OK: we can’t hit.  so let’s reset the team for defensive play.

Left field: Matt Joyce
Center field: Grandy
Right Field: Maggs
3b: Inge/Guillen
SS: Santiago
2b: Poly
1b: Hessman
DH Guillen
c Pudge/Inge

across the board Tigers’ starting pitchers are down in the dump. who has a common affect on the whole staff?  the pitching coach.  take a hike buddy

looks like it

what does it take to fix it?

STOP LIVING IN THE PAST

The Pitching Staff is doing fine, in spite of all the complaining.

and no, you CANNOT expect your starter to go 7.  5, more likely and Max = 100 pitches.  when control starts to slip time to call in help

Defense wins games.  at 3d base, in left field and all around.

Inge should be at 3b.

and guess what: Santiago may be better at SS

2b Poly of course, and 1b Cab

CF Grandy, and RF Mags, let Matt Joyce play LF.  we need a LF with capability like Grandy let’s see if Matt can step into that role

Guillen is DH then and Sheffy, well, a coaching job might open up

let’s see how Galarragia does against Boston, he might just be the guy to step in for Kenny.

but it’s time to start putting some thought into the line up

Ya wanna win ya gotta play like ya wanna win.  and of late the Tigers’ play can only be described as lackadaisical.

ya wanna play that way fine I got better things to do

you can’t live in the past

Garragio replaces Willis and Cruceta replaces Rogers

and the new line up
Inge LF
Grandy CF
Mags RF
Santiago 3b
Renteria SS
Poly 2b
Cab 1b
Pudge c
Guillen DH

and Hessman replaces Sheffy

It ain’t the same old baseball it was when we was kids.  the game has been skrunched to appease the immediate action crowd that can’t go even 1 minute without their adrenalin hit.

it ain’t right

but at’s the way it is.  low mound, DH, tight strike zone, you know the routine.  and it all adds up to wrecking the game of baseball: the pitcher is asked to throw batting practice so the action gang can always have at least 1 ball in the air at all times.

that ain’t baseball

and it ain’t baseball to have to yank the pitcher after 5 innings because he’s already thrown 100 pitches dead over the plate for the picky hitters to pick over, foul off and slam out over the scoreboard

well, there ain’t nothin’ i can do about it.  ‘cept gripe a little.  guess that’s why we have blogs these days.  that’s All Good

but it’s time to start looking at using 2 starters/game @ 4 innings each, + closer.  either that or plan on the bullpen pitching innings 6-9 every night.  it’s the way it is

but it ain’t the way it Should Be

So, our Tigers up against the Halos which are one of a number of very good baseball clubs around the league.

and it’s really good to be getting some much needed run support.

but the thing that has to draw attention is Galarraga.   no hit the Halos into the 6th?  yep.

impressive ain’t really the right word, get this man a spot in the starting rotation.

the contest vs. the Halos will be a test. not only of players but of the will to win.  we have to pressure their hitters.  challenge them. an we have to pressure their pitching. challenge them

one of us will break

Leyland is doing the right things with the line up. mostly.  I’m real worried about Sheffy, and about Kenny.  I keep checking the roster to see if Sheffy is on the DL; if we have pulled Hessman in.  And who is going to give up a spot so Gallaraggia can take on a starting pitching assignment

Jim, I do believe you have the ball!

Is it time for Kenny to take a spot in the Bullpen?  It seems pretty clear we need to put Galaragga into the starting rotation, the question at and seems to be which spot: Willis, or Rogers?  Willis for now obviously.