I don't think I have it in me to write much about tonight's game but what a game it was. It was one of the most emotional games I've experienced in 41 years as a fan. You can second guess Jim Leyland's bullpen management. You can point to mistakes made by both teams. You can talk about the many opportunities missed. You can blame the Metrodome. You can complain about how the Tigers blew a big lead and should have clinched before this game happened. However, you can't deny that this was an absolutely thrilling baseball game. It was an all-time classic regardless of the outcome.
Many will remember this season as a big choke but it really wasn't. OK, they might have choked a bit the final weekend but they played the final month of the season pretty much the same way they played all year. I wanted badly for the Tigers to beat the Twins and I'm very disappointed right now but I really think the better team won. The Twins aren't better because they play the game the right way or because they are gritty. They are a simply better hitting team with a deeper bullpen.
Some might call the Twins lucky but I would say the Tigers were the fortunate ones. They allowed two more runs than they gave up this year and really should not have been in first place all season. They were basically a .500 team that was fortunate to get seven walk-off wins. Although I think Rodney was under appreciated by Tigers fans this year, I also think he was lucky. He was good but not 37 saves in 38 opportunities good.
It will be a few days before I start analyzing their season or discussing possible off-season moves. I'm emotionally drained right now. It'll be a long off-season.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
Thoughts on Miguel Cabrera
By now, most of you know about Miguel Cabrera's drinking incident on Friday night/Saturday morning. It has turned into a national story with all kinds of rumors and speculation and is threatening to overshadow the one game playoff with the Twins on Tuesday evening. I'd rather think about the game but I feel compelled to write something about what has become a major deal.
The facts have been coming in amidst the rumors throughout the day. What we know for sure is that Cabrera got very drunk (a .26 Blood Alcohol Content at 6:00 AM on Saturday) after Friday night's game. He also got into a physical altercation with his wife which would explain the scratches which appeared on his face on Saturday. His wife Rosangel also suffered an injury to her lip during the incident but neither pressed charges. There are lots of opinions on these events on the internet today, some more rational than others. One of the best takes comes from Mack Avenue Kurt.
It certainly comes to no surprise to see a ballplayer get very drunk after a game. As much as some of us would like to think that all players keep themselves in optimal physical condition during the season, heavy drinking is part of the lifestyle of many professional athletes. Still, it's very disappointing to see a player get that drunk (.26 is very very high) on the morning before the biggest game of the year. It is possible (some say likely) that such an extreme level of drinking would effect his performance on the field the next game. It's that performance on the field which is a concern to fans.
Some fans are worried about rumors that he may have been drinking with the enemy - White Sox players - Saturday Morning. I don't see anything wrong with that and suspect it is quite common for players to fraternize with friends on opposing teams during a series. Again, I don't care very much what he does off the field as long as it doesn't affect his play on the field.
Some are calling him a wife beater. Based on what I've read, it does not sound like that at all. His wife did not press charges and the police did not see evidence of abuse. There was no arrest so that part of the story is really between the Cabrera's and should not be of any concern to fans.
This was Cabrera's second brush with the law in the last several weeks (the other involving a dispute with a man and a teenager at a hotel restaurant). While there is no indication that the incident involved drinking, there is speculation that his binging on Friday night was not an isolated episode. If he indeed has a drinking problem, then that would be a legitimate worry of fans as it could be preventing him from being as good as he can be as a player. If Miguel does have an ongoing alcohol problem ( I don't know if he does), then perhaps this incident could sufficiently embarrass himself and the Tigers enough for something to be done about it.
I've heard some say that the Tigers should bench Cabrera for Tuesday's game to send a message that out of control drinking which could affect play on the field will not be tolerated. I think if they wanted to do that, then Saturday (when he was perhaps playing drunk) would have been the appropriate time. I think Benching him on Tuesday would hurt teammates and fans who want to see them win the game. They are enough of an underdog already without putting their best hitter on the bench. I want them to concentrate on winning the game for now and deal with Cabrera's issues later.
Hopefully, the game will be the story on Tuesday night rather than Cabrera's drinking. Unfortunately, if the Tigers lose though, I'm afraid this story will not go away for a long time.
The facts have been coming in amidst the rumors throughout the day. What we know for sure is that Cabrera got very drunk (a .26 Blood Alcohol Content at 6:00 AM on Saturday) after Friday night's game. He also got into a physical altercation with his wife which would explain the scratches which appeared on his face on Saturday. His wife Rosangel also suffered an injury to her lip during the incident but neither pressed charges. There are lots of opinions on these events on the internet today, some more rational than others. One of the best takes comes from Mack Avenue Kurt.
It certainly comes to no surprise to see a ballplayer get very drunk after a game. As much as some of us would like to think that all players keep themselves in optimal physical condition during the season, heavy drinking is part of the lifestyle of many professional athletes. Still, it's very disappointing to see a player get that drunk (.26 is very very high) on the morning before the biggest game of the year. It is possible (some say likely) that such an extreme level of drinking would effect his performance on the field the next game. It's that performance on the field which is a concern to fans.
Some fans are worried about rumors that he may have been drinking with the enemy - White Sox players - Saturday Morning. I don't see anything wrong with that and suspect it is quite common for players to fraternize with friends on opposing teams during a series. Again, I don't care very much what he does off the field as long as it doesn't affect his play on the field.
Some are calling him a wife beater. Based on what I've read, it does not sound like that at all. His wife did not press charges and the police did not see evidence of abuse. There was no arrest so that part of the story is really between the Cabrera's and should not be of any concern to fans.
This was Cabrera's second brush with the law in the last several weeks (the other involving a dispute with a man and a teenager at a hotel restaurant). While there is no indication that the incident involved drinking, there is speculation that his binging on Friday night was not an isolated episode. If he indeed has a drinking problem, then that would be a legitimate worry of fans as it could be preventing him from being as good as he can be as a player. If Miguel does have an ongoing alcohol problem ( I don't know if he does), then perhaps this incident could sufficiently embarrass himself and the Tigers enough for something to be done about it.
I've heard some say that the Tigers should bench Cabrera for Tuesday's game to send a message that out of control drinking which could affect play on the field will not be tolerated. I think if they wanted to do that, then Saturday (when he was perhaps playing drunk) would have been the appropriate time. I think Benching him on Tuesday would hurt teammates and fans who want to see them win the game. They are enough of an underdog already without putting their best hitter on the bench. I want them to concentrate on winning the game for now and deal with Cabrera's issues later.
Hopefully, the game will be the story on Tuesday night rather than Cabrera's drinking. Unfortunately, if the Tigers lose though, I'm afraid this story will not go away for a long time.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Tigers Extend Season
Tigers fans biggest fear was put to rest today as the Tigers beat the White Sox 5-3 extending the season at least one more game. If the Royals somehow catch the Twins today (the Twins lead 10-4 in the seventh as I type), then the Tigers would face the Yankees in the playoffs. More than likely though, the Tigers will travel to Minnesota for a one game playoff in the Metrodome on Tuesday. In that case, the second biggest fear of Tigers fans would have been realized but that's a lot better than elimination.
After three totally uninspiring games, the Tigers showed some life today. Ace Justin Verlander cruised along for 7 1/3 shutout innings and, with just 101 pitches through seven innings, a complete game shutout looked possible. However, Verlander quickly ran out of gas allowing four consecutive hits and three runs. With two outs and two men on base, he was relieved by Fernando Rodney.
Rodney got the final out of the eighth thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Curtis Granderson. That makes up for two misplays by Curtis earlier in the week. Rodney then preserved the victory with a scoreless ninth. It was the 37th save in 38 opportunities for Rodney in 2009.
The Tigers finally did some hitting today collecting 12 hits including three home runs. Most of the damage was done by two players. Ryan Raburn blasted a two run homer in the second and added a solo shot in the sixth. His eighth inning single gave him three hits for the day. Magglio Ordonez continued his torrid hitting by going four for four with a double and a home run. He is now batting .441 during September/October.
So, it looks like the Tigers will be heading to the Metrodome for the last time ever. It will be Rick Porcello versus Scott Baker on Tuesday evening. I can't say I'm optimistic about the Tigers winning in the Metrodome against the red hot Twins. Wouldn't it be great though if the last memory of that Dump was the Tigers jumping all over the turf in celebration of a division clinching victory over the Twins?
After three totally uninspiring games, the Tigers showed some life today. Ace Justin Verlander cruised along for 7 1/3 shutout innings and, with just 101 pitches through seven innings, a complete game shutout looked possible. However, Verlander quickly ran out of gas allowing four consecutive hits and three runs. With two outs and two men on base, he was relieved by Fernando Rodney.
Rodney got the final out of the eighth thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Curtis Granderson. That makes up for two misplays by Curtis earlier in the week. Rodney then preserved the victory with a scoreless ninth. It was the 37th save in 38 opportunities for Rodney in 2009.
The Tigers finally did some hitting today collecting 12 hits including three home runs. Most of the damage was done by two players. Ryan Raburn blasted a two run homer in the second and added a solo shot in the sixth. His eighth inning single gave him three hits for the day. Magglio Ordonez continued his torrid hitting by going four for four with a double and a home run. He is now batting .441 during September/October.
So, it looks like the Tigers will be heading to the Metrodome for the last time ever. It will be Rick Porcello versus Scott Baker on Tuesday evening. I can't say I'm optimistic about the Tigers winning in the Metrodome against the red hot Twins. Wouldn't it be great though if the last memory of that Dump was the Tigers jumping all over the turf in celebration of a division clinching victory over the Twins?
Twins Catch Tigers
For the first time since July 23, the Tigers no longer have sole possession of first place. The Twins have caught them with one game to go. Zack Greinke was supposed to help the Tigers today but did not. He gave up four runs in the sixth inning and the Twins went on to beat the Royals 5-4. The Tigers were supposed to show up the last three games but didn't. Since reducing the magic number to one, they have been outscored 21-4 in three games.
I never like to accuse professional teams of choking but that looks like what is happening here. The Tigers have been bad at all phases of the game. You had to expect them to have pitching problems with Nate Robertson and Alfredo Figaro starting two of the games. The fielding has been shoddy as well though. Today, Placido Polanco of all players booted a double play ball and Magglio Ordonez didn't make a catch he should have made. Fielding has been crucial to the team's success this year but it hasn't been there the last week.
The hitting has been brutally bad and the worst batter the last two games has been Miguel Cabrera. The whole offense revelves around Cabrera and he has failed to hit the ball out of the infield in 8 at bats. He has gone up to the plate seemingly with no plan and just swings wildly. On a team filled with black holes, they can't score when their top hitter disappears like this.
The Tigers have one last chance to extend the season tomorrow. It will be Justin Verlander versus John Danks. If the Tigers win and the Twins lose, then the Tigers make the playoffs. If the Twins win and the Tigers lose, then the Twins are in. If both win or both lose, then there will be a one game playoff at the Metrodome on Tuesday. I'm usually optimistic about the Tigers but I can't say I have much confidence in this team right now.
I never like to accuse professional teams of choking but that looks like what is happening here. The Tigers have been bad at all phases of the game. You had to expect them to have pitching problems with Nate Robertson and Alfredo Figaro starting two of the games. The fielding has been shoddy as well though. Today, Placido Polanco of all players booted a double play ball and Magglio Ordonez didn't make a catch he should have made. Fielding has been crucial to the team's success this year but it hasn't been there the last week.
The hitting has been brutally bad and the worst batter the last two games has been Miguel Cabrera. The whole offense revelves around Cabrera and he has failed to hit the ball out of the infield in 8 at bats. He has gone up to the plate seemingly with no plan and just swings wildly. On a team filled with black holes, they can't score when their top hitter disappears like this.
The Tigers have one last chance to extend the season tomorrow. It will be Justin Verlander versus John Danks. If the Tigers win and the Twins lose, then the Tigers make the playoffs. If the Twins win and the Tigers lose, then the Twins are in. If both win or both lose, then there will be a one game playoff at the Metrodome on Tuesday. I'm usually optimistic about the Tigers but I can't say I have much confidence in this team right now.
Friday, October 02, 2009
No Joy in Mudville
Tonight was supposed to be a fun night for Tigers fans switching back and forth between the Tigers and Twins games hoping for a clinch of the division title. It wasn't. We didn't even get a chance to experience a tight tense pennant race game. It was just depressing. The Tigers were blown out 8-0 by Jake Peavy and the White Sox. The Twins are leading the Royals 10-2 in the fifth so it's probably safe to say that the Tigers lead in the A.L. Central is down to one.
The White Sox scored quickly when Edwin Jackson surrendered a lead off homer to Scott Podsednik of all people. That would be all Peavy needed. The former Padre ace allowed just two hits in eight shutout innings and the Tigers managed only three hits total. There were very few hard hit balls. We have to give Peavy credit but this one had the feel of a Thursday afternoon get away game where half the team is being rested.
Edwin Jackson did nothing to help the cause with his his worst effort of the year in the biggest game he has pitched all year. He pitched OK for four innings allowing two runs on four hits and walking nobody. The second run was not his fault. Carlos Guillen gave the White Sox a double when he slid about five minutes too early trying to catch a fly ball which should have been the third out of the fourth inning.
Jackson allowed a solo homer to Carlos Quentin in the fifth and then imploded in the sixth. He walked three batters, allowed two hits, got nobody out and eventually was charged with five more runs. Eight runs in five innings is not good. It's hard to write anything positive about tonight's game. I suppose Casey Fien's 3 2/3 shutout innings of relief qualifies but that's about it.
Even after two pitiful performances, the Tigers are still in first place and still maybe one day away from clinching. The Tigers have been here before this year many times. Every time they win a few games and look like they are ready to pull away, they start losing and their lead goes down to a game a two. With their back's against the wall, they then win a couple games to preserve their lead. It's been going on since May. It needs to happen one more time.
The White Sox scored quickly when Edwin Jackson surrendered a lead off homer to Scott Podsednik of all people. That would be all Peavy needed. The former Padre ace allowed just two hits in eight shutout innings and the Tigers managed only three hits total. There were very few hard hit balls. We have to give Peavy credit but this one had the feel of a Thursday afternoon get away game where half the team is being rested.
Edwin Jackson did nothing to help the cause with his his worst effort of the year in the biggest game he has pitched all year. He pitched OK for four innings allowing two runs on four hits and walking nobody. The second run was not his fault. Carlos Guillen gave the White Sox a double when he slid about five minutes too early trying to catch a fly ball which should have been the third out of the fourth inning.
Jackson allowed a solo homer to Carlos Quentin in the fifth and then imploded in the sixth. He walked three batters, allowed two hits, got nobody out and eventually was charged with five more runs. Eight runs in five innings is not good. It's hard to write anything positive about tonight's game. I suppose Casey Fien's 3 2/3 shutout innings of relief qualifies but that's about it.
Even after two pitiful performances, the Tigers are still in first place and still maybe one day away from clinching. The Tigers have been here before this year many times. Every time they win a few games and look like they are ready to pull away, they start losing and their lead goes down to a game a two. With their back's against the wall, they then win a couple games to preserve their lead. It's been going on since May. It needs to happen one more time.
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