Comments on: Game 2009.087: Indians at Tigers http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:06:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Coleman http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123481 Coleman Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:34:59 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123481 Good move by Cleveland--Anderson seems to be the perfect guy for the drawn-in infield--he can't seem to avoid the ground ball, and less risk of him beating one out. Nobody's going to come through every time; Inge's pop foul today with is what happens when you try to go the opposite way and you're off just a bit. And Inge has been the opposite of Cabrera: Bases empty .242 BA .783 OPS, men on base .290 BA .939 OPS, men in scoring position .308 BA .915 OPS, man on 3rd less than 2 out .583 BA 1.667 OPS (not a misprint, before today's game though). In other words, the more important the AB, the better he has done. It is a problem as a team though--especially troubling are the number of strikeouts with runner on 3rd less than 2 out: 27 in 169 PAs, which is 1 every 6 times up, that's ridiculously bad. If Mr. Strikeout King Inge can manage 19 PA with 1 strikeout we should be able to do better than 1 every 6 tries. Good move by Cleveland–Anderson seems to be the perfect guy for the drawn-in infield–he can’t seem to avoid the ground ball, and less risk of him beating one out.

Nobody’s going to come through every time; Inge’s pop foul today with is what happens when you try to go the opposite way and you’re off just a bit. And Inge has been the opposite of Cabrera:

Bases empty .242 BA .783 OPS,
men on base .290 BA .939 OPS,
men in scoring position .308 BA .915 OPS,
man on 3rd less than 2 out .583 BA 1.667 OPS (not a misprint, before today’s game though).

In other words, the more important the AB, the better he has done.

It is a problem as a team though–especially troubling are the number of strikeouts with runner on 3rd less than 2 out: 27 in 169 PAs, which is 1 every 6 times up, that’s ridiculously bad. If Mr. Strikeout King Inge can manage 19 PA with 1 strikeout we should be able to do better than 1 every 6 tries.

]]> By: David http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123479 David Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:37:01 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123479 Wouldn't the counter argument to that be 1) Therefore he has double the pressure 2) He has 7 qualified hitters to compete with 3) See Josh Hamilton of 2008 (Pujols could easily dominate the first round or second round, but fall off the table later in the competition) Wouldn’t the counter argument to that be

1) Therefore he has double the pressure

2) He has 7 qualified hitters to compete with

3) See Josh Hamilton of 2008 (Pujols could easily dominate the first round or second round, but fall off the table later in the competition)

]]> By: David http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123478 David Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:34:25 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123478 Where were you and everyone else like you when I was saying the same things about his career, and nearly everyone was bashing me? I'm more interested in watching Mauer though. I'd like to see what he does do when he "tries" to hit hrs. He is fantastic at getting his bat through the hitting zone and he is better than fantastic at finding the sweet spot of the bat with reliable consistency. Where were you and everyone else like you when I was saying the same things about his career, and nearly everyone was bashing me?

I’m more interested in watching Mauer though. I’d like to see what he does do when he “tries” to hit hrs. He is fantastic at getting his bat through the hitting zone and he is better than fantastic at finding the sweet spot of the bat with reliable consistency.

]]> By: Jerry the Tiger Fan http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123477 Jerry the Tiger Fan Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:51:39 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123477 I agree that the bullpen is frustrating at times to watch. However, more frustrating than the bullpen is the hitting. It is far from consistently good and often times makes the opposing pitcher look like some combination of Nolan Ryan/Greg Maddux. Even today, when we had an early 1-0 lead in the second inning after Clete's triple, we stranded him at third and he was there with ZERO outs after his triple. It is these "little" things that have cost us more games than the bullpen IMO this year. It didn't cost us today, but one only needs to look back at the series in Houston and Oakland. The Tiger's hitting in Houston and Oakland was downright embarrassing, especially considering that those two teams hardly have dominant pitching staffs. We consistently fail to push runs across the plate when we have men is scoring position and less than two outs. Another thing that irks the livin' $#@% out of me is our inability to take advantage of drawn-in infields. It seems like 90% of the time that the other team pulls their infield in that we fail to make them pay. Again today, 1-0 lead and Clete on third with one out and CLE draws the infield in. Josh Anderson hits a weak ground ball right at the first baseman and Clete has no chance to score. To me these are the issues that need to be fixed (hitting) moreso than bullpen issues. Our offense is offensive to watch on the majority of nights we play. Its not just Josh, its all of these guys including Inge and Cabrera. Cabrera is especially irksome because he hits about .390 with no one on base, but rarely comes through in big situations this year when we really need our big thumper to put a charge into one. I agree that the bullpen is frustrating at times to watch. However, more frustrating than the bullpen is the hitting. It is far from consistently good and often times makes the opposing pitcher look like some combination of Nolan Ryan/Greg Maddux. Even today, when we had an early 1-0 lead in the second inning after Clete’s triple, we stranded him at third and he was there with ZERO outs after his triple. It is these “little” things that have cost us more games than the bullpen IMO this year. It didn’t cost us today, but one only needs to look back at the series in Houston and Oakland. The Tiger’s hitting in Houston and Oakland was downright embarrassing, especially considering that those two teams hardly have dominant pitching staffs. We consistently fail to push runs across the plate when we have men is scoring position and less than two outs. Another thing that irks the livin’ $#@% out of me is our inability to take advantage of drawn-in infields. It seems like 90% of the time that the other team pulls their infield in that we fail to make them pay. Again today, 1-0 lead and Clete on third with one out and CLE draws the infield in. Josh Anderson hits a weak ground ball right at the first baseman and Clete has no chance to score. To me these are the issues that need to be fixed (hitting) moreso than bullpen issues. Our offense is offensive to watch on the majority of nights we play. Its not just Josh, its all of these guys including Inge and Cabrera. Cabrera is especially irksome because he hits about .390 with no one on base, but rarely comes through in big situations this year when we really need our big thumper to put a charge into one.

]]> By: Vince in MN http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123476 Vince in MN Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:49:52 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123476 Miner is probably now the official mop-up guy out of the bullpen. Actually, given the fact that he hasn't pitched much lately, maybe he has been for awhile. That's OK, every team needs one. As for Zumaya, I wouldn't feel too bad if they packed him off to Toledo for the rest of the year and tried to teach him how to pitch. If somebody has to come in and bail him out practically every time, what is the point. Send him down and maybe stretch him out abit - the Mud Hens aren't going anywhere this year. Miner is probably now the official mop-up guy out of the bullpen. Actually, given the fact that he hasn’t pitched much lately, maybe he has been for awhile. That’s OK, every team needs one. As for Zumaya, I wouldn’t feel too bad if they packed him off to Toledo for the rest of the year and tried to teach him how to pitch. If somebody has to come in and bail him out practically every time, what is the point. Send him down and maybe stretch him out abit – the Mud Hens aren’t going anywhere this year.

]]> By: Coleman http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123475 Coleman Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:23:50 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123475 I wonder what the HR Derby rules are on checked swings... You've got to think Pujols is an overwhelming favorite, considering he is Pujols AND it's in his home stadium... I wonder what the HR Derby rules are on checked swings…

You’ve got to think Pujols is an overwhelming favorite, considering he is Pujols AND it’s in his home stadium…

]]> By: Ryan http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123474 Ryan Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:15:20 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123474 Inge is an unbelievable athlete. I think he has a better chance than most people think. Inge is an unbelievable athlete. I think he has a better chance than most people think.

]]> By: MCM http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123473 MCM Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:25:07 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123473 What are the current odds on Inge winning the HR Derby? Stranger things have happened....I think. What are the current odds on Inge winning the HR Derby?

Stranger things have happened….I think.

]]> By: Chris http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123470 Chris Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:16:39 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123470 Here's an interesting stat: of the AL relief pitchers who have 7 saves or more, Rodney is the only one without a blown save... And he has 19 saves. I think he is getting the luck that Jones got last season. I am really worried that the luck will run-out and we'll get blown 9th inning saves in bunches... Look for Lyon to take that spot if that happens. Here’s an interesting stat: of the AL relief pitchers who have 7 saves or more, Rodney is the only one without a blown save… And he has 19 saves.

I think he is getting the luck that Jones got last season. I am really worried that the luck will run-out and we’ll get blown 9th inning saves in bunches… Look for Lyon to take that spot if that happens.

]]> By: Eric Cioe http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123469 Eric Cioe Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:15:07 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123469 You cannot possibly lump Bobby Seay in with Fernando Rodney when it comes to strike throwing. Seay is by most measures the best reliever on the team. Verlander looked great today. Him, Buehrle, and Beckett all started today so I bet they're the last three in the pen on Tuesday. I have no problem with that. Thames had a weird game but good for him. He's been money since returning from the DL. Clete has been great since returning from the minors. And Inge, what can you say? I'm no Inge lover at all, but he's been great and consistent all season for the Tigers on both sides of the ball. Him and Cabrera have both done that. You cannot possibly lump Bobby Seay in with Fernando Rodney when it comes to strike throwing. Seay is by most measures the best reliever on the team.

Verlander looked great today. Him, Buehrle, and Beckett all started today so I bet they’re the last three in the pen on Tuesday. I have no problem with that.

Thames had a weird game but good for him. He’s been money since returning from the DL. Clete has been great since returning from the minors. And Inge, what can you say? I’m no Inge lover at all, but he’s been great and consistent all season for the Tigers on both sides of the ball. Him and Cabrera have both done that.

]]> By: Mith http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123468 Mith Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:05:58 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123468 It probably had something to do with his sub .250 average at the time. Just guessing. It probably had something to do with his sub .250 average at the time. Just guessing.

]]> By: Scott http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123467 Scott Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:03:39 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123467 just think how much better this team could be if the bullpen could just throw strikes. Miner can't......Zumaya can't.......Rodney and Seay are hit or miss. How many games that should be easy wins are turned into nail-biters by these guys? If the Tigers don't win, this'll be the reason why. Mags not hitting and Polanco hitting 40 pts below career average, and we're still in 1st place. Hitting, for the most part, is not the issue......it's the 'pen. And they better get it straightened out..... just think how much better this team could be if the bullpen could just throw strikes. Miner can’t……Zumaya can’t…….Rodney and Seay are hit or miss. How many games that should be easy wins are turned into nail-biters by these guys? If the Tigers don’t win, this’ll be the reason why. Mags not hitting and Polanco hitting 40 pts below career average, and we’re still in 1st place. Hitting, for the most part, is not the issue……it’s the ‘pen. And they better get it straightened out…..

]]> By: Chris http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123466 Chris Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:59:42 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123466 Miner goes through these stretches where he is pretty bad. Today, is a good day for him to have one of those games. But, for the most part, he can be a valuable pitcher for this club. He'll get it together and produce some very good innings. Miner goes through these stretches where he is pretty bad. Today, is a good day for him to have one of those games. But, for the most part, he can be a valuable pitcher for this club. He’ll get it together and produce some very good innings.

]]> By: Anson http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123465 Anson Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:56:35 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123465 I think someone has decided to watch footage of Rodney in their spare time on how to pitch the ninth inning. I think someone has decided to watch footage of Rodney in their spare time on how to pitch the ninth inning.

]]> By: Anson http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123464 Anson Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:55:27 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/07/game-2009-087-indians-at-tigers/#comment-123464 Very nice Mr. Ni, very nice. Very nice Mr. Ni, very nice.

]]>