Detroit Tigers Baseball » Texas Rangers

Ordonez Hits 2 Homers – Tigers Sweep Rangers

admin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:22:59 +0000

Beautiful. The Tigers needed a sweep, and sweep they did – outscoring the Rangers 37-10 in 3 games. The offense has really started to gel, but we need to see how things look against the Angels.

But it’s not all bright and rosy. Bonderman needed 111 pitches in 4 1/3 innings. He only gave up a couple of hits, but he walked 7 batters and hit one. So starting pitching is still a problem. Bonderman has got to get his act together.

Not much else to say. The win was great, but we got far better competition coming into town tomorrow, and they will need to play better if they want to win.

Curtis Granderson Is Back – Tigers Score 19

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:06:15 +0000

Well, Granderson made his first appearance in “08, and The Tigers promptly hung 19 runs on the Rangers. He contributed by going 2-4 with 2 RBI’s, but more importantly provided the spark the Tigers needed. It was nice to see Grandy patrolling Centerfield again.

Rangers pitchers looked so bad I actually felt sorry for them, and the poor people of Arlington. They couldn’t throw a strike, and when they came close, the ball was crushed. Giving up 11 runs in the 6th inning was brutal.

So after hanging 19 runs on the board, what do the Tigers have to worry about? Being shut out tomorrow. Normally when a team has an offensive output like that, it’s generally followed by a huge letdown. We shall see.

Verlander Looking Good; Guillen and Cabrera to switch

admin — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:40:24 +0000

Verlander looked shaky in the first two innings due to some “adjustments” he made in his delivery, but he brought it together and looked great through his last 4 innings. Granted – it’s the Rangers, but last year after some miserable outings he made a few adjustments and became almost unhittable near the end of the season. I’m really looking forward to his next start – probably against the Angels which will better test his ability. We’ll definitely be able to tell if the adjustments worked, after facing the Angels hitters.

Congratulations to Magglio on getting his 1000th RBI.

But the real news was Leyland’s announcement after the game. Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen will be switching positions effective immediately. That is pretty big news. Cabrera has never really played 1st. Guillen has been bad defensively, so I understand wanting to make a move. Ideally, Guillen could go to DH, and Sheffield should go to the DL where he belongs. It will be intersting to see how this develops.

Verlander Strikes Again

admin — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:13:57 +0000

Alright, so it’s time to stop being so pessimistic. After another stellar performance by Verlander, it’s hard not to like the Tigers. That is, until you come to the realization that he can’t pitch every game. He has been unbeatable for sure, but that just ensures a Tigers victory every 5 games. Rogers has looked good though, and Jurrjens was serviceable in his last outing. It’s not as if Detroit doesn’t stand a chance, they just need some help.
Maggs and Sheff Handle Bidness

The Offense was propelled off the bats of Sheffield and Magglio as is often the case. Well, often with Magglio – and now thankfully off Sheff again. With him in top shape and the pitching of Rogers and Verlander coming around they will be very dangerous if they can get in the playoffs. They are 3.5 back of the Yankees as NY goes up against Boston (sounds promising), and 5.5 back of The Tribe as they get to play the Royals (not so promising). The Tigers meanwhile have to visit Minnesota for 3 then Cleveland for 3 more. These next 6 games will essentially determine the outcome of the playoff picture. They HAVE to sweep the Indians. There is no other option. If they sweep Cleveland they gain 3 games. If they take 2 out of three they only gain one. If the Tigers do not sweep the Indians, they will not win the division. This may not be true mathematically, but realistically it’s the case.

So, as a back-up plan to sweeping Cleveland, we need Boston to destroy the Yankees. It should be much easier to catch New York than Cleveland. Red Sox Nation, we’re counting on you here in Detroit.

Chad Durbin Is Not a Starter; Tigers Split the Doubleheader

admin — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:56:59 +0000

Disgusting. Somebody needs to send a memo to Leyland and let him know that now is the time to go with a 4 man playoff rotation. With Bonderman gone, Detroit needs to go with Verlander, Rogers, Jurrjens and Robertson. No more Durbin, Vasquez etc. This isn’t May, it’s September – and their won’t be an October if they keep sending out pitchers that aren’t qualified to start in the majors. Durbin does well in the bullpen, but he ain’t no starter.

So with a chance to gain ground no matter what anyone else did, the Tigers blow another one. We’ve got Verlander pitching tomorrow, so things look good, but I think when you play the Rangers in September you need to sweep. Just my two cents.