- It's apparent Joaquin Benoit isn't himself. Take an extra mile or two off a fastball, and a little bit of late life, and the result is pitches that normally pierce the strike zone being routinely hit out of the ball park. The Tigers would be wise to back Benoit off, and make sure the shoulder soreness that has bothered him lately has been cleared, and maybe even put him on the disabled list and recall Bruce Rondon. A 100 mph fastball in the major leagues is the same as it is in the minor leagues, very difficult to hit. It appears every inning Rondon is throwing in the minor leagues is a wasted one because the Tigers bullpen has started to falter. The Tigers need bullpen help now, not September. I don't see where any better help would be available right now than Rondon.
- All the talk about "The wheels coming off Quintin Berry," is as nonsensical as the hype about him to begin with. He had a bad game against the Yankees. He initial step in the outfield isn't the best, nor are his routes to the ball. There were times when he got to balls dangerously late before, still made the play, and was hailed for making a great play. But his misplay Thursday aside, Berry has tightened up defensively overall and made several good plays since the All Star break, particularly a ninth-inning catch against the White Sox, and getting the ball in quickly to prevent the tying run to score this week vs. the Yankees. Offensively, he will do OK as long as he is spotted against right-handed pitchers, who don't throw particularly hard. I didn't have an issue with Jim Leyland starting him against the Yankees' Hiroki Kuroda. It didn't turn out that way on this particular day, but that's the type of pitcher Berry has a fighting chance against.