The Tigs finished up their last spring game of the year today in Atlanta (winning 8-4). Not that it means much, but they finished up the Spring with at 15-17 record.
I am excited about this team! I don't know if I am right or not, but it seems to me that too many people are down on Detroit. For example: Baseball Musings expects them to tie for last with the Twins. Jimmy Boyd says the same thing. The NY Times gets them into 4th. The Houston Chronicle has some mean things to say as well. Baseball Daily Digest sees them finishing all the way up to 3rd.
But even looking at all of those guys I think that Jim Leyland is going to take a decent ballclub north with him. My biggest concern is pitching. In fact, if you clicked on any of those links you'll see that everyone believes that it is pitching that dooms Detroit to the dungeon. I'm not so sure. Neither is Lynn Henning apparently.
I think that Leyland and Dombrowski have done a few shrewd things since last September that will help Detroit win more games.
1) Everett at short stop, Inge at 3rd. This will clean up the mess on the left side. In 2008 there were way too many errors and missed plays over there. That just makes extra outs that the pitchers need to make. It isn't any wonder to me that there were so many times that starting pitchers couldn't get out of the 5th or 6th innings if they had to make 4 or 5 outs.
2) Sheffield is out. This does two things that I see- it allows Leyland to rest his outfielders more without losing the big bats they carry. The other thing is that it shows he is running a meritocracy. If you don't produce you won't play. Detroit will pay Sheffield $14,000,000 to play for the NY Mets this year.
3) Ryan Perry is in the bullpen. It seems like Perry can really pitch and impresses a lot of people. We shall see, but he looks like the real deal. I got to see him pitch to 2 batters this spring (thanks for nothing FSN Detroit), but he looked good.
4) Verlander looks good, Galarraga looks good, Porcello looks like he might be good. 3 solid pitchers would be enough.
5) Believe it or not- Fernando Rodney looks good. He really seems to be in good form right now and I'm hoping it lasts. I have not been a big fan of Rodney, but what I read this spring seems good.
6) The line up still looks very impressive. Guillen and Cabrera looked great in the WBC. Granderson has had a solid spring. Inge has been hitting for power and average this spring.
None if this matter at all. It will start to matter on Monday. Leyland promises to have a "hot start" and not spot the rest of the division 7 games this year. (Sorry, now I can't find the source for that quote).
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Runs per game?
David Pinto, at Baseball Musings, is doing his spring analysis of how many runs per game each team may do, based on all kinds of cool math stuff.
Because the heart of Detroit's line up is playing for Venezuela right now we can't really get a good read for how they are doing. Thankfully Mr. Pinto is going to help us out with that...
Because the heart of Detroit's line up is playing for Venezuela right now we can't really get a good read for how they are doing. Thankfully Mr. Pinto is going to help us out with that...
- Best lineup: 5.16 runs per game
- Probable lineup: 5.08 runs per game
- Worst lineup: 4.78 runs per game
- Regressed lineup: 4.70 runs per game
The Tigers scored 5.07 runs per game in 2008.
So about the same as last year. Perhaps the doom and gloom about Everett's bat is unnecessary? It looks that way.
How about the rest of the division?
- Best lineup: 5.30 runs per game
- Probable lineup: 5.17 runs per game
- Worst lineup: 4.96 runs per game
- Regressed lineup: 4.76 runs per game
The White Sox scored 4.98 runs per game in 2008.
- Best lineup: 5.55 runs per game
- Probable lineup: 5.49 runs per game
- Worst lineup: 5.34 runs per game
- Regressed lineup: 4.95 runs per game
The Indians scored 4.97 runs per game in 2008.
- Best lineup: 5.13 runs per game
- Probable lineup: 5.05 runs per game
- Worst lineup: 4.73 runs per game
- Regressed lineup: 4.68 runs per game
The Twins scored 5.09 runs per game in 2008.
The Royals aren't done yet. I still think they may not be push overs this year (actually, they weren't last year at all- does 0-7 ring any bells?)
Based on this no one will dominate the AL Central this season with their bats. Pitching and defense win the games.
BTW: If you are inclined, David Pinto is running his annual fund drive. Support him if you can. He always has interesting stuff from all over baseball.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Classic baseball...
There was lots of baseball this weekend! Even if I can't watch any Tigers' pre-season games (what's up with that FSN Detroit?) I was able to watch Team USA vs. Team Canada on Saturday and then Team USA vs. Venezuela Sunday. I watched bits of Puerto Rico's game against Panama and the Dominican Republic's game against Panama.
Detroit didn't do anything to calm my concerns about 2009 starting pitching over the weekend. Robertson couldn't decide whether to walk batters or let them hit it all over the place. He faced 11 batters in 2 innings and allowed 4 walks to make the 3 hits (1 a HR) the Yankees soooo much more effective. Before Robertson was done the Tigers were down 3 to 0. Apparently he was not able to hit 90 m.p.h. on the radar gun either. That doesn't concern me as much as not being able to hit the strike zone. So, Spring Training is half finished and Robertson looks more than half done. Willis took it up where Nate left off, allowing 2 more runs on 2 more walks and 3 more hits in 2 innings. In Willis' defense, he apparently has had the flu all weekend. I don't think the Yankees complained much. Skipper is not impressed.
On the upside, Fernando Rodney has pitched 1 innings of 1-2-3 baseball in his last two outings. That is actually encouraging.
So how did the Tigers who play for WBC teams do? Well Curtis (My Tiger) Granderson went hitless Saturday, but had 2 hits and an RBI Sunday against Venezula. Playing for Venezuela were Galarraga, Ordonez, Cabrerra and Guillen. Against Team USA Galarraga pitched 4 innings giving up 5 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts and 2 runs. When you look at the line up he faced this was an incredible start. He was awesome. Guillen has hit home runs in both Saturday and Sunday's games. Cabrera and Ordonez were both hitless over the weekend. Samara has a great run down at Roar of the Tigers.
The USA vs Venezuela game was great. 1/4 of the players were Tigers! I really didn't care who won, in fact I really wish the game had stayed close.
BTW- The Nederlands is playing some excellent baseball. They beat the Dominicans and are winning through the 4th against Puerto Rico. Great defense on display. Pudge is playing well though.
Update: Puerto Rico finally took advantage of Nederlands' habit of walking batters and won the game.
Detroit didn't do anything to calm my concerns about 2009 starting pitching over the weekend. Robertson couldn't decide whether to walk batters or let them hit it all over the place. He faced 11 batters in 2 innings and allowed 4 walks to make the 3 hits (1 a HR) the Yankees soooo much more effective. Before Robertson was done the Tigers were down 3 to 0. Apparently he was not able to hit 90 m.p.h. on the radar gun either. That doesn't concern me as much as not being able to hit the strike zone. So, Spring Training is half finished and Robertson looks more than half done. Willis took it up where Nate left off, allowing 2 more runs on 2 more walks and 3 more hits in 2 innings. In Willis' defense, he apparently has had the flu all weekend. I don't think the Yankees complained much. Skipper is not impressed.
On the upside, Fernando Rodney has pitched 1 innings of 1-2-3 baseball in his last two outings. That is actually encouraging.
So how did the Tigers who play for WBC teams do? Well Curtis (My Tiger) Granderson went hitless Saturday, but had 2 hits and an RBI Sunday against Venezula. Playing for Venezuela were Galarraga, Ordonez, Cabrerra and Guillen. Against Team USA Galarraga pitched 4 innings giving up 5 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts and 2 runs. When you look at the line up he faced this was an incredible start. He was awesome. Guillen has hit home runs in both Saturday and Sunday's games. Cabrera and Ordonez were both hitless over the weekend. Samara has a great run down at Roar of the Tigers.
The USA vs Venezuela game was great. 1/4 of the players were Tigers! I really didn't care who won, in fact I really wish the game had stayed close.
BTW- The Nederlands is playing some excellent baseball. They beat the Dominicans and are winning through the 4th against Puerto Rico. Great defense on display. Pudge is playing well though.
Update: Puerto Rico finally took advantage of Nederlands' habit of walking batters and won the game.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Some good, some not so good stuff....
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.
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.
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.
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