Where the Wild Things Are: Indians 8, Tigers 2

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 10, 2008 12:03 AM EDT in News Comment 8 comments

Dontrelle Willis's line from tonight's game really tells you all you need to know: 1 1/3 innings, eight runs, three hits, two home runs, and five walks.

I mean, you take a look at that and you know the Tigers didn't have a chance, right? They were done before their lineup even went to the plate. How many of you checked out of this game after that first inning? If your children watched the carnage with you, are you worried that they might have suffered long-term psychological damage? Hell, Jim Leyland will probably have nightmares tonight.

So how much of this D-Train Wreck is going on between his ears? Names like Steve Blass and Chuck Knoblauch, two guys who seemingly lost the ability or confidence to control where their throws were going, were being tossed about in the GameThread tonight. Mike McClary sent me a text message, saying this was the second coming of Rick Ankiel. Is that what's going on here? Or is it still an issue with Willis's mechanics?

The Tigers probably don't have any other choice but to keep sending Willis out there, if he's healthy. Especially now that Jeremy Bonderman is likely out for the rest of the season. But how many more times can they start a pitcher who effectively gives them no chance to win?

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Dontrelle always swung a pretty good stick in the NL

If he is the new Ankiel, is he destined to disappear for a few years and then reammerge as a power-hitting outfielder? And if that is his destiny, can he DH right now?

by Grant E. on Jun 10, 2008 12:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What time is it?

PORCELLO TIME!

Go Tigers

by Tony K on Jun 10, 2008 6:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That is so Bonine...

Eddie is 9-2 at Toledo with 46 K’s to 14 BB. A 1.29 whip…..why not give a shot at a start? Unfortunetly, if the L’s keep coming, we could probably see a lot of the Mud Hens playing this year….

by Zappatista on Jun 10, 2008 7:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Bonine

A few weeks ago, I would’ve been for calling him up, as well. But his last four starts or so haven’t been very good. But you pointed out his big strength – especially compared to Willis – he doesn’t walk anyone. Bonine’s numbers look like Paul Byrd’s: lots of hits, but very few walks. But at this point, it’s probably worth a shot.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 10, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m curious to see how this is handled. He’s certainly not going anywhere unless he agrees to it, so will Dontrelle be willing to accept a minor league assignment to work on straightening out his issues? Does he need to go see Zach Grienke’s shrink? Do you start stretching Miner out for a few spot starts or does Fossum get that job instead? Or does Leyland give Dontrelle another start against the Dodgers this weekend to try to get himself right?

by Jerkwheat on Jun 10, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Even if Leyland dares give Willis another start, they need to have someone else prepared to go 4-5 innings if/when Willis craps out by the second inning. And I just don’t know if you can run a pitching staff that way, even if it’s just for one night. If you have to tap out the bullpen because the starter couldn’t go five innings – and you know that’s going to happen – a lot of those relievers aren’t available the next day. And if the next day’s starter is having a bad day, he’ll likely just have to suck on it.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 10, 2008 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, unless Dontrelle agrees to be DFA, I just don’t see how he won’t be getting the ball Saturday against LA. Not enough time to get a reliever ready to go 5 in a spot start (maybe Fossum will be ready if he isn’t used much beyond a couple of innings in the next three days) and nobody to call up if you don’t have an arm to send down. I think we’re just gonna have to hope for the best here and hope Da Train can make something happen this weekend.

by Jerkwheat on Jun 10, 2008 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs