Tiger Geist

Full disclosure:  I watched the last 45 innings of Wednesday’s late inning debacle with the Twins (what?  it was only 13 innings?  It felt like 45) after I went to the Giants game and watch a debacle against the Nationals… and I’ve been off the grid in Yosemite since early Friday morning.

What did I see and what did I miss?  Sounds like I skipped the wrong series to get away.  Minnesota was so depressing, and Oakland appears to be just what the team needed (minus Galarraga).  It might also help drive game prices down in Oakland when the Tigers come into town at the end of June.

Minnesota

So what happened Wednesday?  I liked Leyland’s fire, backing up Magglio to the ump.  I think it was justified (though a little overblown) but I think the message was clear — Leyland wanted to show Magglio that he was still fighting for him.  I don’t think Lloyd McClendon did a wonderful job managing the bullpen, but as someone wrote, you can’t manage thinking they you’re going 13 innings.  I do wonder when they found out about Nate Robertson’s availability.  Thursday’s loss I blame squarely on the front office.

Front Office Gives Minny a Win

It started with the DFA of Juan Rincon for Dontrelle Willis.  Knowing that Ryan Perry was unavailable for a few days, and trying to get some wins against a very tough division opponent, they should have entertained the idea of demoting Perry for another arm.  He’d have to stay off the roster for a brief stint (10 days?) but could get some spot work in Toledo to work on some control.  You couldn’t exactly predict how well Dontrelle would do in his first start, but honestly what possibly has he done in two years to make you think he was going seven innings?  So now Detroit goes into four games with two starters that won’t go deep into the game (Willis on Wednesday for the above explanation, Porcello on Saturday due to pitch counts) already down a relief pitcher.  Not smart.

Ok, I can get over that.  Then the extra-inning issue Wednesday night leaves the bullpen fully depleted for Thursday’s game.  Now Leyland is down to an overworked left-hander (Seay), a guy he doesn’t like (Miner), a closer, and some new guy brought up for Robertson (French).  Seriously… French.  By allowing Verlander’s pitch count to creep up on Thursday and not pulling him to start the seventh (This would have been the ideal place to move to Miner, French, or Seay), the bullpen issue was clearly on his mind and he tried to sneak a few extra outs out of JV.

So now I feel management basically threw Thursday’s game by not calling up some bullpen help.  Maybe Detroit made up for it with a quick sweep over Oakland, but I’d like them to try to win some games in the division.

The Oakland Series

Detroit scored a lot of runs.  Oakland did not.  Porcello and Jackson looked very good, Galarraga did not.  Three more wins, Detroit still in the division lead.  I was nearly attacked by a rattle snake.  Let’s move on.

The Miner Issue

I’m a big Zach Miner fan, but he’s a starting pitcher.  He doesn’t strand runners well.  He doesn’t seem to have a bullpen mentality.  But he is effective as a starting pitcher.  Why hurt the team by having a few guys who don’t seem to do well in the bullpen (Robertson, Miner, and even Lyon)?  This doesn’t make sense.  Maybe they’re just waiting for an injury or two to drum up trade interest.

The Magglio Personal Situation

Looks like Magglio is taking a few days off to deal with a family issue.  I feel for him.  I also hate the fact that he has probably been playing recently just because of his 2010 contract kicker.  Its an unfortunate financial situation that I just wish didn’t have to exist;  I wish he could just be with his family when he needs to.

The Magglio Contract Situation

Detroit will not cut Magglio or hold him out of games just to hold back his 2010 contract.  They are not the Royals.  It would be unprecidented and Illitch doesn’t play that way — though the Uwe Krupp situation keeps coming to mind.