Tiger Geist

Sweeps month.  Fourth in a row for Detroit (three more productive then the fourth).  After the game, Wilkin Ramirez was sent back down to Toledo, going 1-3 in his three game stint with the big club.

Couple of thoughts:

• Really, 130+ pitches for Jackson?  Is Leyland unhappy that the starting rotation is getting healthy?  Is he aware that its actually a GOOD THING to not have players on the DL?
• Slight fear:  the longer this contract thing lingers, the more chances Leyland takes to win at all costs.  He was in ‘ride the horse’ mode today — no Zumaya (wanted to rest him), no Brandon Lyon (didn’t want to chance it), no Ryan Perry (no idea), no Nate Robertson (see Lyon).  Let Jackson throw until his arm falls off.
• Kurt mentioned the rotation going into the Colorado series, possibly requiring some bullpen rest today;  worse, Detroit doesn’t have another off-day until June 1.  Following that day off, Detroit plays 14 games in 13 days.  Still scratching my head over this though.
• Clete Thomas homers and saves a run (and ends a tough inning) with a rocket throw home.  This from a guy who wasn’t allowed to play in the field or throw until mid March?  Pretty solid.

Other baseball thoughts:

• No Peavy in Chicago.  Not sure it would have been a great move for the White Sox, but Peavy is a great pitcher.  I think Chicago is an aging team and I don’t know if giving up prospects would be a great idea.
• Bud Selig talked about the state of the league.  Detroit’s attendance is down 30%.  Going into the year, Detroit trimmed their payroll by about 10%; uh… Go Wings.
• Jayson Stark talks how the interleague schedule isn’t fair, and the players don’t like it anyway.  I agree, unless Detroit can play at AT&T park every year.  The way these guys are pitching right now, I’d LOVE to watch a matchup between Verlander and Lincecum, followed by Edwin Jackson vs Matt Cain.