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Good Outing Saturday Could Seal The Deal For Porcello
Of all the spring training stadiums in Florida, the one mimicking the atmosphere of a regular season game the most is Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. It’s huge, and is usually filled. There is also the aura of the Yankees there.
I don’t know if it is a perfect stage to find out exactly where Rick Porcello stands with the Tigers. There isn’t such a thing in spring training. The two most-overrated times to evaluate players are spring training and during September’s roster expansion. But it will provide the best environment possible under the circumstances.
Porcello is pitching for a spot on the major league team. If he weren’t, the Tigers would have already sent him back to the minor league camp. Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis and Zach Miner have not pitched well. There are many scouts, coaches and instructors in the organization that have already advised Dave Dombrowski and Jim Leyland that they believe Porcello is one of the top five starters in the organization - period - and belongs in the major leagues to start the season.
Everybody will know that when Porcello takes the mound Saturday - including Porcello himself - he is pitching for a major league job. It will be revealing how he handles the pressure. I’d really be surprised, if he pitches well, if the Tigers don’t keep him.
Random Thoughts
- I have Michigan State going all the way through the bracket and winning the national championship at Ford Field. My darkhorse is Washington, which I have reaching the Final Four and losing to MSU in the national semifinals. I have Michigan beating Clemson Thursday and being ousted from the tournament in the second round by Oklahoma.
And here’s a warning: I wouldn’t take any of my advice. My track record picking in the tournament is brutal.
- Chris Osgood has clearly played himself back into the picture as being the Red Wings No. 1 goalie in the playoffs. If he keeps playing the way he has the last three games, the job will be his. The key will be how Ty Conklin bounces back from blowing the lead in the Calgary game last week.
I don’t know if it is a perfect stage to find out exactly where Rick Porcello stands with the Tigers. There isn’t such a thing in spring training. The two most-overrated times to evaluate players are spring training and during September’s roster expansion. But it will provide the best environment possible under the circumstances.
Porcello is pitching for a spot on the major league team. If he weren’t, the Tigers would have already sent him back to the minor league camp. Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis and Zach Miner have not pitched well. There are many scouts, coaches and instructors in the organization that have already advised Dave Dombrowski and Jim Leyland that they believe Porcello is one of the top five starters in the organization - period - and belongs in the major leagues to start the season.
Everybody will know that when Porcello takes the mound Saturday - including Porcello himself - he is pitching for a major league job. It will be revealing how he handles the pressure. I’d really be surprised, if he pitches well, if the Tigers don’t keep him.
Random Thoughts
- I have Michigan State going all the way through the bracket and winning the national championship at Ford Field. My darkhorse is Washington, which I have reaching the Final Four and losing to MSU in the national semifinals. I have Michigan beating Clemson Thursday and being ousted from the tournament in the second round by Oklahoma.
And here’s a warning: I wouldn’t take any of my advice. My track record picking in the tournament is brutal.
- Chris Osgood has clearly played himself back into the picture as being the Red Wings No. 1 goalie in the playoffs. If he keeps playing the way he has the last three games, the job will be his. The key will be how Ty Conklin bounces back from blowing the lead in the Calgary game last week.
posted by Pat Caputo at
3:47 PM
6 Comments
