Category Archives: 2016 Season

Game 2016.18: A’s at Tigers

 

It has only been 3 starts so far this season for newly-Tigerish Jordan Zimmerman, but what a 3 starts they have been. Zimmerman has won all 3 without allowing a single run, although his Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP) is a solid but not spectacular 1.086, which means he has been pitching out of a few jams. Despite pitching shutouts he has yet to make it to an 8th inning (7, 6, 7), as the high pitch counts have caught up to him. So don’t expect him to keep throwing up zeros on the board, but the early returns on the Zimmerman acquisition are looking good.

The Oakland A’s may not be the team to break JZ’s scoreless streak, if their offensive stats are any indication. The Athletics are struggling near the bottom of the league with a lean .234 team batting average (DET is at .252) and a .665 OPS (DET is at .700). Their top hitter is Josh Reddick with a very ordinary .250/.822 line. In fact, their 3 top players in WAR are all pitchers, which is pretty unusual, but that is how they have managed a 10-9 record despite their hitting woes.

Today’s Slumpish Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. V Martinez, DH
  5. JD Martinez, LF
  6. Castellanos, 3B
  7. Saltalamacchia, C
  8. Collins, CF
  9. Iglesias, SS

The top of the lineup is back to the usual.

 

Comments on Comments

Well, since the Tigers are becoming increasingly more difficult to talk about, let’s have a discussion about discussions.

I don’t know how billfer (our founder) ever did this thing on his own. I have definitely gained a real appreciation of what he did. He was a groundbreaker, he did it all on his own, and now he is wandering lonely, bearded and bedraggled and broken, over the old Tiger Stadium grounds, with a cardboard sign—a scathing one, I might add—ripping the Curtis Granderson trade.

Kevin and I are doing are best to keep this thing going, but really the lifeblood of this beast is really the community of readers and commentators that have stuck with it, along with those that are just discovering it. I really do believe there is still room out there for a well-run, well-lit place in between the corporate mega-blogs and the solo monoblogs.

This is in response, of course, to a comment here which ruffled the feathers and muddied the waters and somethinged the somethings. It addressed some things which probably needed to be addressed. I do wish it didn’t have the feel of a one-and-done criticism; I hope he stays around a bit (I know he’s been a reader in the past). I think we need to add some more views to the mix to keep this interesting. If he can bring back Vince from Minnesota, all the better. (Vince? are you out there?).

I think the biggest issue is that in the game day comments, people, to put it bluntly, bitch about stuff. I know I do. I try to be somewhat measured in my posts (Kevin probably does that better), but in my comments…sometimes not so much. But at the same time, when you go to a game, don’t you react and respond in a way that is very different than what you would do the day after? People react; live sports is reactive stuff. I try to take the game comments in that spirit. Just because you yell “you *#+$*!” at someone in your disappointment doesn’t mean you don’t treasure your signed baseball card of him, and play him in your fantasy league.  Personally, when I get frustrated, I just try to say funny stuff. I’m not sure if anyone here was around then, but Rear Admiral Julius von Thursday…yeah, that was me.

Anyway, I’ll throw out a few things off the top of my head here, in no particular order:

1. The Tigers grossly underperformed last season, and it looks like they are going to do it again. I said it looks like—it’s too early to say that. Still, that makes watching games beyond frustrating sometimes.

2. The number of commenters is smaller, so occasionally (and I’ve felt this from the reading side and the commenting side) it seems like you are talking to yourself a bit. And I think that encourages a bit of a different tone in the comments.

3. In the past, the blog has had Game Posts, and Other Posts (which is not an official category). The Game Post comments were full of dumb insulting nicknames, negative comments, the whole bit. But the same people would be more measured when discussing the same issues in a non-Game Post. I will try posting on off days to see how that works, if I can manage it.

4. One good thing about this blog has been a very…collegial? feel. We all respect each other’s opinion here, even if…well, really, what is wrong with them! We can disagree without being personal. And people do feel comfortable sometimes sharing personal things here, and that is something to be respected.

5. Most of us still commenting here have been here a while. But we will end up talking to ourselves if we don’t respect and encourage other people who comment here who aren’t regulars, whether they are new readers or just infrequent commenters. I’ve seen that happen other places. It’s like having a team of old players who…oh wait, I don’t want to think about that.

6. Maybe we need a way to direct comments and suggestions to Kevin and I here? I have been told there are things one might want to tell us, that one doesn’t want to post as a public comment. Makes sense.

7. It’s really easy to throw the manager under the plane (they don’t take busses these days). And it’s very inconsistent too: Joe Maddon lets the players wear whatever they want and does goofy things. Genius! Another manager lets his players wear Zubaz and he’s a damn idiot! It’s an interesting discussion, but I don’t know how to have it. Maybe making bad puns on the managers name is unhelpful, but then again, maybe he is a bad manager who deserves some punning. I just don’t know.

8. There is no number 8.

9. Kevin may have a more concise and better response, which even may be no response. But does he have a 20-game hitting streak in Beat the Streak? No, he does not.

Lastly, when I initially read last night’s comments, for some weird reason, I latched onto the comment about people commenting in all caps, and wrote this long thing which somehow covered Homer and included the word “orthography.” You know Homer never “wrote” the Iliad and Odyssey; he compiled them at most. In all caps. With no spaces or punctuation. Will this post better that comment? The bar is low, as the Dead Sea bartender said.

Game 2015.17: Indians at Tigers

The Indians beat the Tigers with great pitching on Friday, and pounded us with great hitting yesterday. I wonder what’s in store for today.

The Tigers have been pretty bad over their last 7 games, no need to recap that here. Let’s just get a winning streak started. I do miss the old Leyland rants after games like this. I can’t help but think that Ausmus just walked into the locker room, looked down at his shoes and said, “aww shucks, let’s just try to win tomorrow.”

Baseball-Reference game preview here.

Both Upton and Cabrera are sitting today. I hate both of those moves.

1. 2B Kinsler

2. SS Iglesias

3. DH Martinez

4. RF Martinez

5. 3B Castellanos

6. C Saltalamacchia

7. LF Aviles

8. 1B Romine

9. CF Gose

Game 2016.14: Tigers at Royals

It’s the 9th inning, 3 run lead, time to bring in the closer. After 1 quick out, there is a single, then a home run. The fans have seen this before this season, is this another late-inning collapse? Luckily, the team still manages to sqeak out a 1-run lead.

No, this is not the Tigers and Francisco Rodriguez, it’s the Reds and closer JJ Hoover. The difference between the Tigers and the Reds though is that the Reds are used to having a Closer, the lights-out Aroldis Chapman. The Tigers are used to…well, Soria, Nathan, Benoit, Valverde, Rodney, Jones, etc. They seem to have a knack for signing very good closers exactly one year past their prime (except for Valverde, from whom they got one very good year). So, Reds manager Bryan Price had seen enough, and Hoover is out as the closer. Rodriguez will be the Detroit closer until…when? Until he retires from baseball? Last night was about the 3rd time he has had absolutely nothing out there, not even the strike zone. Two home runs and two walks in the 9th inning? Even Papa Grande is shaking his head.

Not to take away from what Jordan Zimmerman did. He is now sitting on a cool 3-0, 0.00 stat line, and quietly thumbing his nose at the Nationals.

The Tigers are national again, on FS1. If this one goes bad, the Red Wings are on. Fox Sports Detroit.

Today’s When Doves Cry Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. V Martinez, DH
  5. JD Martinez, LF
  6. Castellanos, 3B
  7. Saltalamacchia, C
  8. Collins, CF
  9. Iglesias, SS

Collins gets a start in center, because, why not? Oh, because Gose is 5-for-11 off of Volquez. But hey, it was a scheduled day off and whatnot. Watch out for Upton, who is 8-for-17 against Volquez.

Game 2016.13: Tigers at Royals

To say that there were problems with runners in scoring position last night would be an understatement, but the good news is: lots of runners in scoring position. You couldn’t ask for much more than to twice have Miguel Cabrera step in with the bases loaded and less than two outs, and couldn’t have been more surprised that he struck out both times, the 2nd on 5 consecutive change up pitches (!). A .255 BA / .735 OPS is decent enough for most baseball mortals, but for Cabrera it definitely qualifies as a cold start. As far as WAR goes—which in the best of times is a statistic that triggers arguments, but at this time of the season is more of a curiosity—Cabrera is coming in with a lean 0.2, tied for 8th best on the team with Kyle Ryan.

One odd thing I noticed looking at how Cabrera has done in the past with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 out, with everything else he has done, he has never exactly been a sacrifice fly machine; last season he only had 2. The Tiger leaders were Victor Martinez with 7, Castellanos with 6, and Kinsler with 5.

Tonight they try again, with Jordan Zimmerman  (2-0, 0.00) taking on Ian Kennedy, who has a WHIP of only 0.73 after 2 starts. Runs may be at a premium tonight.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. V Martinez, DH
  5. JD Martinez, LF
  6. Castellanos, 3B
  7. Saltalamacchia, C
  8. Gose, CF
  9. Iglesias, SS

About that lineup…

So far this season Justin Upton’s strikeout rate has been high enough to make Brandon Inge look like a contact hitter, which is not exactly helpful in the #2 spot, is it? Is it worth trying Kinsler/Iglesias at the 1/2 spots (in either order)? Iglesias is 2nd on the team with a .400 On Base Percentage, and has a history of putting the ball in play, along with better than average speed. That sounds like a top of the order guy.

Game 2016.12: Tigers at Royals

The Tigers jump on I-45 and pedal from Houston to Kansas City, where they take on the reigning kings of the division.

Shane Greene takes the mound for the Tigers against Yordano Ventura, who has been having control problems, which usually means trouble for Detroit. Greene has been solid, in both his start and relief appearance, and is starting the season with an impressive 0.857 WHIP.

Baseball Reference game preview.

Ian Kinsler has had a hot bat lately, and as Kevin pointed out, figures he might as well sell them too, teaming up with a Detroit music legend to do so. Here is the Rolling Stone version of the story. But don’t confuse Kinsler’s black bat with the Black Bat Licorice; Jack don’t like that stuff. This venture still can’t compete for Detroit musician/athlete collaborations with Lem Barney and Mel Farr with Marvin Gaye. A nice story here if you don’t mind a sidetrack from Tiger business: Marvin Gaye’s tryout with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

Blaine Hardy returns from a left shoulder impingement (why does that term make me worry that I have a bunch of “impingements” of which I am not aware?). Logan Kensing was designated for assignment to make room for Hardy. The addition of Hardy, along with Wilson and Ryan, give the Tigers a bit of a lefty-heavy relief group.

Tonight’s Royal Pain of a Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. V Martinez, DH
  5. JD Martinez, LF
  6. Saltalamacchia, C
  7. Avails, 3B
  8. Gose, CF
  9. Iglesias, SS

Castellanos had another nice series at Houston, going 5-for-12, but takes the bench for Aviles tonight.

Game 2016.11: Tigers at Astros

Despite the abundance of inconveniences posed by the two toddlers who dominate my house, I was able to watch most of this game. A few observations:

1) Topping out a 94 on his FB is going to make for a long season for JV. He’s throwing it less and less, with good cause, but man, he’s gotta hit 95/96 on occasion. He doesn’t have the command to just “pitch.”

2) Props to the pen. 3 IP, 1 H, 2 Ks. That was a dominant pen. Good to have Wilson back.

3) The Tigers had 16 baserunners and went 2-12 with RISP. This was a hot topic last year, but as I pointed out, we were decent w/RISP last year (.265/.768 OPS). If they continue to put men on base like that, they’ll win more than they lose.

4) I think that when Castellanos was thrown out at 3rd, it should have been a ground rule double. The center fielder put up his arms. Castellanos was running all the way, but I’m wondering if he figured he had nothing to lose. Not sure what the rule is there on when an OFer signals like that.

5) Cabrera is going to be just fine.

Sanchez takes the mound in today’s rubber match. Game preview here.

 

Game 2016.10: Tigers at Astros

Well, we’re one inning (1/9th) into the season, and we’re 3 games over. I’ll take it. Play anywhere close to like this for the remainder of the season, and there will be October baseball.

Now, it’s early, but let’s take a look at a few of the key concerns coming into the season:

1) The bullpen – the bullpen has been less than stellar. The pen ERA is 3.34, but the WHIP is 1.48 and BAA is .301. Those peripheral stats are cause for concern. We’ll revisit after another 9 games.

2) Verlander – JV has been downright awful. It’s only 2 starts, but 7 Ks to 4 BBs in 10.1 IPs is a concern. WAAAAAY too many flyballs (.38 GO/AO). Today is important.

3) VMart – VMart could use a few more hits, but the power looks to be there. So far so good.

4) Bottom of the rotation – Pelfrey was fantastic yesterday, and about what we expected in his first start. Greene was solid in his only start thus far. Too early to tell.

The DTW faithful generally find it easier to complain than to praise, but that’s what the site is here for. There are going to be many worse “innings” than 6-3, so I’m thrilled with the start.

Alex Wilson back up, Farmer down.

JV climbs the hill shortly. Baseball Reference Game Preview here.

1. 2B Ian Kinsler

2. LF Justin Upton

3. 1B Miguel Cabrera

4. DH Victor Martinez

5. RF J.D. Martinez

6. 3B Nick Castellanos

7. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

8. CF Anthony Gose

9. SS Jose Iglesias

 

 

Game 2016.9: Tigers at Astros

Hello Friends –

Nothing like a two-game sweep (or 3/4) to get you excited about an early season weekend series. Though at 6-2 the Tigers find themselves trailing the white hot White Sox and Royals to start the season. I don’t think the Central will be this good all season long, so let’s not get too excited or too frustrated too early.

Pittsburgh’s starters have no reason to be bashful, but they aren’t quite Astros ace Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel is the reigning AL Cy Young winner, and he hasn’t lost at home since August 10, 2014. That’s right, he went 2-0 over his last 3 home starts in 2014, and 15-0 covering 18 starts in 2015.

Here is the Baseball Reference Game Preview (you really can get lost in this thing). For instance, I noted that the Tigers are averaging 6.13 runs per game this season; last year’s MLB high was 5.5. The Tigers team OPS of .835 is currently pacing 4th in the Majors.

Jim Leyland is going to manage the US Team in next spring’s World Baseball Classic. Marlboro shares are up 5% on the news.

1. 2B Ian Kinsler

2. LF Justin Upton

3. 1B Miguel Cabrera

4. DH Victor Martinez

5. RF J.D. Martinez

6. 3B Nick Castellanos

7. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

8. CF Anthony Gose

9. SS Jose Iglesias

Game 2016.8: Tigers at Pirates

Today the Tigers finish off their 4-game set with the Pirates, as they take the field at the unfashionable early time of 12:35, which may have caught some napping.

The Tigers have an opportunity to get to 4-0 already against National League teams in National League parks. (Last season they went 6-4).

Is it too soon to worry about Cabrera’s hitting? (Yes. But still). The light .423 slugging % and swinging at bad pitches both seem uncharacteristic. I am still waiting to see how much fun it is when the streaky Justin Upton gets hot while Cabrera is in characteristic form.

Today’s Early Bird Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, LF
  5. Castellanos, 3B
  6. Collins CF
  7. Wilson,  C
  8. Romine, SS
  9. Zimmerman P

The hot-hitting Saltalamacchia takes the Castellanos seat on the bench today, as the Tigers give newly-acquired Bobby Wilson a shot at catching. Andrew Romine gives Iglesias the day off at shortstop. Jordan Zimmerman takes the mound hoping that the top half of the order can give him some runs.