TB in for a three game set. Sanchez starts tonight. Assuming the kids cooperate, I’m going to take a look at the 2nd inning tomorrow.
Baseball-Reference game preview here.
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. J.D. Martinez, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Justin Upton, LF
7. Cameron Maybin, CF
8. James McCann, C
9. Jose Iglesias, SS
Well, that started well.
Is Maybin really this good? Not .600 BA good, but a legit CF?
Is Mabin this good and McCann really this bad..interesting question!?..
Mabin does the little things right. Hit behind the runner. Steal bases…aggressive play…plays with enthusiasm!…hits to all fields…hardly fits in with the lathargic make up of the Tiger lineup..Maybe he can change some of them!
Meanwhile McCann has taken up the Ausmus “Dear in Headlights Look!”…..
Atta Miggy!….good to see the power back!!!
Good inning for Sanchez. Now keep the runs coming.
Is he for real?
Not sure I’d let McCann bat here.
Always thought Brad is smarter than me!
How many more starts can Sanchez get?
Probably as many as he wants. We don’t have any real options just now.
And I was worried about Miggy’s power!
Miggy must be upset that Everyday Ian is the home run leader!
Brad has still not mastered ball pen management. Last time Alex Wilson gave up 3 to Baltimore. One more run is big this late in the game.
15 base runners..score 5…. the story of Brad Ausmus coaching tenure!……
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/15633876/mlb-competition-committee-agrees-changes-strike-zone-intentional-walks
i like the IBB rule…though i do think making a tighter strike zone will not speed up the game, because umps are going to continue to call their (often times meandering) version of the strike zone.
Some other rules i think would speed-up and improve the game:
1) once a batter steps in the box or an AB, he can’t step out except for health issue
2) two bases for HBP
3) (except for playoffs) no warm-ups for pitching changes ‘during an inning’ – but still warm-ups between innings, so MLB & networks can make money on commercials
4) home plate ump use K-zone technology to call consistent balls and strikes
5) limit one visit to mound by coach or mgr per pitcher, 2nd visit must produce pitching change
6) max three pitcher throws to a base (w/baserunner) per batter – 4th is a balk
In my life I have seen funny things happen on intentional walks, including a very important hit. But I can live with it.
Making the strike zone smaller will NOT result in more balls in play. Won’t it mean (except for the Tigers who swing at anything) that batters will take the low pitches more resulting in more walks? What they should do is make the strike zone slightly larger which will force the batter to swing more or have the pitch called a strike.
Sorry, do not like your other suggestions.