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It Was Not That Much of a Shock
The Tigers lost their final five regular season games and their first game during the playoffs. I suppose that makes it understandable why many baseball followers, including those in Detroit, were surprised the Tigers beat the Yankees Thursday in the Bronx. But ESPN took it too far. The SportsCenters tease of Shocker in the Bronx was ridiculous. The Tigers did win 95 games this season. It seemed logical at some point they were going to win another game. Also, the Tigers do have pretty good pitching - and it was all rested to throw at the Yankees' thunderous bats. And because the Tigers won Thursday, they have a 50-50 shot in this series. Randy Johnson, the Yankees starter tonight, will be pitching hurt. Jaret Wright, the New York starter for Saturday, is not that good. Kenny Rogers is not a good matchup for the Yankees and Jeremy Bonderman has not pitched well for a long time. It means this series might come down to the bullpens. Detroit probably has a better bullpen because the Yankees have overused their relievers this season. You have to respect the Yankees, but please, the national media and its unrelenting view they cannot be beaten is tiresome. Somebody has been beating the Yanks in recent years. They have not won the World Series since 2000.
Random thoughts
- Tigers manager Jim Leyland has a great feel for the game. What a great decision it was to remove Justin Verlander in favor of Jamie Walker during the sixth inning Thursday.
- I know, nothing should come as a shock in baseball. But I never thought Jeff Weaver would come through in the playoffs the way he did for the Cardinals Thursday. It sure would be strange if it turns out Weaver has a better career from this point on than Jeremy Bonderman? Ah, that cannot happen, can it?
- Is there any doubt at this point that Carlos Guillen is the Tigers MVP.
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:15 AM
14 Comments:
Pat,
It was so nice to finally see the Tigers play a complete ballgame. That was the bullpen we saw in May and June! The big test is tonight - how will Kenny Rogers fare in the post-season? Everything is lined up for the Tigers, I just hope they do not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, which has been their M.O. lately.
I love your comment about ESPN - I am not a Yankee-hater by any means, but ESPN's coverage of this series is so slanted. It is bordering on the absurd! I think the clincher for me was the other night when Joe Morgan kept referring to Verlander as "Jason Verlander"......C'mon Joe, i know you are better than that.
Book!!!
Home Game 1 Baby!!!
Prime time night game!!!
I'm so pumped I can't stop using exclamation points!!!
That place is going to be insane, I can't wait to get there!!!
Go Tigers!!!
Pat,
WOW!
Other Meaningful thoughts-
Nothing negative from me today... well, what I mean is... no criticisms. In fact, I'm quite proud of the decisions Jim Leyland made, his outspokeness over the communication lapse, and how the Tigers are turning respect for the Yankees into contempt. For myself, the seeds of being a hater were sown in 1961 as a young lad. I sense a slow burn going on over this media bias, and I hope Detroit doesn't get too high over that SLAP-DOWN yesterday. I won't get giddy, but the disgust at blowing the Central is over with me, and I hate the Yankees more than ever. Playing the Tigers for chumps might have been all we needed.
I'm most happy for you, Book! I have a bit of a sense what you're been going through as a journalist, having been exposed to witness the goings-on amongst your peers, before, during, and after games. Yes, you have to be objective, while being a fan, but some of the out-of-town writers can be so smug, while twisting the knife. Most fans don't realize how it is taboo to show any type of rooting in the Press Box during the games, but I'm sure after the statement the Tigers made in Game 2, you had the quips to make us proud, and give those who had been turning your stomach, something to wonder about coming to Detroit this weekend! I'm so glad for you! I'm missing where I should be today in this scene; BIGTIME!
I expect to see more from the Tigers, and have been reeled back into reality; this is a young team, blessed with talent, good chemistry, and they are developing NADS before our very eyes! The wheels in New York gave Leyland something to raise his ire, and the Yankees paid for it yesterday. The slow burn going on was first evident with Verlander in the 1st, then Monroe caught it, and then Thames, and Guillen... man, he just puts the explanation point on it! But then Granderson, Walker, Zumaya, and Jones... they caught it too! Watch out NY... The Copa will be nuts tonight, and Pudge, Mags, and Inge are due.
I think the bats will be there against Johnson tonight, and if Rogers struggles much, I think we'll see Leyland doing an enchore of his Capt. Hook impression. This might be a memorable night.
I sure hope after this game is over, in your private moments with your visiting peers, who are trying to maintain their arrogance, you have all the reason in the world to SHUT THEM UP, and witness the silent worrying inside. Have a great game, Book!
Pat,
Maybe the Tigers winning a game wasn't a big shock, but I think they surprised people by winning a game in New York (even with Detroit's superior road record this year). I don't think anyone would have argued with you Monday if you said the Tigs had a really good chance at taking the first playoff game in Detroit in a couple decades against an injured Randy Johnson.
But not too many were banking on a rookie Verlander overcoming the vaunted NY lineup and veteran Mussina. To employ a cliche, this game made a statement. At least Steinbrenner thought so (quoted as saying the Yanks had to take 2 in Detroit).
Most predictions I've seen, including yours, picked the Yankees in 4. This is still a great possibility, but tonight's game is obviously far more interesting from a national perspective than it would have been if the Tigers were down 0-2.
Good call on DreamWeaver. He really does exemplify why baseball is so fascinating. The evolution of his career and that of the Cardinals' 2006 season bear striking similarities today. Each started with unbelievable expectations, was followed by prolonged disappointment, and stands now in surprising redemption.
I wouldn't be surprised to see at least two Rodriguez home runs tonight. Hopefully one belongs to Pudge.
Chris,
It was exactly the way they played early in the season. The starting pitching and bullpen were solid. They got tinely hitting. The Tigers didn't shoot themselves in the foot defensively.
Caputo
Nick P,
I hear you about tonight. It should be a tremendous atmosphere. 1987 was a bit of a letdown and it was close to '84 so the playoffs were not that big of a deal. This will be a big deal and the crowd will be pumped. I can't wait, either.
Caputo
The Tackman,
ESPN only mirrors the national perception. Can you imagine if the Knicks were as good as the Pistons? They wouldn't be under the radar like the Pistons have been despite enormous success, that's for sure.
Caputo
I Rule,
Yeah, I'm surprised about the Twins. They have been so strong at home this season. To me, that series is over. The Twins didn't play that well down the stretch of the season.
Caputo
Garold,
The Tigers win Thursday had nothing to do with me. I feel good for the fans, though. It had been getting a little depressing with the losses at the end of what had been a great season. Who knows? Maybe the Tigers will parlay this into an upset of the Yankees.
Caputo
Trevor,
Good call on the Tigers making a statement. That statement is they belong in the playoffs. Not too many teams could have gone into Yankee Stadium and did what they did Thursday in the postseason.
Caputo
Pat,
I think the Tigers could have withstood the loss or a lessor than season from Guillen, but where would they be without Rogers? I believe he's their MVP!
biggTOE
biggTOE,
I think you make an excellent point about Rogers. I'll probably vote for Carlos Guillen for Tiger of the Year, but would have no issues with anybody who votes for Rogers.
Caputo
Hey Pat---
How about that game Bonderman pitched against the Yanks? After that one, I guess the Tigers will have to think twice about trading him (even for Teixeira (sp.?), if they think about it at all. (assuming as I do here you don't trade a young dominating power pitcher even for a young dominating power hitter who also fields Gold Glove--that's another discussion). You've mentioned that so far Bonderman is a disappointment cause in his fourth full ML season he hasn't become the dominating ace the Tigers hoped he would and that therefore he's tradable. This seems to overlook a point I'd like to make. It's true JB is completing his fourth ML season. Perhaps most guys who become dominating aces have done so by that time. But, isn't Bonderman different than most four year ML vets? JB never went to college. I guess if he pitched in the minors, it couldn't have been for long. Don't most guys (aces or not) with 4 years in the MLs also have 2 or 3 more years pre-ML experience in college and/or the minors than JB? And aren't most who become aces 2 or 3 or 4 years older when they do? Bonderman's not quite 24. It could be coming to the MLs (to the quasi-ML team the Tigs were then) held up JB's development. So the "four year" thing is different for him than most. Also, he's improved yearly and radically since 2003. (2003: 5.56 ERA, 162 inn, 108 SO; 2006: 4.08 ERA, 214 inn, 202 SO, etc). With all this, seems to me he's too good with too much upside potential to trade.
MartyC,
Bonderman was terrific. I wasn't sure he had that type of outing in him in such a big game, but he came through big-time. Maybe that will jumpstart him to becoming a great pitcher. He certainly is capable of becoming one.
Caputo
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