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Hey, before hitting the panic button, you just might want to notice Verlander is pitching for the Tigers tonight
The last two nights have been awful for the Tigers. Their lead over Cleveland is down to two games in the American League Central. The White Sox have remained in the race - despite themselves. They are only four back.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland, the first two games after receiving a contract extension, has played odd lineups. Wilson Betemit didn't start Tuesday, Jhonny Peralta didn't start Wednesday. The Tigers had an off day Monday.
The Tigers have lost 13 games in a row at Cleveland.
But there is hope. It comes in the form of Justin Verlander, who starts tonight for the Tigers. He's not only 16-5, but of his 16 victories, 12 have come following Tigers losses. He did down Cleveland earlier this season when the two teams entered the game tied for first place.
Many times this season, Verlander has saved series for the Tigers. That would never be more true than if he wins this game.
He should. Verlander easily has the best fastball in the major leagues right now. He can 100 mph any time he wants. Ubaldo Jiminez, who beat the Tigers Wednesday, has a very good fastball, too, but it doesn't compare - despite what some of the statistical studies may say about him throwing consistently harder than Verlander in recent years.
Tigers win tonight, they have a three-game lead - and all is well. They lose - and panic would set in given their second-half track record in recent years. The lead will be down to one precious game.
It's on Verlander tonight. Pressure? Not really for Verlander himself. More on the Indians who will be facing the best pitcher in baseball.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland, the first two games after receiving a contract extension, has played odd lineups. Wilson Betemit didn't start Tuesday, Jhonny Peralta didn't start Wednesday. The Tigers had an off day Monday.
The Tigers have lost 13 games in a row at Cleveland.
But there is hope. It comes in the form of Justin Verlander, who starts tonight for the Tigers. He's not only 16-5, but of his 16 victories, 12 have come following Tigers losses. He did down Cleveland earlier this season when the two teams entered the game tied for first place.
Many times this season, Verlander has saved series for the Tigers. That would never be more true than if he wins this game.
He should. Verlander easily has the best fastball in the major leagues right now. He can 100 mph any time he wants. Ubaldo Jiminez, who beat the Tigers Wednesday, has a very good fastball, too, but it doesn't compare - despite what some of the statistical studies may say about him throwing consistently harder than Verlander in recent years.
Tigers win tonight, they have a three-game lead - and all is well. They lose - and panic would set in given their second-half track record in recent years. The lead will be down to one precious game.
It's on Verlander tonight. Pressure? Not really for Verlander himself. More on the Indians who will be facing the best pitcher in baseball.
Labels: Justin Verlander
posted by Pat Caputo at
3:34 AM
12 Comments:
Pat - why does he rest these guys the way he does (rhetorical!) I remember Polanco and Ordonez getting rested at weird times in '09. We might be the best team in the division but we don't hit with power and don't use the speed we have!
So, yesterday YOU called a loss "devastating", and today you're telling US not to panic.
You'll rationalize it somehow, but tell me, once and for all... should I be devastated by that one loss two days ago or should I not panic today?
Geez.
I want to echo that other comment. You are speaking with a forked tongue Mr. Caputo.
Rick Heitmeyer,
I think Jim Leyland is a terrific manager, but his lineup the last two days were bizarre. Sometimes he plays the hunch too much.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Yesterday, I did the complete opposite of calling the loss "devastating." As a matter of fact, say so in headline.
Caputo
Anonymous,
I think you need to actually read the blog entries.
Caputo
WHY, WHY, WHY would he have Maggilo hitting 3 yesterday? He shouldn't have even been in the game against that right hander. The day before he had Dirks hitting 3rd? And what has happened to Caberra? He has turned into a singles hitter. I suppose we are all spoiled by his past performance, but he needs to step it up a level. And Austin Jackson, love is outfield play, but the strikeouts....yikes.
Pat,
I have great hope for JV tonight. But the past two games have been frustrating. It seems like Leyland and the Tigers have leaned heavily on Justin this year. Despite signs pointing to the contrary, the guy isn't Superman. I think that he will probably slip in one of these games. I mean, he has to, right?
Travis
I love how we talk on here so "in the moment".
Book - I agree - if JV does okay tonight all is okay.
To the rest of ya'll - gimmee a freakin break. Rick - the Tigers do hit with power - in spurts - freakin hot and cold spurts.
Both you anonymous commenters (or are you the same guy - perhaps named "Geez") - read all the words - not just the ones you know how to pronounce.
What is more amazing is this 13 game losing streak to the Tribe. Split those up 50/50 and the Tigers are running away with the division - It appears the Tigers are keeping the Tribe in this race.
Sad to see Porcello slip - he was making great progress.
As far as Leyland's and Dombrowski's contract resignings go - I agree they shouldn't have been signed until the post season - but seriously - aside from supertition and Karma - that has nothing to do with the Tigers troubles beating the Cleveland.
anymore, when verlander and valverde step on the mound, a win is expected...and these guys just continue to deliver.
bit concerned about the injury to boesch. medium grade thumb sprain which doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's going to affect him swinging the bat for awhile.
think it was Sparky who once said, you play for the season not for the day...so i get the tactic of resting the regulars from time to time. would like to see leyland shift some playing time from kelly to betemit.
Hey Fred...
I did read every last word of his blog entry,(I got help for the words I couldn't pronounce), and he gives a list of reasons why we can insinuate that the loss was devastating:
"...Not only did the Tigers burn their bullpen (starter Doug Fister was pulled after two innings and a two-hour rain delay), but the Tigers didn't win a test of will.
Also, they have lost 12 straight games at Cleveland. Last year, their postseason aspirations essentially faded after they were swept by the Indians in four games at Progressive Field immediately following the All Star break.
Three of the four Tigers' losses at Cleveland this year have been by one run.
The Tigers were handed a gift when Chad Durbin replaced Indians' starter Justin Masterson following the rain delay. They didn't take advantage of it. They had several opportunities to break the game open later. They didn't.
And while everyone is focusing on the Indians and this series, the White Sox won Tuesday. They've been awful this season, honestly. And the Tigers have hardly put them away.
Anybody notice the White Sox are only four games out. If they play any semblance of decent baseball, they could push the Tigers right out of the picture."
The point of his blog was that even if we may not want to use the word "devastating", according to the litany of reasons he lays out, he views it as potentially so.
Look deeper, Fred.
And, just because some of us disagree with Pat, doesn't mean we can't pronounce his words. But hey, if you want to get into a battle of wits, fine. I normally pass up reading your sophomoric efforts at being a sports columnist (which come across as an effort to blow Pat, which we here at the office believe you would actually do, in fact), but I will gladly read your 'Yes Man' rants and critique your crap....if you want.
Hey Fred.... I normally bypass your sophomoric attempts at being a sports columnist (which come across an a serious effort to blow Pat, a fact that we here in the office believe you would actually do given the chance), but I did read this one. And believe it or not I did read every word of Pat's blog. And what he does is say that although it may be early to use the actual word "devastating", he then gives a detailed list of reasons why we should insinuate that the loss was, if fact, devastating:
"Not only did the Tigers burn their bullpen (starter Doug Fister was pulled after two innings and a two-hour rain delay), but the Tigers didn't win a test of will.
Also, they have lost 12 straight games at Cleveland. Last year, their postseason aspirations essentially faded after they were swept by the Indians in four games at Progressive Field immediately following the All Star break.
Three of the four Tigers' losses at Cleveland this year have been by one run.
The Tigers were handed a gift when Chad Durbin replaced Indians' starter Justin Masterson following the rain delay. They didn't take advantage of it. They had several opportunities to break the game open later. They didn't.
And while everyone is focusing on the Indians and this series, the White Sox won Tuesday. They've been awful this season, honestly. And the Tigers have hardly put them away.
Anybody notice the White Sox are only four games out. If they play any semblance of decent baseball, they could push the Tigers right out of the picture."
Instead of always agreeing, Fred, look deeper sometimes. And, just because some of us do disagree with Pat, I'm sure he doesn't need his little Buddy Fred to come to his defense. It's Ok to disagree.
But, if you want to insult me simply because I do disagree, I'll gladly read your "Yes Man" crap and critique all your stupid, one-sentence rants.
Let me know.
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