2011 AL Central Thread

[riffjim4069]

Just another amazing stat...this afternoon was Verlander's third game this year in which he took a no-no into the 8th inning. He would have joined Bob Feller, Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers to throw 3 no-hitters since 1900. Shame! Unfortunately, I don't think he can win the AL Central all by himself. Tigers need to find someone that doesn't allow 6 or more runs in that nightmarish 5th starting position.

In other action, the Red Sox defeat the White Sox in the battle of the foot undergarments. Tigers pickup a game on the 2nd and 3rd place teams.

 

[DetFan]

To me this "consistency" problem points its finger directly at the management team. At least they brought in Betemit to help.

My other concern, as you pointed-out the other day, is the fact only the Angels and Tigers have three (3) 10-game winners, yet the Angels are nearly 15-games above .500; given this stat it is hard to believe the Tigers' team pitching ranks 25th in the MLB. There are still too many substander pitchers on the staff. Unfortunately, it's too late to do anything about this situation. Of course, we should be sending some of these guys down to Toledo for some work and instruction.

Angels are 9 games over and 8 before Saturday's win. Speed in my opinion is the difference, well that and defense..they are better defensively and much faster than the tigers.

 

[Paul Wozniak]

Verlander screwed himself out of the no-no with his errors in the eighth. Either one would have gotten him out of the inning before the hit.
Nice trade for the Tigers in my opinion.
aso liking Guillen's return to the club also.

 

[riffjim4069]

The losing streak ends tonight Riff. How's everybody doing? Haven't been around here for quite awhile.

I'm doing well. Haven't seen you around here in a few months. Hopefully you're doing well.

 

[HD MM]

The losing streak ends tonight Riff. How's everybody doing? Haven't been around here for quite awhile.

Hey Pauly. Good to hear from you! Hope you and the fam are doing well.

 

[Jimbo]

Tigers need to move Jackson to the # 9 position, real soon and find someone to lead off.

 

[riffjim4069]

Tigers need to move Jackson to the # 9 position, real soon and find someone to lead off.

It's like you're reading my mind. I was going to ask if Jackson was going to return to the form he demonstrated back in April-June of last year, or if he is merely a .240 hitter? I'm beginning to think the later.

 

[Jimbo]

Tigers have now blown a 5-2 lead over Texas, another sterling performance by Scherzer, he'll NOT get the win, if they pull it out.

8th inning they bring in a reliever and he gives up a solo shot to Cruz, they bring in Benquit (s) and he promptly give up a 2 run shot to tie it.

Now we need a rally ... bottom of 8.

 

[riffjim4069]

Sherzer and Penny both have thing that's keeping them from being really good pitchers...giving up a big inning each game. I hope we don't let this one get away.

 

[Jimbo]

I hoped in the shower when Boesch was at bat, and... he hit one out.
Normally when I watch, they give up runs.

And now I see, the RAINS have come, and it's raining pretty good.

 

[Jimbo]

Rangers made it interesting in the rains.

A runner on with an error then a very close play at 1st, was called safe ... normally you would have expected it to be called out, but oh well, 2 on and two out thru the heart of the line up ... Valverde gets the last guy to pop up to LF and the Tigers win the first game of the series.

I was telling guys at work that I felt they would win 1 out of 3 in this series, hope I'm wrong.

 

[riffjim4069]

Thank goodness Boesch hit an HR and brought this one home - we made it far too interesting in the 8th and 9th innings. Hopefully we can pickup some ground on the Indians and Sox.

 

[Jimbo]

Thank goodness Boesch hit an HR and brought this one home - we made it far too interesting in the 8th and 9th innings. Hopefully we can pickup some ground on the Indians and Sox.

On the Sox for sure, they trail 6-0 in the 7th and it's raining.
Last I heard, Indians were leading 2-1, but I see the Red Sox have tied it up in the 7th.

Edit:
Red Sox pull thier game out with the Indians and the yanks beat the Wh Sox.
Tigers pick up a GAME on both !
They are 3 and 5.5 ahead now, the largest of the year.

 

[riffjim4069]

Well, it looks like the Tigers are going with Fister this evening. The guy has a decent ERA of 3.33 (a full run better than any starter other than Verlander) but compiled a dismal 3-12 record while with Seattle this season (6-14 last year). Offhand, I bet he's glad to be out of Seattle. I hope he pitches well because he could really help the team.

 

[HD MM]

You guys really need to start losing some games so we can start to gain on you in the standings!

 

[riffjim4069]

You guys really need to start losing some games so we can start to gain on you in the standings!

We lose plenty of games---we're 5-5 in the past 10---you guys just need to start winning.

 

[HD MM]

We lose plenty of games---we're 5-5 in the past 10---you guys just need to start winning.

Lol. Good point. Looking forward to our series together next week!

 

[DetFan]

Well, it looks like the Tigers are going with Fister this evening. The guy has a decent ERA of 3.33 (a full run better than any starter other than Verlander) but compiled a dismal 3-12 record while with Seattle this season (6-14 last year). Offhand, I bet he's glad to be out of Seattle. I hope he pitches well because he could really help the team.

He got zero run support in Seattle. Nice addition.

 

[riffjim4069]

He got zero run support in Seattle. Nice addition.

It's almost impossible to believe that his record was 3-12 given his ERA.

 

[Jimbo]

It's almost impossible to believe that his record was 3-12 given his ERA.

King Felix won the Cy Young a few years back (last ?) with a 13-12 record, thanks to the run support they get in Seattle.

Boy would he look GREAT in the "Olde English D" !!!!