Detroit Tigers 2013 Season - Page 12

RandyTiger · 05-19-2013, 10:45 PM

Dang, Miggy's sure launching balls into low-earth orbit tonight - 2 HR, both of which went a long way. He's just incredible, not that we didn't already know that.

Who needs a rocket when you can just ask Miggy to slug it into orbit?

RandyTiger · 05-19-2013, 11:17 PM

Those two bad plays by Peralta have really hurt the Tigers. :\

RandyTiger · 05-20-2013, 08:58 AM

Roster move:

- RHP Evan Reed optioned to Toledo.
- RHP Luke Putkonen recalled from Toledo.

Roster updated.

RandyTiger · 05-20-2013, 09:47 AM

Rangers 11, Tigers 8. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers drop series despite Miggy's 3-HR game thanks to sloppiness all-around.

Pitching: UGH! That's the only word that describes this staff right now.

Fister went 4.2 innings, surrendering 5 runs on 9 hits and a walk in a 113 pitch effort. He was all over the map and got hammered for it. I don't know what it is with the starters lately, but clearly, Texas ain't their favorite place to pitch.

Downs came on in the 5th and got the final out to rescue Fister from the jam he got himself into.

Ortega threw just one inning, and got taken to the woodshed: 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Why the hell didn't Skipper yank him when it was evident he couldn't get the job done?

Coke wasn't much better, going just 2/3 of an inning and giving up 2 runs on 2 hits.

Reed threw the final 1.1, giving up just two hits. His reward? He got optioned to Toledo. They should have sent Coke down, he's having a really sub-par year and can't seem to get anyone out.

Offense: The sole bright spot... somewhat. Miggy had a stellar night, going 4-4 with 3 HR (11) and 5 RBI (47). Distances: 453 feet to right center, 424 to center, 423 to center. [Video of all 3.]

Some of the others provided some good sparks: Peralta went 2-5 with 2 doubles (10), Fielder went 2-4 with 2 doubles (11) and 3 RBI (37). Both Infante and Pena collected 2 hits as well.

(Maybe we should just make Pena the starting catcher and Avila the backup, he's hitting much better...)

They had 13 hits and 6 walks, and left 10 on base. RISP: 3-14, with Pena (0-3), Dirks/Martinez/Peralta (0-2) being the other culprits.

The defense played very sloppy (especially Peralta - if you watched the game, you know what I mean!), and a throwing error by Miggy (4) that caused no damage.

Maybe it's time to put Peralta in as the DH (he can hit, no doubt about that), get rid of Martinez (who went 0-5 AGAIN), and find a SS with decent range. And while you're at it, find a cure for the pitching staff. (Yes, I'm a bit disgruntled, but after watching the last 4 games... hard not to be.)

Next game: Tuesday, Tigers (23-19, 10-12 away) at Indians (25-17, 14-8 home as of Monday morning - they have a game today), 7:05 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: Scherzer (5-0, 3.98) vs. Kluber (3-2, 5.40)

TribeFanInNC · 05-20-2013, 05:08 PM

This series will be a good measuring stick for the Tribe. Hard to play much better than we have this month. But, we have also been playing teams like the As and Ms that have made the pitching appear better than it really is. The Tigers will test that I'm sure.

Most teams don't look good pitching in Texas...I don't think I would sweat that too much. Plus it is still so early.

RandyTiger · 05-21-2013, 02:02 PM

Couple of news articles making the rounds today:

Alex Avila - thoughts on his batting issues. Summary is that the team may have no choice but to demote him to Toledo for a bit to sort out whatever is causing these issues and a run-down on who might replace him.

Jose Valverde - Some analysis that seems to indicate the team is headed for some major issues with him down the road, something we already knew was going to happen.

Enjoy. I particularly liked the piece on Avila.

CONN CHRIS · 05-21-2013, 10:11 PM

Atta boy Cabby!

RandyTiger · 05-21-2013, 11:45 PM

Tigers 5, Indians 1. [Boxscore]

Summary: Pitching and Bats propel Cats to a much-needed win.

Pitching: Scherzer was amazing tonight, throwing a solid 8 innings, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits and a walk while punching out 7. He was exactly what the Tigers needed tonight, and by notching the win, he improves to 6-0, 3.61.

Valverde came in the 9th for some work, despite it not being a save situation (thank God for huge favors!). Needless to say, he spiked my blood pressure nicely when he surrendered a hit to Bourn, who promptly stole 2nd off him, and then he hit A. Cabrera.

Runners at 1st and 2nd, 1 out. Nerve-wracking.

He got the final two outs, but one of them was a deep fly ball to left, so high I was afraid it would clear the fences. Fortunately, Dirks caught it. Blast it, Jose. Don't do that!

Offense: It was the Miggy show, part 2, with Dirks co-starring.

In the top of the 6th, Dirks homered (5) to RF (no video was available at time of this posting, nor distances, sorry! :\), and then Hunter doubled (13), followed by a 2-run blast from Miggy (12) to dead center. I'm convinced he's giving the U.S. Space Command fits with all those balls he's parking in low-earth orbit lately. Just like that, Tigers 3-1.

And then in the 9th, the mighty Cats came up with two more runs, thanks to singles by Dirks and Fielder.

Martinez collected 3 singles (!) and Infante 2. All in all, 11 hits and 3 walks against 14 whiffs (with Fielder getting the sombrero, 4 k's).

Next game: Tigers (24-19, 11-12 away) @ Indians (26-18, 15-9 home), 7:05 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: Verlander (4-4, 3.17) vs. Jiminez (3-2, 5.31)

CONN CHRIS · 05-23-2013, 10:04 AM

I was happy to see Verlander come back after the rain delay to get those last 2 outs of the fifth but man, what is happening with him of late? It's been a while since we've seen a multi-start rough patch like this. Probably nothing and he has just spoiled me as a fan!

RandyTiger · 05-23-2013, 10:15 AM

Tigers 11, Indians 7. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers claw past Indians on a rain-filled night for a series sweep, thanks to bats.

Pitching: Man, Verlander's been off this year, and it continued in this game despite stretches of brilliance. In the end, thanks to a lengthy rain delay, he only lasted 5 innings (110 pitches), giving up 5 runs on 10 hits and a walk while sending 9 Indians packing back to the bench on strikes. He was credited with the win, and his record goes to 5-4, 3.66.

Looks to me it might be a slight mechanical flaw in his delivery, because something about his motion just doesn't seem... right. Well, they'll sort him out eventually.

The bullpen, apart from Smyly was solid. Speaking of Drew, he lasted just the 1 inning, giving up 2 runs (including a tater) on 3 hits and a walk. Definitely not his best outing, but I have to admit the weather wasn't exactly cooperating at that point.

Putkonen (Hold, 1), Benoit, and Valverde combined to close out the final 3 frames, coming up with 4 punchouts amongst them while allowing no baserunners whatsoever. Valverde wasn't his usual scary self.

Offense: Whoo-wee, where to begin? It was an offensive barrage, with 14 hits and 4 walks against 9 whiffs. Even the Indians vaunted bullpen couldn't stop them. Now that's what we like to see, right, boys?

The most oddest thing in this game was Cabrera's 2-run dinger (13) [video] in the 8th... off the glove of Michael Bourn. You gotta see the video. It was... weird, to say the least, and the expression on Bourn's face was hilarious. "Where did it go?" Crazy!

All of the Tigers except Martinez (altho' he had 2 sac flies, so I guess he gets a pass for this game) had at least one hit... even The donkelly.

Leading the parade was none other than... Brayan Pena, who got the start in place of the benched Avila, going 3-5 with a double (2). His average went up to .304, and I'd say unless Alex gets himself straightened out, he'll be seeing considerably more playing time. Man's a solid defender, tough, and does a satisfactory job with the bat.

Miggy was his usual exciting self, 2-4 with the above-mentioned dinger, a double (13) and 3 ribbies (52!). He's fun to watch!

Fielder (12) and Peralta (11) had doubles. Dirks nabbed his 5th SB of the year to go with his two singles, but Infante got caught trying to pickpocket (1) 2nd. Awkward slide, too, but I attribute that to the damp conditions. Sliding in wet dirt isn't much fun.

It was a thumping good game, even tho' it was way past midnight once they were finished, thanks to the twin deluges that stopped play for a bit.

Next game: Minnesota (18-25, 9-12 away) @ Tigers (25-19, 13-7 home), 7:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: Diamond (3-4, 3.99) vs. Porcello (2-2, 5.92).

RandyTiger · 05-23-2013, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

I was happy to see Verlander come back after the rain delay to get those last 2 outs of the fifth but man, what is happening with him of late? It's been a while since we've seen a multi-start rough patch like this. Probably nothing and he has just spoiled me as a fan!

Mechanics. Something's slightly off in his motion. At one point during the game, Jeff Jones and Justin disappeared into either the clubhouse or the cages below (probably cages) to work on something. He pitched well after that until the 5th.

Some folks say it's mental or medical, but trust me, it's not. His velocity is a bit-off, and he's not locating pitches well. That spells mechanical. He'll be okay once he gets himself sorted out.

Just wish Alex Avila would sort himself out, too, because he's playing himself right out of a starting job.

TribeFanInNC · 05-23-2013, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

Pitching: Scherzer was amazing tonight, throwing a solid 8 innings, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits and a walk while punching out 7. He was exactly what the Tigers needed tonight, and by notching the win, he improves to 6-0, 3.61.

Scherzer was really good Tuesday. I thought we were OK throught the first 2 innings as we had gotten his pitch count up. But that was not to be. Kluber was pretty good as well. The Dirks homer (fell behind in the count, then grooved one) and the Hunter double (grooved one after being ahead in the count) were pretty big mistakes though. Hard to fault anyone for giving up a homer to Cabrera. Good game to watch for both fans (until David Huff got involved anyway).

Good bounce back series by the Tigers. The Tribe will just have to be content with at least one more day in first place...

RandyTiger · 05-23-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

Good bounce back series by the Tigers. The Tribe will just have to be content with at least one more day in first place...

And one day is all they will get!

[/trashtalk]

TribeFanInNC · 05-23-2013, 11:05 AM

lol! I would totally dish it back if I were even 10% confident that was false!

CONN CHRIS · 05-23-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

lol! I would totally dish it back if I were even 10% confident that was false!

You never know though. Detroit is playing the Twinkies who seem to magically become the Mighty Twinkies when they face Detroit.

RandyTiger · 05-23-2013, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

lol! I would totally dish it back if I were even 10% confident that was false!

Haha.

Seriously, tho', FS-D showed the list of upcoming series for the Tribe. Ouch. They've got a really tough month coming up, that's for sure - Red Sox, Reds, Nationals, none of which are push-overs like Houston.

RandyTiger · 05-23-2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

You never know though. Detroit is playing the Twinkies who seem to magically become the Mighty Twinkies when they face Detroit.

I don't know what it is about the Tigers that turn the Twins into an All-Star team. Baffling.

Maybe they double up on their Wheaties when the Tigers are around, I don't know.

TribeFanInNC · 05-23-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

And one day is all they will get!

[/trashtalk]

No, wait...I got one...

Good thing for you the Swisher family had their first baby otherwise he would have gone all 0-for-3 with a walk on your striped behinds!

RandyTiger · 05-23-2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

No, wait...I got one...

Good thing for you the Swisher family had their first baby otherwise he would have gone all 0-for-3 with a walk on your striped behinds!

Sven Draconian · 05-23-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

Mechanics. Something's slightly off in his motion. At one point during the game, Jeff Jones and Justin disappeared into either the clubhouse or the cages below (probably cages) to work on something. He pitched well after that until the 5th.

Some folks say it's mental or medical, but trust me, it's not. His velocity is a bit-off, and he's not locating pitches well. That spells mechanical. He'll be okay once he gets himself sorted out.

Just wish Alex Avila would sort himself out, too, because he's playing himself right out of a starting job.

I'm not sure why either of those causes (Mechanical, Mental or Medical) would be mutually exclusive. If the focus is off, the mechanics can be off. If he has a minor injury, his body would attempt to compensate by mechanical adjustments.

I don't doubt it's the mechanics either: His location has been spotty and his curve hasn't been the same. But there could be an underlying issue.

05-21-2013, 10:11 PM	#227
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,010	Atta boy Cabby! __________________ Check Out My Cards!

05-23-2013, 10:04 AM	#229
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,010	I was happy to see Verlander come back after the rain delay to get those last 2 outs of the fifth but man, what is happening with him of late? It's been a while since we've seen a multi-start rough patch like this. Probably nothing and he has just spoiled me as a fan! __________________ Check Out My Cards!

05-19-2013, 10:45 PM	#221
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Dang, Miggy's sure launching balls into low-earth orbit tonight - 2 HR, both of which went a long way. He's just incredible, not that we didn't already know that. Who needs a rocket when you can just ask Miggy to slug it into orbit?

05-19-2013, 11:17 PM	#222
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Those two bad plays by Peralta have really hurt the Tigers. :\

05-20-2013, 08:58 AM	#223
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Roster move: - RHP Evan Reed optioned to Toledo. - RHP Luke Putkonen recalled from Toledo. Roster updated.

05-20-2013, 09:47 AM	#224
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Rangers 11, Tigers 8. [Boxscore] Summary: Tigers drop series despite Miggy's 3-HR game thanks to sloppiness all-around. Pitching: UGH! That's the only word that describes this staff right now. Fister went 4.2 innings, surrendering 5 runs on 9 hits and a walk in a 113 pitch effort. He was all over the map and got hammered for it. I don't know what it is with the starters lately, but clearly, Texas ain't their favorite place to pitch. Downs came on in the 5th and got the final out to rescue Fister from the jam he got himself into. Ortega threw just one inning, and got taken to the woodshed: 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Why the hell didn't Skipper yank him when it was evident he couldn't get the job done? Coke wasn't much better, going just 2/3 of an inning and giving up 2 runs on 2 hits. Reed threw the final 1.1, giving up just two hits. His reward? He got optioned to Toledo. They should have sent Coke down, he's having a really sub-par year and can't seem to get anyone out. Offense: The sole bright spot... somewhat. Miggy had a stellar night, going 4-4 with 3 HR (11) and 5 RBI (47). Distances: 453 feet to right center, 424 to center, 423 to center. [Video of all 3.] Some of the others provided some good sparks: Peralta went 2-5 with 2 doubles (10), Fielder went 2-4 with 2 doubles (11) and 3 RBI (37). Both Infante and Pena collected 2 hits as well. (Maybe we should just make Pena the starting catcher and Avila the backup, he's hitting much better...) They had 13 hits and 6 walks, and left 10 on base. RISP: 3-14, with Pena (0-3), Dirks/Martinez/Peralta (0-2) being the other culprits. The defense played very sloppy (especially Peralta - if you watched the game, you know what I mean!), and a throwing error by Miggy (4) that caused no damage. Maybe it's time to put Peralta in as the DH (he can hit, no doubt about that), get rid of Martinez (who went 0-5 AGAIN), and find a SS with decent range. And while you're at it, find a cure for the pitching staff. (Yes, I'm a bit disgruntled, but after watching the last 4 games... hard not to be.) Next game: Tuesday, Tigers (23-19, 10-12 away) at Indians (25-17, 14-8 home as of Monday morning - they have a game today), 7:05 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket. Projected starters: Scherzer (5-0, 3.98) vs. Kluber (3-2, 5.40)

05-20-2013, 05:08 PM	#225
TribeFanInNC Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,019	This series will be a good measuring stick for the Tribe. Hard to play much better than we have this month. But, we have also been playing teams like the As and Ms that have made the pitching appear better than it really is. The Tigers will test that I'm sure. Most teams don't look good pitching in Texas...I don't think I would sweat that too much. Plus it is still so early.

05-21-2013, 02:02 PM	#226
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Couple of news articles making the rounds today: Alex Avila - thoughts on his batting issues. Summary is that the team may have no choice but to demote him to Toledo for a bit to sort out whatever is causing these issues and a run-down on who might replace him. Jose Valverde - Some analysis that seems to indicate the team is headed for some major issues with him down the road, something we already knew was going to happen. Enjoy. I particularly liked the piece on Avila.

05-21-2013, 11:45 PM	#228
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Tigers 5, Indians 1. [Boxscore] Summary: Pitching and Bats propel Cats to a much-needed win. Pitching: Scherzer was amazing tonight, throwing a solid 8 innings, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits and a walk while punching out 7. He was exactly what the Tigers needed tonight, and by notching the win, he improves to 6-0, 3.61. Valverde came in the 9th for some work, despite it not being a save situation (thank God for huge favors!). Needless to say, he spiked my blood pressure nicely when he surrendered a hit to Bourn, who promptly stole 2nd off him, and then he hit A. Cabrera. Runners at 1st and 2nd, 1 out. Nerve-wracking. He got the final two outs, but one of them was a deep fly ball to left, so high I was afraid it would clear the fences. Fortunately, Dirks caught it. Blast it, Jose. Don't do that! Offense: It was the Miggy show, part 2, with Dirks co-starring. In the top of the 6th, Dirks homered (5) to RF (no video was available at time of this posting, nor distances, sorry! :\), and then Hunter doubled (13), followed by a 2-run blast from Miggy (12) to dead center. I'm convinced he's giving the U.S. Space Command fits with all those balls he's parking in low-earth orbit lately. Just like that, Tigers 3-1. And then in the 9th, the mighty Cats came up with two more runs, thanks to singles by Dirks and Fielder. Martinez collected 3 singles (!) and Infante 2. All in all, 11 hits and 3 walks against 14 whiffs (with Fielder getting the sombrero, 4 k's). Next game: Tigers (24-19, 11-12 away) @ Indians (26-18, 15-9 home), 7:05 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket. Projected starters: Verlander (4-4, 3.17) vs. Jiminez (3-2, 5.31)

05-23-2013, 10:15 AM	#230
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Tigers 11, Indians 7. [Boxscore] Summary: Tigers claw past Indians on a rain-filled night for a series sweep, thanks to bats. Pitching: Man, Verlander's been off this year, and it continued in this game despite stretches of brilliance. In the end, thanks to a lengthy rain delay, he only lasted 5 innings (110 pitches), giving up 5 runs on 10 hits and a walk while sending 9 Indians packing back to the bench on strikes. He was credited with the win, and his record goes to 5-4, 3.66. Looks to me it might be a slight mechanical flaw in his delivery, because something about his motion just doesn't seem... right. Well, they'll sort him out eventually. The bullpen, apart from Smyly was solid. Speaking of Drew, he lasted just the 1 inning, giving up 2 runs (including a tater) on 3 hits and a walk. Definitely not his best outing, but I have to admit the weather wasn't exactly cooperating at that point. Putkonen (Hold, 1), Benoit, and Valverde combined to close out the final 3 frames, coming up with 4 punchouts amongst them while allowing no baserunners whatsoever. Valverde wasn't his usual scary self. Offense: Whoo-wee, where to begin? It was an offensive barrage, with 14 hits and 4 walks against 9 whiffs. Even the Indians vaunted bullpen couldn't stop them. Now that's what we like to see, right, boys? The most oddest thing in this game was Cabrera's 2-run dinger (13) [video] in the 8th... off the glove of Michael Bourn. You gotta see the video. It was... weird, to say the least, and the expression on Bourn's face was hilarious. "Where did it go?" Crazy! All of the Tigers except Martinez (altho' he had 2 sac flies, so I guess he gets a pass for this game) had at least one hit... even The donkelly. Leading the parade was none other than... Brayan Pena, who got the start in place of the benched Avila, going 3-5 with a double (2). His average went up to .304, and I'd say unless Alex gets himself straightened out, he'll be seeing considerably more playing time. Man's a solid defender, tough, and does a satisfactory job with the bat. Miggy was his usual exciting self, 2-4 with the above-mentioned dinger, a double (13) and 3 ribbies (52!). He's fun to watch! Fielder (12) and Peralta (11) had doubles. Dirks nabbed his 5th SB of the year to go with his two singles, but Infante got caught trying to pickpocket (1) 2nd. Awkward slide, too, but I attribute that to the damp conditions. Sliding in wet dirt isn't much fun. It was a thumping good game, even tho' it was way past midnight once they were finished, thanks to the twin deluges that stopped play for a bit. Next game: Minnesota (18-25, 9-12 away) @ Tigers (25-19, 13-7 home), 7:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket. Projected starters: Diamond (3-4, 3.99) vs. Porcello (2-2, 5.92).

05-23-2013, 11:05 AM	#234
TribeFanInNC Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,019	lol! I would totally dish it back if I were even 10% confident that was false!