The Tigers have managed to tie a 33 year old record for futility. They are the first team since the 1968 Dodgers to score one run in five straight games. Keep in mind that 1968 is generally regarded as the year-of-the-pitcher. The league average ERA that year was 2.99. This season only 5 pitchers have an ERA better than that. Also, Carl Yastremski led the AL in batting with a .301 average. So the Dodgers inability to score could be attributed to times when they were playing. What’s the Tiger’s excuse?

The Tigers have highlighted the fact that there are two components of hitting. One, is the actual mechanics of the swing. Things like bat speed and power. The majority of Tiger players do all right with this component. The second component is hitting approach and plate discipline. Here is where the Tigers are glaringly deficient. Higginson, Clark, and Fick seem to be the only hitters on the Tigers who consistently don’t look confused at the plate. Coincidentally, they also lead the team in OPS (.849, .936, and .907 respectively). This poor approach is why the Tigers haven’t been able to have any individuals sustain long hot streaks.

We are constantly reminded by Tiger announcers that they are a fastball hitting team. My question is, “What team doesn’t hit the fastball well?” These are major league players, they should all be able to hit the fastball. What seperates the good hitters from the bad ones is what they do with the other pitches. And again, this all comes back to plate discipline. Most of the Tigers (Easley, Encarnacion, Cruz, Magee, Simon…) are hitting from behind in the count because they don’t show any patience early in the AB. It is fine to be a fastball hitter if you can consistently get 2-0 and 3-1 counts.

Furthermore, many of the Tigers don’t know what to do in certain situations. Easley has no business hitting second because of his inability to advance a runner from second with nobody out. On several occasions over the last 2 weeks, Easley was up with Cedeno on second and nobody out. Easley fell behind in the count, and ended up pulling the ball to shortstop. Essentially wasting the AB. I understand trying to drive the ball early in the count, but if you have 2 strikes just hit it the other way and get the man to third.

So who’s fault is this? Is it Madlock’s? He seems to have a knack for making adjustments in guys swings, but the plate discipline is still a mess. Is it Garner’s? I have a hard time believing that the coaches aren’t preaching these things. Is it the scouting team? The Tigers do look confused a lot at the plate, but they look confused lots of other places as well. Or is it the players?

Whatever happenned to former Tiger…Sid Monge?

Sid is now Rick Ankiel’s pitching coach

I told you so…

Todd Jones latest column talks about what it’s like for a pitcher to step in the batter’s box.

Goodbye Rollercoaster
It’s a shame that Todd Jones tenure in Detroit had to end with one of his worst seasons. It’s also a shame to see a guy who was proud to be a Tiger, and a class guy all around get traded, but the team needs to move forward. Jonesy, had this to say, “”Early in the year, I felt like I had let the whole city down, but now I know that isn’t true. Matty was ready to be the closer, and maybe I can come back next year in a setup role. I just wish I could have brought the Tigers a little more in the deal.”

In return the Tigers get Mark Redman, a southpaw starter who has been hampered this year by a tricep injury.

Kevin Tolar was called up from Toledo to take Jones roster spot until Redman completes his rehab assignment.

Willie Blair has been given his outright release. Matt Perisho was called up from Toledo to take his spot.

The Tigers have now had six losing streaks of 5 games or more this year.

NYPOST.COM Sports: ENCARNACION’S HR A SUPER BLAST
Juan’s homer last night is believed to be the only ball hit into the leftfield bleachers in the 26 years since Yankee stadium was remodeled. Bernie Williams said, “I thought that was Nintendo baseball.” Estimates have it between 470-510 feet.

Jayson Stark reports that Chris Holt could be on the trading block. Sounds good to me.

Greenberg documentary to be released on DVD/Video October 9th
I caught part of this when it aired on HBO back in April, and what I saw was excellent

In Peter Gammons latest column, he quoted an AL GM who said this about Roger Cedeno:

“…given his ability to get on base the last three years and his power, I’d rather have him than (Johnny) Damon”

I’ve got $5 that says the unnamed GM is Randy Smith.

Please excuse the cynicism, but now that Bryce Florie has been released, is he the next former Tiger pitcher to be recycled? I can just hear Randy Smith at the press conference now: “Bryce has great stuff, we’re hoping that a change of scenery will help him out.”