RSS
Good Game, Bad Result
I was talking to a writer from New York sitting next to me in the press box Thursday in St. Louis. I basically told him that if you live by Fernando Rodney, you're going to die by Fernando Rodney. Rodney did have his changeup working really well Thursday. Too bad he had to throw it all away - literally. Look, coming back now will be very difficult for the Tigers. I get the feeling the Tigers have just run into their wall. That it will end with American League pennant. That the Tigers have a decent team, but it is limited in a number of ways. The Cardinals are not any great shakes, either. Sometimes watching this series, it is difficult to believe these are the two best teams in baseball. While the result was not good Thursday, it was a very compelling game. A lot of twists. A lot of turns. A lot of ups. A lot of downs. The Tigers are not losing because of strategic decisions by Jim Leyland or a lack of effort or smarts. They are just getting beaten by a fraction. Sometimes that's all it takes.
Random thoughts
- Joel Zumaya clearly is not 100 percent. His command is off. His velocity down a hair. And it is hindering the Tigers. Too much Rodney and not enough Zumaya is not a good thing for the Tigers.
- Albert Pujols is obviously a great hitter, but he is not as fearsome as Barry Bonds was during the 2002 World Series.
- Bucky "Friggin" Dent? How about David "Friggin" Eckstein? I admire him because he is a solid player. Yet, I still cannot help but to find the "David Eckstein Aura" to be more than little annoying.
Random thoughts
- Joel Zumaya clearly is not 100 percent. His command is off. His velocity down a hair. And it is hindering the Tigers. Too much Rodney and not enough Zumaya is not a good thing for the Tigers.
- Albert Pujols is obviously a great hitter, but he is not as fearsome as Barry Bonds was during the 2002 World Series.
- Bucky "Friggin" Dent? How about David "Friggin" Eckstein? I admire him because he is a solid player. Yet, I still cannot help but to find the "David Eckstein Aura" to be more than little annoying.
posted by Pat Caputo at
2:45 AM
20 Comments:
Eckstein's great night included a swinging bunt and two shoulda-been flyball outs. That is the annoying part of it. Those two fly balls were about as far as Eckstein can hit the ball. He's one of those guys people loath because in our minds we are better ballplayers. Bet I could at least beat him in a fight.
Rob,
The guy is definitely a pest. The Tigers were playing him shallow. And you have to give him credit, he did burn them. It's why Monroe couldn't get to the ball. Also, he did hit a foul ball that home run distance. I think he was trying to hit with more power.
Caputo
Mudhenfan,
I do believe the Tigers will try to add some power in their lineup. It leaves the question, though, whether they should re-sign Casey. He's been pretty good in the postseason (.444 average) and two RBI Thursday.
Caputo
I Rule,
I hear you about Molina. He did the same thing to the Mets. Remember, it was his homer that got the Cardinals to the World Series. I don't think Zumaya is 100 percent. And that hurts the Tigers. As good as Rodney can be at times, he always seems to have "An F-Rod" moment. That was the throw Thursday.
Caputo
Thinkingman,
I absolutely agree with you. Winning one here in St. Louis will be tough, but if the Tigers get by that road block, I think they will have a good chance to win this series. I don't think it's over by any means. I have a feeling this is going to be a long grind of wills.
Caputo
Pat,
It was a shame that the Tigers let that one slip away. Who knows; if the pitching staff can refrain from making another error, I think Detroit can do a 1968 repeat. The showing by Pudge last night is going to spread; the bats have had their wake up call, and tonight, their cup of coffee.
My first reaction to manager Jim Leyland's announcement that Justin Verlander would be his Game 5 starter was "you gotta be kidding?" But Leyland knows what he's doing. He isn't going to flinch, because he believes in these Tigers. There could be decisions to question, but let's save those for another day. This series is coming back to Detroit; that's all I know, and care to know today.
I've wondered why Wil Ledezma hasn't been used more often, but perhaps it's just a case of having Rodney and Zumaya better prepared; prepared for the moment where we are at now, of not being in a position to lose, and drawing on the experieneces of their failure. They are young, but they have their pride. We'll see that things will be different now. I believe that the Tigers will blow Jeff Weaver away tonight, and that the bullpen will have it's dominance back.
The Best Teams?
We have the best teams playing, but playing baseball in late October in cold rain is the problem. How can the best teams perform their best in shoddy conditions? How can the best players enjoy feeling that shock that runs from their wrists through their shoulders, when they make good contact with the bat? MLB needs to address this, or interest in the World Series will dwindle further. By simply scheduling a dozen day/night doubleheaders, this could all be avoided without any losses at the gate. The World Series shouldn't start any later than October 1st.
David Eckstein...
Like most of the Cardinals, he hits right-handers better than left-handers. Even Jamie Walker would give him a harder time.
Mr. C. Hate to say this but missed a most of the game last night. I checked out the game on the internets (as Mr. Bush says) Maggs 0 for 5-?..... Polanco? Have the Cards found out what these two guys can't hit.I can understand Maggs he seems to have short hot streaks. If this is true it really herts in a short series. That saying if the errors made by the pitching did not happen what is your opinion on what the series would look like after the four games played so far? Optimism & Pessimisim have both left me, Vinny
Pat,
Can you please offer some insight as to why, in the biggest game for the Tigers since 1984, we are starting a rookie pitcher with a 6.18 era since Aug.1, and only 3 quality starts in 13 appearances?
All this when Rogers could be working on four days rest, coming off a run of 11 quality starts in 14 appearances with a 1.71 era in this same time frame?
Leyland has done a wonderful job this year, and the Tigers are better off for having him, but lets call a spade a spade here. This is a horrible decision, as was the decision to carry Perez in lieu of players like Clevelen or Shelton, who could potentially make real contributions.
Leyland has come out smelling like a rose on many occasions this year when making seemingly senseless "gut" decisions, but I am afraid that his luck is running out.
Pat wrote:"it was a very compelling game. A lot of twists. A lot of turns. A lot of ups. A lot of downs."
Just what I said to my wife watching the game. We agreed that it is probably a really cool game to watch if you aren't following one of the teams!
Could Game 5 be even more exciting?
As Yogi says "it ain't over till it's over." Thats why they play em! I'm not jumping off now. :-)
Let's get a big game tonight and bring it back to Detroit.
Danny
Pat, whatever happens tonight, this has been a great run. Who would have thought it was possible? I was counting "magic numbers" all of August and September.
I love baseball, and this has been a summer to remember. I am old enough to remember 68, 84 and 87.
Great to have good baseball and real pennant fever back in Detroit! :-))
Cheers,
Danny
Danny,
You're right. This has been a great season - regardless. Think about beating the Yankees and Mags homer and Kenny Rogers. There has been so much that has happened for the Tigers this season. It's great baseball is back in our town, too. I love writing and talking about it. Seems like the fans are into it again. Great stuff.
Caputo
Garold,
The weather conditions here in St. Louis are just as bad or worse than you've heard about back home. The players don't want to use it as an excuse and have to put it out of their minds, but it is a factor. I just don't know what they can do about it. I wouldn't shorten the playoffs or the season.
Caputo
Royaloaklobo,
I think the Tigers are setup to do very well into the future. They have a nucleus to build around - and it will be interesting to see how quickly Maybin reaches the major leagues. Great point about the Cards' vets. It has been to their benefit, not only during the World Series, but throughout the playoffs.
Caputo
Mike H,
I think Verlander is better than you do. I think he single-handedly turned around the New York series with his outing in Game 2. He's not just a rookie, but will likely be Rookie of the Year. I have a vote in that one - and he got mine. I do, however, think Leyland should have started Rogers tonight.
Caputo
Vinny,
Come on. How could you not watch Game 4 of the World Series - period - especially when the Tigers are in? Polanco has hit the ball relatively hard, but has nothing to show for it. Ordonez is not stinging the ball at all.
Caputo
Game 5, top of the 6th...
Just when you thought you had seen everything in a baseball game/series! What can happen next?
Danny
Wait'll next year!
See ya' April 2nd.
Cheers,
Danny
We all knew heading into this world series that if the tigers played smart baseball there was no way they would lose this series. In the first two rounds they were paitent at the plate getting quality swings, and they took there time and didn't do anything stupid in the field. As a result they bull dozed through the first two rounds. In the world series it was completely opposite. They took awful at bats. Like in this final game with two on two out pudge comes in and whiffs on 3 straight pitches. Same with inge in the final at bat. Awful. Lets not get into the throwing errors. Easy tosses ones you make all year long.
In my mind other then Game 3 the cardinals didn't beat the tigers the tigers beat the tigers.
The only guy that really showed up in the offense was Casey. You aren't going to win a series that way. In mind some moves should be made. I'd add one more prime starting pitcher, or another bulldog in the pen and one more bat. I'd also resign Casey as a role player.
Maddog52,
They didn't play smart and they didn't play well. They weren't playing a typically strong World Series team and couldn't take avantage of it. Casey, to me, is more than a role player.
Caputo
I agree he maybe more of a role player, but I wouldn't give him no rediculous contract either. With today's athlete what isn't a rediculous contract.
Tigers definately beat themselves.
Overall though as disappointing as the performance was. I am extremely happy and proud of this team, because I t the beginning of the year expected them to be between s**tty and 490 team not quite 500. They have more then exceeded everyones expectations. What bugs me the most if how people call and want them to blow up this team. They have an awesome core. I just think a few extra peices they will be in the post season next year.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home