The Tigers exploded for 3 runs yesterday, which was enough to hold off the A’s for a 3-2 victory and series win. 4 runs in 3 games isn’t the way I would have called it, but a series win is a series win. This doesn’t do much, however, to dampen the loud concerns regarding this offense.
I know I mentioned last week that the dearth of run production emanates from the 4 hole, but the Tigers have now slipped to 8th in the AL in runs scored. Not a good place to be considering Sanchez’s struggles and the inexperience of the back end of our rotation.
Speaking of rotation, I thought it might be fun to check in on a few old Tigers pitchers. Let’s see what they are up to!
Max Scherzer is enjoying his time in the NL, and is likely the front runner for NL Cy Young 1/3 of the way into the season. Scherzer is currently cruising along with a 6-3 record, 1.51 ERA (yeah, that’s right), absurd .879 WHIP, and even more absurd 10.7 K/9. Washington paid handsomely for Scherzer, but I think they are okay with it right now.
Scherzer’s rotation mate, Doug Fister, has gotten off to a rough start this year after a 16-6/2.41 ERA 2014 that saw him finish 8th in Cy Young balloting (how good are NL pitchers/bad are NL hitters?). Fister is posting a 4.31 ERA (4.68 FIP) and 1.412 WHIP through 7 starts. Those numbers would be career worsts for him, so I expect him to rebound. The 3 guys we got in return for Fister? Ian Krol, who has become a marginal reliever, Steve Lombardozzi, who never played for the Tigers, and Robbie Ray, who was flipped for Shane Greene. Greene has been a pleasant surprise and costs 1/23 what Fister does, so overall not bad.
Drew Smyly got off to another promising start after a brilliant back half of the season with Tampa Bay last year (remember he was flipped there when we sent AJax to Sea to get Price at the trade deadline), but unfortunately has been shelved for the season with a shoulder injury. The kid had a 2.70 ERA and .78 WHIP through 3 starts this season before he was injured. He’s got a bright future in front of him.
I don’t know that I’d change anything that we’ve done so far, I mean, there was just no way we could keep Max with the Cabrera/Price/Verlander salaries on the books. But it’s always interesting to see how everyone is doing.
On to LAA.
Buck Farmer gets the spot start tonight for Kyle Lobstein. Farmer started two games last year, appeared in two others, and generally got drilled (though he did K 11 in 9.1 IP) so tonight could be a little bit of a ride. He’s been great this year at Toledo – 5-1, 2.98 ERA, .215 average allowed, 1.17 WHIP, and a 9 k/9 ratio. So let’s all keep hope alive.
Little different lineup tonight.
1. Davis, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Cespedes, LF
5. Martinez, RF
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. McCann, C
8. Iglesias, SS
9. Gose, CF
Tigers have a good chance of gaining a 1/2 game on Minnesota and KC who are idol tonight. Also a majority of tonight’s lineup have had success against CJ Wilson while Buck Farmer is an unknown.
I hope Kevin was facetious when he said “The Tigers exploded for three runs yesterday”! If YC hadn’t run into one for the only three runs we got ….. it would have been same old same old for the snoozing offense!
I’m beginning to think Jud has something about Canrera being a west coast dud.
Do the Tigers, especially the offense, think it’s a vacation when they go on a West Coast trip!
I am telling you they get in those rental cars and hit downtown LA big time!!!!!!! They look hung over right now already and it gets worse as the weekend goes on!
It’s been quite a while since I have been able to get a free order of small curly fries!
Unbelievable! The Angels actually BUNT in BUNT situations!
Brad: Are you paying attention?
Are there any games this season that the Tigers haven’t hit into a DP?
Tigers are 2-9 last 11 games in Anaheim….we are not going to any of the games, i fly out to Michigan tomorrow night. I am not sure I could sit thru 3-4 more losses anyway….I too old for that!
Dumb move for not sending Iggy home on the fly to right! We need all the runs we can get and any way we can get them.
Angels show some creativity to score their 4th run. I hope Assmus was watching and taking notes!
How pathetic has the Tiger offense gotten, when the only run they can score is off a HBP with the bases loaded!
2 hits against Cy J. Wilson. Zzzzzzz….
The new MLB Media Player sucks. I’m watching on my phone right now because the laptop version keeps stalling. Fail.
Having same prob on my DT, which usually gives nice fluid stream. Gonna switch now to my usual flat non-HD stream ——or go to sleep.
Pass the word, recommend Tiger games to any of your friends trying to wean themselves from sleep aids.
I love how Asmus says after every single game, we are going to break out of this any time now. Meanwhile not games go by….. weeks go by!!!!!!zzzzzzzz!
I predicted Miggy would drop 20 points on this trip…..he is almost there and the trip is only half way….my bad!!!
When has a team with so many .300 hitters been so unable to score a run? Something is seriously wrong here.
Something is wrong with Cabrera. I don’t know if it’s vision problems (day/night splits!), or an injury, or something personal, but when he struck out 3 times yesterday…I mean he’s batting like Hernan Perez right now. Something’s wrong somewhere.
Tigers fans: Don’t be shocked. That’s almost a given = 3-1 count, bases jammed, knows he’ll get good pitch from inexperienced Gorzelanny. Result = natch, GS.
Why even watch these games?
Funniest thing about this game is u only need 3 to beat the Pussycats!…..
Fortunately UM softball on ESPNU same time…thank you ESPN!!!
Asmus should be suspended by DD for putting a team out there full of stars that put on this pathetic effort today. Maybe Asmus would work harder if he was suspended a game or two. The inmates are running the assylum!
Not good tonight at all, and hate to say it,but rather lose this way than by one run. My trip is over, back home to some jarring news. A brother Firefighter, a good friend, was murdered early Tuesday morning along with his wife and her grown son. The perps shot them and set their place on fire. Worked with him for many years, he was a sweet guy, always smiling, and I am going to miss him a ton. Did have a good time in Beantown, Fenway was amazing.
Very sad news, Jim, about your friend and his family. How can anyone do something like this? So sorry for your loss.