Almost swept? A sweep! (A "benching" and a haircut!) Another sweep! Almost swept? Do you see the pattern here?
Week 11
4 W, 2 L
The Tigers were on the verge of being swept out of St. Louis (in a nightmarish re-run of the '06 World Series filled with pitchers' errors, fielders' errors and little scoring). But Detroit pulled it together for the last game of the series and then marched into Milwaukee and earned a sweep over the Brewers. In the last 4 games of the week the bats scored 28 runs on 45 hits, apparently the slump was over.
Week 11 was, by far, the worst week of the year for fielding. The Tigers made 9 errors in the week (almost all of them in St. Louis). Improved defense has been a trademark of this 2009 team, but Busch Stadium apparently befuddles gloves and arms wearing the Old English D. Inspite of week 11 the Tigers continue to do very well. For a great explanation of what this improvement means for wins and losses, check out another of Lee's articles on this key at Tiger Tales.
Because of the lack of production from Magglio Ordonez, Jim Leyland kept him out of a few games to try to "get him started". Mags has clearly not produced at the plate this year and his fielding is slipping. He doesn't make errors (2 so far this year) but he doesn't get to balls as easily as faster, younger players do. Kurt lays it out very well here. The beauty of baseball is that numbers don't lie. But- they also don't tell the whole truth. This deserves its own posting, but I don't have time so I'll do it here: Magglio Ordonez has been a fantastic player for the Tigers. He plays every day. He doesn't complain. He is a terror against the White Sox (that is worth extra points for me). He hit The Home Run that put the Tigers into the 2006 World Series (that picture is still my computer screen background). You can't cut him loose to save the salary (as some have suggested). There is another reason that such a thing would be a seriously sleezy thing to do- although there aren't many details to be found, it is clear that his wife is seriously ill. That has to impact a player, just as it would impact anyone trying to do their job while the personal life in in upheaval. To see no drop in his production would indicate that he is a heartless SOB (which he clearly is not). Work him through it, help him where you can. Wait until he is freed from the burden of his wife's problems and we will all be rewarded with a rejuvinated Magglio to help the Tigers in the stretch this fall.
Week 12
4 Wins, 2 Losses
The Tigers were more like the Tigers we are getting used to during Week 12. The bats cooled off, the gloves recovered and the pitching (for the most part) kept the team in the game. Verlander has not dominated lately like he did in May and early June but he finished the week with 8 wins. Rick Porcello also finished the week with 8 wins. Jackson should have at least that many by has 6. Gallarraga got his 4th win this week (and seems to have figured out something or other about pitching in 2009). Figaro was given a chance to be the 5th starter (replacing Willis who is on the DL again for causing the fans so much anxiety). Figaro won his first game but was shelled in Saturday's game against the Astros. Leyland thinks he was too timid and he was sent down and will be replaced by French.
One thing that was different about Week 11 and 12 was the home runs. Detroit hit 24 homeruns in 12 games! We have not seen that kind of power in a looonngg time. I don't track HR seperately in my spreadsheet, but Inge and Granderson both have 18 for the year. Cabrera has 16. Thames has 5 in only 27 games. Even Polanco is getting in on the act, hitting 2 the last two weeks! Clearly they are not playing "small ball" right now.
Standings:
Team Place Games Back
Detroit 1st -
Minn 2nd 4.0
Chicago 3rd 5.0
KC 4th 9 1/2
Cleveland 5th 12
roster moves:
Robertson to DL ("mass on elbow")
Ni up from Toledo to replace Robertson
Figaro up and back to Toledo
French up to replace him
Guillen is apparently feeling better
