation. This isn't the time to be content with the Twins breathing down our necks. To me, this is a wasted start tonight; Verlander could be saved for Thursday in Baltimore, since the rotation wasn't set up better last week against a meager opponent, and for the White Sox, who struggle against lefties.
Bonderman is going to have to step up BIG on Wednesday, while the Tiger bats are going to have to be hot the next 2 nights. With all the trouble the Tigers have had in Chicago, you'd think that we would have gone in there this week using any advantage that we had in our favor, and against Chicago, that would be left-hand pitching to stifle their offense.
On Neifi Perez...
Okay, I'll give him some credit for his peformance last night, but I still like Omar better; good job, Neifi!
Chris,
I question the Lions handling of the Mike Williams situation from this standpoint: In the two preseason games, when they threw him the ball, he made plays. One time, he caught the ball in traffic. The other time, he made a catch in space and got a lot of yards after the catch. Then, they just stopped playing him. To me, this smacks of cutting off their nose off to spite their face. Play your most talented players.
Caputo
I Rule,
No offense taken on the collapse issue, but it's not just the media, but the fans as well. And it's understandable from both sides. It would disappointing if they don't make it. You never know when this opportunity will come along again. The Tigers might be better next season and not get in because of circumstances. There would have to be questions about what happened. Yet, even if they don't make it, it must be noted how much improved the Tigers are and how they are set up pretty well for the future.
Caputo
Vinny,
It was our bad, not yours. We apologize. If the Tigers win tonight, they will be sitting pretty to get into the playoffs. But I still think they'll be a lot better off winning the division, so the race will still be an exciting one.
Caputo
Garold,
Robertson has been pounded by the White Sox in his last two starts against them. He has no answer for them. Their right-handed hitters have killed him. So I don't blame Leyland for not starting him in this series.
Caputo
I Rule,
I'd go with a four-man rotation of Rogers, Verlander, Bonderman and Robertson vs. Oakland and Rogers, Robertson, Verlander and Bonderman vs. the Yankees. I'd start left-handers both games to open the series at Yankee Stadium where lefties have more success.
Caputo
Pat,
It's true that Nate has been lit up by the ChiSox his last 2 starts; they were @ The Copa, but he's only allowed 1 run in his only start @ U.S. Cellular Field back in June, while Verlander has been hit much harder, any way you look at it, including that .360 ave. against.
Perhaps it's a hunch thing; I hope it works! Freddie Garcia has had the Tigers' number, and on the surface, Verlander isn't close to being our best match-up against him.
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