Long time readers of this site remember a feature called the Inning Report. Reader Sam Hoff would break down the season into 18 game segments or “innings.” Why 18 game? Because there are 9 18 game segments in a season. When the Tigers completed the Oakland series that also completed the second inning. Sam is still putting these together, but he’s posting them on his site this season. So click through to read The Fourth Inning is over with games through last Friday.
The Tigers had their best inning in terms of wins and losses, and that was despite much hand wringing during a 4 game skid. Remarkably they did it by outscoring their opponents by only 1 run over the 18 games. They did very well in close games, which is either good news (that they outperformed basic luck) or bad news (that it probably isn’t sustainable).
A couple things of note:
- This is the homering-est inning for Tigers hitters since Sam started doing these reports in 2007. A little bit surprising since a chunk of the games were played in NL parks without a DH
- The run prevention has been very consistent in each inning. However this time around the Tigers relied very heavily on the bullpen.
Not saying he’s fantastic, but apparently some of the haters should be glad Lyon was around, at least in the “4th Inning” when he was the best the Tigers had:
G IP W L S K ERA WHIP
Brandon Lyon 10 13 1/3 2 0 0 10 0.68 0.60
Nice picture Carlos
Lyon splits are pretty darn good up until the 9th inning (or later). If Zumaya keeps walking everyone in sight, Lyon could end up in the setup role.
-Sam
If Inge and Granderson really had 18 home runs in 4 innings, they would be on pace for 6561 home runs–and they don’t even lead the league.
(Also: it would be slightly irritating to hit 6560 home runs and come in 2nd)
On a slightly more serious note, I wonder how much the 5th inning is like…the 5th inning? I mean the Tigers started out slowly this season (the “1st inning”), and it just so happens they also have been awful in 1st innings…if you can see where I’m going.
If the parallel thing works, some guys who haven’t been, better start hitting…
0 HR 2 RBI .174 .355 .174 .527
What’s this? As our friend in Dallas would say….
This is–and don’t try, it is beyond the mind of man to comprehend–this is what the Mighty Inge has done so far this season in 5th innings…as nice a surprise as his numbers have been, throw out the 5th inning and Inge is hitting .284 / .367 /.559 /.926 with 18 HR 49 RBI…
If 0 HR 2 RBI .174 .355 .174 .527 were to be what we get from Inge the next 18 games, we could have big problems…
Just in case anybody was looking for a new angle to provide anxiety…
I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything since last year…oh actually last year 5th innings were bad for him too, but in 2007…oh, actually the 5th was his worst inning in 2007 too, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence though…
Remember that most of the 4th inning was against the NL (15 of 18 games). Going 9-6 against the best AAAA league in baseball doesn’t really tell me anything (MN was also 9-6, CHI 9-5). Last year they had gone 13-5 vs NL at this point and seemed to be “coming around” – wrong.
Spring break is over and they have to get back to playing stiffer competition now. The 5th inning will be a better indicator of their genuineness.
What’s up Bilfer? No pre-game/preview for tonight’s battle with the Athletics?