Lunchtime Prowl: D-Train's Pitching, Huff the RBI Man, Smoltz Talk, and Reviewing Comerica Park
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 19, 2009 12:30 PM EDT
in News
62 comments
As it turns out, Dontrelle Willis will be making a rehab start tonight for Triple-A Toledo, after all. Willis was originally scheduled to pitch Monday, but that was pushed back due to a sore hip. He was initially scratched for tonight, as well, but it appears he got the "all clear" sign from the doctors.
In today's Freep, Jo-Ann Barnas looks at Willis's effort to get back. Tonight will be his first pitching appearance since June 14, when he was put back on the DL for anxiety disorder.
Over at Tiger Tales, Lee analyzes the popular notion that Aubrey Huff is "a RBI man." Does he really seem to focus more or hit better with men on base? And between him and Miguel Cabrera, which should be expected to drive more runs in from here on out?
Dave Dombrowski says some in the Tigers' organization believe that left field could be Huff's best position, according to Tom Gage. However, he hasn't played the outfield since 2006. Huff himself says he's most comfortable at first base or DH, but that's also where he's played most recently. How does he feel about possibly playing outfield at Comerica Park?
"It's been a while since I've played the outfield. I'm going to take some fly balls and see how it goes. But I don't think I've ever played in an outfield like this -- lot of ground to cover."
Here's another "Huff-ington post": (That's just not going to catch on, is it? Sorry, Billfer.) After taking another day to think about it, Fire Jim Leyland thinks acquiring Huff was "a move just to make a move."
Mike wrote more about the deal for Beyond the Box Score, comparing the trade to Dave Dombrowski rearranging furniture in his basement.
Did you catch Terry Foster spreading a rumor on Facebook that Dombrowski and John Smoltz had lunch over the weekend? Foster added an update today, saying the Tigers offered Smoltz a bullpen role, but the Cardinals are offering a starting pitching job, and that's what he'd prefer.
I'm skeptical, though Dombrowski did shoot down any possible interest to Jon Paul Morosi. Smoltz had also been attached to rumors with the Marlins, Rangers, and Dodgers. It's a moot point, however, as it looks like he'll be going to St. Louis.
Baseball America published its annual managers' survey, ranking the top three players in a variety of categories (best power, best change-up, etc.). MASN.com's Roch Kubatko posted the list, and several Tigers came out favorably.
Mack Avenue Tigers has a profile of pitcher Zach Simons, who could be the next reliever called up to Detroit for bullpen help. Simons has split time between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo this year, compiling a 3-2 record, 2.61 ERA, and three saves in 37 games. He's struck out 59 batters and walked 23 in 62 innings.
(Love that Asheville Tourists hat in his roster photo!)
One of the writers at Royals Review took a trip to Comerica Park over the weekend, and liked what he saw. I think I agree with most everything RoyalsRetro said in his review, especially regarding the scoreboard.
Sticking with the Royals, there's some disagreement in the K.C. blogosphere over the decision to demote Alex Gordon to the minors. Royals Review thinks this is the type of move that a bad team makes, demoting a player to delay his service time and subsequent free agency. Sam Mellinger believes, however, that this was all about Gordon's performance. Fangraphs' R.J. Anderson comes down somewhere in the middle.
And let's end on a laugh, shall we? Did Brett Favre come out of "retirement" to sign with the Minnesota Vikings... or the Minnesota Twins? The Dugout tries to figure out what's going on in Favre's head. Good luck with that.
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How is Inge not in the top 3 in Defensive 3B?
THEY KNOW NOTHING!
All managers are stupid except Leyland.
He didn’t get it, because he got the best infield arm, but it doesn’t matter, he should be best defensive too.
by ZWC11 on Aug 19, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was kind of thinking the same thing
I thought Inge would at least have a good shot at a Gold Glove this year, but with those results, I’m not so sure anymore. Is he really that unnoticed?
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think the issue
is that sometimes he has some bad errors. but the problem with that is, he’s getting to balls no other third baseman should be getting to! some of his charges to take away infield hits are stupendous!
I Like Pie
by mrsunshine on Aug 19, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Using the Same Methods as the Elias Sports Bureau I Project Huff .300+ 6HR+ 16RBI+
Huff will hit anywhere from .300-.350 with 6-10 Homeruns and 16-30 RbI’s the rest of the season. I took his AB history from this year average/game/team. The +/- is due to the small number of AB against teams like the Twins. I did not take into account the stadium differential, which is significant if you watched last nights game. Huff hit a ball to the left ceterfield gap that was caught. In Camden Yard it may have reached the seats or at least the wall.
by Marcmargolis on Aug 19, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that edition of the dugout
is probably my favorite of this year, behind the joel zumaya one.
by allikazoo on Aug 19, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tiger finalists for the Hank Aaron Award
are Curtis, Binge and Miggy. You can only vote for one at mlb.com, and you can only vote once a day. The award is for best overall hitting performance.
I voted for Miggy. Curtis and Brandon got to be All-Stars. And besides, Miggy deserves the recognition.
by NCDee on Aug 19, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank you for the link, Alli.
I voted for Biggy today and I will do it again tomorrow, until they will no longer let me cast it, I will vote.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 19, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what I'm going to do too...
After all, Inge has started to drop a little in hitting, while Cabrera has only done better.
by ZWC11 on Aug 19, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
KC vs CWS
on now. only feed available is the chicago one. UGH
by allikazoo on Aug 19, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Faced with the choice between Hawk and the iPod app...
I think I’ll take the iPod app for now
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't think it would be possible to replace DJ with someone more annoying.
But they managed to do it.
by StringTheory on Aug 19, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
KC got a one-out single
And then Billy Butler GIDP
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Zack Greinke has had problems against the White Sox in his career, hasn't he?
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He's not exactly sparkling so far this afternoon.
Baseball is a strange and wonderful game.
by NCDee on Aug 19, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meanwhile Contreras hasn't had many problems against the Royals so far
But usually his issues start up in the fourth inning or so, so stay tuned.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No!
The Royals keep grounding into double plays.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agreed
he’s gonna be trouble for a long time methinks
I Like Pie
by mrsunshine on Aug 19, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no one hits solo bombs...
Like the sox. Zach doesn’t look sharp, though.
by rook34 on Aug 19, 2009 2:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
None of this matters ^
Tigers are taking this one tonight
by Tagne13 on Aug 19, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Looks like David DeJesus has homered
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it IS the fourth inning
time for jose to get pulled
I Like Pie
by mrsunshine on Aug 19, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
can someone help me find a stat
our bullpen’s current ERA for the year?
by allikazoo on Aug 19, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
According to the Press Pass section of the official website
The bullpen’s ERA is currently 4.06
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh I had no idea it'd be on the notes
duh. thank you
by allikazoo on Aug 19, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The starters' ERA is 4.18
I thought it’d be lower than that
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
does that include bonderman and dontrelle's?
cause if it didn’t…
I Like Pie
by mrsunshine on Aug 19, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
It would include anyone who has made a start for the Tigers
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Willie Bloomquist had a 12-pitch at-bat and struck out
Anticlimactic
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
quentin HR
greinke had that one coming
by allikazoo on Aug 19, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Excellent.
They’re saying Freddy Garcia will get a couple more starts.
by StringTheory on Aug 19, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is it just me, or is Greinke going to a LOT of 3-ball counts today?
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jose Contreras has struck out seven so far
WTF?
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I kind of wish I was in Toledo
So I could cheer on Dontrelle. I love that guy.
by 13194013 on Aug 19, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm in Toledo
But I have to work tonight
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 19, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
D-train
I legit love this guy. He’s Shakespearean in scope and his arc is fascinating. I stood and applauded when he beat Texas — though I knew in my heart it was fleeting.
I hope on some awful, random day in late September he can reach into his very soul, push the sun back up into the sky, and give us all one more day of summer….
by Flying J on Aug 19, 2009 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think he flew too close to the sun.
Hopefully his wax wings have a tiny spark of life left in them.
by 13194013 on Aug 19, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lineups out
Granderson cf, Polanco 2b, Guillen lf, Cabrera 1b, Huff dh, Ordonez rf, Inge 3b, Laird c, Santiago ss, Verlander p.
by allikazoo on Aug 19, 2009 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can Guillen even throw the ball?
Last night, Grandy took a fly that was more Guillen’s ball, so he could throw it to the plate.
Tammy
by VegasTigers on Aug 19, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
these idiot rick porcello groupies keep commenting on my photos of him
that i put on flickr. and now one is trying to argue with me over whether last night was a “quality start”. /facehat
by allikazoo on Aug 19, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hah
That’s hilarious.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 19, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rick didn't go 6 innings so it can't be a quality start if I remember right.
Darn groupis!
by 13194013 on Aug 19, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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