Comments on: April Musings

By: Kyle J

Kyle J — Thu, 03 May 2007 20:05:30 +0000

I was curious whether the team’s overall plate discipline had improved since last year–given the offseason emphasis on reducing strikeouts and increasing walks (which is, of course, hard to do at the same time).

Last year, the Tigers walked 0.38 times per strike out (430/1133).

This year, they’ve walked 0.50 times per strike out (94/188).

Of course, a big piece of the imporvement is a function of adding Sheffield to the lineup. His ratio is currently 1.18 (20/17).

But even without his stats included, this year’s team ratio is 0.43 (74/171).

That’s a fairly substantial improvement. And hopefully that improves a bit more as Monroe and Inge pull out of their early-season struggles. Anecdotally, it seems like both those players have been swining at fewer bad pitches than last year. They just haven’t been making contact with the good pitches (up until the last several days).

By: T Smith

T Smith — Thu, 03 May 2007 19:48:36 +0000

I think the disappointing thing isn’t necessarily the final tally — I think Rod Allen put it best when he said had things clicked just a little better offensively, the Tigers could easily have 20 wins in the bank…. brilliant pitching and a lot of one run games, and a couple of blown saves… I agree there will be the 12-12 months and overall we shouldn’t complain about April. But this could have been a phenominal month had the cylinders fired even at 80%, with an April record on par to the 1984 April record. That’s where I see the disappointment… not necessarily the overall achievement.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 02 May 2007 16:18:07 +0000

I’m pretty thrilled with a 13-11 April mark considering how bad the bullpen and the hitting was. Those things will come around and already are showing improvement. I don’t think the Tigers played as well as they’re capable of, so to have that record in what might be an “off” month is fine by me.

The key to last year was the starting pitching and fortunately that’s picked up where it left off.

Hopefully we’re seeing the beginnings of a little hot streak here, a nice win 10 of 12 streak would do a lot for everyone’s confidence.

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 02 May 2007 12:29:36 +0000

I also heard the sports radio talk about the team in April. I think a lot of it comes from the feeling, like we’ve talked about here, that even when they win they have to struggle for it. All these close and extra-inning games wear out the fans as well as the team.

And Bonderman’s 33:5 just blows my mind. Even Mr. Cy Young Johan Santana is “only” around 4:1. Let’s hope Bondo’s luck improves from here out, I’d love to see him at least considered for a Cy Young.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 02 May 2007 02:52:50 +0000

Pudge may have just the one walk, but it drew it when the Tigers needed it.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/bo.....page=plays

He led off with a walk in the twelth inning in the game linked above and scored the winning run.