Tiger Geist

Not exactly the tale of two games, but it was an interesting day of Tiger baseball.  Lots of random thoughts this evening:

• If Ryan Raburn is competent at first base, Detroit has found a way to fit in another power corner outfield bat, if they can find one.  Raburn fits into the new “speed and defense” mold and can provide some late inning defense or pinch-running if necessary that Jeff Larish can’t provide.  I’m not giving up on Larish yet, but 2009 may not be the year he helps the Tigers out.
• I think Bonderman spoiled his own return.  Doesn’t look like we’ll have an answer to the rotation quite yet.
• Zach Miner pitched only 2 innings tonight, throwing 21 pitches.  Not sure if this was a product of warming up so early in the game (getting the first call in the first inning) or if Leyland isn’t hopefully about Dontrelle’s start tomorrow.
• Jim Price is an awful play by play man.  I wouldn’t say the Tiger’s radio announcers are great to begin with, but listening to the nightcap (sans Dickerson) was downright painful.
• Were you aware that Jim Leyland didn’t know what he was going to get with Bonderman?  You would be aware of that if you were listening to the radio broadcast, where they mentioned that after every hard hit ball.  You may also be aware that there were a lot of hard hit balls off of Bonderman.  Do the math.
• Dane Sardinha is 30th of 32 american league catchers in caught stealing percentage (minimum 50 innings).   Gerald Laird is second.  There are many things that make a good catcher;  it just seems the areas that can actually be measured don’t sit in Sardinha’s favor.
• Compared to Matt Treanor, Dane Sardinha’s stats are an upgrade.  As a backup tandem, their numbers are downright awful.
• Gerald Laird reminds me of Ernie Sims;  he always seems to be getting nicked by a foul ball or a random flying bat and you’re always worried he’s injured.
• If Magglio’s arm isn’t great, why don’t they move him to left field?  He played left in the WBC (with Bobby Abreu playing right).  Maybe I’m missing something here.
• I was impressed by Galarraga battling to a high pitch count and keeping the bullpen rested;  he seemed to settle down pretty well after a long first inning.
• I like Bobby Seay blowing a pitch (unintentionally) by Jim Thome’s chin and then fighting back for the strikeout.
• Adam Everett is hitting over his head.  Not sure how much longer he can keep this up, but quite the surprise.

I was a huge Ryan Raburn fan.  One of my first posts was actually describing how Raburn should be the starting third baseman for Detroit in 2008, based on how Brandon Inge was overpaid and his stats plummeted in 2007.  Not my best work, and i’m guessing if Inge ever meets me he’ll punch me in the face.

Then, Raburn had a rough beginning to his 2009 stint with the Tigers.  I was done with him.

Yesterday’s game… Raburn brought me back.

I’m happy Thames got two hits, I’m glad the rest of the team hit well, I love Clete’s slam… but the game was Raburn’s.  For a guy who could be optioned back to Toledo at a moment’s notice (anyone else notice that we don’t have a true backup first baseman?), Raburn pulled out a gutsy play at the plate.  I re-watched it a few times last night, and I found it interesting that you can’t even see Gene Lamont motion to go home.  Raburn just takes off, and then a BEAUTIFUL slide.  Yes I love me some good sliding; i’m not a fan of the basic “lets try to kill the guy at the plate” deal, but what a slide!

To top it off, Raburn picks up a first baseman mitt and finishes the game for Cabrera (granted that happened earlier in the game).

I don’t know what will happen this evening;  I think Leyland is playing with fire by not giving Cabrera a few days off.  I’m surprised Raburn is still on the team with Thames’ return and Cabrera’s limp; its quite possible that Mike Hessman is sitting in Chicago right now in case he’s needed in the nightcap.  But to tie the game with 2 outs in the bottom of the eighth, Raburn goes from the shithouse to the penthouse.  Detroit needed a win.

UPDATE:

After the first game of the double header, call I can say is… Ryan Raburn is the most exciting Tiger when he’s on third base.  Granted, Josh Anderson is the most likely to attempt to steal home, but after the sign screw-up today, I’m never leaving the room if Raburn is on third.  I don’t know what happened, but when Sardinha swung away on an apparent squeeze play, Raburn had to go back to third, tag up, and then run home.  I can’t imagine the amount of fear generated when you’re running towards home and the batter doesn’t square around…