Tiger Geist

Detroit swept a beaten down Cleveland team in a short series this week.  Today’s game probably really pissed Cleveland off… and another game that Detroit would have lost in May.  Big hits all around;  maybe Renteria is regaining his long lost stroke.

Looks like the Eddie Bonine era is over.  I had thoughts before the game that this was a make it or break it start for him, but i doubt he’s back with this team this year.  It seems that Detroit has to have someone on one of its rosters that puts the team in a better position to win.  However, the logical move was to bring up Inge (from injury rehab, sending down Sardinha) and Zach Miner.  Bringing up Larish for a short stint is probably indictive of Miguel Cabrera’s lower body status (legs, hips).  It doesn’t make much sense to have him sit on the bench instead of getting at-bats in Toledo.  Maybe Leyland will go with a rotating DH to keep Sheffield fresh, or maybe Larish gets a few starts to rest Cabrera and keep Thames from playing first.  Maybe.. Detroit is sending Bonine down to get more work before his next start.  My guess is he’s done.

Cabrera is raking it… finally.  And Thames continues to give me the big F-U with a solid lead-off pinch hit single to start the ninth.  Granted, the team is on a roll lately, and could easily fizzle out in mid August.  But with the flexibility that the young players are giving Leyland (speed and defense at multiple positions, left and right handed options), and given how Thames is reacting to more playing time… I can’t see how the team goes into 2009 with a full time DH.  I’m not sure how they go into 2009 with Inge as a full time catcher, though I think he’s quite capable — without his flexibility they would be in a bad place.  I see Jeff Larish learning third base and the outfield in winter ball…