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Sunday, August 30, 2009

Detroit News | Jim Leyland holding his breath as roster expansion date nears

He didn’t correct himself. But he wanted it clearly understood what he was talking about.

“We’re treading water, but getting closer,” manager Jim Leyland said before Saturday’s game.

Getting closer to ... ?

Finishing first, perhaps?

There’s no way Leyland would allow himself to look that far ahead—and even if he did, he wouldn’t say out loud what he might be thinking to himself on the matter.

Getting closer to what, then?

To getting through to roster expansion time with 11 pitchers—something Leyland didn’t anticipate happening when he trimmed the staff down from 12 pitchers nearly two weeks ago.

“I’m talking about getting closer to Sept. 1, when we get extra pitching,” Leyland said.

Make no mistake, Leyland prefers a 12-man pitching staff. But when the Tigers acquired Aubrey Huff on Aug. 17, they made room by optioning pitcher Eddie Bonine to Toledo.

The Tigers seem to be getting remarkably little attention for a division-leading team heading down the stretch, doncha think?

Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM | 22 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: tigers

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1. RMc is the loyal supporter of the MLB event Posted: August 30, 2009 at 03:28 PM (#3309091)

The Tigers seem to be getting remarkably little attention for a division-leading team heading down the stretch, doncha think?

1) They play in Detroit.
2) They're in easily the weakest division in MLB.
3) They play in Detroit.
4) They don't have any big stars, no A-Rods or Halladays.
5) They play in Detroit.
6) Nobody really believes they have a chance of taking down the Yankees/Red Sox/Angels, even if they do make the playoffs.
7) Did I mention they play in Detroit? Which is nowhere near New York?

2. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: August 30, 2009 at 03:46 PM (#3309099)

They have no offense. (Well, not literally none; Miguel Cabrera qualifies as offense.)

3. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: August 30, 2009 at 06:16 PM (#3309185)

7) Did I mention they play in Detroit? Which is nowhere near New York?

And this they should be very, very glad. Because if they played in a place near New York, or Boston or Los Angeles they would be just slightly better than .500 team playing out the string, like Seattle. But they're in the Central, so they'll get a playoff trip out of it.

And once there, they might beat NY or Boston or LA, and good for them if they do it.

4. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: August 30, 2009 at 06:32 PM (#3309190)

Other than Cabrera, is there anyone in the everyday lineup who isn't underachieving at some level offensively? Ordonez, Polanco, Guillen, Laird. Granderson's OBP is .339.

Even given a weak division, Leyland, Cabrera and Verlander deserve a lot of credit for where they've carried this team.

At least we don't have to watch Kenny Rogers become some lovely story of craftiness this time around, making the Tigers a lot more rootable team in the post-season. Porcello and Jackson are huge upgrades from a fan perspective.

5. RMc is the loyal supporter of the MLB event Posted: August 30, 2009 at 08:15 PM (#3309253)

Polanco hits a three-run HR in the 8th, Tigers win 4-3, yea! Verlander's 15th!

Dare I hope the Tigers will be this year's Team-O-Destiny (tm)?

6. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: August 30, 2009 at 08:16 PM (#3309255)

Dare I hope the Tigers will be this year's Team-O-Destiny (tm)

No, 2006 was, but they ###### that up.

7. Every Inge Counts Posted: August 30, 2009 at 10:11 PM (#3309308)

I really cannot believe that the Tigers have been in 1st place the second longest of all the division leaders (behind the Dodgers). It seems that every talking head seems to think it is a matter of "when" the White Sox or Twins pass the Tigers...I am beginning to wonder if that time will come, I hope it will not.

8. The Well-Tempered Javier Vasquez (loungehead) Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:22 PM (#3309337)

The Tigers have a 4.5 game lead on the second-place Twins, and that's the closest margin of any division right now. (It seems kind of weird that there are such substantial leads in all divisions; one of the great things about going into this season was that there didn't seem to be a clear runaway victor anywhere.) Of course, they also have the worst record of any of the division leaders by a fair margin, so it might be fair to say that they're in first by virtue of their division, not through the quality of their team.

I think Detroit's going to take it, personally, but I doubt they'll fare well in the postseason. Here's hoping, though, because football season's just about upon us, and a Tigers victory in the World Series would go a long way toward easing the pain that the Lions are going to once again inflict on this region.

9. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:28 PM (#3309340)

I think Detroit's going to take it, personally, but I doubt they'll fare well in the postseason.

Not to judge a team on its worst performance, but the White Sox were just ghastly this weekend. I can't see them catching anything. Maybe swine flu.

And you never know. Verlander and Jackson could sneak a win in a best-of-five.

10. Cowboy Popup Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:43 PM (#3309344)

4) They don't have any big stars, no A-Rods or Halladays.

I would think Cabrera counts as a big star. He's got 4 AS appearances and he's 26. Granderson has at least a couple of commercials going, I think he qualifies. And Verlander isn't a star yet but I bet he will be after this year when he finishes first in K's by about 40.

And you never know. Verlander and Jackson could sneak a win in a best-of-five.

Yeah, that front two is capable of taking on anyone else. No reason to count them out.

11. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM (#3309345)

Agree on the underachieving part, Verlander, Jackson and Cabs are carrying this team.

12. RMc is the loyal supporter of the MLB event Posted: August 31, 2009 at 12:10 AM (#3309353)

I would think Cabrera counts as a big star. He's got 4 AS appearances and he's 26. Granderson has at least a couple of commercials going, I think he qualifies. And Verlander isn't a star yet but I bet he will be after this year when he finishes first in K's by about 40.

Not if they keep playing for Detroit. I mean, Trammell and Whitaker were ignored for decades; Jack Morris and Kirk Gibson didn't get any national attention until they left the Tigers. Hell, people barely knew who Al Kaline was.

The Tigers' most recent true superstar? Probably Mark Fidrych.

13. Dr Stankus and the Semicolons Posted: August 31, 2009 at 12:15 AM (#3309355)

He should be careful, as I'm sure his lungs aren't up to holding his breath too long.

14. Every Inge Counts Posted: August 31, 2009 at 12:35 AM (#3309364)

I still can't believe Fernando Rodney is sitting at 29 for 30 in save opportunities.

15. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:28 AM (#3309381)

I was eight in 1990 and only vaguely knew anything about baseball. Alan Trammell was one of the people I knew was a huge star. Lou Whitaker, though - never heard of him until a decade later.

16. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:51 AM (#3309481)

Granderson is a huge star,

17. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: August 31, 2009 at 04:04 AM (#3309488)

He should be careful, as I'm sure his lungs aren't up to holding his breath too long.

Too soon.

Edit: Wait, you meant Leyland, didn't you...

18. Obama Bomaye Posted: August 31, 2009 at 04:13 AM (#3309492)

Trammell and Whitaker were ignored for decades; Jack Morris and Kirk Gibson didn't get any national attention until they left the Tigers. Hell, people barely knew who Al Kaline was.

Nonsense.

19. The Ghost, elitist lollygagging neck-stabber

Posted: August 31, 2009 at 04:57 AM (#3309507)

2) They're in easily the weakest division in MLB.
Yeah, probably true.
4) They don't have any big stars, no A-Rods or Halladays.
That does mean something, but sometimes doing well without big stars attracts notice in itself.
6) Nobody really believes they have a chance of taking down the Yankees/Red Sox/Angels, even if they do make the playoffs.
Now you're definitely talking.

20. Howie Menckel Posted: August 31, 2009 at 04:57 AM (#3309508)

"Hell, people barely knew who Al Kaline was."

I'm too old for the "e__c f__l" route, but geesh.

21. The Ghost, elitist lollygagging neck-stabber

Posted: August 31, 2009 at 05:20 AM (#3309510)

The Tigers seem to be getting remarkably little attention for a division-leading team heading down the stretch, doncha think?

Women would rather date this guy than go to Tigers games.

22. jwb Posted: August 31, 2009 at 02:34 PM (#3309656)

Denny McLain was a virtual unknown when he played for the Tigers.

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Detroit News | Jim Leyland holding his breath as roster expansion date nears

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