May 28, 2008

  • Did I Do Something Wrong?

    You know, I could readily just copy and paste yesterday’s post, switch out a couple names, and make it today’s post, and you probably wouldn’t notice anything. Bonderman was terrific, and I really wanted for him to stay in for the complete-game effort. I understand Leyland’s logic in taking him out of the game when he did, but I’m starting to question Cruceta’s ability to be a setup man. I mean, he’s got good stuff, but there’s been a whole lot of situations in which he has not been able to protect leads or ties. And as for Aquilino Lopez? Well, that’s why you should not walk people, especially not guys who are batting under .200 and guys who are 3 for their last 30 or something like that.

     

    Well, at least they didn’t get shut out this time, but the offense still sucked. Still, there was no problem with stranding baserunners. Literally. The team left-on-base was zero. Magglio singled ahead of the Cabrera home run. Brandon Inge later singled, but was erased on a fielder’s choice by Granderson, who was subsequently caught stealing and no one walked. Other than that, well, with only three hits it’s difficult to recognize general trends among the others, but Matt Joyce striking out four times had to hurt. It appears that the “honeymoon period” of being thrown lots of fastballs is over and now he’s gonna have to make the adjustment.

     

    Even with the absent offense, I felt like last night was a winnable game, but now they’re back in the position of trying to avoid being swept. Armando Galarraga was not that good his last time out. It could’ve been just one of those nights, or it could’ve been because the Twins had seen him before. I suppose we’ll put that second theory to the test tonight, because the Angels have also seen him before. But no more walks. That goes for both Galarraga AND the bullpen. Meanwhile, Joe Saunders will start for the Angels. He’s left-handed, but his pitching has been outstanding this year and he’s got one of the best ERAs in the league, so he may actually be the toughest challenge of the three pitchers the Angels have thrown at us. The lefty on the mound means that Leyland will NOT be starting the Tigers’ newest member, Jeff Larish (who came up with Sheffield went on the DL). Meanwhile, Guillen is suffering from a case of Too Much Information and so will likely DH again tonight, which means that Brandon Inge will likely play third base (which almost paid off last night, cuz he made a couple of real nice plays). In the meantime, I'd really like the Tigers to win tonight, because I sense that another kumbaya tactic is on the horizon, and honestly, I'd just as soon avoid it. At the very least, I get the feeling I may have at it again with Pudge and Cabrera.

     

    In Other News: I keep hearing an ice cream truck outside, and it's driving me nuts. It really shouldn't be, cuz I got a freezer full of Ben & Jerry's.