Comments on: Game 2009.139: Tigers at Rays

By: Coleman

Coleman — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:43:34 +0000

Andre: You make a good point about Leyland; and whether he’s right or wrong, it’s good to think about these things–I find it saves a lot of energy to not want things that aren’t going to happen in a million years.

Forget extended rest–have you even ever seen Leyland take Inge out early in a blowout game? There was one recently when he lifted Inge, Polanco and Cabrera, and maybe one other when his knees were worse but that’s all I can think of.

I can’t recall Inge ever being lifted for a pinch-hitter; Inge and Cabrera and Polanco are the 3 guys he NEVER pinch-hits for. Whether it’s because he thinks Inge is going to pull through late in tight games or he wants his glove out there in the 9th (and I’m sure the Psychedelic Raburn Ninth Inning Experience recently still sticks in his head), you can tell Old Smokey thinks of Inge as one of the must-have guys. Considering Inge leads the team in game-winning hits and 9th-inning OPS, the Smoking Man either knows what he is doing or has been lucky (after all both are very small sample sizish)…I’m fine with either.

By: Andre in Chi

Andre in Chi — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:56:07 +0000

You might be right that either Kelly, or even Huff would be a better option at 3, and that Inge should be rested. However, for whatever reason, Leyland seems to think that Inge playing 3b gives the team the best chance to win. That might be misguided, but the Maggs scenario shows that their only concern is to play the players they feel give them the best chance to win.

By: RPS

RPS — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:29:33 +0000

I don’t know where to find out for sure, but I think his WAR was up around four in the middle of June. Which is incredible, for a counting stat to move backwards.

Through mid-June, Inge was an All-Star, a great player, and one of the biggest reasons the Tigers were competitive. Right now, he’s killing this team. I don’t know where to find date-ranged defensive stats, but the ol’ eye test tells me that his range has been compromised. He also seems to be back to the slo-pitch softball stance of 2007-8.

Inge showed earlier this year that he can be great. Playing every day on his knee is not helping him get back to that. Don Kelly should start at third for a week. If he is worse than Inge overall, put Inge back in. If he’s okay, sit Inge until he feels a good bit better. The team is better with good Inge. But any adequate replacement is better than this Inge.

By: mark_in_gr

mark_in_gr — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:17:08 +0000

I think getting Miner at the top of his game would involve putting him back into the starting rotation. Why not swap Washburn out for Minor, and let Washburn mend his game as an extra set up man next to Lyon? Washburn’s sinker isn’t working, and w/a 89 MPH fastball, should he really be starting?

By: mark_in_gr

mark_in_gr — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:10:03 +0000

Good points. And I agree, they could get hot at the right time against a Yankees or Angels in the post season. Considering the Tigers recent road record, taking 3 of 6 on the road is excemplary, it’s just the sweep by the Royals is suck a bitter pill to swallow.

Just either some really bad luck yesterday(5 dps) or lack of execution . . . either way, it’s difficult to watch at this point when these games were going to hopefully be easily in the win column.

By: Cameron in Singapore

Cameron in Singapore — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:34:19 +0000

Wow, I can’t believe all the negative comments. We have a 5 1/2 game lead and very, very good odds of making the playoffs. Once there we certainly won’t be the favorite, but anything can happen; it will just be a matter of getting hot at the right time.
The insinuation that if the Tigers make the playoffs they’ll surely get swept is ludicrous. We could possibly get swept, but we could also get hot and win the World Series.
Losing like this to the Royals stunk, but we’re still in a great place and set up for October baseball.

By: Keith (Mr. X)

Keith (Mr. X) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:38:03 +0000

Man, can’t believe everyone is so hysterical. These games didn’t mean a whole lot because we won 6 straight and took a 6.5 game lead last week. We could probably go 8-15 in our last 23 games and still win 1st place, but we’ll probably go 15-8 and win 90 games for the season.

Getting Miner and Washburn back on track before the season ends is one of the most important things Leyland has to do. We need those guys at the top of their game come playoff time. JL just has to keep throwing them out there until they right themselves.

By: Coleman

Coleman — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:06:36 +0000

If only they could have gotten together, like the peanut butter and chocolate bar in the Reese’s commercial…

Saved By The Belvedere would have been unstoppable at Emmy time…

By: Andre in Chi

Andre in Chi — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:50:29 +0000

First of all, I don’t like the implication that those two shows weren’t really all that deserving of Emmys.

Second…well, I don’t really have a second, I just think one of them should have won.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:44:29 +0000

It’s actually not. The Tigers have a 5.5 game lead over one small market team with no starting pitching and two great players. The White Sox are 6 back and traded away key players on August 31. Neither one of them are above .500. If The Tigers play that badly and make a ‘pennant race’ hash out of this that just means the season ends 3 games earlier than it would in the playoffs. I am just not going to get white knuckle nervous if the team somehow can’t win 85 games. That would be like the Emmys coming down to Saved By The Bell vs. Mr. Belvedere.

By: mark_in_gr

mark_in_gr — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:35:08 +0000

That doesn’t make me feel better, man . . . in fact, it makes me feel very sad. You should call her tonight, tell her you love her.

By: Andre in Chi

Andre in Chi — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:27:38 +0000

If it makes you feel better, neither will my mother.

By: mark_in_gr

mark_in_gr — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:23:46 +0000

Wow Andre . . . wasn’t sure until now, but it seems unlikely that I will be getting a Christmas card from you this year . . .

By: mark_in_gr

mark_in_gr — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:14:01 +0000

I think it’s human nature to excel when you have less to lose, like the Royals. Pressure is off, so they just went out, strung hits together, pitched well, and dominated the series.

The Tigers are a professional organization, and it’s really up to them if they want the division bad enough. There is little any of us can do, aside from buy pizzas and stay on the edge of our seats when Rodney comes out w/less than a 6 run lead.

By: mark_in_gr

mark_in_gr — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:08:02 +0000

Probably more relaxed and expected.