After Justin Verlander’s 130 pitch outing, I flailed wildly in frustration at the stupidity of the situation. I didn’t care for the move from an in game management decision, and I hated the thought of increasing the risk of injury to the prized arm in the organization. The feedback was mixed. Some agreed with me. Others thought I was crazy. Pitchers used to throw a lot more. Justin Verlander was still throwing hard. He’s been throwing a lot of pitches this year so he’s conditioned for it. He hasn’t been injured the in the past. He’s the ace. Some of these arguments don’t hold a lot of water, but others are harder to refute. But what if we table the injury concern for a moment and instead look at performance?
Continue reading Managing Verlander’s Workload
Category Archives: 2008 Season
Dontrelle movin’ on up
Dontrelle Willis has completed the Lakeland portion of his program and will start for Toledo on Friday night. Willis worked deep into his last 2 games and only allowed 2 walks.
Dombrowski said the move was made because Tigers minor league pitching coordinator Jon Matlack, minor league performance enhancement instructor Brian Peterson and Lakeland pitching coach Joe Coleman agreed he was ready.
I thought it’s interesting that the Tigers have a performance enhancement instructor, or in other words a roving head coach. I like it.
Willis will take Eddie Bonine’s spot in the rotation as Bonine is experiencing dreaded shoulder problems.
Game 119: Blue Jays at Tigers
PREGAME: It’s A.J. Burnett against Zach Miner.
Miner has had a quality start in 3 of his first 4 efforts since returning to the rotation. Burnett has great peripherals. He fans a batter per inning and 2.3 for every batter he walks. His home run rate of .8 per 9 innings is solid also. Somehow he has a 4.62 ERA though.
The lineup is the same as last night’s.
- Granderson, CF
- Polanco, 2B
- Guillen, 3B
- Ordonez, RF
- Cabrera, 1B
- Joyce, LF
- Sheffield, DH
- Renteria, SS
- Inge, C
TOR @ DET, Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
Game Time 7:05
Whether it is injury, or needing more recovery time, or simply needing more time to work on things, Joel Zumaya has to be sent down. There needs to be a spot made for Todd Jones on Friday, and it has to be Zumaya that is sent down. He now has 23 walks in 23.1 innings. Francisco Cruceta and Zach Miner were demoted for far less. If the fastball isn’t what it was, finding his change up and commanding his curve ball need to be next on the to do list and he shouldn’t be doing it with the big league club.
Zach Miner was very good again. That kind of got lost in everything else.
Freddy Garcia a Tiger
Jon Heyman is reporting that Freddy Garcia has agreed to a contract with the Tigers. Garcia has been injured for the last year with shoulder problems. He had surgery to correct a torn labrum and recently auditioned for teams. I have no idea what they’ll get out of Garcia, and I can’t really offer commentary on the deal until I see the parameters.
I do know that Garcia and Carlos Guillen were party buddies back in Seattle. But that was quite awhile ago.
Garcia to sign with Tigers – MLB – SI.com
UPDATE: It’s a minor league deal. I like it. No risk, no outlay.
Garcia’s deal is a minor-league contract that runs only through the end of 2008. It will become a major league contract if he’s promoted to the parent club. Garcia will report first to Class-A Lakeland. As long as he’s on the major league roster by August 31, he will be eligible for the postseason.
Game 118: Blue Jays at Tigers
PREGAME: The Blue Jays come to town. Shaun Marcum is on the mound for Toronto. He struggled in his first 3 starts off the DL allowing 17 runs in 14.2 innings and 5 homers in those 3 games. But in his last start he got well holding Oakland to 1 run in 7 innings with 7 K’s and only 2 walks. Whether that means he’s back to the low 3’s ERA pitcher he was earlier in the year, or it was a product of facing the A’s remains to be seen.
For the Tigers it will be Justin Verlander. Verlander made progress in his last start before his line was blown up in his 8th inning of work. Oh yeah, and he threw 130 pitches.
TOR @ DET, Monday, August 11, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
Game Time 7:05
POSTGAME: The weather was perfect. Outside of that, I’ll go bulleted list style:
- I have no idea if Verlander’s previous outing impacted the current one- at least in terms of performance. He was lifted around the 80 pitch mark and so that was probably a factor in not letting him pitch through it.
- Control didn’t seem to be a problem, with his first ball not coming until pitch number 15. I was at the game, and haven’t gone through the pitch f/x data so this is pure speculation, but I’d say he was just chucking the ball over the plate to try and get quick outs. I base this mostly on the knowledge of the length of his previous outing, and the number of scorched balls coming with 2 strikes.
- I’ve seen a decent number of homers to straight away centerfield at Comerica. They’ve all been well hit of course, but given the sheer vastness of the outfield, you never really know if they’re gone. Cabrera’s was a no doubter off the bat.
- The Sheffield situation wasn’t pretty. He was awful again today, and the boos just rained down in a grilli-esque fashion. I’d say it was probably even louder than Jason received.
- Jason Beck transcribed Leyland’s quotes in response to the Sheffield article. I agree completely with the skipper on this.
- I don’t get too worked up about guys not sprinting all the way down the line on every ball. A comebacker to the pitcher and you’re out before you get half way down the line. But Sheffield hit a groundball down the third base line. It wasn’t hit hard and it was fielded behind the bag. Chances are he would be out, but it wasn’t a given. Sheffield ran half speed. It should have been a close play but he was out by 3 steps. That is inexcusable from anyone, but especially the leader he fancies himself.
- The game seemed very blah, due in large part to Verlander getting rocked and the offense not clicking. But outside of Sheffield guys were playing hard. Renteria laid out and made a nice stop on a ball up the middle. Maggs made a nice diving play, as did Miguel Cabrera.
Sheffield talks about stuff
Gary Sheffield still isn’t happy with his DH role. In a Boston Globe article Sheffield was his typically candid self.
“I can be in the outfield and play every day. I don’t want to DH. I don’t feel like a baseball player when I DH. I don’t know how to be the leader that I am from the bench. I can’t be a vocal leader. I can’t talk to guys from the bench because I don’t feel right about it.
“I’m in a role now where I don’t know what to do, really. The guys are out there busting their butt for nine innings, they come in and they hit and they grind. I just sit down and hit. That’s all I do, so I can’t be in a leadership role from that position.”
Sheffield has drawn a lot of ire this year for his lack of production. But he has been uncharacteristically quiet – by his standards anyways.
We all remember the left field experiment earlier in the year that didn’t go well when Sheffield couldn’t actually throw the ball. Supposedly he is healthier now, and the production has been increasing. Since the All Star break he’s hitting 247/333/493 (not including today’s suck-fest).
And I can’t be upset with a guy who wants to play more, and do more, and contribute more. But he’s not the same hitter he once was. He goes on to talk about how tough pitchers are pitching him:
“I don’t get pitched the same like everybody else. I get pitched very carefully. Now that I’m a lot better physically, I can handle tough pitching. I can be the player that I know I am.”
…
“They work it down and away or up and in, and it’s always on the edges,” Sheffield said. “That’s how I’m getting pitched, but I can handle that.”
But he isn’t handling it. For the season he’s striking out in 22% of his at-bats. That is well beyond his career 12.5% average. And it isn’t just a product of his injury early on. Even since the All Star break when he’s been moderately productive, he’s still fanning at a 20% rate. As for pitcher’s pitching him tough, they can’t be pitching him any tougher than they had in past.
I’m not going to say that Sheffield sucks. Hi skills are fading, but if he can maintain his post All Star pace I have no problem with an average OBP and a solid slugging percentage. He came back too quickly, and he should have gone on the DL.
But in terms of being a vocal leader? Maybe it’s best not to lament not playing for a different team:
“The Yankees knew I wanted to go to Boston,” Sheffield said. “They picked up my option so I wouldn’t wind up there. I would have loved it because I love that atmosphere. It means something.
“At this stage of my career, I want to feel that again. That’s what I play for. That’s what gets me revved up.”
Yes the Tigers are a long shot for the playoffs at this point. But there still is a shot. And baseball is a big deal here in Detroit. The Tigers will shatter their attendance record and night in and night out in Detroit Sheffield is playing in front of sell out crowds. And the boos that Sheffield received from the home crowd today are indicative of the fact that the fans are “revved up.” I know the atmosphere in Detroit doesn’t rival Fenway, but it’s not like he’s playing in front of a bunch of empty seats.
I’m sure clarifying remarks will be coming out in the next day or so, and Sheffield will talk about how happy he is in Detroit. But this doesn’t play well, especially from a guy who’s lack of production this season has been a part of the problem.
Tigers Minor League Wrap 8-10-08
Norfolk 7 Toledo 6
Kody Kirkland was 2 for 3. Timo Perez doubled and walked 3 times. Brent Clevlen had a 0 for 5, 3 K night. Eddie Bonine allowed 5 runs on 5 hits and no walks in 4.1 innings. Francisco Cruceta fanned 3 in 1.1 innings allowing a walk and no hits. He now has a 49:18 K:BB ratio in 32 innings and he hasn’t allowed a homer.
Erie 3 Reading 2
Wilkin Ramirez went 3 for 4 with a homer. Wil Rhymes added 3 hits. James Skelton was 0 for 5 with 3 strike outs. Lucas French only last 4.1 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks.
Dunedin 5 Lakeland 1
Dontrelle Willis’s final line wasn’t too impressive: 7.1 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 6 K’s. But it looked better before he came out for that 8th inning when he allowed a walk and a homer. The long outing is encouraging, as is the walk/strikeout ratio. I know it’s A ball, but his last two outings have been pretty good. We’ll see if he’s done in Lakeland, or if he’ll continue to work down there. Justin Justice homered and singled.
South Bend 2 West Michigan 8
Justin Henry went 3 for 5 and Ronnie Bourquin, Alex Avila, and Joe Tucker all had 2 hit games. Avila is now sitting at a .289 batting average with a .364 OBP, but without much power with only 8 of his 44 hits going for extra bases. Jon Kibler went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks with 5 K’s. Orlando Perdomo pitched 2 scoreless innings and Brett Jacobson one scoreless inning.
Oneonta PPD
GCL Tigers DNP
Game 117: A’s at Tigers
PREGAME: Remember when the Tigers bludgeoned the Royals for a series sweep a few weeks back? Yeah, that was the last time they won a series. They have a chance to turn the feat again this afternoon.
It will be Nate Robertson taking the mound for the Tigers. Robertson has been horrific with a 6.11 ERA. He’s allowing 1.3 hits PER INNING. He has been much better at home (4.45 ERA) and much better during the day (4.47 ERA). So maybe he doesn’t blow up today.
Greg Smith takes the ball for the Athletics. He turned in a quality start his last time out against the Blue Jays. He has an okay strike out rate 5.95 and a poor 3.92 walk rate. But he hasn’t given up a lot of hits. He’s given up 62 fewer hits than Robertson in the same number of innings. Lefties have managed only a 572 OPS against him this year. And don’t swing at the first pitch. He’s only allowed a 172/169/328 line when the first pitch is put in play.
OAK @ DET, Sunday, August 10, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
POSTGAME: Well this was a nice clean, crisp win. Nate Robertson was in and around the strike zone and efficiently marched through the A’s order for 7.2 innings. In the process he dropped his ERA to the right side of 6.00. Fernando Rodney picked up the last 4 outs, including stranding the runner he inherited, allowing only a double along the way.
The offense had a controlled approach, not offering at pitches out of the strike zone for the most part. They drew 10 walks, though only 2 came around to score. But they did enough to build a comfortable margin by the end of the game.
Gary Sheffield had a kind of cycle of futility. He was 1 for 1 in GIDP opportunities. He also popped up with a runner on second and no outs. And he K’d both looking and swinging.
The only other bad thing about the game was that Curtis Granderson struck out bunting. Grandy has looked so good in so many facets of the game, but his last couple bunt attempts have been awful. I believe it was just last week he popped up a sac bunt attempt.
Game 115: A’s at Tigers
PREGAME: After spending basically every waking minute since the All Star break on the road, the Tigers return home for the awhile. This was the part of the schedule, where if the Tigers kept things close, they could make their run. Except they didn’t keep things close.
As for the game at hand it will be Kenny Rogers and Dallas Braden. Braden is making his 4th start and he’s had mixed results. The Tigers faced him 3 times last year and beat the stuffing out of him the last two times lighting him up for 14 runs in 6.1 innings over the 2 games.
With the exception of the Royals game, Rogers has been awful since the break. he hasn’t recorded an out in the 7th inning, and in his last start he threw 109 pitches before being lifted in the 4th.
OAK @ DET, Friday, August 8, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
Game Time 7:05
Game 114: Tigers at White Sox
PREGAME: I’m going out to enjoy a lovely day on the beach. When I settle in tonight I’ll see if the Tigers as a collective team have anything left – like pride, or if they simply mail in the season. Zach Miner and Javier Vasquez. Last time this pitching match-up was a win. The bullpen should be well rested after they only had to get 1 out last night.
DET @ CHW, Thursday, August 7, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
POSTGAME: Nothing to complain about in this one. Zach Miner was solid. The offense was good with the Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera reaching base in each of their 5 respective plate appearances. Ryan Raburn made a bacon saving diving catch. Fernando Rodney was okay enough, and did K 2 without walking anyone. My man Bobby Seay was rocky, and Ramon Santiago had a 3 K game with an error. But otherwise good times. Now the Tigers just need to win 8 of their next 10 and we can all get excited again.
Leyland abuses Verlander’s arm for no good reason
Jim Leyland before the game:
Zumaya’s right shoulder remains a point of concern. Leyland said Zumaya reported “normal soreness” and indicated that he was able to pitch, but Leyland said that description was “not defined enough for me.”
“I’m not going to have it on my plate that I got Joel Zumaya hurt, getting greedy,” Leyland said. “I’m not going to do it.”
Justin Verlander last night:
- 7.2 innings
- 6 hits
- 5 runs
- 3 walks
- 8 strike outs
- 130 pitches
This is categorically stupid. From an in game management sense, the team was only down two runs and still very much in it. You starter has done his job and worked into the 8th inning. After the Dye double, even if he is still throwing in the high 90’s, get him out of there and bring in a fresh arm. Try and keep the game close. Instead he throws 11 more pitches taking a lofty pitch count to insane. That Lopez finally came in and allowed a single is immaterial.
From a pitching management standpoint it is inexcusable. With last night’s start, Justin Verlander now leads all of baseball in pitcher abuse points. He’s thrown more pitches than any other pitcher in baseball this year. And for what? A 5-1 loss in a season that is already decided? The Tigers just wanted to make sure that all their young pitchers end up on the DL?
It seems that this type of move happens when the manager is on his way out of town.
Game 113: Tigers at White Sox
PREGAME: Yeah. Justin Verlander attempts to make it through 7 innings in under 140 pitches. John Danks chucks the pill for the White Sox. Sorry. I just can’t muster more. Last night still burns too much.
DET @ CHW, Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com