Do the Tigers Need to Clinch Before Sunday?
by Ian Casselberry on Oct 2, 2009 12:45 PM EDT
in News
36 comments
Last night on "Baseball Tonight," Buck Showalter expressed his belief that the Detroit Tigers needed to win the AL Central before Sunday, so they wouldn't have to use Justin Verlander for the season finale.
The basis of Showalter's argument was that Verlander pitching on Sunday means he wouldn't be available to pitch Game 1 of the American League Division Series against C.C. Sabathia. Game 1 will be either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on which schedule the New York Yankees choose.
Verlander would be able to get his customary four days of rest and pitch Game 2. But if the Yankees opt to begin the series on Wednesday, with a day off on Thursday, that would give the Game 1 pitcher a chance to start two games.
It's presumed that the Yankees would go for the longer series, allowing them to pitch Sabathia in Game 4, if needed, and avoid having to use Joba Chamberlain. But if they wanted to avoid facing Verlander twice, choosing the shorter series would take care of that.
(Many seem to believe the Yankees aren't looking at it that way. If they think pitching Sabathia twice gives them the best shot to win, that's what they'll do.)
So it's not like the Tigers don't already have enough pressure on them this weekend. They need to win two games to assure themselves the AL Central title. (I know many in Tiger Town think Zack Greinke is an automatic to beat the Twins tomorrow, which would reduce Detroit's burden to one, but if this season has taught us anything, it's that nothing has been that simple.) But should they have a bigger picture in mind?
Or is worrying about Sunday not even an issue? (In which case, the previous 270 words were a waste for both me and you. Thanks for reading!) Obviously, the Tigers have to concern themselves with making the playoffs first. Don't put the cart before the horse, as Jim Leyland might say.
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I think our chances against the Yankees would be boosted greatly
If Verlander doesn’t have to pitch Sunday. But of course, if we haven’t clinched by then he HAS to pitch.
Let’s just take care of this tonight, eh?
by rcpratt on Oct 2, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
At this point
The only thing we can do is take it one game at a time. Using Verlander on Sunday assumes that he is needed because we haven’t won the division yet. Of course, it’s probably just as harmful to assume that we will have things wrapped up by then. So let’s assume that we don’t know what will happen over the final three games and we’ll worry about it all as it comes!
by baum on Oct 2, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm surprised JV hasn't convinced leyland
that he can do 9 innings on Sunday and another 9 on Wednesday. he probably could, anyway. haha
by allikazoo on Oct 2, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I just hope
we can stick it to Ozzie and the Sox and close this thing up tonight. I don’t want to spend all Saturday at work checking back to make sure we are still in it.
by Tw3ek on Oct 2, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
One day at a time.
we’ll worry about Sunday on Sunday. Today is Friday. There’s alot of shit that can still hit the fan and we have yet to side step that shit yet.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
by madpoopz on Oct 2, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I should let you write the GameThread preview.
by Ian Casselberry on Oct 2, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
should I throw I "shit" in there for good measure?
and I have to work anyways. =(. you guys will have to enjoy the game without me again.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
by madpoopz on Oct 2, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said.
A lot of people are acting as though this thing is wrapped up. It isn’t.
by PDXTiger on Oct 2, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the season is on the line on Sunday, pitch Verlander
All the hewing and hawing over the playoffs matchup won’t mean a damn thing if the Tiegrs don’t make it to the playoffs.
Be nice if the team could make it a moot point before that, though.
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by ahtrap on Oct 2, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We could pitch Porcello
Provided the worst thing that would happen would be a tie.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Oct 2, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Porcello makes more sense for the 1-game playoff.
Since it would be advantageous to have Verlander ready for the 1st or 2nd game, while Porcello is only going to start one game in the ALDS anyways. I think.
by rcpratt on Oct 2, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just a thought...
Could JV possibly pitch saturday on short rest? i know its not ideal for someone who just threw 129 pitches, but if he goes saturday he could still easily pitch game 1 if it is thursday, or game 2 which would be friday and then be ready to go again if necessary wednesday the 14th for game 5. Either way, he pitches twice in the ALDS.
by Ohio Tiger on Oct 2, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I could see that
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Oct 2, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If JV doesn't have to pitch Sunday, He might come out in game 1 a little too rested???
Tammy
by VegasTigers on Oct 2, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
here's what I think happens
if the Tigers do us all a favor and clinch it early enough, Verlander will pitch 2-3 innings Sunday just to get his work in.
by MackAveKurt on Oct 2, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sufficient . . .
. . . unto the day is the evil thereof, as the bible says :)
by rea on Oct 2, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
and the White Sox are evil
So that works perfectly.
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
by Baroque on Oct 2, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is simple in my mind...I dont see why no one else sees it..including leyland
JV is the ace, he is the guy you want in do or die time and pitching twice in the Yankees series..IF: the division is not clinched by Sunday its not do or die..Do or die is Tuesday in the metrodome. I dont care if you pitch Joe Smo who has pitched all year in Toledo (aka Albert Figaro) you take your chances at home…and if you lose then you have Verlander on Tuesaday with the whole season on the line in the metrodome..and you take what you get in the playoffs…But if you win the division on Sunday with Joe Smo then Verlander is still available for Game 1 against the Yankees…
by PBURGTIGER on Oct 2, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I very much disagree.
Chances of winning on Sunday would be much greater, it doesn’t matter if it’s do-or-die or not. Both days would be do-and-you’re-in. Porcello is a fine plan for Tuesday. I kind of expect Verlander to go in game 1 of the ALDS whether or not he pitches on Sunday.
by rcpratt on Oct 2, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
huff back in lineup tonight.
I have no idea why.
by rook34 on Oct 2, 2009 4:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Porcello is a fine plan for Tuesday??
A rookie pitcher who hasnt pitched more then 95 pitches 7-8 innings if he is lucky….you would want Porcello at the metrodome with the entire season on the line? not me..I would rather have your 18 game winner on the mound who can throw 130 pitches when it really matters…and as far as pitching Sunday and game 1…that wont happen the schedules are Wednesday or Thursday game 1 he is not going to pitch on 2 or 3 days rest??
by PBURGTIGER on Oct 2, 2009 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It really matters on Sunday just as much as Tuesday.
And it would be an easier game to win. It really doesn’t matter which way JV and Rick pitch on Sunday/Tuesday, but Sunday gives JV more rest before the playoffs.
by rcpratt on Oct 2, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Playing for the loss . . .
Yeah, Miinesota is better than Chicago, so I’d rather go all out to win in Sunday, than to plan for a playoff. I’d would infinitely prefer, however, for them to clinch on Saturday or (dare I hope) Friday.
by rea on Oct 2, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
McClendon and Bondo are suspended for 3 games
by allikazoo on Oct 2, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And Mijares walks away with nothing?
That makes no sense whatsoever.
by NCDee on Oct 2, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
could be worse.
Could have been Laird. Or Leyland.
by rook34 on Oct 2, 2009 5:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
In this league, you are rewarded for being bad.
Inability to hit your target (Everett) clearly warrants less of a punishment.
by rcpratt on Oct 2, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mijares got fined $750
Almost worse than no punishment at all. I agree that he shouldn’t get off for piss poor accuracy.
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 2, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No big deal
Slap on the wrist. It’s not like Lloyd missing a game is a big deal and Bonderman isn’t Bobby Seay, Fernando Rodney or Brandon Lyon.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Oct 2, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it really isn't a big deal, as john said
the real problem is not the suspensions. those were letter of the law required by MLB rules.
It was the umpire causing the situation, and the umpire’s premature warning after the Twins repeatedly came inside (and behind the back) of Tigers.
It’s still BS, but it’s institutional rather than targeted.
by MackAveKurt on Oct 2, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It'd be nice, there's no doubt
I have a bit of bias though. I have tickets to game 4, so I’d freak if I saw Verlander/Sabathia.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Oct 2, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
sunday
means nothing if we win the next two games. its a shame we have to work this weekend cuz tigers should have clinched thrusday but cant think about tht now. win the next two games and they r in with a lot of confidence. those twins dont give up i will give them tht.
by David7 on Oct 2, 2009 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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