It's a series! Fister steps up big, Tigers belt 3 homers, Rangers rocked in 5-2 loss
by BigAl on Oct 12, 2011 12:00 AM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
Email
Print
KEY STAT
Doug Fister: 7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 102 pitches, 74 for strikes.
The stat line does not reflect just how well Fister pitched. 4 of the hits allowed were of the seeing eye/broken bat/pure luck variety, and the 2nd run scored after he was pulled for Joaquin Benoit in the 8th Tigers fans at Comerica knew they witnessed one Hell of a performance, and gave Fister a much deserved standing ovation as he left the field.
With a fried pen, a stagnant offense and a fanbase on the verge of imploding, the Tigers wanted...no, NEEDED, Fister to pitch well and go deep into the game. He did, and may have saved the Tigers' season in the process.
Jim Leyland put it succinctly in the post game presser: "Fister put on a clinic."
KEY PLAYS
Victor Martinez's solo home run to open the bottom of the 4th inning, tying the game at 1-1.
Miguel Cabrera's 2 out, RBI 5th inning double, giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
Jhonny Peralta's solo home run on the first pitch of the 6th inning, pushing the lead to 3-1.
Cabrera's solo home run in the 7th, a moonshot deep in the left field seats, giving the Tigers a 5-1 advantage.
The 3-4-6 hitters were 5-10, with 3 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R. What a difference a productive middle of the order can make in what looked like a lost cause, huh?
KEY THOUGHTS
We have a playoff series!
Austin Jackson burst out of a post season slump with 3 hits, an RBI and run scored. He may not be a true lead off man, and I wouldn't mind seeing him move down the order in 2012...but as he goes, so goes the Tigers offense.
There was plenty of drama around Martinez's home run. As soon as he swung, you could tell he was injured...well, more than he already is, anyway. Once in the dugout, Martinez threw his helmet in frustration, and went straight to the clubhouse. Cue every Tigers fan thinking the worst. FOX reported he suffered this season's most fashionable injury, a strained oblique. But Martinez gutted his way through the rest of the game. Just keep your fingers crossed Victor can play in the remainder of the series.
Will Martinez play? Via @FreepTigers:
Victor Martinez: "I will play tomorrow unless I am dead when I wake up."
With Delmon Young being scratched from the starting lineup, and Martinez possibly suffering from the same injury, I suggest everyone check their obliques. You just never know.
Alex Avila is visibly hurting and badly struggling at the plate. In the 5th, with the game still in doubt, the Rangers were trying to rally. Fister bounced a pitch in front of the plate. Avila smothered the ball, then threw out Yorvit Torrealba trying to steal. There was no rally. This kind of defensive play is why you can't take Avila out of the lineup.
As well as Don Kelly has played for the Tigers in the post season, he should not be batting behind Martinez. After a 5th inning Martinez walk loaded the bases with 2 out, Kelly had an awful at bat. He ended the inning on a weak dribbler to 3rd, all but over matched at the plate. As if to drive the point home, batting behind Kelly, Peralta led off the 6th by drilling a liner over the left field wall. What could have been...
Andy Dirks had his first hit since September 26th, a single in the 6th, knocking Rangers' starter Colby Lewis out of the game. He stole 2nd, and scored on Jackson's single. Dirks actually manufactured a run. I did not see that coming.
Early on, the fans at Comerica were quiet and ready to turn on the Tigers. Frustration continued to rise after the Tigers couldn't score with 2 on and 1 out in the 2nd. Even Cabrera was booed after meekly grounding out in the 3rd inning. But by the end of the game, the crowd was into the game, the noise getting close to the insanity we heard at Ford Field during the Lions' victory. I expect Comerica to be absolutely rocking tomorrow afternoon.
The FOX broadcast featured the return of noted gasbag Tim McCarver. The entire nation immediately missed substitute color man Terry Francona. Why? No one had a good swing against Fister in the early innings, yet McCarver had the gall to say, "The pitches weren't good enough" after he allowed a few seeing eye hits. Later in the game, McCarver claimed the Peralta trade opened up SS for Asdrubal Cabrera in Cleveland. McCarver either didn't know or completely forgot Peralta was a full time 3rd baseman for the Tribe when the Tigers traded for him. The night was filled with McCarver spewing such tripe.
Joe Buck and Tim McCarver: The broadcast version of Hell on Earth.
If the Tigers are going to come back and win the ALCS, 2 things need to happen. The middle of the order has to produce, and the Tigers' offense has to punish the Rangers' starting pitching before they can get to their lights out bullpen. For the first time in the series, the Tigers did both.
It's a quick turnaround, thanks to MLB's infinite wisdom and their tendency to put TV contracts ahead of fans. Wednesday's first pitch is scheduled for 4:19 PM.
After Monday's painful loss, I know many of you were venting, letting loose with gloom and doom, saying the season was over. Please remember one thing. 1 win or loss does not a series make. It takes 4 wins to advance.
This series is far from over.
102 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Right now (key modifier), Fister is our best pitcher
Verlander hasn’t been the dominant force of destruction that he was in the regular season while Fister has continued to be rock solid in the postseason. If this series goes to a Game 7, I’m glad it will be Fister on the mound with the season on the line.
by Rob Rogacki on Oct 12, 2011 12:08 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Two Of His Starts Have Been Rain Delays' And/Or Postponed
If this won’t throw a pitcher off his game, what will?
In his only non-rain game, he went 8 innings giving up 4 earned runs against the Yankees, walking 3 batters & striking out 11. What more can you ask for from any pitcher against the Yankees on 2 days rest. Even though he only pitched 1 inning, he was still throwing to keep stretched out durring the rain delay.
by TigersFan1957 on Oct 12, 2011 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
And hopefully this means that JV will be back to normal on Thursday
Until then, Fister has been our best pitcher. He was fantastic last night and was also amazing in Game 5, giving up just 1 run to that same Yankees lineup in 5 innings. I’m not blasting JV at all, just stating that Fister has been better through a series and a half.
Verlanders First Start Against Texas
He pitched 4 innings before the rains fell. Again he gave up 3 earned runs, struck out 5, gave up 5 hits, and walked 2. He was not on his game, but look at the weather conditions, field & batters he was facing.
Not as good as we expect but not bad considering.
by TigersFan1957 on Oct 12, 2011 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Now we need the GOOD Ricky.....
Porcello has to pitch like he did in relief the other night. At the least we get the ball to Verlander (at home to boot). Should head back to Texas up 3-2, so long as the hitters keep it up. Oh, and PLEEEEZ Leyland…… drop Donnie Darko-Kelly back down in the order (or at #2) and NOT in the 5 hole!
by EriePATigersFan on Oct 12, 2011 12:10 AM EDT reply actions
If Porcello pitches like he did in relief the other night
we’re in very good hands. His sinker looked like a baseball made of lead. From the eye test, it hasn’t looked like that since September of ’09.
by Rob Rogacki on Oct 12, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
He seemed to be throwing that sinker a little faster too
At about 92 I thought
Wondering if he looked good
because he knew it was a short outing and let it go a bit. Like Max the other night, he knew he had a short outing and perhaps “let it go” without worrying about having six more innings in front of him.
Baseball: It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart.
by House by the Side of the Road on Oct 12, 2011 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions
WHEW
Nice to see the bats actually do something finally. I hope that everyone can just relax a little bit more now and get a win tomorrow afternoon to even the series up.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
Just got back from the game in the right field bleachers
1.) The crowd was definitely frustrated to start. Everyone hated everything.
2.) Everyone lightened up a bit when an ‘AJ sucks’ chant was started. Pierzynski was nice about it though and it was all in good nature. He gave the crowd a wave then asked them if they could get louder.
3.) Austin had a very good game and it’s good to see the extra base power return for the likes of Cabrera, Martinez, and Peralta.
4.) Fister is unstoppable and the Fister chant accompanied by the emphasized fist pump is equally unstoppable.
5.) Tomorrows game is huge but that’s nothing new. Really every game we play from here on out is the biggest game of the year.
bleachers are fun :)
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
I don't know why
everyone’s so upset with AJ. Yeah, we have bad blood during the regular season, but the guy’s in OUR corner, where that dipstick Karros has the Rangers in 6. AJ knows what the Tigers have, and he seems to actually admire them. Isn’t he a FA after this season? How about getting him to back up Avila?
by EriePATigersFan on Oct 12, 2011 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
It wasn't really done out of any malice.
Really just the acknowledgment of his presence. What do you want Tiger fans to chant?
AJ’s a real great guy and I would love the Tigers to sign you to be backup next year?
Huh?
AJ’s a real great guy
AJ Pierzynski? That AJ? Is a “great guy”?
by Big Z in Orlando on Oct 12, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Because we already have Martinez to back him up
However, I would like that idea if we needed a backup catcher. Seeing him on Fox has actually made me like him more (which isn’t saying much). He’s knowledgeable and seems to have fun with how stupid Eric Karros is. I would hope that he would be on our side of the fence after all the beatdowns we laid on Chicago this year.
I agree
AJ even said a few nice words about the Tigers, which is more than what some negative Tiger fans have said all year.
So I’m much more of a fan of AJ’s now and have a dislike of the any of the Tiger fans that were booing during the game. Tiger fans that boo our very own team make me sick.
by Keith-Allen on Oct 12, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Will be nice to see Verlander on 4 days rest.
Not 5, not 3, but his normal 4 days. That’s when he’s been dominant.
by jri on Oct 12, 2011 12:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Bless You Boys!!! Great game, lets keep it up tomorrow. GOOOO TIGERS!!!!
by tigers84roar06 on Oct 12, 2011 12:47 AM EDT reply actions
Probly. hopefully they won't be needed the next day.
I'm Trill, I'm running w/ the WOLVES
by running with Twolves (and scissors) on Oct 12, 2011 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions
When Leyland was asked that question today, his one-word response was "Playoffs."
So, yeah.
"Virtually all tactical ploys—the sacrifice bunt, the stolen base, the hit-and-run—operate on average to reduce run scoring." -- Eric Walker
Waking up dead would really suck
all up to Kid Rick now.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
There's no way to wake up dead.
Somebody tell Victor. I don’t think he understands how death works.
"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz
"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching
Contributor, Bless You Boys
That song haunts my dreams
In a good way.
"I believe in a good kick in the ass. This— I believe. " -- Walker Percy
I tweet about stuff sometimes @jackhitts.
i want to start a blog
walk-up metrics. sabr stats based on walk-up artist/genre
Indie rock:
.000
"I believe in a good kick in the ass. This— I believe. " -- Walker Percy
I tweet about stuff sometimes @jackhitts.
That's all three slash splits
"I believe in a good kick in the ass. This— I believe. " -- Walker Percy
I tweet about stuff sometimes @jackhitts.
The Undertaker has died like 500 times
Yet he wakes up dead every time. I refuse to believe what you say.
by Jacob30 on Oct 12, 2011 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know David
Haven’t you had students who show up to class dead? I do, all the time. Though you may have a better classroom presence than I do.
BADASS
Victor Martinez: “I will play tomorrow unless I am dead when I wake up.”
by patthepat on Oct 12, 2011 1:25 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Tigers Go Siegfried & Roy On Rangers
Napoli's 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th homers of the year (four more than Jeff Mathis' career total) rained down on Angel Stadium like knives from the ceiling.
Note that . . .
. . .dying over breakfast won’t stop Victor—he promised!
(There’s a whole horror movie plot here, if anyone wants to pitch to Hollywood)
anyone still think Ajax should be benched?
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
just curious, what are our options (even for next year) if Ajax doesnt lead off
genuinely interested, cause i just dont see anyone who fits really (the big offseason acquisition illitch talked about?)
We don't have a good leadoff option in the organization now
I would assume that if Jackson’s not there next year, it will be someone new to the organization. Jose Reyes will certainly get lots of chatter from fans in November and December, but I have no idea how realistic this is. (Although, if Peralta were willing to move to 3B or 2B, it would really help the organization next year and for years to come.)
Other needs (3B and 2B) don’t really have anyone on the free agent market that I would see as an upgrade over Jackson in the leadoff spot. Trades are hard to forecast, but trading for the right 2B could yield a leadoff hitter. I doubt a 3B would be a leadoff candidate, even if we traded for one that’s not on the radar.
I’m not sure how the organization feels about our OF headed into next season. They might be capable with Young, Jackson, Boesch, and Raburn. If we do sign somebody here, there are two free agents I think we should look at. Coco Crisp would be a better leadoff option than Jackson, IMO, and David DeJesus would make a good #2 hitter (I think he’s even be a better option than Jackson at #1, but he doesn’t have the speed that most look for in the #1 spot). However, if Jackson ends up at #9, I like the idea of DeJesus batting after Jackson the rest of the game. Sadly, I don’t see the team signing either of these two unless they trade one of the four guys already in the mix. Young probably doesn’t have much trade value, but we might find a taker for Raburn or Boesch.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
might find a taker for Boesch?
I’d think quite a few teams would be interested in him
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
You're probably right
I’m betting a lot of teams would be interested, but I’m not sure what we could get for him. That’s a tough decision because the kid could turn into a true lefty slugger or he could always be a player that is prone to long slumps. If we give up on him and he fixes his inconsistencies, we’ll be kicking ourselves. We don’t seem to have many OF prospects that would be able to fill the hole after next year (when both Young and Raburn might be gone.)
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Melky Cabrera
Plays better LF than Delmon, hit 18 HR’s this year in a park that favors pitchers more than Comerica does, more speed, and has the added bonus of not having him kill us for 18 games a year.
If we could get him on a 2 year/$12 million deal, that would be my target. An outfield of Melky/Jax/Boesch is pretty solid defensively, with Dirks/Kelly available for defensive replacement.
I'm not sold on the Melk Man
I think he’s a buy-high candidate. This year was the only time that he’s had an OPS of .800+. You’re much more likely to get .600+ than .800+. He’s also not a terribly good baserunner. He gets a few steals, but is thrown out a lot too. Leyland probably wouldn’t run him much.
Other than the glove, I don’t think he’s a better candidate than Young, but we have leverage with Young because he’s team controlled next year. We aren’t in a bidding war on a buy-high player.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Even I'd question DD if he traded AJax or Boesch
They are still young, provide payroll flexibility, and have some upside. We also won the division by 15 games, so I really don’t think the starting roster needs much of an overhaul.
Just replace the obvious, Magglio and Guillen, and we should be set for another good playoff run.
by Keith-Allen on Oct 12, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Still need a #1 hitter...
…if you want any success in the playoffs. And just b/c we won the division by 15 this year doesn’t mean we can stand pat. KC is young and will be getting better next year. Minnesota won’t have 24 people on the DL and Cleveland will be better than they were this year.
I’m not suggesting trading either AJax of Boesch, but we do need OBP (you’re fav) people at the top of the lineup for Cabrera/Martinez, so standing pat won’t be the best option.
Baseball is like a poker game, nobody wants to quit when he's losing: nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead. ~Jackie Robinson
by LittleLeagueTiger on Oct 12, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I never said that we should stand pat.
I said “I really don’t think the starting roster needs much of an overhaul”. I’m all for improving the team. I just don’t think we need dismantle the roster much. At the minimum we’ll add a few bats to replace the departing Magglio and Guillen. That alone could be huge.
OBP isn’t my fav. I’d much prefer batting average and speed in the top spot over a slow footed OBP guy. But aggressive speedy contact hitters like Ichiro don’t grow on trees. AJax is the nearest thing we have to it.
I’m also a believer that any line-up can work if there is a sound strategy behind it. We had the 4th best offense in the AL only behind NY, Boston, and Texas. So Leyland’s line-up strategy worked rather well despite not having any top OBP guys in front of Cabrera.
by Keith-Allen on Oct 12, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not calling AJax a contact hitter either
I know he strikes out a lot.
by Keith-Allen on Oct 12, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
What a lift!
I’m sure everyone feels much better right now. If we can get a win from the boys this afternoon, this series is tied and becomes a best-of-3 where we have Verlander, Max, and Fister. I would feel very good after a win today. Since we’re pouring Kool-Aid today, here’s a nice stat line (Warning: If you are easily irritated by SSS, than skip to the next post).
Matt Harrison vs. Tigers this year: 10.0 IP, 17H, 5BB, 6.30ERA.
Matt Harrison vs. Tigers (career): 31.1 IP, 47H, 19BB, 6.89ERA.
Let’s hope our lineup doesn’t feature too many guys from the end of our bench.
Meanwhile, Porcello has two career starts against Texas. He looked great this year (6IP, 6H, 1BB, 1.50ERA). Last season….well, um….I can’t find stats on that game. The interweb must have censored the filth.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
As big a game as this was for Fister, it will be bigger today for Porcello
… a win today and we have Verlander in game 5 and we could easily head back to TX up 3-2 and just needing a split… which we are MORE than capable of.
A loss and well… you know… down 3-1 and needing to win 3 in a row, with 2 in TX.
Today’s game will define the series even more.
TurfShowTimes editor and don't forget to check out our Rams Breakdowns on YouTube
From here on out
Every game is probably the biggest of the season
So here I am stuck in the Virtual waiting room trying to get WS tickets.
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 12, 2011 10:03 AM EDT reply actions
I'm with you in that virtual waiting room
And I keep picturing it as the doctor’s waiting room from the Beatlejuice movie for some reason
I do not think there are any tickets, I think they just want to see how long ppl were stare at their browers.
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 12, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
i stared at it pretty much for the entirety of a 1.5 hour class
and i’m still going. time flies.
Going to games 4 n 5
Been to 4 games this year and won all 4 so let’s keep it going
by toledo tiger on Oct 12, 2011 10:07 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Really want to go to game 5
but way too expensive would like to do standing room but $75 is too much.
Stubhub is your friend
Wife got infield box for today’s game for $40ish/ticket.
"Virtually all tactical ploys—the sacrifice bunt, the stolen base, the hit-and-run—operate on average to reduce run scoring." -- Eric Walker
not yet
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 12, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
YES! I got 2 for game 5!
My dad and I went to game 3 of the ALDS and had the time of our lives. So I bought two WS tickets for his birthday that’s in about a week, can’t wait to go!
President of the Tony Scheffler Fan Club
nice!
I’m still waiting
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 12, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
3 tickets to all three games
wanted SRO but that sold out fast…ended up with sec 335 for gm 1
then sec 140 and sec 112 for game 2 and 3, respectively.
total damage, 9 tickets, $2,400. yowzers.
I'm still in the virtual waiting room
I wanted to get SRO also
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 12, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Well,
I got in. I could not get two seats together. Would’ve had to buy single tickets to the tune of $324.10 each. Way out of my price range.
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 12, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Ya i eventually got in
but then realized i am a poor college student and the cheapest was $275 for a single ticket.
same here
got in, but no SRO available huh?
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
can't even buy one even if I wanted too
I’m in, but keep getting the same message: Tickets are no longer available in the quantity you requested in this section at this time.
And that was for 1 ticket best available?
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
So far...
Verlander with an other-wordly regular season = McLain and Doug Fister is fast becoming our Mickey Lolich.
Bury my heart at Michigan & Trumbull...
That was a fun win
I’d call the run support adequate, and Fister was great. I’m still waiting for a true offensive outburst – we’re the only team in the playoffs who hasn’t scored more than 5 runs in a game this post-season.
Hopefully we’ll build on last night and give Porcello plenty of run support today. Maybe our lineup is just too beat up to produce the way they did in the regular season, but I’m still hoping we have an 8-10 run game in us at some point.
As far as next year goes, it’s obvious some athleticism would help both on the bases and defensively. If we can find a guy with a high OBP for the outfield and another with a good glove at 3rd or short, I think that would improve things greatly (I’m assuming Peralta could switch back to 3rd if we can find a better SS option than 3B option).
by TheCrestedHelm on Oct 12, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions
Wow. Interesting stat.
Only team not to score over 5 runs in a game?? We’re freakin due man. Our lineup can hit, no doubt. We just have to have “that game” where it all comes together. Last night was a great start. Let’s hope the boys continue that hitting this afternoon.
Go Tigers!!
Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Fight!
by Brand New Hero on Oct 12, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Strange but true
Texas has scored 8 and 7 (though the 7 included a grand slam in extra innings). Tampa Bay scored 9 and 6 in the NLDS. The Yankees scored 10 and 9. Philly only had one game that exceeded 5 runs (11 runs). Milwaukee has scored 9, 9 and 6 in a loss against Arizona. Arizona scored 9 and 8 in the NLDS. Saint Louis scored 12 the other night, 6 in their first game against Milwaukee, and 6 in a game against the Phillies. So we are literally the only team other than Philly who has had fewer than two 6+ run games. We’ve had two more cracks at it than them and still haven’t even gotten to 6 runs, much less multiple games with 6 or more.
by TheCrestedHelm on Oct 12, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Excuse me, but would anyone who suggested that Avila be taken out of the line up please raise their hand?
Come on, even the dumbest fan would not think of doing that.
"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."
Then you haven't been listening to sports talk radio in Detroit
Callers = marching morons on parade
I'm owner/editor of The Wayne Fontes Experience a deputy editor at Bless You Boys, host the Bless You Boys Podcast and co-host The Knee Jerks podcast.
I listened before the game Yesterday for a little while
It was unreal how many callers there were that were quitting on the team. Saying that we going to be swept and that we had no chance of winning a game. What freaking idiots.
by Keith-Allen on Oct 12, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I was in Edmonton over the weekend and thankfully they don't get Detroit radio up there.
They do get the TV stations though.
As for the ignoramuses [ignoramii?] that make such suggestions demands, is it too much to ask for the hosts to mock and scorn them?
"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."
If VMart couldn't play
I would of DH Avila, but there is no way he should be leaving the starting line-up.
by Keith-Allen on Oct 12, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
There is no reason to DH Avila
He’s in the lineup right now because of his defense.
by Rob Rogacki on Oct 12, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Who would you Dh, if not VMart?
Probably not Santiago, AJax, Inge, Kelly, Betemit, Worth, Dirks, or Santos. I don’t know what the word is on Delmon Young, if he can hit or not. Not many other choices really. That only leaves Raburn, Peralta, and Cabrera, but why would we ever DH them if they can play in the field? Avila’s bat at DH is probably the best option we have, plus it gives his knee’s a much needed rest.
Avila's bat is 2 for 29 in the postseason
Meanwhile, Avila’s glove is arguably the most valuable defensive asset we have. I would DH any of the above listed before I DH Avila. And if you didn’t notice after his home run, it’s not exactly like Martinez’s knee is doing so hot either. If Delmon can’t hack it, stick Dirks or Kelly in RF and don’t mess with anything else.
by Rob Rogacki on Oct 12, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
no reason to DH him. That takes away the best quality (his defense) while leaving his slumping bat in the lineup.
If you’re going to pull his defense, you might as well just plug Santos into the lineup straight-up (assuming VMart can’t catch with his muscle strain)
Seriously?
You actually have no confidence in Avila’s bat? After the season he had? WOW.
He's hurt somehow
They’re not talking about it, but there’s something going on with the lower body and it seems to be affecting his AB’s. I wouldn’t play him at DH either and it’s not lack of confidence; it’s understanding that he’s not right physically.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
I know he's hurt
That’s why it seems like he’d be better suited at DH, than at catcher. It would give his knees some rest. Maybe then he’ll start hitting. Santos can catch.
Most importantly, this is only If VMART can’t play at DH.
Where have YOU been?
We’re in the third week of the playoffs and Avila has 2 hits. TWO.
His “bat” isn’t the reason he’s playing at this point. Omir Santos is a much better option offensively at this point.
by Big Z in Orlando on Oct 12, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
That's still better than Betemit's 0-9
I’m not giving up on Avila after only 30 AB’s . Just glad the decision is up to Leyland and not anyone here.
Your optimism is commendable
I’ll give you that.
Your view of what constitutes a reasonable sample size in the playoffs seems more in line with Jim Leyland’s. In that regard, I’m not surprised you prefer his “sink or swim with what we’ve got” attitude.
What others are saying is simply this: Avila’s bat is a non-factor at this point. If he picks up, if he doesn’t… he’s going to play. But it’s his DEFENSE that is making him valuable at this point, not his bat. Hoping for him to turn it around when he appears hurt and tired seems to be wishful thinking.
If he weren’t hurt or tired, I would agree with you. This may just be a regular old slump. But the injury/workload issue seem to indicate he may not come out of this slump until February 2012.
by Big Z in Orlando on Oct 12, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
And Betemit
Doesn’t seem a likely candidate to get any more AB’s in this series, if at all this year. This basically supports my argument that if you aren’t hitting, you’re in the lineup for your defense (if you have any).
by Big Z in Orlando on Oct 12, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
What makes no sense to me is why you want to DH him
You’re taking away the only part of his game that is going well right now for what reason?
Right now? Nope
But I have confidence in his glove, which is pretty much the same thing in this situation. If you want to take away one of the best defensive catchers in the game for no reason whatsoever, be my guest.
You know how dumb the average sports radio caller is?
Half of them are dumber than that.
(Yes, I know the difference between median and average. It’s a joke, not a prob and stats class.)
"Virtually all tactical ploys—the sacrifice bunt, the stolen base, the hit-and-run—operate on average to reduce run scoring." -- Eric Walker
by johnmoz on Oct 12, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
A classic Carlin joke.
One of my favourites actually.
"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."
Point
AJax is hitting .286 for the LCS.
#whata3-for-5gamedoesinashortseries
Fister sure earned his contract last night
I’d be less than surprised if he didn’t become several fans’ Tiger of choice too
You mean the pro-rated amount of $436,500?
We are absolutely stealing Doug Fister. Counting regular season and post-season, Fister has won 10 games for the team. I’m guessing those 10 wins cost less than 200,000 total. I’m pretty sure you won’t find a better deal anywhere.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bless You Boys
Related FanShots on Bless You Boys
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
