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It's simple: Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland messed up big time
Hindsight is always 20-20, especially when it comes to managers and their decisions handling pitching staffs. There are a lot of "darned if you do, darned if you don't" situations
Sometimes when Tigers manager Jim Leyland pushes the wrong button in this regard, at least you can see solid logic behind the move, even if it backfired.
But not Monday during a 7-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Rookie left-hander Drew Smyly had allowed two home runs, but otherwise was pitching well, and U.S. Cellular is a small park. Smyly has pitched as well as any starter in the American League this season. He had earned the right based on performance, too, to begin the sixth inning. He had thrown just 69 pitches. It's questionable the pitcher replacing Smyly, rookie right-hander Luke Putkonen, should even be in the major leagues, let alone being handed the ball with a 5-4 lead on the road, the heart of the White Sox order coming up and with the Tigers struggling. The Tigers had much better options if Leyland wanted to remove Smyly, particularly veteran Octavio Dotel, who was rested.
There will be classic "Leyland should be fired" overreactions to this, and it's misguided. Leyland earned a lot more slack after what the Tigers accomplished last season, and given his overall track record as their manager.
It's very early in the season. If you look at an earlier post in this blog, you know the Tigers so-so start ultimately might not mean much based on their history
But this much is certain: Monday night will not go down as a career highlight for Jim Leyland.
Sometimes when Tigers manager Jim Leyland pushes the wrong button in this regard, at least you can see solid logic behind the move, even if it backfired.
But not Monday during a 7-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Rookie left-hander Drew Smyly had allowed two home runs, but otherwise was pitching well, and U.S. Cellular is a small park. Smyly has pitched as well as any starter in the American League this season. He had earned the right based on performance, too, to begin the sixth inning. He had thrown just 69 pitches. It's questionable the pitcher replacing Smyly, rookie right-hander Luke Putkonen, should even be in the major leagues, let alone being handed the ball with a 5-4 lead on the road, the heart of the White Sox order coming up and with the Tigers struggling. The Tigers had much better options if Leyland wanted to remove Smyly, particularly veteran Octavio Dotel, who was rested.There will be classic "Leyland should be fired" overreactions to this, and it's misguided. Leyland earned a lot more slack after what the Tigers accomplished last season, and given his overall track record as their manager.
It's very early in the season. If you look at an earlier post in this blog, you know the Tigers so-so start ultimately might not mean much based on their history
But this much is certain: Monday night will not go down as a career highlight for Jim Leyland.
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:55 PM
6 Comments:
Obviously, the Tigers need middle relief help. Ballestor, and Putkonen aren't acceptable options. With the return of Marte, and Alburquerque, they may neglect that need at the trade deadline. I think that would be a mistake, if they intend to go deep in the playoffs.
Dave
Unfortunately they had 4 good middle reliever options in Coke, Below, Dotel, and Benoit.
With Leyland it seems like you can't have a single bad player on the 25 man roster or he will find a way to play him too often, and at the worst possible times.
I told you on another blog that Leyland is a good manager but kinda goes overboard when faced with a slump or malaise.
He doesn't understand variation theory, goes WAY over some limits to fix a problem.
He seems to freak out and try to over-think.
It seems to really go against good statistical sense. Oh well.
Four runs in five innings is enough to warrant being pulled. Smyly has not earned the right to do anything, he has started what, six games in the majors? With wonderful results, but he is not the ace of the staff. If Leyland did not like the way he was throwing the ball, it was incumbent upon him to remove Smyly. It didn't work, but did not lose the game either.
Of course he should be fired.
He has had the talent and been in a position to win it all.
Reason #1 for firing Leyland:
He hasn't produced.
One time I think he let his buddy Tony out-coach him.
Another time a big name guy goes out drinking the night before one of the biggest games of his career and yes, a season deciding game as well.
Reason #2 for firing Leyland:
Forget the past. This year he has the most powerful lineup in the game. IN THE GAME!!! And no one is hitting... Except Brandon Inge.
This team just needs to get settled, especially in the field. Once that happens, the bats will come around.
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