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It Is There For the Taking
winning this series. I know, I know - we will know more after Game 2. And I know the Tigers lost Game 1 of the ALDS and roared back against the Yankees. I was out here in Oakland when the Tigers played a regular season series here. Back then, too, I just felt the Tigers were the better team.
Random thoughts
- Sean Casey has the growing support of fans. I know a number of people have asked me this week if I think the Tigers will try to sign him after this season. I still do not think they will because they want more power than he provides out of the first base position. But he has had a real impact on the Tigers with his clutch hitting and good attitude in the clubhouse. We will see how much Casey is missed tonight.
- It is incredibly foolish that the Athletics cover up their upper deck level with a green tarp. It may put a premium on tickets, but it also keeps the Athletics from selling more. We are not talking about bad seats. We are talking about upper deck seats, foul line-to-foul line, just like those at Comerica Park. The Athletics have a number of good seats they are not selling for the playoffs. It makes no sense whatsoever.
posted by Pat Caputo at
5:33 AM
15 Comments:
Hey Book, How about a "Woops! I guess Leyland does know which pitcher to start." Nice column yesterday! Verlander is good, great in fact...but he's no bulldog like Robertson. Nate put his stamp on the game with he K'd the side and got out of that jam. That's why he was named the starter. You can't mess with a guys head this time of year by dropping him down. What a game, go Tigers! Dave Yell/Oxford
Hey Book, Why couldn't the Tigers keep Casey around I don't think it could hurt having him in the dugout for clutch hitting. Another question for you What do you see happening to Andrew Miller next year? The Tackman(1988 Waterford Kettering)
Mr. C. --Tell the tigers to wear their fur lined underwear it's going to get cold back here Thursday. What happened to Zito? I am really enjoying these games and would enjoy them more if i wasn't such a pessimist. I am waiting for Magglio to win one these games with a few HRS. No capish about Oakland and the tarp. Nice thing about the tigers the unexpected happens,just when i lose faith in a players hitting he come through for the team win. Wow -- never thought they would come this far. I think your right about the last 6 weeks of the season made one forget about all wins they had prior to that. Or better still it made me think the last part of the season was the real tigers. Vinny the pessimist!
Pat,
WOW! The Legend is golden. Robertson showed his worth in last night's game with those 3 K's in the 4th. That had to deflate any optimism, after the 2 previous double-plays.
What a blow with Casey. I like it less today that Shelton was not put on the playoff roster, BUT, I'm not even going to make any jokes about, or even mention that poison guy. Yep, thanks for the Stubhub tip... got my tickets, and maybe the joke scenario about moving Guillen to 1st as well, so that guy could be inserted into the lineup. In the movie "Major League", what the name of the voo-doo witch doctor on the team? The way this thing is going, a certain someone is going to hit a grand salami to clinch the pennant at The Copa, so I hope the fans are prepared for that, and DO NOT THROW THE BALL BACK!
It sure stinks having to break up this DP combination, in addition to jungling the batting order now. I think I'd rather see a crash course at 1B for Infante, Santiago, or Gomez.
Oh, all is right in the baseball world now, and I can hear it now... batting third and playing SS ____________; I just can't say it!
Pat,
Agreed, the Tigers are looking really strong right now. I flashed back last night to the periods earlier this season when I was taking the wins for granted. For me, that's really an indication of how imposing this team can be (though we've also seen their potential for collapse).
Is it just me? Or were the radar guns reading a little fast last night? Rodney hit 100 according to Fox, and Zumaya's living up around 103. These guys threw hard during the season, but I don't remember them throwing this hard on such a consistent basis.
Dave,
To me, Leyland starting Robertson like that was rolling the dice. He got away with it - and good for him and Robertson, who is, like you and others say, a bulldog. They deserve credit. Now the Tigers are set up well to win this series. If you read the column, you will notice I never made any blanket predictions. I only pointed out how Leyland was "playing with fire'' and used facts to back it up. Robertson was constantly in trouble. Leyland had relievers up early. He was "playing with fire.'' We'll see what Verlander has going for him tonight. Seems like his chances are pretty good. But baseball is a fickle beast. The sport definitely falls under the category of "you never know.''
Caputo
Tackman,
The deeper the Tigers go into the playoffs and the more Casey contributes, the better his chances are of returning. That will be especially true if it is obvious they miss him a lot tonight when he is hurt. It depends on how well Miller pitches during spring training. I would believe they will start him out at Double-A ball unless he dominates during the spring.
Caputo
Vinny.
I guess it just shows you the ups and downs of baseball. Zito has lost the zip off his fastball - period. He didn't hit 90 mph on the gun at stadium Tuesday. That is alarming.
Caputo
Garold,
It is definitely a dicey situation for Leyland. Double plays are why the Tigers won Game 1. Leyland said after the game he was leaning toward Guillen at first. I think they should use Infante, but think he will go with either Perez of Santiago because he feels they are more consistent than Infante defensively, especially at shortstop.
Caputo
Trevor,
Fox's radar gun is off the charts. The stadium one was more accurate. Rodney does not throw 100 mph.
Caputo
I Rule,
I agree with you that the Tigers were right not to put Shelton on the postseason roster. He hasn't hit a lick in a long time. They should be all right defensively tonight. The problem will be missing Casey's bat at the No.3 spot. He has been keeping their rallies going with important hits.
Caputo
I Rule,
With Casey out, that would make sense hitting Pudge third. Like you, i feel Pudge is a much better hitter when he takes the ball to the opposite field than when he tries to pull everything.
Caputo
Hey Pat,
Recall hearing you say something to the effect that Bonderman was disappointing cause he had not yet become a consistent dominating ace by the end of four ML seasons and therefore is tradable. Have you considered that he never played college ball and since he was in the MLs at 20 must not have very much Minor league experience? Wouldn't be surprised if most guys who became dominating aces by the end of their fourth ML season had two to four more years more pre-ML experience in college or the minors. JB is just shy of being 24, has proven 200+ inning durability and 200+ strikeout stuff. How many other pitchers are capable of that today? Whether he needs a third pitch or just better command of his pitches and emotions, I bet he puts it all together before the end of next year. If the Tigers don't sign him long term, he'll likely wind up in pinstripes. (New York or Chicago). Ugh! I wouldn't trade him even for a great hitter like Teixeira. Although it would be tempting. Teixeira subscribes to the Babe Ruth-Ted Williams-Barry Bonds school of hitting. (know the strike zone, be patient, take most balls, force the pitcher to a) throw your pitch or b) walk you. If a, blast it. If b,take it and lead or nearly lead the league in walks) This year Tex got just 13 HRs in the first half. He said he realized he wasn't being selective enough and needed to get more walks. Second half results? Hit 20 second half HRs and lead the league in walks for that half-season. He's going to be even greater and might be a great influence on Granderson, Inge, Maybin (later), etc. But not for Bondo. Find some other way to get him.)
Anonymous,
Everything you said about Bonderman is valid, but you missed the point of what I said. They have to decide whether to sign him long term because he is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season. In that case, you don't want a lame duck pitcher who is losing his value more and more as he closes in on free agency. That is why this is the winter, ideally, you either sign him long term or move him. Bonderman, because of all the things you wrote, will command a contract of more than $10 million per year in order to keep him past his free agent date. The question isn't whether he is good, but whether he is worth that kind of money long term. Also, you don't trade him for nothing. You'd have to get something good in return.
Caputo
sad story indeed about Lidle. Same thing could of easily happened in a car.
Hard to second guess leyland. I wan't as upset as most with Robertson going in game 1. The guy's record doesn't indicate how well he has pitched all year. He isn't Roger Clemens but he is a very capable starter and I gurantee any team this post season would love to have had him in their rotation.
Only thing that worries me is the Perez ordeal. I am just not confident in the guys. I prefer infante in there, from an offensive stand point. I mean perez in the 2 whole. I just don't get it, but the Tigers win and that is all that matters.
I wouldn't be disappointed in the Tigers retaining Casey. However, not as an everyday guy. THe guys has a history of getting injured. I can see him as a solid DH and a guy who could give you a good solid 100 games or so. I don't want to see them cut bait yet with Shelton (because potential is so bright) but if you can upgrade the position like you said for much needed pop. Do it.. I just hope the Tigers don't hold back this off season. They have an awesome nucleous and some geat young talent to where they can be good for years to come.
The guy that surprised me the most was Gomez. Never expected that production. THis futher indicates the tigers season. I really think they have a chance to win it all. Reason being is they are playing smart baseball and are not beating themselves.
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