1) Starting pitching – What to say? Terrible, regressive, etc.
2) Pitching coaching – Starters were not ready to pitch coming out of spring, pitchers did not fix glaring issues during the season such as walks and refusal to pitch inside.
3) Managing – Pitching changes – Look at prior 120 or so game comments. JV goes 130, Bondo goes 83, various struggling relievers left in until game is out of reach.
4) Managing – Lineup choices – Sheff? Really? Still? Thames permanent starting LF? Then benched? Guys need days off, but your lineup has to be as good as it can be. Don’t blame Sheff for sucking, blame the guy that allows it.
5) GM – Distant fifth. Not so much the trades, which were understandable, but the contract to Dontrelle and knowing that they were going back to Kenny and Todd one too many times and doing it anyway. But Galarraga was a coup, and the trade for Cabrera will be remembered fondly for a long time.

I think the offense has been fine. Hard to remember, but three runs is supposed to win games sometimes. I think the defense, first three weeks excepted, has been slightly better than expected. In my book, Grandy, Maggs, Miggy and Polly are all above average (although only Curtis is much above), and nobody has really been glaringly bad. The bullpen has
been awful, but the number of chances give to Zumaya while Rapada sits in Toledo is telling. Also the number of chances given to a guy like Fossum while there are journeyman FAs everywhere who would gladly give you a 4.60 ERA for league minimum salary.

1. Starting pitching. Case in point – Robertson, Nate / Verlander, Justin / Willis, Dontrelle
2. General Managering – Cutting Byrdak, non-arbitrating Durbin, assuming Cruceta would be good, not getting any other help for the bullpen, etc. etc. etc.
3. Managering. Not prepared coming out of spring training, Gary Sheffield, 3B/1B switcheroo, lack of urgency all year.
4. Relief pitching. Although this was expected to be bad given the absence of Rodney & Zumaya early on.
5. Defense – although also expected to be bad.

The coaches apparently don’t put a lot of stock in the 12 shutouts, other than the fact it shows the team was not very motivated much of the time, which they blame the manager for (there’s some irony for you!).

Blame is such a tossup that my only point of contention with the ESPN/USA Today rankings is putting starters above bullpen. I’m working on something I expect to demonstrate just how incredibly miserable the bullpen has been all season, because the early data has already begun to induce the rage-vomiting I’ve heard so much about.

1. Starting pitching. Case in point – Robertson, Nate
2. Defense. Granderson is the only guy you could call ‘plus’
3. Relief pitching. Blown leads to division rivals does not equal pennants.
4. Inconsistent offense. 12 shutouts?
5. Managing. Trotting out Gary Sheffield’s Corpse at the expense of AB’s for more productive hitters a few too many times.

As for injuries, the Tigers haven’t been any worse off than most teams. Losing Granderson to start the year didn’t help. Bonderman could’ve been useful. Maggs hit the DL for a stretch. Zumaya never really being 100% wasn’t good. Other teams have had their injury woes and remained in contention, though.

AP Blame Top 5

1. Hitting (superficially good on paper)
2. Manager
3. Bullpen
4. Defense
5. Starting pitching (only because everything else has been worse!)

Bad luck and injuries? I don’t think the Tigers have been ususually hard hit by all that. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m being uncharitable.

Must be paid by 9/2!!!

Hah, Hah, Hah

I received an invoice for postseason tickets in the mail today!!!

12 G, 61.2 IP, 38 ER, 76 H, 28 K, 27 BB, 1.67 WHIP, 5.55 ERA

Nate in his last 10 starts (since July 1):

53 IP, 28 K, 24 BB, 1.91 WHIP, 7.64 ERA

.344/.407/.639 = 1.036 OPS against, 35 XBH in 77 H (13 HR)