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The "long season" theory is flawed. The Tigers' shaky start could mean everything
If there is trepidation about the Tigers' 3-7 start, there should be.
They haven't had a winning season after starting 3-7 or worse since 1980. Since then, the Tigers have gone 3-7 or worse to begin the season 11 times - and had a losing record each year.
It doesn't mean the season is over. Even championship clubs go through 10-game periods in which they compile a 3-7 record or worse, but it's naive to believe the beginning of the season does not mean more in the grand scale of things. It does - often setting the tone for the whole year.
And the Tigers' best seasons have been fueled by solid or great starts.
The last five times the Tigers have reached the postseason, their 10-game record was: 9-1 (1968), 7-3 (1972), 9-1 (1984), 6-4 (1987) and 6-4 (2006). The '87 team was the only one to come back from what was a very rough start. The Tigers were 11-19 at one point that season before rallying to win a major league-best 98 games.
They haven't had a winning season after starting 3-7 or worse since 1980. Since then, the Tigers have gone 3-7 or worse to begin the season 11 times - and had a losing record each year.
It doesn't mean the season is over. Even championship clubs go through 10-game periods in which they compile a 3-7 record or worse, but it's naive to believe the beginning of the season does not mean more in the grand scale of things. It does - often setting the tone for the whole year.
And the Tigers' best seasons have been fueled by solid or great starts.
The last five times the Tigers have reached the postseason, their 10-game record was: 9-1 (1968), 7-3 (1972), 9-1 (1984), 6-4 (1987) and 6-4 (2006). The '87 team was the only one to come back from what was a very rough start. The Tigers were 11-19 at one point that season before rallying to win a major league-best 98 games.
Labels: Detroit Tigers
posted by Pat Caputo at
10:28 AM
4 Comments:
"Disappointing" is the only word that comes to mind with this team. I think they're going to end up fighting KC for 3rd place in the division.
Anonymous,
Just pointing out some facts.
Caputo
It's merely a correlation, not a cause and affect.
Bad teams, start bad and good teams start good or 0.500.
But a 10 game sample is too small.
Sometimes good teams start bad (Boston) and bad teams start good (Cleveland).
Anonymous,
Never said the Tigers are out of it, just pointed out their track in recent past after starting out season 3-7 after 10 games.
Caputo
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