Comments on: Game 104: White Sox at Tigers http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:22:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Chris in Dallas http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99513 Chris in Dallas Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:11:51 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99513 160-156 since 8/1/06? OK then. That's a little bit of cherry picking, don't you think? That would then completely discount the fact that they were at one point good enough to be 76-36 (!) in '06. Or that they won 95 games and 88 games respectively in '06 and '07. After they've played the 162nd game this year, then you can make conclusions about the makeup of this team. 160-156 since 8/1/06? OK then. That’s a little bit of cherry picking, don’t you think? That would then completely discount the fact that they were at one point good enough to be 76-36 (!) in ‘06. Or that they won 95 games and 88 games respectively in ‘06 and ‘07. After they’ve played the 162nd game this year, then you can make conclusions about the makeup of this team.

]]> By: ron http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99508 ron Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:46:11 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99508 Stephan, that stat of 160 and 156 since 8/1/06 with this team tells it all. As one of the big boys on the block, this has been a total embarrasment. No team in the history of Detroit sports has achieved so little with so much. That WS defeat by the Cards was the worst- a flyweight knocking out a heavyweight. Stephan, that stat of 160 and 156 since 8/1/06 with this team tells it all. As one of the big boys on the block, this has been a total embarrasment. No team in the history of Detroit sports has achieved so little with so much. That WS defeat by the Cards was the worst- a flyweight knocking out a heavyweight.

]]> By: Sean C. in Illinois http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99441 Sean C. in Illinois Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:09:01 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99441 “the Tigers are 12-17 against these two teams.” FWIW, the Tigers are actually 10-17 against Chicago and Minnesota. Not to dwell on the negative, but Sean C. is an idiot when it comes to getting certain facts straight. It's just a matter of record. “the Tigers are 12-17 against these two teams.”

FWIW, the Tigers are actually 10-17 against Chicago and Minnesota. Not to dwell on the negative, but Sean C. is an idiot when it comes to getting certain facts straight. It’s just a matter of record.

]]> By: Chief Monday http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99433 Chief Monday Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:02:45 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99433 "the Tigers are 12-17 against these two teams." To me those 17 games that they lost are 17 games that they have learned from. You only can learn from your mistakes. Head to head match-ups are only do or die come play-off time. You can pick apart the Tigers all you want and you'll find negative after negative if that's what you are looking for. “the Tigers are 12-17 against these two teams.”

To me those 17 games that they lost are 17 games that they have learned from. You only can learn from your mistakes.

Head to head match-ups are only do or die come play-off time.

You can pick apart the Tigers all you want and you’ll find negative after negative if that’s what you are looking for.

]]> By: Chief Monday http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99427 Chief Monday Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:19:18 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99427 "Okay, Chief. Now you have me confused. Are the Tigers going to win the Central by 10 games over the Whitesox or the wildcard?" I'm not sure why you are confused. Ever hear of Minnesota? I'm not going to spell everything out for you. “Okay, Chief. Now you have me confused. Are the Tigers going to win the Central by 10 games over the Whitesox or the wildcard?”

I’m not sure why you are confused. Ever hear of Minnesota? I’m not going to spell everything out for you.

]]> By: Sean C. in Illinois http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99426 Sean C. in Illinois Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:33:28 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99426 I'll take a pass on the methadone, but even so, Mr. Positive sez: Game 104 was BIG, Zach Miner. Thank you. Miguel Cabrera came though big time. Pudge was 4 for 4. Pudge, must you make me want you back for 2009? I thought I was over you. Ever wonder how many RBI Marcus Thames has that <i>turned out</i> to be the game winners (plus several more that should have been - see bullpen)? You might be surprised. Somehow, I see Dolsi ending up as the closer before the season is over. Maybe only because they'll desperately need Rodney earlier than the 9th. I don't think Dolsi will necessarily end up with the job nailed down for 2009, but I think he has it in him to be a closer. Somehow. Yeah, Jones. Wow. I don't know what they're going to do with him. Deal him? Would they? Would he ask for it? I’ll take a pass on the methadone, but even so, Mr. Positive sez:

Game 104 was BIG, Zach Miner. Thank you. Miguel Cabrera came though big time. Pudge was 4 for 4. Pudge, must you make me want you back for 2009? I thought I was over you.

Ever wonder how many RBI Marcus Thames has that turned out to be the game winners (plus several more that should have been – see bullpen)? You might be surprised.

Somehow, I see Dolsi ending up as the closer before the season is over. Maybe only because they’ll desperately need Rodney earlier than the 9th. I don’t think Dolsi will necessarily end up with the job nailed down for 2009, but I think he has it in him to be a closer. Somehow.

Yeah, Jones. Wow. I don’t know what they’re going to do with him. Deal him? Would they? Would he ask for it?

]]> By: Sean C. in Illinois http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99425 Sean C. in Illinois Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:20:42 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99425 Billfer I know you see a lot of negativity here, and combined with what you encounter from fans in person and (almost certainly) on Detroit sports talk radio, I can understand being good and sick of it. And you've got company, I know. I don't like to build up the White Sox or the Twins or put down the Tigers, but what I can't get past - occasional realist that I am - is that the Tigers are 12-17 against these two teams. So I feel compelled to speak up sometimes with this reality check when I hear about the "inevitable" collapse of rivals that have been simply, factually, and demonstrably <i>better</i> than Detroit in the only way that counts. If anything, I'd rather hear a compelling argument as to why the Tigers "inevitably" will sustain a .600+ pace for 58 more games. I don't think there is one, given all the question marks, but at least an attempt would be more positive than "Aw, those other teams really suck, despite their W-L records." Billfer

I know you see a lot of negativity here, and combined with what you encounter from fans in person and (almost certainly) on Detroit sports talk radio, I can understand being good and sick of it. And you’ve got company, I know.

I don’t like to build up the White Sox or the Twins or put down the Tigers, but what I can’t get past – occasional realist that I am – is that the Tigers are 12-17 against these two teams. So I feel compelled to speak up sometimes with this reality check when I hear about the “inevitable” collapse of rivals that have been simply, factually, and demonstrably better than Detroit in the only way that counts.

If anything, I’d rather hear a compelling argument as to why the Tigers “inevitably” will sustain a .600+ pace for 58 more games. I don’t think there is one, given all the question marks, but at least an attempt would be more positive than “Aw, those other teams really suck, despite their W-L records.”

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99415 Kathy Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:14:35 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99415 Now I've experienced everything..........attending a methadone clinic! Now I’ve experienced everything……….attending a methadone clinic!

]]> By: T Smith http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99411 T Smith Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:56:17 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99411 <cite>The wild card could very easily come from the Central. . .The Tigers last 4 games vs TB could be the deciding factor in who wins the EAST and the Wild Card.</cite> Okay, Chief. Now you have me confused. Are the Tigers going to win the Central by 10 games over the Whitesox or the wildcard? The wild card could very easily come from the Central. . .The Tigers last 4 games vs TB could be the deciding factor in who wins the EAST and the Wild Card.

Okay, Chief. Now you have me confused. Are the Tigers going to win the Central by 10 games over the Whitesox or the wildcard?

]]> By: stephen http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99409 stephen Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:48:11 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99409 My bad. My bad.

]]> By: Mike R http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99408 Mike R Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:44:45 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99408 Stephen, let's not skew the facts please .... this series only drew 131,000, not this absurd 140,000 that you claim. ;-) Stephen, let’s not skew the facts please …. this series only drew 131,000, not this absurd 140,000 that you claim. ;-)

]]> By: stephen http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99405 stephen Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:40:20 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99405 Man, if you trail two teams by a sizable margin and you have one of them in your ballpark before 140,000 fans and you lose two of three that seems pretty much a disaster. The Tigers trail by 6.5 games behind two teams. They are behind a boatload of teams in the wild card. Sure, it's possible they can pull off the miracle, but the truth is this team is 160-156 since 8/1/06. That is the ultimate in mediocrity. Sadly, this isn't the NBA where mediocrity gets you in the playoff. We can keep calling them contenders, but that's wishful thinking. Sure, they could rip off ten wins in a row. That would be awesome. But they're much closer to going down as the most disappointing Tigers team of my lifetime. Man, if you trail two teams by a sizable margin and you have one of them in your ballpark before 140,000 fans and you lose two of three that seems pretty much a disaster. The Tigers trail by 6.5 games behind two teams. They are behind a boatload of teams in the wild card. Sure, it’s possible they can pull off the miracle, but the truth is this team is 160-156 since 8/1/06. That is the ultimate in mediocrity. Sadly, this isn’t the NBA where mediocrity gets you in the playoff.
We can keep calling them contenders, but that’s wishful thinking. Sure, they could rip off ten wins in a row. That would be awesome. But they’re much closer to going down as the most disappointing Tigers team of my lifetime.

]]> By: David G. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99400 David G. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:27:05 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99400 The Sox will absolutely hit a skid at some point in the next couple months. The key will be for the Tigers to avoid one or be the ones that prolong or begin the one that Sox are in. Everyone remember 2006 when we put the Twins down, what, 10 or so games this time of the year? Yeah, I thought you did. The Sox will absolutely hit a skid at some point in the next couple months. The key will be for the Tigers to avoid one or be the ones that prolong or begin the one that Sox are in. Everyone remember 2006 when we put the Twins down, what, 10 or so games this time of the year? Yeah, I thought you did.

]]> By: Chief Monday http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99399 Chief Monday Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:20:44 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99399 ron: like I said, the Tiger seem to be on the verge of taking it to another level. How many one run games have we lost recently? 6 in the past few weeks. With a little bit of spit and polish those would be 6 more wins. The Tigers could easily go on a stretch of 25 wins in the next 30 games before we hit September. ron: like I said, the Tiger seem to be on the verge of taking it to another level. How many one run games have we lost recently? 6 in the past few weeks. With a little bit of spit and polish those would be 6 more wins.

The Tigers could easily go on a stretch of 25 wins in the next 30 games before we hit September.

]]> By: billfer http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99398 billfer Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:28:31 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-104-white-sox-at-tigers/#comment-99398 <blockquote>Actually there is. It’s a gulf of 6.5 games which at the end of July is pretty Persian Gulf-like. The margin between contenders and also-rans is never that great, but it is unmistakable.</blockquote> So on Friday afternoon when the Tigers were 5.5 out they weren't contending then either? In that case the losses on Friday and Saturday weren't a big deal at all because of the Persian Gulf like deficit they need to overcome. Or is there a magical threshold between 5.5 and 6.5? I know the Tigers aren't in a good position, and they pissed away an opportunity this weekend, and opportunities are becoming fewer with each day. But 6.5 isn't at all insurmountable. The Tigers aren't a bad team. There is considerable talent that has underachieved. I don't know if they can overcome the early season suckiness or the loss of 40% of the starting rotation. But they absolutely are still in contention.

Actually there is. It’s a gulf of 6.5 games which at the end of July is pretty Persian Gulf-like. The margin between contenders and also-rans is never that great, but it is unmistakable.

So on Friday afternoon when the Tigers were 5.5 out they weren’t contending then either? In that case the losses on Friday and Saturday weren’t a big deal at all because of the Persian Gulf like deficit they need to overcome. Or is there a magical threshold between 5.5 and 6.5?

I know the Tigers aren’t in a good position, and they pissed away an opportunity this weekend, and opportunities are becoming fewer with each day. But 6.5 isn’t at all insurmountable. The Tigers aren’t a bad team. There is considerable talent that has underachieved. I don’t know if they can overcome the early season suckiness or the loss of 40% of the starting rotation. But they absolutely are still in contention.

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