Tigers Vs. Rangers

m23uza1hem36 · Post #1 » by **m23uza1hem36** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:07 am

We won the first game, bullpen still blows.

Post #2 » by **Snakebites** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:26 am

As questionable as the starting pitching as been, I shudder to think how much trouble it would be in without Galarraga.

Liqourish · Post #3 » by **Liqourish** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:49 am

Our young guys (including Cabrera) have really been the only bright spot this season.

Galarraga has been outstanding. Clete Thomas was playing quite well for us everytime he's been called up. Joyce has been very solid. Cabrera didn't start too hot but he's been heating up post all-star game and looks like he's finally comfortable in the AL.

This new relief pitcher, Glover, looks decent as well. I really would have liked to see him close out the game last night.

This is a little hope glimpse of a bright future, especially if Raburn/Santiago stick with the team.

My ideal 2009 lineup:

CF: Curtis Granderson
2B: Placido Polanco
DH: Magglio Ordonez
1B: Miguel Cabrera
3B: Carlos Guillen
LF: Matt Joyce
RF: Clete Thomas
Cc: Brandon Inge
SS: Ramon Santiago

m23uza1hem36 · Post #4 » by **m23uza1hem36** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:20 pm

^^

That's a solid lineup, but what do you guys make of the possibility of us trading Maggs?

Anyway, pretty nasty, we can only score 1 run against the Rangers...

Post #5 » by **Snakebites** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:05 pm

Liqourish wrote:Our young guys (including Cabrera) have really been the only bright spot this season.

Galarraga has been outstanding. Clete Thomas was playing quite well for us everytime he's been called up. Joyce has been very solid. Cabrera didn't start too hot but he's been heating up post all-star game and looks like he's finally comfortable in the AL.

This new relief pitcher, Glover, looks decent as well. I really would have liked to see him close out the game last night.

This is a little hope glimpse of a bright future, especially if Raburn/Santiago stick with the team.

My ideal 2009 lineup:

CF: Curtis Granderson
2B: Placido Polanco
DH: Magglio Ordonez
1B: Miguel Cabrera
3B: Carlos Guillen
LF: Matt Joyce
RF: Clete Thomas
Cc: Brandon Inge
SS: Ramon Santiago

Sad thing is, that could be our lineup now if Leyland would just let go of Sheff and Edgar. I guess he's sentimental about those two because they were part of his World Series run with the Marlins.

Man, I wish we could get a do-over on that Renteria trade. Jurrjens would be better than a lot of guys we have right now on the mound, and at 22 he could have some real upside.

I always thought Santiago was a decent player. He certainly wasn't so bad that it warrented dealing a good pitching prospect to get an upgrade at the position (even if Edgar had been that this year).

Oh well. I was suckered in by the big names the Tigers got in the offseason just like the team and the media was. I guess we are reaping the whirlwind, now.

Hopefully next season will pan out differently.

And yeah, one run against the Rangers is terrible. This team knows how to hit, but reletive to their overall abilities I don't know if I've ever seen a team so inept at stringing hits together consistently.

Liqourish · Post #6 » by **Liqourish** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:02 am

Well I basically got my lineup last night (sans Clete) and they did good. Almost my exactly lineup too... LMAO. Sheffield got fanned twice and Maggs didn't get a hit but we were in good position until Rodney gave up 2 runs in the 9th and almost blew the save.

IMO, Santiago is a better defender at this point than Renteria. Obviously Renteria plays more so it's all relative. He also is better at the plate. I'm not going to lie, I loved Renteria hitting the grand slams this year, but Ramon has been more consistent and thats what we need.

What does everyone think about Robertson going to the bullpen? I'm glad that he'll be out of the starting rotation, but I'm fearful of how Hernandez is going to "fix" him. Also, Leyland said there is "no, no, no, no, no way" Willis will be placed in the starting lineup because he's struggling in the minors. Do you think they'll call up Garcia this soon?

Post #7 » by **Snakebites** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:43 pm

^We've got two guys in the pen right now who have started at some level (Lopez and Fossum).

Both are pretty unattractive options (Fossom particularly makes me want to vomit), but I'd bet one of those will round out the rotation.

Already looking forward to next season....

And I completely agree about Renteria/Santiago. Edgar's offense isn't the only thing that seems to go to hell when he plays in the AL.

Liqourish · Post #8 » by **Liqourish** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:08 pm

Tigers called up 25 yr old righty Chris Lambert to pitch Tuesday in Robertsons place. He was 12-8 with a 3.50 era in Toledo. Let's see what he's got.

I like Lopez but Fossum makes me nervous everytime he enters a game. Although he's not the only one. Seems the only guys I don't worry about from the pen are Lopez, Seay and Glover at this point.

Last offseason DD took care of the bats. This offseason, I'd like to see him solely focus on fixing the pitching.