Tiger Geist

I’m not a huge fan of the WBC, but I like the matchup of Detroit’s backups and prospects getting playing time against solid major leaguers.  I don’t want to dwell too much on the pitching issues, since not everything is working out yet for the starters (not all of their pitches are ‘working’ yet, many starters are uncomfortable pitching in relief).  But I think yesterday’s box score is something to analyze (maybe because it favors Detroit):

• Detroit batters walked five times, with only one strikeout
• 5 RBI’s with two outs
• Detroit re-took the lead twice
• Detroit took the lead after giving it away in the sixth
• Dontrelle’s concentration didn’t falter;  while his control wasn’t there, he picked off one runner and nearly had another
• Robertson had an 8-1 groundout / flyout ratio — if he keeps that up, he’ll be alright.
• Zuela’s Miguel Cabrera (who looks strikingly familiar to the Miguel Cabrera who is paid $20million / year by Mike Illitch) had two RBI’s… he’s just an RBI machine.
• Zuela’s Carlos Guillen went 2-4.

Other spring training notes:

• The newly relaxed, refocused, and muscular Brandon Inge has had a few errors this spring (3 in 5 games).
• Brent Clevlen’s bid for backup center fielder has gotten interesting, as he’s seen a lot of time in left and right.
• Ryan Raburn hasn’t played an inning in the infield yet.  Is it possible that there is an open competition between Larish, Rayburn, Hessman, Thames, and Clevlen for the last two roster spots?
• Clete Thomas is doing his best to remind the coaches that he belongs in the majors.  I wonder how long it will take his arm strength to return (Granderson complained that he never got his back last year after starting on the DL).