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Around SBN: The Worst Team Ever Projected?

Scalped and Split: Indians 9, Tigers 4

How have the Tigers become to back-up catchers what spinach is to Popeye?  Last night, Kelly Shoppach knocked five extra base hits, something only eight other players in the history of baseball have done.  Today, Sal Fasano - Clu Haywood mustache and all - swung a big bat, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

It wasn't the biggest bat in the Indians' lineup today, however.  Grady Sizemore hit his second three-run homer of the series, part of a four-RBI day for the one shining star left in the Tribe's beleaguered lineup.  But I can handle getting beaten by the guys who are supposed to beat you.  Sure, I'd rather Tigers pitchers get them out.  But this is what star players do.  Sometimes, their guy is better than your guy.  37-year-old journeyman catchers don't often fit that description, though.

For the second straight start, Justin Verlander wasn't very good, giving up six runs in 5 2/3 innings.  But what really chapped Jim Leyland this time around was Verlander's lack of control and poor pitch selection.  Hitting Fasano and walking Asdrubal Cabrera made Sizemore's home run more damaging than it had to be.

“He’s got the No. 9 hitter up and Grady Sizemore on deck and he throws him a 3-2 breaking ball,” Leyland said.  “That’s not acceptable.  I don’t have a problem with the home run, but what happened before that was not excusable.”

With a few exceptions (Armando Galarraga, Casey Fossum, Bobby Seay), it feels like Leyland's words could be applied to his entire pitching staff during this four-game series.  Clay Rapada was only due for a one-game stay with the big league club, but pouring gasoline all over Verlander's fire with three runs, three hits and two walks in just 1 2/3 innings might ensure he doesn't see Detroit again until September.  He's just the latest example of how the Tigers aren't pitching well enough to get where they want to be.

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have been a perfect summary of the season. Pitching has done this team in. Bullpen, starters (or the loss of starters), the ace having bad games at bad times, selection, execution, and on and on.

However, I do think we can put away all the “no heart, these guys don’t care nonsense”. These guys are professionals, and some of them lunatic professionals. A team that quits would never have won last night. However, they were undone by their own makeup today. JV had one bad inning, and that was the killer.

by rook34 on Jul 31, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions  

Weekend of Death

Tigers get the Rays. White Sox get the Royals. Twins get the Indians. This is either a weekend where they prove they are contenders, or simply fall out of contention.

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 31, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions  

but it's followed by the week of potential revival?

Aren’t the white sox next on the schedule after the Rays?

Anyway, here’s hoping I have a good fantasy baseball weekend, with David Dejesus and John Buck leading the way….

by ahtrap on Aug 1, 2008 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions  

We need to sweep Tampa. If not, that’s pretty much it.

gumtime.mlblogs.com

by Tony K on Aug 1, 2008 12:08 AM EDT reply actions  

How does that guy still fit in his uniform? seriously…The clu haywood comparison was terrific..dead on

by PBURGTIGER on Aug 1, 2008 9:18 AM EDT reply actions  

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