Tiger Geist

With Cleveland returning to their Division-winning form, maybe its best to escape the states for a few days and hit up Toronto.  One of the spring training games I attended this year was against the Blue Jays, and their speed (they left the big hitters at their home park that day) seemed to bother Detroit.  I think Bonderman thinks too much when speed is on first base;  as hinted by WXYT’s commentator (Jim Price I believe — mlb.tv’s quality isn’t always that great when i’m listening at work), Pudge’s throws aren’t as sharp recently — maybe he’s got a sore arm.  Well, starting the week 3 - 1 is better then they started last week, so let’s see how they bounce back.
Thoughts on the loss to Cleveland:

• Verlander needs to put it together.  Without him, there doesn’t seem to be a ’stopper’ on this team, someone to put an end to a two or three game losing streak.  Sad to think that the best pitching performance  this year has come from a minor leaguer.
• What effect, if any, does Inge catching mean to the pitcher?  Does it hurt the performance?  Verlander was just wild, but Miner got lit up pretty badly.
• Speaking of Miner, did Grilli play a game of “tag, you’re it” with him last week?
• Not to beat a dead horse, but against a big hitting team like the tribe, why isn’t rayburn playing over Santiago?  Is the plan to keep Raburn out of the infield?