RSS
There are reasons to be skeptical about the Tigers - this is why
The Tigers are tied for first place. It's July 18. The trade deadline is less than two weeks away. In theory, this town, which has experienced just one postseason appearance since 1987, should be going bonkers over the Tigers. But it is not.
This is why:
- The Tigers have not only lost six of their last eight multiple-game series (there was also a makeup win over Toronto), but they were all three-game series in which the Tigers lost the first two games and had to win the third game to salvage anything. They are 12-12 in their last 24 games. Not exactly the stuff of the '98 Yankees.
- The Tigers have a 49-45 record. They had a better record after the same number of games in 2010 (50-44), 2009 (50-44) and 2007 57-37 - and didn't reach the postseason. Even in 2008, when the Tigers' season was widely labeled a disaster because they shot for the moon with a huge player payroll and struggled from the start of the season, they weren't that much worse, in regard to record, than they are at this point of the season (47-47).
- The White Sox have floundered. You saw what they lack in not being able to put the Tigers away Sunday. The Twins have been decimated by injures and their bullpen is suspect.
But the White Sox aren't that bad, and the Twins have gotten Delmon Young and Jim Thome back - and Joe Nathan, who had been written off, got the save Sunday. The Twins are winning games and are only five games back. And that's before factoring the Indians into the equation.
Look, I think the Tigers have the best team in the A.L. Central. My best educated guess is they will win the division.
Just having Justin Verlander leading their rotation and Miguel Cabrera in the middle of their batting order puts them ahead of other clubs.
But they are not going to win it losing two out of three games at a time.
As for the skepticism, it's justified. "Every year is different..."
Yeah, I heard that in 2010....
And in 2009...
I might have even said or written it myself.
Not this time.
This is why:
- The Tigers have not only lost six of their last eight multiple-game series (there was also a makeup win over Toronto), but they were all three-game series in which the Tigers lost the first two games and had to win the third game to salvage anything. They are 12-12 in their last 24 games. Not exactly the stuff of the '98 Yankees.
- The Tigers have a 49-45 record. They had a better record after the same number of games in 2010 (50-44), 2009 (50-44) and 2007 57-37 - and didn't reach the postseason. Even in 2008, when the Tigers' season was widely labeled a disaster because they shot for the moon with a huge player payroll and struggled from the start of the season, they weren't that much worse, in regard to record, than they are at this point of the season (47-47).
- The White Sox have floundered. You saw what they lack in not being able to put the Tigers away Sunday. The Twins have been decimated by injures and their bullpen is suspect.
But the White Sox aren't that bad, and the Twins have gotten Delmon Young and Jim Thome back - and Joe Nathan, who had been written off, got the save Sunday. The Twins are winning games and are only five games back. And that's before factoring the Indians into the equation.
Look, I think the Tigers have the best team in the A.L. Central. My best educated guess is they will win the division.
Just having Justin Verlander leading their rotation and Miguel Cabrera in the middle of their batting order puts them ahead of other clubs.
But they are not going to win it losing two out of three games at a time.
As for the skepticism, it's justified. "Every year is different..."
Yeah, I heard that in 2010....
And in 2009...
I might have even said or written it myself.
Not this time.
posted by Pat Caputo at
8:42 AM
5 Comments:
There's no reason the Tigers should not win the Division with Ordonnez and Guillen back in the lineup and if the GM adds a pitcher. Their offensive 3-6 hitters are really good and Boesch and Guillen are solid.
Leyland is probably in the top ten managers in the leaque based on experience.
But if he loses this division, one has to take a hard look why he can't close the deal in the remaining 70 games with the horses that he has compared to the other division teams. Managers don't get (re)hired for strategy and tactics but winning.
Winning 86-88 games leaves them open to again getting passed in the last few games.
Adding a pitcher isn't enough. I have always been a guy to say in close seasons like this that "ya gotta dance with the girl that brung ya!", but I'm not singing that song this year.
Something has to change and this trade deadline had better not pass with only a minor acquistion.
It's gonna be a rollercoaster this second half - and September is going to be a wild chase to the end - but the Tigers better make some type of change to stay in this race.
Hang on - it's gonna be wild ride!
I'll keep to my prediction of the Tigers finishing in 3rd place. They have one solid pitcher and have never recovered from the loss of Polanco.
Many question marks here.
Jackson's injury seems to leave them short, defensively at least. But on the other hand, does it open an opportunity for one of these young guys?
Guillen is an injury waiting to happen, but almost every at-bat he takes is a potential game changer. Can he stay healthy enough to contribute, and knock Raburn back to a reserve station where he just might thrive?
What if Porcello gets off the schnide, and goes 8-2 or something the rest of the way? But even if he and Scherzer only manage to eat up innings, and Penny too, that still leaves Leyland maximum flexibility, and the bullpen becomes a valued asset at that point. Can they eat up enough innings to bring that bullpen to prominence?
I think the Tigers are the favorites now, but they have to stay healthy. 90 wins should do it for them. 41-27 the rest of the way? They can do that. Eat up innings and get a few visits from doctor long ball.
Leyland's job is on the line this 2nd half. I don't see the Tigers retaining him if he can't get this team to the postseason considering the competition in the AL Central this season and the talent on this year's Tigers' team.
Dombrowski seems more secure. He has made some solid moves with sidestepping Dunn and going for Martinez. Alburqueque signing and Peralta acquisition were shrewd. Can criticize the signings of Inge, Raburn, and Willis and acquisition of Renteria for sure. If anything, he's had a blind spot for recognizing when players who have helped his teams in the past are losing their skills.
It seems that the division will be won by whichever team gets hot in September. It's a tossup at this point...unless one of the 4 teams gets a major upgrade in talent at the deadline.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home