Game 2015.105: Tigers at Orioles

I made the mistake of looking at the standings this morning. I wouldn’t recommend it.

Daniel Norris gets the start today, and if he somehow throws a no-hitter, we still won’t be in the playoff hunt. So let’s all temper our enthusiasm and expectations. It’s going to be a real crummy last 57 games, but this may be that excuse you’ve been looking for to get caught up on a few TV shows. May be easier for Coleman and I to just put up one post per series. I still like checking in on what everyone is saying, but it’s hard to commit time each day to a team who looks like it doesn’t care as much as I do.

Anyway, here are some good links on Norris. One of the contributors on Bless You Boys wrote a piece about knowing Daniel Norris personally, and another broke down the three Blue Jays prospects. Fangraphs posted scouting reports on Norris, Labourt, and Boyd, as well as projected WAR through age 28.

George Sipple used the influx of players as a reason to update his list of the organization’s top 15 prospects. You can peruse it here. It’s not pretty. Especially when people are starting to wonder if Steven Moya, our #2 prospect, has peaked.

Comments

35 responses to “Game 2015.105: Tigers at Orioles”

  1. Jud Avatar
    Jud

    The games are more relaxing to watch…no expectations of where we stand. I have actually kind of enjoyed this series. Score a little, pitch a little…Wilson out of the pen….its ok

    1. StorminNorman$ Avatar
      StorminNorman$

      I agree Jud…the roller-coaster has slowed-down and leveled out…no matter what transpires in these last 57 games

      1. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
        Kevin in Dallas

        Guys – I was just logging on to say the same thing. It’s a beautiful game. I had kind of lost sight of that in light of all the expectations.

        Avila is such a a smart player. I’m gonna try to take a deeper look at why he can’t hit a lick anymore.

        1. Jud Avatar
          Jud

          I notice he squints alot. I wonder if his vision gives him. Problems with last second movement

          1. Jud Avatar
            Jud

            Last year Avila was .400 when he attacked the first pitch/ or strike…..now he NEVER swings at the first strike….Hellloooooo!..even his swing is SAD!!!..watch him swing and miss and as he strolls away from the plate, complete Deer in headlights look!…his entire At bat is defensive…no aggression what so ever…your welcome Wally!

            1. PHToy in HK Avatar
              PHToy in HK

              Didn’t Avila once declare that he doesn’t swing at pitches out of the strike zone? Maybe arrogance is part of the problem.

  2. Jud Avatar
    Jud

    Victor took extra BP…well BP isn’t the problem. Here is 75% of his problem…Jiminez threw him 6 consecutive balls…results ground out to second..no walk…swing swing swing….basic problem with almost all the Tigs except Avila who can’t hit strikes even.

  3. Jud Avatar
    Jud

    In fact if we hold on this well be a great series..under the circumstances!!!!

  4. Jud Avatar
    Jud

    I am good with Daniel Morris !!!!!!

  5. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
    Kevin in Dallas

    I think there is something wrong with the MLB.tv boxscore. It says Norris has only thrown 79 pitches through 7.

    1. Jud Avatar
      Jud

      Norris indicated that he is like Price in that he does not use a waste pitch. Its 1-2-3…he also said he just changes to a 2 seam FB at 0-2 for more movement. Just throwing strikes is kind of a novel idea for the nibble nibble Tigers. Game is still under 3 hours also..another novel idea

  6. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
    Kevin in Dallas

    Should not have pulled him there.

  7. Tony de Florida Avatar
    Tony de Florida

    You must remember, Norris is not a college grad and we must save him from himself. 84 pitches, 4 hits, 1 run in 7 1/3 innings. He could hurt himself. At the very least he should have been allowed another base runner. Think of what a complete game would have meant for him. I’m sure Alex Wilson will be ok, but WHY, WHY, WHY!

    1. Jud Avatar
      Jud

      Exactly…Asmus does these things on a daily basis, just to do them!

  8. Tony de Florida Avatar
    Tony de Florida

    Another nice job for Alex Wilson!

    Let’s also give a well done for Alex Avila playing first. He made several nice plays. I really wish he could figure out the hitting part.

    1. Jud Avatar
      Jud

      +1…agree..nice D today!

      1. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
        Kevin in Dallas

        Avila is frustrating at the plate, but there’s room on this roster for a smart C who can play 1B in a pinch. With JD, Victor, Kinsler and Cabrera, they can carry a mendoza player at a high defense position. We’re blessed to have the best defensive SS in the league who may hit .300 every now and again.

        1. PHToy in HK Avatar
          PHToy in HK

          I have always thought the Mendoza line was in the .220-.230 range.

        2. Jud Avatar
          Jud

          I think in the official “stats” of the DWB we have always used the .199/200 line as the Mendosa line…right or wrong…

  9. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    What do you think Ausmuss will call Norris? Norssy? Beardsy? Vansy?

    1. Coleman Avatar
      Coleman

      Danno? Maybe Ausmus is sad that nobody calls him Bradsy.

      1. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
        Kevin in Dallas

        Oh man, I freaking hate this.

        1. Coleman Avatar
          Coleman

          Right on, Kevinsy!

  10. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    Larry Parrish announced that he is retiring at the end of this season, so the Toledo Mud Hens will need a new manager. I know someone who would be great for the job. He is very smart–an Ivy League guy!

  11. Jud Avatar
    Jud

    Before long everyone will start calling Norris “the Bird”…in honor of the original “flaky” Mark Fidrich

  12. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    Norris isn’t the only new Tiger who got off to a good start. JaCoby Jones hit 3 HRs in one game:
    http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2015/08/02/hot-jones-hits-three-homers-erie/31035297/

    1. Kaline fan Avatar
      Kaline fan

      That’s an encouraging read, Coleman. Can (or will) the Tigers bring JaCoby north?

      1. Coleman Avatar
        Coleman

        He doesn’t really have a fixed position, I would guess they leave him where he is and work on his outfield skills.

  13. StorminNorman$ Avatar
    StorminNorman$

    http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2015/08/04/motor-city-bengals-detroit-tigers-brad-ausmus/31093027/

    if DD is coming back, i expect him to retain Ausmus – though a fairly strong argument (namely ROI and ‘results’ ) could be made for DET to find a new Mgr for next year. DD likes the JL-style of mgr, and Ausmus fits that bill.

    for the record, i’m not buying excuse that injuries were the prime cause for the under-achieving this year – because every team has dealt with injuries, and many of the contending teams have dealt with more than DET

    1. Jud Avatar
      Jud

      Id DD comes back so does Ausmus…They have all kinds of excuses for why this year went as it did….and none of the excuses will be Ausmus sucks. Norman is right DD likes the Capt Smarty Sr and Jr style….I can go along with some of his Leylandisms….The part I can’t take is his decision making in close games, and his l brutal handling of the pitching staff. Maybe he would be great with the Kansas City pen….but then anyone could manage them!

  14. StorminNorman$ Avatar
    StorminNorman$

    http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2015/08/04/matt-boyd-detroit-tigers/31114831/

    instead of B Farmer, newly acquired Matt Boyd will get the start tomorrow… the word on Boyd is that he’s got a lot of potential, but during his MLB time, he’s been hit fairly hard… let’s hope his effectiveness changes with the scenery

    1. StorminNorman$ Avatar
      StorminNorman$

      http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boydma01.shtml

      in his two starts for TOR, he’s given up 5 HRs in 6.2 innings – ouch!

  15. Jud Avatar
    Jud

    Wow!!!!!…DD….fired!!!!!!!! Al Avila new GM….Daddys boy will move to the 4 spot in the batting order….this just became a circus…..totally!!!

    1. StorminNorman$ Avatar
      StorminNorman$

      “WOW” is right!!! the Freep just ran an article this morning that DD was DET’s most important FA this off-season…boy did they get that one wrong.

      http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13377155/dave-dombrowski-detroit-tigers-general-manager

      This is surprising – with this move, I expect Ausmus to also get fired at the end of the season