It feels strange finishing a weekend series on a Monday, but that’s what we’ve got today.
We aren’t the only ones tired of the 8th inning bullpen meltdowns (by meltdown I don’t mean giving up runs or giving up leads, I’m talking about 4-run+ innings). The Tigers have shipped Bruce Rondon back to Toledo and brought up rookie Joe Jimenez. I’d also like to see Ausmus start doing what some have suggested here. If one of the Wilsons come in in the 7th and mows down the batter(s) he faces, why not bring him back for the 8th also?
Miggy finally got a couple marks in the hit column.
Today’s Can’t We Just Skip the 8th Inning? Lineup:
- Kinsler, 2B
- Castellanos, 3B
- Cabrera, 1B
- V Martinez, DH
- Mahtook, RF
- McCann, C
- Jones, CF
- Iglesias, SS
- Roman, LF
Justin Verlander, P
Victor Martinez at least should be happy to see Chris Sale in a Boston uniform. Vmart has hit Sale at a .435 clip for his career, with a 1.242 OPS.
Lineup has been updated, Upton scratched with stiff back.
Jimenez up Rondon down…. Avila +2
Right on, Jud. Although Jimenez may not be quite ready, at least Big Al didn’t wait for Rondon to blow another few games. One wish I’ve had for a few years is that Brad looks at the actual game situation in selecting a relief pitcher. Apparently J. Wilson will be the “new” setup man. I just think that if the game appears to be on the line earlier, you bring in whoever seems to be your best pitcher. No matter how good they are, your setup man and closer are useless if you blew the game in the 6th or 7th inning.
agree on all points Jud & Tony
it appears Ausmus is not an ‘outside the box thinker’ when it comes to bullpen management (to his defense, not many managers in MLB are); hence until DET gets better relief pitcher options (let’s face it, there’s not a lot of dependable options), expect excitement to ensue w/many of his bullpen decisions
if Rondon was a cat, he’s probably on his 8th life in the DET org …certainly Jimenez can’t be much worse than Rondon has been this spring and his outings thus far… i guess we’ll see
hopefully Ausmus doesn’t pull a Leyland and throw Jimenez out there in a bases loaded (trial by fire) situation as his intro to the bigs
on the bright side, DET won’t have to face Sale 4-5 times this year, now that he’s in BOS
When Tigs grind out their at bats against Sale they have had success against him…..today..not so much…..the worst part is wasting yet another very good JV game……
Today the ever too often Swing…Swing…..swing….swing
As I type that…Kinsler goes yard!!….atta boy!
Over the past two years we are eye witnesses to Casty turning into a MLB… Stud!!!! ……wow!
At least at the plate.
His D is improving… He just has zero range!
Yes Nick…er Nicholas came ready to play this season. I hope that Mr. Jones follows his footsteps. Like all games this week, I am recording and watching upon getting home from work. Great pitcher duel and to top it off I will celebrate later tonight watching the next season of Better Call Saul! Can we get Mike Almontrout as Tiger GM?
OTFIM: Good idea! I am a huge fan of Better call Saul… the missus watched 1 episode and did not get it… could be a deal breaker LOL….
In the grand scheme of things all wins are big!.. This might have been extra large!!.. JV.. J Willie.. Frankie… Romaine as has has all spring.. And Casty as has has all spring
Really nice win against a great pitcher. Pen holds although I still do not get how F-Rod does it with a sub-90 fast ball. Hot Twinkies next.
great win today and series…DET definitely caught BOS at the right time – some key players out w/the flu, Bradley gets hurt misses two games and no David Price – timing is key
Pretty good start to the season. 4-2 without much slugging or many hits in general. Good starting pitching. A bold early move to shake up the bullpen. By Detroit standards, giving Jones the opportunity in CF was pretty bold itself. Meanwhile, J.D. is out and Miggy has yet to show up. 4-2 anyway. Good show.
And credit must be given to Romine for stepping in for Upton!