Excuse my enthusiasm, but winning is fun. I certainly thought that 3-0 was possible, but the manner in which the Tigers are doing it has certainly left surprised. Some pleasant Tiger surprises after a thumping of the Rangers:
- Tiger starters have yet to walk a batter. While Nate Robertson wasn’t dominating like Kenny Rogers and Jeremy Bonderman were, he did extend the starter’s walkless streak to 17 2/3 innings. In the meantime the starters have racked up 17 strikeouts.
- Pudge Rodriguez already has two walks.
- I’m not really surprised that Chris Shelton can hit, but 4 homers in 3 games to lead the managers is a little more than I expected.
- The Tigers homers are prime. The first game they hit 3 home runs. The second game they hit 5 home runs. Against Texas in the third game they hit 7 home runs. Now the next prime number is 11. Do you think they have a shot? In case you were wondering last year it took them 17 games before they hit their 15th homer. And the 15 homers in the first 3 games is a major league record.
- Every decision that Jim Leyland has made has worked out. Curtis Granderson coming off a 3 for 6 day doesn’t get the start in favor of Marcus Thames – who homers. Brandon Inge takes Granderson’s leadoff spot – and homers. Later in the game Granderson comes in as a defensive replacement, and makes a diving catch. It’s absolutely uncanny.
Other items of interest:
- Roman Colon has headed to the disabled list. Taking his spot on the Toledo roster is John Ennis
- John Sickels has a prospect retrospective on Chris Shelton.
- Samela channels Uncle Sam in her fondness for Jeremy Bonderman.
Now all we need is to get DY a chinstrap to keep his helmet on when he is taking those big swings.
And Mags found his swing too.
I was very encouraged by the hiring of Jim Leyland. So far, so good!
Hopefully Rodney can keep his shoes on in the 9th.
Hopefully we can move DY before the end of the year.
It is completely uncanny how things are falling into place, Bill. I like the moves you mentioned about Leyland but others include Zoom coming in to pitch as shadows crossed the plate in the Opener, and his decision to have all right-handed batting against rightie knuckleballer Dickey. Things just “feel” different.
We need to get though this series with the Rangers first, but if the Tigers can win at least 4 out of 7 in that first homestand against the White Sox and Indians, we’re going to have a pretty good idea if this team can compete.