Thank you to coleman for filling in on short notice yesterday. Checked with Dr. Andrews, MRI was negative. Back at it today.
In all honesty, getting swept at home in late June isn’t going to really affect our chances of competing in a mediocre division. But there are two things at play today which are much more serious.
1) If Ausmus intended to stir up his team through his comments about “getting angry” to the media, or in the clubhouse, it certainly didn’t work. There’s not a person reading this who isn’t surprised. But it brings Ausmus’ (in)ability as a leader to the forefront once again. This team has rolled over the last two nights, and just about every game of the 8 so far vs. Cleveland. The team is good enough to win a few on its own; I stand by that the team is competing in spite of Ausmus. A Avila and Mr. I and their consiglieres certainly know more about baseball than I do. I would love to figure out what I’m missing regarding Ausmus. It’s something. Perhaps there is a manager arc…imagine a baseball reference closest comps for managers – and he’s on the Tom Kelly/Tony LaRussa/Joe Torre arc, but with an Ivy League education. Let’s hope.
2) If Verlander wants to show that he’s an ace again (I read one Detroit columnist who said that JV could be in Cy Young conversations…tap the brakes on that) he needs to put an end to the losing streak, right now.
As far as Sanchez goes…I have no idea what to do with him. I’m sure he’ll get another start. It’s an ironic consequence of high paying contracts. He’s too expensive to bench or send down. So we’ll just continue to get kicked in the nuts every 5 days b/c he had a great year a few years ago and DD overpaid him.
Don’t get too down. It’s an average team in an average division. It could still be a fun summer.
Moya day to day with a sore knee. Numbers below off of Josh Tomlin.
- Ian Kinsler, 2B (8-for-20, 2 doubles, HR, walk, K)
- Cameron Maybin, CF
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B (7-for-18, double, HR, 4 walks, K)
- Victor Martinez, DH (3-for-19, double, HR, 3 walks, 2 K’s)
- Nick Castellanos, 3B (4-for-17, 2 doubles, 5 K’s)
- Justin Upton, LF (2-for-9, double, K)
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C (4-for-5, double, HR, walk, K)
- Mike Aviles, RF (2-for-14, double, HR, walk, 3 K’s)
- Jose Iglesias, SS (1-for-4)