Tiger Geist

Blah.  I watched a good portion of the games this weekend (including every pitch Sunday) and I think the results basically speak for themselves.  Its hard to discuss too much, but I did feel like the team looked tired Sunday.  On the first batter in the 5th, 6th, and 6th innings, Dontrelle looked exhausted, even though he battled back each inning to pitch decently.

Thoughts over the weekend series:

• Detroit had a chance to win each game, even going into the late innings.  That’s a good thing.
• Colorado really had no business winning that series, however.
• Dontrelle didn’t throw a lot of first-pitch strikes.  Its (probably) important that Detroit have a left handed starter against some of the Central division left handed studs, but they’ll eat him alive if he can’t get ahead in the count.
• Gerald Laird has looked awful.  I wonder if the Tigers are going to have to make a move for a better hitting backup catcher; that seems like a weak-spot on the team that could be upgraded on the cheap.
• When Jeff Larish walks up to the plate to pinch hit, stands there to watch the opposing manager change pitchers, and has Leyland call him back… what’s next for him?  Cigarette break?  Do the players high five him and go “nice job man, in it to win it!”?  Such an odd way to be included in the box score.  With the way Laird is hitting, I’d have stuck with Larish there anyway.
• Speaking of Larish, does he look more like a Ray Liotta of “field of dreams” or the Ray Liotta of “Godfellas”?  I think its more the Henry Hill.
• Zach Miner hasn’t pitched in a week.  Even with some off-time after his long stint against Oakland… seems odd.  Or maybe it seems odd if Jim Leyland liked him.
• Detroit’s batting average leaders, with at least 4 plate appearances:  Miguel Cabrera, Ramon Santiago, Adam Everett.  When they’re slumping a little, its nice to do that when you’re in the division lead.
• Its a long way off, but it will be interesting to see how the Tigers round out their playoff roster in August, and again how they use their expanded bench in September.  Based on the speed and defense of guys in Toledo (some of which are currently filling out the active roster in Detroit), you could see a lot more pinch-runners and defensive substitutions then in previous years.
• You ever see that South Park, where Cartman gets sent away, and the boys start making fun of Clyde because, though he’s not fat, he’s the fattest of whose left of the boys?  Then, when Cartman returns, Clyde hugs Cartman in relief, since he is now relieved of his ‘local fat kid’ persona?  Do you wonder if, during warm-ups on Friday night, Jason Grilli walked over to Brandon Lyon and gave him a huge hug?

Overall thoughts:

• The Giants are looking for a bat, but don’t really want to trade prospects.  Detroit has some players they can have as long as you take their salary, but I doubt that SF is interested in another outfielder (Thames or Guillen).  Their issues with Pablo Sandoval’s elbow might escalate his move to first base, however.
• Actually, if Fred Lewis wasn’t left handed, a Lewis for Thames deal seems like a nice fit.
• It frustrates me that Detroit has NO ONE to send a team that is as anemic on offense as San Francisco is.  That might be indicitive of how the rest of the league sees the Detroit lineup (and contracts surrounding that lineup) not named Cabrera or Granderson… maybe even Inge.
• I’m starting to eat my words on Inge as well;  I bet SF would take him and maybe even give you Jonathan Sanchez and Detroit wouldn’t do it.  Would you make that move?
• Its a tough sell for Tiger games during the Red Wings playoffs.  Based on the extra home game revenue, I wonder if Mike Illitch txt’d Mike Babcock on Friday night, saying “you know, I’m ok with you guys going five”…