Detroit Tigers

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Tue May 02, 2006 4:35 am

What an April.

Starting pitching is off the charts, and the pen hasn't blown one yet.

Clutch hitting all through the lineup. Great start for Shelton, Ordonez healthy is a stud. Guillen and Polanco up the middle are solid. Pudge is hitting for average. Contributions all around.

Todd Jones is getting healthy, we'll need him to save a few dozen. Where will Dmitri Young fit in when he gets back? Hate to mess with the chemistry of the squad so far.

The manager does make the difference. Rack Jim Leyland.

Bizzarofelice · Post by **Bizzarofelice** » Tue May 02, 2006 1:11 pm

Cards miss Polanco. Good glove and a great situational hitter.

PrimeX · Post by **PrimeX** » Tue May 02, 2006 1:20 pm

My Astros miss not having Preston Wilson in the batting order. I'm thinking a trade for Shelton straight up would be great for both teams.

DO IT!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Tue May 02, 2006 2:31 pm

PrimeX wrote:My Astros miss not having Preston Wilson in the batting order. I'm thinking a trade for Shelton straight up would be great for both teams.

DO IT!

Yeah...no thanks. Talk to the Yankees about Carlos Pena...keep your hands off the Tigers. Hopefully come July, they'll be buyers no sellers. Right now, I think they need to add depth to the pen and maybe pick up a starter for insurance. It's much harder to get a bat...I see 3B being their weak spot in the lineup but Inge has had a nice start. I refuse to go overboard with these guys until we get to June and July and if they are hanging with the Sox and the Tribe, I'll be an obnoxious myopian. I've been spoiled and teased by the Wings...I couldn't imagine what it would be like to watch the Tigers in the postseason...I'm too young to remember '84 and '87. '93 is the only decent team I can remember. The Tigers have at least leapfrogged the Twins in the division...the Tribe are only .500 but they ultimately are more dangerous than Detroit is. We'll see after a few months where they're at. If these guys are for real, they'll stay near the top of the division and contend for the wild card. They have to beat the better teams in the AL though...they're 2-5 so far against Chicago and Cleveland. If they can at least go .500 with those two teams and beat the teams they're supposed to, they can hang in the race.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:24 am

Shoalz...

Bummer of a sig bet (I'M guessing).

I remember bot 84 and 87. If this team is in the hunt, it will dwarf any Wings/Pistons support you've ever seen. Detroit is a baseball town that has layed dormant for a long time. I hope these kids are in the mix late. Woodward will be hoping!!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed May 03, 2006 2:12 pm

WolverineSteve wrote:Shoalz...

Bummer of a sig bet (I'M guessing).

How can you tell? Had to take one for WingNation...unfortunately. Cicatrix had to make it personal too.

As for the Tigers again...I still don't know how to feel about this start. I've been let down enough by this team, I'm kind of waiting to see if this lasts. I'm don't think I'm being a bad fan, I'm just a little cynical. I said 85 wins before the season...they'd finish 8 games over .500. I think I'm being reasonable when I say 85 wins should be almost a minimum accomplishment given the start they are having. This team traditional stumbles out of the blocks in April and is so far behind after 25-30 games, the rest of the season is just a slow death.

You look at the roster, it's pretty much the same...at least as far as the key positions are concerned. Rogers is an upgrade to Johnson, Jones and Percival are a wash at closer. Granderson was the starting CF at the end of last year...no real changes to the lineup. You have to believe Leyland has been the key. The talking heads at ESPN seem to believe he's been the difference in the change in attitude. Usually the case with guys like him, his message may work for a couple years as long as it works but once the ship starts to take on water, it'll get ugly in the clubhouse. For now, things seem good...the players are buying into what he's preaching and they're playing the best baseball I can ever remember.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu May 04, 2006 6:41 pm

Tigers down 7-1 to the Angels...another bad effort in a game on getaway day. How much are you willing to bet that Leyland goes off on these guys again? It worked two weeks ago...

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:24 am

I still can't believe what I'm witnessing...a rookie 5th starter outduels the mighty Johan Santana. The wheels can fall off starting tomorrow but I've enjoyed the ride so far. I never thought I'd see the day that the Tigers would be playing this well at this point in the season.

Dumbass · Post by **Dumbass** » Thu May 18, 2006 8:38 pm

Magglio!

17th round pick up, BWAHAHAHAHA!

In other news, Dmitri has apparrently upped his average from .192.

Too bad it was at the house going yard on his EX-woman.

So uh, DY will be getting back from the DPD after turning himself in Monday.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu May 18, 2006 8:59 pm

Dumbass wrote:In other news, Dmitri has apparrently upped his average from .192.

Too bad it was at the house going yard on his EX-woman.

So uh, DY will be getting back from the DPD after turning himself in Monday.

Not a good couple of months for the Young brothers...

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Fri May 19, 2006 2:18 pm

RACK the Roastah...first pitcher to 7 wins.

If this team has a weakness right now, it's the closer position. I like Jones but he isn't nearly as effective as his first tour in Detroit. His 12 saves is a deceiving number. He flat out blew one opportunity at the Metrodome a couple weeks ago. He's given up 18 hits and has on 5 strikeouts in 13-1/3 innings. He's also got the highest WHIP on the pitching staff. I think it's a matter of time before he plays his way out of his job. Rodney and Zumaya have closer stuff...either guy are more capable of closing games than Jones. I'll be damned if the Tigers continue to take leads into the 9th and have one guy bring them down. The White Sox certainly aren't going away and it's a matter of time before Cleveland gets hot although their rotation is awful.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Fri May 19, 2006 4:27 pm

Four sweet words...

Best Record in baseball

Playing .675 ball after 40 games is a thing of beauty. If they play .500 ball the rest of the season that puts them at 88 wins. The pace they have set will make it difficult for them to fall out of the divisional race, let alone the wild card. Leyland is all but a lock for mgr. of the year. They own Minnesota and KC, if they can split the season series' with Chicago and Cleveland we may start printing post season tickets.

Go Tigers!!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Fri May 19, 2006 5:50 pm

The Sox put the boots to them in that three game set at the Copa in mid-April. They're 16-4 against the Twins, Indians and Royals so far...the Sox success last year was because they dominated within the Central Division. They're 13-8 against those three teams so far but they also swept the Tigers in that 3-game series. The Sox and Tigers still have 16 head-to-heads left in the season. 8-10 wins in those games would be key for the Tigers.

The next four weeks should be interesting to watch. They host the upstart Reds this weekend and they've got series with the Indians, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Blue Jays following a four game roady in KC. From tonight's game to the final game in Toronto on Sunday, June 11...that's a 23 game stretch with the cream of the crop in the AL. If they can snag 10-15 wins in that group of games, I think we can see them hang around for the long haul. They've got the NL Central in interleague play so games with the Reds, Cardinals, Brewers and Astros in May and June could be key swing games in their season. I'm going to see the Tigers-Cubs at Wrigley on Friday, June 16...my first trip ever to Wrigley and my first live look at the Tigers this season.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed May 24, 2006 2:05 pm

I know it was against the Royals but I conceded that game to them last night after they made it 5-2 and knocked out Rogers. Much like the game on Saturday against the Red, they kept coming and eventually overtook KC to get win #31. If this was a Tigers team from any other season, they would've probably lose that one going away. Rogers has a bad start but the bats come around to pick him up.

Roofer · Post by **Roofer** » Wed May 24, 2006 3:22 pm

If ever there was a lock for Manager of the Year this early in the season, I can't remember it. Yes there is a long way to go, but Leyland is working his magic once more. I don't think it will wear off, and I think he runs away with the award (I know, insert MA signature here).

Good to see the Tigers turning things around.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed May 24, 2006 3:53 pm

Roofer wrote:If ever there was a lock for Manager of the Year this early in the season, I can't remember it. Yes there is a long way to go, but Leyland is working his magic once more. I don't think it will wear off, and I think he runs away with the award (I know, insert MA signature here).

Good to see the Tigers turning things around.

As I've mentioned, there hasn't been a major overhaul in the roster from last year. I'm sure Rogers has had a positive impact on the pitchers but Leyland's expectations for this team is far greater than any Tigers manager since Sparky Anderson. He's definitely the manager of the year up to this point. I also think Justin Verlander is the front runner for AL Rookie of the Year.

This has been an amazing ride so far but there is still a lot of season left. Given this team's bad habit of fold in the second half, I want to hold out hope that this a contender. I want to see this team keep this up going to the All-Star break. This team is projected to 111 wins...I wouldn't imagine they keep up that torrid pace all season.

There will be highs and lows throughout the season. I'd like to see how this team responds to a 4 or 5 game slump...how mentally tough are they? The only down in the season at this point was after the 5-0 start, they fell back to 5-4 and 7-7 but are on a 24-7 stretch since then. If this is just a dream, don't wake me yet...I haven't never enjoyed a baseball season more than I've enjoyed this one.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Wed May 24, 2006 3:58 pm

It's a beautiful thing to be a Tiger fan this year. It's nice to get paid off on all the thankless years of support. I can't remember a time since 1984 when you look at the pitching matchup and can almost count on a win. Leyland is my hero, Dombrowski is a close second.

Speaking of 1984.... I remember the remarkable 35-5 start. I mean virtually every day in April and May brought another Tiger victory. That was the greatest time in my Tiger fanhood. This is quickly rising up the ranks.

BlindRef · Post by **BlindRef** » Wed May 24, 2006 4:37 pm

This has been so much fun, I was too young to appreciate the '84 championship and I was just getting into it in '87.

Since then I have been a LOYAL supporter of this team through thick and thin. I am so excited to be witnessing this, I hope that they can keep it up.

In my sports world it the Wolverines, the Tigers then everything else is a good distance after them.

Go Tigers...restore the Roar!

Roofer · Post by **Roofer** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:09 pm

Only knock is they haven't played the Jays, Yanks or Sox yet. If they can manage .500 against the elite AL teams and keep pounding the weak teams like they have been, they should shake out alright.

Yes, another MA take.

Kansas City Kid · Post by **Kansas City Kid** » Thu May 25, 2006 12:46 am

Best they'll finish is a distant third behing Chicago and Cleveland.

BlindRef · Post by **BlindRef** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:46 pm

I love all the Wolverine boys showing their love for the Tigers. That's how its done.

Go Tigers!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu May 25, 2006 4:33 pm

Kansas City Kid wrote:Best they'll finish is a distant third behing Chicago and Cleveland.

Your Royals gave the Tigers a couple of tough games the last couple of days but they still came away with W's. The old Tigers wouldn't have half of the wins that this team has gotten simply because the bullpen wasn't as good or the defense made a critical error or the bats were ice cold or the starters got rocked. Right now, they're getting strong starting pitching, which keeps them in pretty much every game. If their bats come alive, they beat teams going away.

Today should be interesting...they seem to play poorly in afternoon games on getaway day. They've got a huge homestand coming up with three games against Cleveland, New York and Boston on 9 consecutive days. I think Leyland will sit a couple of guys today...this is definitely a game that Vance Wilson will start instead of Pudge. I'm sure guys like Thames and Infante will play today as well. Maroth is third in the AL in ERA but I think he's been the least impressive of the starters so far. He doesn't go deep into games...only one has he gone 7 innings. He puts plenty of men on base with giving up hits and walking hitters. This game has all the makings of a loss but we'll see if they can win a game they probably want to just throw away before this big homestand starting tomorrow.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:54 pm

Great win today. Spot KC 6 and still blow them out 13-8. This team has a ton of heart. We won two games this series with poor starts. The Tigers are handling the bad teams the way they should. The homestand should be fun, Cleve, NYY, and the BoSox. I like our chances to take 7 of 10.

Go Tigers.

I love their motto....Nine Innings!!!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu May 25, 2006 10:05 pm

I was in the car during the 9th inning...I was screaming at the top of my lungs when Monroe and Thames went back-to-back. They continue to win games they probably shouldn't win. Since they have this whole new attitude, I don't count them out of any of them now. I checked the score off and on at work...first saw it a 6-0 and thought, yeah, they can't win 'em all. They chipped away at the lead and eventually came out on top. This is magical stuff right now.

I don't think this team is man-for-man as good as the other powerhouses in the league but they've got heart. We'll see how long they can keep this up. The key will be for them to stay grounded and not get full of themselves. There's a huge difference between confidence and cockiness...they need to stay humble. This team will hit the skids at some point...they just need to keep the same attitude and approach to every game.

BlindRef · Post by **BlindRef** » Fri May 26, 2006 2:22 pm

These next 10 games will tell us a lot about the season. If they can go over .500 against Cleveland, Boston and New York...we'll be well on our way.

I am heading down to the park tonight...hopefully the weather stays good.

Go Tigers.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Fri May 26, 2006 2:55 pm

The Tigers luck out this weekend in avoiding Sabathia. He's been one of the hottest pitchers in baseball this month. The Tigers' top 3 pitchers go against the Tribes' bottom 3...there are definitely some favorable matchups for this weekend's series.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Sun May 28, 2006 2:03 am

3-1/2 game lead on the Sox after two more Tiger wins and the Jays taking the first two from the defending champs. The best pitching staff (statistically) is holding the second-leading run-scorers in the majors to just 4 runs in two games so far in this weekend series. The Indians have been scuffling so far...the games that will hopefully open the eyes of everyone will be the 7 against the Yankees and Sox. If they can take 4 or 5 against ESPN's two favorite teams, maybe people will begin to believe.

Let the debate begin...Papelbon or Verlander...who is the AL Rookie of the Year so far?

Papelbon has been lights; arguably the best closer in the game right now. He leads the majors in saves and has a microscopic ERA, OBA and WHIP. Verlander picked up his 7th win, lowered his ERA which was already top 5 in the majors and threw his 9th quality start of the season. He is getting great run support in his starts...he was 12th in the majors in that category entering tonight. I'd counter that stat with those 9 quality starts this season...he's pitched well enough to win at least 7 games. Considering that Papelbon has pretty much been flawless so far and Verlander has had a couple of bad outings...I'll give the edge to him up to this point. Huston Street won rookie of the year with not nearly as impressive numbers as a closer last year...Papelbon is having a much more effective run as closer. I don't think there's much debate that Papelbon and Verlander have to be a 1-2 so far with every one else in a distant third.

Kansas City Kid · Post by **Kansas City Kid** » Mon May 29, 2006 9:36 pm

Shoalzie wrote:
Kansas City Kid wrote:Best they'll finish is a distant third behing Chicago and Cleveland.
Your Royals gave the Tigers a couple of tough games the last couple of days but they still came away with W's. The old Tigers wouldn't have half of the wins that this team has gotten simply because the bullpen wasn't as good or the defense made a critical error or the bats were ice cold or the starters got rocked. Right now, they're getting strong starting pitching, which keeps them in pretty much every game. If their bats come alive, they beat teams going away.

Today should be interesting...they seem to play poorly in afternoon games on getaway day. They've got a huge homestand coming up with three games against Cleveland, New York and Boston on 9 consecutive days. I think Leyland will sit a couple of guys today...this is definitely a game that Vance Wilson will start instead of Pudge. I'm sure guys like Thames and Infante will play today as well. Maroth is third in the AL in ERA but I think he's been the least impressive of the starters so far. He doesn't go deep into games...only one has he gone 7 innings. He puts plenty of men on base with giving up hits and walking hitters. This game has all the makings of a loss but we'll see if they can win a game they probably want to just throw away before this big homestand starting tomorrow.

I'm a Cubs fan. In fact, heading to Wrigley June 16-17 for a couple of Tigers-Cubs games. Bittersweet for Cub fan - the last time Detroit played at Wrigley was the last time the Cubs were in a World Series - 1945!!!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Tue May 30, 2006 5:44 am

I'm going to the game on that Friday...my first trip to Wrigley.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Tue May 30, 2006 4:55 pm

Kansas City Kid wrote:
I'm a Cubs fan. In fact, heading to Wrigley June 16-17 for a couple of Tigers-Cubs games. Bittersweet for Cub fan - the last time Detroit played at Wrigley was the last time the Cubs were in a World Series - 1945!!!

Detroit played at Wrigley in 2000.

Kansas City Kid · Post by **Kansas City Kid** » Wed May 31, 2006 1:42 am

Killian wrote:
Kansas City Kid wrote:
I'm a Cubs fan. In fact, heading to Wrigley June 16-17 for a couple of Tigers-Cubs games. Bittersweet for Cub fan - the last time Detroit played at Wrigley was the last time the Cubs were in a World Series - 1945!!!
Detroit played at Wrigley in 2000.

Yep, good call! Early June of 2000 and the Tigers took two of three!

Kansas City Kid · Post by **Kansas City Kid** » Wed May 31, 2006 1:42 am

Shoalzie wrote:I'm going to the game on that Friday...my first trip to Wrigley.

You'll love it. Get down there early and hit Murphy's Bleachers and also Hi-Tops after the game for some hot babes!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed May 31, 2006 1:00 pm

Kansas City Kid wrote:
Shoalzie wrote:I'm going to the game on that Friday...my first trip to Wrigley.
You'll love it. Get down there early and hit Murphy's Bleachers and also Hi-Tops after the game for some hot babes!

My plan for that day was swinging past the office early in the morning and grabbing my paycheck, throwing that in the bank and then hit the road around 9 am and hopefully get into Chicago by noon Eastern/11 central. I'm definitely going to stop by a bar before the game and have a few drinks, eat some lunch and then get to the park. With it being Father's day weekend...I was planning on heading up to Milwaukee after the game was over to spend the weekend with my dad. However, if plans fall through and my Friday evening is free, I might troll around Chicago for a while after the game.

Good to see my merry band of over-achievers decided to piss down their leg when a more talented team takes it to them. They did battle back last night to tie the game but predictably, Jones gets touched up in the 11th and the Yanks win going away.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Wed May 31, 2006 6:54 pm

With Colon getting the spot start you had to like the Yankees chances. Stay strong Shoalzie we've got 5 toughies left on the homer.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed May 31, 2006 7:56 pm

WolverineSteve wrote:With Colon getting the spot start you had to like the Yankees chances. Stay strong Shoalzie we've got 5 toughies left on the homer.

If they were losing 1 and 2 run games, I'd feel a little better about these three losses. 23 runs allowed in three games is very un-Tiger-like...at least for this season.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Wed May 31, 2006 8:06 pm

I look at it this way...

Cleveland bombs us in the last of a 4-gamer where we won the first 3. No biggie, we had an 8 game winning streak snapped, the margin of the loss is irrellivant.

Johnson was due for a solid start. No shame losing 4-0 to the Yankees there.

Last night they have to start a kid that's been in the pen this year against a solid lineup. They scraped back into it and went into extras. They forced Rivera to go 3 innings, so he's done for tonight. Robertson hopefully gives us a strong outing, Mussina's due for a bad outing. We win the next 2, split the series and bring on the BoSox.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed May 31, 2006 11:24 pm

I have faith in the Tigers getting a split with Robertson and Verlander yet to start. I'm not thinking they're beginning their dissent back to earth but I was really hope they'd send a message to a team like the Yankees that they meant business. The great thing is even with a three game mini-slump, they still have a game and a half lead on Chicago. I'd like to see Big Red get rolling again. We're in the last day of the month...Shelton has only 1 homer and 8 RBI in May after his strong April of 10 bombs and 20 RBI.

Kansas City Kid · Post by **Kansas City Kid** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:02 am

Shoalzie wrote:
Kansas City Kid wrote:
Shoalzie wrote:I'm going to the game on that Friday...my first trip to Wrigley.
You'll love it. Get down there early and hit Murphy's Bleachers and also Hi-Tops after the game for some hot babes!

My plan for that day was swinging past the office early in the morning and grabbing my paycheck, throwing that in the bank and then hit the road around 9 am and hopefully get into Chicago by noon Eastern/11 central. I'm definitely going to stop by a bar before the game and have a few drinks, eat some lunch and then get to the park. With it being Father's day weekend...I was planning on heading up to Milwaukee after the game was over to spend the weekend with my dad. However, if plans fall through and my Friday evening is free, I might troll around Chicago for a while after the game.

Good to see my merry band of over-achievers decided to piss down their leg when a more talented team takes it to them. They did battle back last night to tie the game but predictably, Jones gets touched up in the 11th and the Yanks win going away.

My brother is flying in from Detroit (he lives in Royal Oak) and meeting up with me for the Saturday 3:05 game. I may go Friday as well then hooking up with some Chicago pals to hit the town.

Try to hit Ditka's for the porkchop if you can. You won't be sorry. Right off Michigan Ave. downtown - any cabbie can take you. As far as before the game, Sports Corner, Murphy's and Cubbie Bear are musts, and Hi-Tops afterwards. Place will be crawling with snatch.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:14 pm

It really depends on how early I get to town. It's pretty much a 2 or 2-1/2 hour drive from home to Chicago but I've heard 94 is all tore up in Chicago. From where I'm at, I just take 80 to the Skyway. I'm certainly not worried about not having enough time to be there in time for first pitch but we'll see how much time I have beforehand to check out the watering holes. I will be wearing my Tigers' gear so I wonder how much flack I'll get from the locals. I don't intend on sticking around town afterwards because I mentioned I was going to spend the weekend with my dad for Father's Day...I'll probably get up to Milwaukee about the time he gets out of work.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 2:37 am

Damn you, Todd Jones...the countdown until he loses his closer job has begun. Sucks for Kennah...a very good start goes to waste. I know they're playing the best in the AL right now but they're showing their old habits. Blowing leads, wasting good starting pitching, the bats going silent, not coming up big in the clutch...these guys are still a long way from being considered true contenders...I don't care what their record says. These next couple of weeks are nut-cutting time for this team...show up against the best teams in this league or just continue being the same laughable doormats you've been the last two decades.