Panama 9, Detroit 3
Nationals 2, Tigers 10
Yesterday's game just didn't look good to me (at least reading the box score, which is the best I can do). Porcello looked pretty darn good (1 hit, 0 earned runs, 2 walks, 3 Ks) in 2.0 innings. Kyle Bloom looked good too (1 hit, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, 1 K) in 2.0 innings. Perry looked solid with no hits a walk and a strike out). But Lambert got rocked for 6 earned runs in 1.0 inning. Rapada gave up 3 runs (2 earned) in 2.0 innings. So, once again, bad pitching loses ball games.
I have to wonder if Lambert seriously hurt any opportunity he had (if he had one). The same with Rapada. Eddie had them both plugged into Toledo. So perhaps it won't matter. Perry and Porcello continue to impress and Leyland says "They make you stop and look, and at some point they make you stop and think."
BTW: I just have to say a couple of things about Tigers' coverage in the "papers". Last year I always started the day with the Detroit News' coverage, it just seemed better than the Freeps' coverage. But so far this year I think that the Freep is just crushing the News. They have updates, although abreviated, from the games up on their site within minutes of the end of the game. They had analysis of Willis' last start up a couple of innings after he had sit down, long before the game ended. Jon Paul Morosi's blog has been extremely interesting and the live blog he did a while ago was excellent. I don't know how things will work out as the Season starts, but for Spring Training info, the Freep is doing it right.
BTW 2: Jason Beck (MLB.com's beat reporter for the Tigers) is running a Twitter during games now. It's fun to follow and surely beats the "live box" option on MLB.com.
Today's game turned into a blowout. Hopefully Miner reversed some of the damage he did the other day with his 3.0 innings of 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, 1 K pitching. It wasn't great, but it worked out. Rodney gave Detroit a 3 up, 3 down inning as well. Larish hit 2 HRs, Thames hit another one and Treanor did too.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Some college ball, some Classic ball...
Florida Southern College 1, Detroit 7
Team Venezuela 5, Detroit 7
On Monday the Tigers played their annual game against FSC. I can remember seriously wondering if the Tigers would be able to beat the college team (remember the early 2000's?). I didn't seriously wonder about Detroit winning this year, but I was curious about how our pitchers would look facing college hitters. (This shouldn't matter right?)
Well Jackson looked pretty good (3 hits, 0 runs in 3.0 innings). Zumaya looked awesome (3 up, 3 down). So that made me feel pretty good. With half of the team off playing on World Baseball Classic teams many of the prospects had a chance to show their stuff against the college pitchers. Many of them took advantage and produced 9 hits and 7 runs. Rhymes and Larish each had a homerun. So, rest easy Tigers' fans- if necessary they could play in the College World Series and have a great shot at winning.
Today they pretty much played themselves. Cabrera, Ordonez, Guillen and Galarraga all played against the Tigers for Team Venezuela. Galarraga gave up 1 run and 2 hits in 3 innings against the his team. Cabrera had 1 hit, Guillen had 2. But it wasn't enough to keep Venezuela on top.
Willis continued to not impress me (although he impressed John Lowe at the finish) with 2 hits, 3 walks and 1 earned run in 3.0 innings (14 batters). Robertson followed with 3 hits, 2 walks, 3 earned runs in 3.0 innings (15 batters) but still picked up the win. Neither of these pitchers impressed much today in their battle for the 5th pitcher's slot on the roster.
On the upside Lyon pitched a 3 up, 3 down inning. Seay came in and did the same thing! Dolsi broke up the perfection, but faced only 4 batters in the 9th to close it out. And these were MLB caliber hitters! That makes me feel a lot better.
Team Venezuela 5, Detroit 7
On Monday the Tigers played their annual game against FSC. I can remember seriously wondering if the Tigers would be able to beat the college team (remember the early 2000's?). I didn't seriously wonder about Detroit winning this year, but I was curious about how our pitchers would look facing college hitters. (This shouldn't matter right?)
Well Jackson looked pretty good (3 hits, 0 runs in 3.0 innings). Zumaya looked awesome (3 up, 3 down). So that made me feel pretty good. With half of the team off playing on World Baseball Classic teams many of the prospects had a chance to show their stuff against the college pitchers. Many of them took advantage and produced 9 hits and 7 runs. Rhymes and Larish each had a homerun. So, rest easy Tigers' fans- if necessary they could play in the College World Series and have a great shot at winning.
Today they pretty much played themselves. Cabrera, Ordonez, Guillen and Galarraga all played against the Tigers for Team Venezuela. Galarraga gave up 1 run and 2 hits in 3 innings against the his team. Cabrera had 1 hit, Guillen had 2. But it wasn't enough to keep Venezuela on top.
Willis continued to not impress me (although he impressed John Lowe at the finish) with 2 hits, 3 walks and 1 earned run in 3.0 innings (14 batters). Robertson followed with 3 hits, 2 walks, 3 earned runs in 3.0 innings (15 batters) but still picked up the win. Neither of these pitchers impressed much today in their battle for the 5th pitcher's slot on the roster.
On the upside Lyon pitched a 3 up, 3 down inning. Seay came in and did the same thing! Dolsi broke up the perfection, but faced only 4 batters in the 9th to close it out. And these were MLB caliber hitters! That makes me feel a lot better.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
You win one, you lose one
Saturday Tigers 7, Mets 2
Sunday Tigers 4, Pirates 6
Saturday Detroit had 3 home runs and good pitching to power over the Mets. Sunday
Sunday Detroit had 1 home run and some really weak pitching to knuckle under to the Pirates 4 to 6.
Saturday Kibler and Darrow were the only Detroit pitchers to give up runs and those runs were spread out between the 1st and 8th innings.
Sunday it was the saga of Zach Miner, who gave up 5 runs (all earned) on 7 (seven!) hits in 2.0 innings pitched. In fact he faced 12 batters and let 5 of them score. I say this with a heavy heart because I would really love to see Zach Miner make it as a starter. But he did worse than Dontrelle today (and I think Dontrelle sucks). So this was disappointing to me, but probably more so to Zach.
On the upside Verlander allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks in 3 innings pitched. I can live with that right now.
Bonderman was not allowed to pitch even a simulated game on Saturday (after being scratched from starting the spring training game). This is not a good sign for Tigers' fans. I'm pulling for Bondo, I really want to see him pitch and be a major factor for the Tigers this year. (This is a purely sentimental statement).
Yesterday Detroit won based on good pitching and home run power. Today they lost on bad pitching. Let's hope the season has more days like Saturday and fewer like Sunday.
Sunday Tigers 4, Pirates 6
Saturday Detroit had 3 home runs and good pitching to power over the Mets. Sunday
Sunday Detroit had 1 home run and some really weak pitching to knuckle under to the Pirates 4 to 6.
Saturday Kibler and Darrow were the only Detroit pitchers to give up runs and those runs were spread out between the 1st and 8th innings.
Sunday it was the saga of Zach Miner, who gave up 5 runs (all earned) on 7 (seven!) hits in 2.0 innings pitched. In fact he faced 12 batters and let 5 of them score. I say this with a heavy heart because I would really love to see Zach Miner make it as a starter. But he did worse than Dontrelle today (and I think Dontrelle sucks). So this was disappointing to me, but probably more so to Zach.
On the upside Verlander allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks in 3 innings pitched. I can live with that right now.
Bonderman was not allowed to pitch even a simulated game on Saturday (after being scratched from starting the spring training game). This is not a good sign for Tigers' fans. I'm pulling for Bondo, I really want to see him pitch and be a major factor for the Tigers this year. (This is a purely sentimental statement).
Yesterday Detroit won based on good pitching and home run power. Today they lost on bad pitching. Let's hope the season has more days like Saturday and fewer like Sunday.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Blue Jays 6- Tigers 4
To answer Ian's question, I am a glass half empty guy about Dontrelle Willis. I'm sorry, but I just don't believe that Dontrelle is capable of Major League pitching anymore. For that matter Fernando Rodney's line didn't really impress me much either.
Willis pitched to 9 batters in 1 inning (plus four batters) and gave up 3 hits, 1 walk and 4 runs (2 earned) this afternoon. He picked up the "L" for his efforts. Apparently he threw 25 of his 43 pitches for strikes.
Rodney came in and gave up 2 hits, 2 walks and 1 run (HR).
So, we have had 2 well pitched games this spring and one flashback from 2008 with Willis and Rodney in starring roles. I pray to a loving God that Willis does not go "north" with the Tigers in April. I honestly don't know what to do with him (and his contract) but he showed today that he doesn't belong the roster.
Willis pitched to 9 batters in 1 inning (plus four batters) and gave up 3 hits, 1 walk and 4 runs (2 earned) this afternoon. He picked up the "L" for his efforts. Apparently he threw 25 of his 43 pitches for strikes.
Rodney came in and gave up 2 hits, 2 walks and 1 run (HR).
So, we have had 2 well pitched games this spring and one flashback from 2008 with Willis and Rodney in starring roles. I pray to a loving God that Willis does not go "north" with the Tigers in April. I honestly don't know what to do with him (and his contract) but he showed today that he doesn't belong the roster.
Spring Training part deux
Tigers 1, Nationals 2
I'm hoping that this is one of those games. You know, the ones that you chalk up to "one of those days" where your realize that the best of teams lose 3 games out of 10 (the very best of teams).
But the Tigers were held to 2 hits today (Everett and Thomas) and one run today. The Nationals earned two runs (both by Orr) on 4 hits.
I'm hoping that this will be an exception. Both teams walked 4 batters. I didn't get to follow the game at all, so all I have is the box score. Jackson struck out 3 and walked 1 with 0 hits in 2 innings. I like that. Robertson had 2 hit, 1 earned run and 1 walk in 2 innings pitched. Not bad, but not great. Porcello had almost the same line, except 0 walks with 2 K's and 1 earned run in 1 inning. Zumaya had only 1 walk on his line, but he hit the first batter he faced before he calmed down. Rapada and McBride each pitched a good inning.
This game wasn't bad. Losing 2 to 1 is hardly a reason to panic. It really isn't a reason to be concerned. I do wonder what happened to the bats, but the pitching was okay. So I'll just chalk this one up.
Friday is against the Blue Jays. Galarraga gets the start. Willis pitches next.
I'm hoping that this is one of those games. You know, the ones that you chalk up to "one of those days" where your realize that the best of teams lose 3 games out of 10 (the very best of teams).
But the Tigers were held to 2 hits today (Everett and Thomas) and one run today. The Nationals earned two runs (both by Orr) on 4 hits.
I'm hoping that this will be an exception. Both teams walked 4 batters. I didn't get to follow the game at all, so all I have is the box score. Jackson struck out 3 and walked 1 with 0 hits in 2 innings. I like that. Robertson had 2 hit, 1 earned run and 1 walk in 2 innings pitched. Not bad, but not great. Porcello had almost the same line, except 0 walks with 2 K's and 1 earned run in 1 inning. Zumaya had only 1 walk on his line, but he hit the first batter he faced before he calmed down. Rapada and McBride each pitched a good inning.
This game wasn't bad. Losing 2 to 1 is hardly a reason to panic. It really isn't a reason to be concerned. I do wonder what happened to the bats, but the pitching was okay. So I'll just chalk this one up.
Friday is against the Blue Jays. Galarraga gets the start. Willis pitches next.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Spring Training Opener ATL vs DET
Braves 4, Tigers 5
Finally, they play some ball!
If you missed it the Tigers and Braves started out the first game of 2009 Spring Training. Justin Verlander got the start against our old friend Jurrjens. Since it is so early in the year no pitcher was allowed to stay in for very long, so we got to see something from: Miner, Lyon, Seay, Bonine, Ni, and Bloom.
Verlander gave up an unearned run on one hit and 2 walks in 2 innings. Minor gave up 2 hits with 2 K's in 2 innings. Lyon gave up 3 runs (all unearned) on a walk and 2 hits and an error by Inge. Ni got the win and Bloom the save.
Batting went well- 11 hits with our new catcher Laird getting a double and a triple. Inge had 2 singles and so did Santiago. It's ironic that 3 of the "no hitting bunch" end up with over half of the hits and 3 of the runs.
Overall it was a good start. I was happy because Detroit went ahead by scoring a run in 3 different innings. Then, after giving up the lead in the 5th and then falling behind in the 7th they tied it up in the 7th and in the 8th took the lead.
It's super early, so it only means that they won a ST game, but it's good to see.
And it is great to have a game on to follow.
Finally, they play some ball!
If you missed it the Tigers and Braves started out the first game of 2009 Spring Training. Justin Verlander got the start against our old friend Jurrjens. Since it is so early in the year no pitcher was allowed to stay in for very long, so we got to see something from: Miner, Lyon, Seay, Bonine, Ni, and Bloom.
Verlander gave up an unearned run on one hit and 2 walks in 2 innings. Minor gave up 2 hits with 2 K's in 2 innings. Lyon gave up 3 runs (all unearned) on a walk and 2 hits and an error by Inge. Ni got the win and Bloom the save.
Batting went well- 11 hits with our new catcher Laird getting a double and a triple. Inge had 2 singles and so did Santiago. It's ironic that 3 of the "no hitting bunch" end up with over half of the hits and 3 of the runs.
Overall it was a good start. I was happy because Detroit went ahead by scoring a run in 3 different innings. Then, after giving up the lead in the 5th and then falling behind in the 7th they tied it up in the 7th and in the 8th took the lead.
It's super early, so it only means that they won a ST game, but it's good to see.
And it is great to have a game on to follow.
Friday, February 13, 2009
It's here....
Tomorrow morning is the first day of work outs! In my mind Spring has arrived. The question in my eyes is "what will happen in April?" Can Detroit start out better than 0-7 this year? If I am right about last year the areas that need fixing are pitching and defense.
Pitchers are the start. Starters are the beginning. There are more informed analyses of what Detroit's guys can do or not do. Read here, here or here. I'm going to go with this for the starting 5:
Verlander
Galarraga
Bonderman
Jackson
Robertson
I must admit that choosing Robertson is more of an emotional choice than anything. I want to see him bounce back and I don't think he was as bad as his numbers indicated (if he was that bad he should be out of MLB). I really don't believe that Willis can pitch any more.
I think that it is impressive that Verlander was chosen to play for the USA team in the World Baseball classic. There were a lot of pitchers to chose from and they chose a guy who finished 2008 with an 11-17 record and 4.84 ERA. That tells me that he is much better than last year and is viewed as a All-Star pitcher. Let's hope he performs in the regular season to those All-Star expectations.
Bonderman is recovering from surgery but says he feels great.
Galarraga just got hot and kept on rolling last year. He earned another chance to prove his bona fides.
Edwin Jackson was 14-11 last year for the Tampa Bay Rays. He gives options and takes some of the pressure off.
Also showing up are Dontrelle Willis, who I still don't think can pitch effectively anymore. He says that he is ready to show us that 2008 was just a horrible, horrible nightmare that he has awoken from. He has until April 5 to prove it.
Fu-Te Ni was signed this Winter. He will play in the World Baseball Classic for Taiwan.
Zach Miner is also still out there. He could be the 5th starter or he could end up in the 'Pen. My guess is he bounces back and forth between the two as needed.
Pitchers are the start. Starters are the beginning. There are more informed analyses of what Detroit's guys can do or not do. Read here, here or here. I'm going to go with this for the starting 5:
Verlander
Galarraga
Bonderman
Jackson
Robertson
I must admit that choosing Robertson is more of an emotional choice than anything. I want to see him bounce back and I don't think he was as bad as his numbers indicated (if he was that bad he should be out of MLB). I really don't believe that Willis can pitch any more.
I think that it is impressive that Verlander was chosen to play for the USA team in the World Baseball classic. There were a lot of pitchers to chose from and they chose a guy who finished 2008 with an 11-17 record and 4.84 ERA. That tells me that he is much better than last year and is viewed as a All-Star pitcher. Let's hope he performs in the regular season to those All-Star expectations.
Bonderman is recovering from surgery but says he feels great.
Galarraga just got hot and kept on rolling last year. He earned another chance to prove his bona fides.
Edwin Jackson was 14-11 last year for the Tampa Bay Rays. He gives options and takes some of the pressure off.
Also showing up are Dontrelle Willis, who I still don't think can pitch effectively anymore. He says that he is ready to show us that 2008 was just a horrible, horrible nightmare that he has awoken from. He has until April 5 to prove it.
Fu-Te Ni was signed this Winter. He will play in the World Baseball Classic for Taiwan.
Zach Miner is also still out there. He could be the 5th starter or he could end up in the 'Pen. My guess is he bounces back and forth between the two as needed.
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