Answering Some Detroit Tigers Questions for NESN.com

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 2, 2009 3:00 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

With the Boston Red Sox set to begin a three-game series tonight in Detroit, Neil Keefe of NESN.com asked if I could answer some questions about the Tigers for their "Opposing Thoughts" series. And he came up with some good ones that had me searching for answers.

Topics include Placido Polanco's slow start, expectations for Dontrelle Willis, Justin Verlander's revival, the unexpected success of Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello, Magglio Ordonez's power (or lack thereof), and the Tigers' keys to winning this series.

You can read the full article here. I'd be curious how you guys would've answered the same questions.

Thanks to Neil for looking me up. Answering those questions was fun (and a little more difficult, in some cases, than I anticipated). Check out his work at NESN.com.

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Comments

I'd be a lot more concerned about Papi's struggles...

than Magglio’s if I were them.

I agree with everything you said though (especially about Verlander benefitting from a vastly improved defense behind him). I definitely think Jackson has been more of a surprise than Porcello. We all knew Porcello was going to be a stud (although not necessarily this early) but I think most people considered Jackson to be a bit of a question mark.

by Tagne13 on Jun 2, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

Your responses came of as rational and well thought out

I would have answered them exactly the opposite. I would have insulted their clam chowdah eating mothahs, then asked a question of my own. How you like dem apples?

Chet Lemon for the HOF

by YakAttack on Jun 2, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

*off

Chet Lemon for the HOF

by YakAttack on Jun 2, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

My gut is that

we may not see the .300+ BA version of Polanco again. Just seems like when a player is so reliant on hand-eye coordination to consistently put the ball in play, they’re bound to suffer as they hit the backside of 30 and reflexes/eyesight start to deteriorate just a bit.

His walk rate is really down from his career levels, so the decline in OBP is all BA.

Cheer for The Only Colors: Green and White!

by KJ@theonlycolors on Jun 2, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions