They won't say it, but you get that feeling.
Staying up until 3am in the morning to watch the Tigers lose to the A's 4-2 last night was, well, let's just say it wasn't the result I was hoping for. Kenny Rogers pitched a very solid game, albeit for a 5th inning which ended up killing him, (3 runs, capped by Rajai Davis' two run single.) You get the impression that the Tigers are done. Well, I certainly do. I hope not. I'd like to believe that they have more fight in them. That if they looked at the standings and saw that they're 8 1/2 off first place in the Central, that they'd see take it upon themselves personally to try and turn things around. But in a world where $20 million a year contracts are becoming the norm, and guys like Manny Ramirez can practically walk to first base on a grounder, instead of showing the game the respect it deserves and at least running! (hey, I'm not asking for a Michael Johnson sprint down the line, playing 100+ games with very few days off has to give you your aches and pains, but when you're making more money in a day than most make in a year, you'd like to see some effort...)
The Tigers still have a shot. Nothings done yet. A couple of good series and this can get turned around again. But all year long the Tigers seemed to have failed to click. If it's not one thing, it's another. If the starters are doing well, the offense dies. Or Cabrera and Ordonez come alive (like they have recently), then the bullpen blows it. Oh how things were so much different when the Tigers were the underdogs in 2006. If only things had stayed the same. I still don't agree with the Sheffield trade, and (yes I know it's easy to critise with hindsight and all) I was never a fan of the Cabrera/Willis trade at the time.
But things aren't all bleak. Armando Galaraga was probably the steal of the offseason if you're not counting Carlos Quentin of the White Sox. Matt Joyce has shown he can more than hit up here. Cabrera, after an expected adjustment, looks like he's becoming more comfortable. Both in the AL and at first base.
And there's hope on the horizon in the minors too. Take a trip down to Class A Lakeland. Rick Porcello is pitching like he could be the real deal. Duane Below has taken his minor league pitcher of the year status from West Michigan and moved it up a notch. And then there's Wilkin Ramirez at Double A Erie. And Brent Clevlen's having his best minor league season. Ryan Strieby's broken the single season home run record for Lakeland in the Florida State League with 28. And then there's Casey Fien , who's 2.96 ERA in 40 games has propelled the young righty to Toledo. And you've just got to take a look at the fact that 2008 first rounder Ryan Perry is pitching in A Ball at Lakeland, after signing in July. Add in that 11th rounder Brandon Douglas has already had a stint with West Michigan, and things are certainly looking up!
Even if the Tigers don't show any signs of making it, i'll still be watching, especially come 1st September when rosters expand and we might get a quick look at the future of the Tigers, some of which who might be taking on a full time role with the big club come 2009.
The Tigers still have a shot. Nothings done yet. A couple of good series and this can get turned around again. But all year long the Tigers seemed to have failed to click. If it's not one thing, it's another. If the starters are doing well, the offense dies. Or Cabrera and Ordonez come alive (like they have recently), then the bullpen blows it. Oh how things were so much different when the Tigers were the underdogs in 2006. If only things had stayed the same. I still don't agree with the Sheffield trade, and (yes I know it's easy to critise with hindsight and all) I was never a fan of the Cabrera/Willis trade at the time.
But things aren't all bleak. Armando Galaraga was probably the steal of the offseason if you're not counting Carlos Quentin of the White Sox. Matt Joyce has shown he can more than hit up here. Cabrera, after an expected adjustment, looks like he's becoming more comfortable. Both in the AL and at first base.
And there's hope on the horizon in the minors too. Take a trip down to Class A Lakeland. Rick Porcello is pitching like he could be the real deal. Duane Below has taken his minor league pitcher of the year status from West Michigan and moved it up a notch. And then there's Wilkin Ramirez at Double A Erie. And Brent Clevlen's having his best minor league season. Ryan Strieby's broken the single season home run record for Lakeland in the Florida State League with 28. And then there's Casey Fien , who's 2.96 ERA in 40 games has propelled the young righty to Toledo. And you've just got to take a look at the fact that 2008 first rounder Ryan Perry is pitching in A Ball at Lakeland, after signing in July. Add in that 11th rounder Brandon Douglas has already had a stint with West Michigan, and things are certainly looking up!
Even if the Tigers don't show any signs of making it, i'll still be watching, especially come 1st September when rosters expand and we might get a quick look at the future of the Tigers, some of which who might be taking on a full time role with the big club come 2009.
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