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Around SBN: How The Kings Beat The Coyotes: Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Granderson homer off Coke is game winner for Yankees

As Curtis Granderson could tell you, things go better with Phil Coke. Or something. Forgive me, you know how I dislike this writing recaps thing. The regular season is scheduled to go 162 games. Each game doesn't even count as 1% of the season. So searching for trends is a bit pointless.

Yankees 6, Tigers 3.

BOX

So this year I'm going to try a different format. And hey, with this one you can even play along in the comments section. So this might be better for all of us.

Key stat: The top three in the Tigers' batting order went 1-for-11 with four strikeouts and no walks. The middle of the batting order can't drive home what was never on base to begin with.

Key play: Granderson broke the 3-3 tie with a home run off Phil Coke in the seventh.

Key thoughts:

-- Allison had an excellent poppy seed bagel during the first inning. She told me to inform you guys of that.

-- The Tigers were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. This was nearly the key stat.

-- Alex Avila had a game we can only hope he forgets quickly. Three ugly strikeouts, five left on base, and three wild pitches that he didn't manage to snag.

-- Nice to see Jhonny Peralta get an RBI. He didn't have one the entire exhibition season. In fact, two of the three runs were driven in by the bottom third of the order. So that was good to see.

-- Justin Verlander may have an ERA of 4.50 after today's game, but if he pitches as well as he did today most times he takes the mound, that'll come down quick. Room for improvement? He didn't manage to put batters away too fast and went to a full count too many times. But let's remember: that's just what the Yankees do. So I'm not going to read into it, other than to note he has a history of needing more pitches than he should.

-- Brandon Inge's short-hopped throw to Miguel Cabrera was a costly error that led to a run, and it also led FSD analyst Rod Allen to note Cabrera was exhibiting pain in his right hand after the ball bounced off it.

-- The day off after opening day is the longest day of the year.

Your thoughts?

Comment 104 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Home teams should win home openers.

But not when playing against the Tigers!!

Glad the season has started.

Delaware Gary

by DelTigerFan on Mar 31, 2011 5:42 PM EDT reply actions  

I know it's only opening day, but....

Leyland’s an idiot. Why start Avila? Didn’t we just pay $50+ million for a switch hitting catcher?!? But noooooo, let’s use Martinez as a DH and start our left-handed hitting kid catcher against frigging CC Sabathia, one of the best southpaws in the game. Idiot. He’s a brown-toothed, Marlboro-stinking breathed idiot.

by Honeyman on Mar 31, 2011 5:49 PM EDT reply actions  

Said with affection, of course.

I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!

by 77bestrookieclassever on Mar 31, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Dog

Is that a cattle dog in the picture?

Tiger tweets @ www.twitter.com/explenture
An impatient optimist not a patient pessimist

by explenture on Mar 31, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nah...

That’s my mutt, Jack. I dunno what he is, but he sure ain’t a purebred. He’s got a lotta pit, maybe some dalmation and who knows what else.

But you’re not the only one who said that. people see him in the flesh and ask that.

by Honeyman on Mar 31, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

My thoughts exactly.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Mar 31, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thank you

"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Mar 31, 2011 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yep. Rec'd

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Mar 31, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

Apologize for the "idiot" call...

…you’re right, it was classless and uncalled for. I tend to type stream-of-consiousnessly. Won’t happen again.

But I will stand by my point. Martinez should have been behind the plate, Maggs the DH, Casper in right.

by Honeyman on Apr 1, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

But I will stand by my point. Martinez should have been behind the plate, Maggs the DH, Casper in right.

And that’s perfectly acceptable. I actually agree that Avila probably should have sat. I was just disagreeing with how you presented it. No harm done though.

by Rob Rogacki on Apr 1, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

I like the format

Something a little different.

Random thoughts- I liked Inge’s approach at the plate.
Agree with Jhonny getting his RBI after going RIBless in Lakeland
Concern about the team defense looms

Reports of the Yankers demise has been greatly exaggerated
They may have a weak back end of the rotation, but the lineup and bullpen are stacked

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Mar 31, 2011 5:50 PM EDT reply actions  

I picked Boston to win the WS, but...

I think the Yanks at least match up with Boston’s lineup, and outhit the Rays
I think the Yanks have a stronger bullpen than Boston and definitely the Rays (who could easily have done a better job of replacing the entire pen that they lost)
Boston has an AJ issue with Josh Beckett that is almost an identical problem, and Dice K is no stud lately, either. On paper, rotation is still the huge advantage to Boston, though. The Rays rotation is very strong, and finally, the Yanks figure to make a move once a few clubs fall out of contention. I’d almost bet on Jesus Montero being traded in a deal for a starting pitcher, an expensive one, around the break.

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Mar 31, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

I may have been guilty of underestimating NY

As you say, that lineup is nasty. Solid defense too.

I don’t know if I’m sold on the middle of their rotation though. This is a big year for Hughes and Burnett both – even with the success Hughes had last year, I could see those guys going either way.

On twitter @BisonMessink

by BisonMessink on Apr 1, 2011 2:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yep...the rotation is the question

I’m sure we’d be humming a different tune about the Yanks if we caught their #3,4,5 instead of 1,2,3. Of course, we will probably make Freddie Garcia look like an ace this year.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Apr 1, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

Fredie

Always kills us. At least he isn’t in our division.

On twitter @BisonMessink

by BisonMessink on Apr 1, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

Coke?

Kind of questionable to pitch coke in that key situation. He’s a starter this year why not let another reliever get that situation?

Tiger tweets @ www.twitter.com/explenture
An impatient optimist not a patient pessimist

by explenture on Mar 31, 2011 6:01 PM EDT reply actions  

Such as???

Realistically, the choices were Coke, Schlereth, and Perry. I’d have gone with Coke, especially with a big string of lefties coming up.

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Mar 31, 2011 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

It has in the past.

I’d have gone with Coke too, but then again, who wouldn’t want Coke?

I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!

by 77bestrookieclassever on Mar 31, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why not?

The guy is a career .216 against LHPs with as many Ks as he has W+H.

Did you think it was just his turn for a day off whenever the Tigers faced a lefty?

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Apr 1, 2011 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

COKE ? and others etc.

Game one..burn the game plan as far as Coke being a starter. I guess because of off days he isn’t needed as a starter yet ? Martinez and Avila..I sense a disparity here. Avila ever hit against Sabbathia..Raburn look good today..Tigers need to learn to use the Yankee home advantage i.e..the short right field porch and shorter with wind blowing out.Both Cabrera and Raburn hit center field blasts, which hung up in wind. Good game to build on.

by snowrocker on Mar 31, 2011 7:22 PM EDT reply actions  

that's exactly it

It was announced before the season started that Coke would start the season in the bullpen because the team didn’t need a fifth starter for a while, and Coke is more used to bullpen work than Brad Penny is. Already discussed days ago.

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"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)

by Baroque on Mar 31, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why hello good friend.

I’m not particularly fond of the “Coke in the bullpen” mess. I just think after coming into the spring with the mentality of being a starter, that it may or may not have screwed with his head starting out in the bullpen.

Wasn’t too happy with the 3 mishandles by Avila… but given the cold temps and first game of the season, it’s forgivable for now.

… and Dammit Granderson, why did you have to be yourself today?

by onevilklown on Apr 1, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions  

I agree.

You’re a starter, you have the mindset of a starter. Throw one in the bullpen, that’s gonna screw ’em up.

by frisbeepilot on Apr 1, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

howdy :)

But if it was going to be him or Penny, he’s the least bad option in the opinion of the manager and coaches. I’d have just kept him as a starter, too, but no one asked me.

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"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)

by Baroque on Apr 1, 2011 6:45 AM EDT up reply actions  

Keep him as a starter....

….and let him not play at all for a week and a half? That makes sense.

Putting him in the pen so he at least gets some game action makes more sense. He’ll be in the rotation on the second or third go around.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Apr 1, 2011 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

Kinda been touched upon, but...

1. Avila and Rhymes shouldn’t be starting against the toughest lefty in the AL. I don’t care if it’s opening day. Casper in right, Maggs at DH, V-Mart catching, and Little Ramon at second give you a better chance at winning today.

2. Schlereth is the guy supposed to get lefties out this year. Why use Coke in that situation against Granderson when it’s not going to be his job later on and Stink Jr gives you a better shot at a K?

1 down, 161 to go. Already angry. Sigh…

by Rogo on Mar 31, 2011 7:39 PM EDT reply actions  

1. Agreed completely, Why is Casper up here and why did we sign Vmart to catch against lefties if they aren’t playing against lefties?

2. Gotta disagree somewhat. Why not Coke? We didn’t need a K, it was the start of the inning, and when do you use Coke to keep him sharp if not then, when it doesn’t matter?

I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!

by 77bestrookieclassever on Mar 31, 2011 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

My bad, I wasn’t very clear with what I was going for with #2. We didn’t NEED a K there, but Grandy’s a high strikeout guy. Schlereth’s a power K guy and I like his odds in the matchup with Grandy over Coke’s, especially when Coke’s prep all spring has been to be a starter.

And there will be plenty of time to get Coke some innings against this Yankees offense, sad to say. I just didn’t like that situation.

Whatever…it’s just one game…right?

by Rogo on Mar 31, 2011 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

100% agree

Daniel was in no pressure situation. Would have been good situation with high strikeout guy Grandy Vs. Power arm.

by jeremy j on Apr 1, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

Rhymes hit .350 against lefties last year

Granted, it was a small sample size, but from what I’ve heard he’s an effective hitter against lefties (i.e. his splits aren’t too bad). I can’t find any split minor league stats on Baseball Reference though.

by Rob Rogacki on Mar 31, 2011 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

Santiago is 7-24 (.292) lifetime vs. CC. That’s a decent amount of at bats. I liked his chances better than Will’s. In fact, other than Carlos Guillen’s .295 lifetime avg vs Sabathia and Cabrera’s amazing .538 avg, Ramon has the next highest career CC avg on the team.

/not counting Boesch being 2/6…ha.

by Rogo on Mar 31, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

I have no answer for that

But I don’t fault Leyland for starting Rhymes on Opening Day.

by Rob Rogacki on Mar 31, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don't fault him for starting

Rhymes OR Avila on opening day, but I do for starting both against CC, a very tough lefty. There was a lot of questioning going on here last year every time Everett and G$ started against a righty because we were giving up at least two outs each time through the lineup. Its the same thing here. One of them should have sat, feelings be damned.

Overall, it was a very good game and very positive. Manufacturing runs, what will they think of next?!

I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!

by 77bestrookieclassever on Mar 31, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hold the phone

Just got a chance to watch the replay. Why is everyone bagging on Rhymes? He was nearly 2-for-4: one of his ABs was the liner robbed by Granderson in the first inning, and the time he got on base was a sac bunt flubbed by the Yanks that could have just as easily been scored as a hit. Magglio’s 0-fer behind Rhymes was just as much a reason for the loss as Will’s more productive 0-for-3.

by Rob Rogacki on Apr 1, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

And he got an AB stolen from him

That checked swing was no where near being a strike.

Rhymes was good today…I think he’ll do his job as a #2 hitter.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Apr 1, 2011 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

That too

I forgot about that one. Tough day for Rhymes, but he was much more promising than the box score suggests.

by Rob Rogacki on Apr 1, 2011 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions  

The check swing plus Granderson's diving catch

Will is gonna be okay.

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Apr 1, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions  

Not really bagging on Will,

starting one or the other was OK, but as Erin said, CC is pretty good, and Avila will get over not starting opening day if he is starting 70% of the games or better (vs RHP). I don’t like the reasoning if that is it. Vmart was signed to catch vs LHP and DH against RHP. If Avila is going to catch 140 games or so then the problem from my perspective is solved as far as that decision goes, we are going for defense at the most important defensive position and that is fine.

I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!

by 77bestrookieclassever on Apr 1, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Okay, top two

"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Mar 31, 2011 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think those are fair points

That being said, rewarding Avila with the opening day start might confirm his status as the starting catcher. Maybe it’s a role thing- you start everyone out where they would normally be and you move from there.

"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Mar 31, 2011 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

How do the Yankees have Soriano and Mariano?

Holy cr*p seriously, why does no one think their bullpen is amazing.

by sportscrazed on Mar 31, 2011 8:01 PM EDT reply actions  

ummm... people do?

if theyre leading after 7 they’ll win pretty much every time

Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club

by tigers22 on Mar 31, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

If Avila's performance today was a sign of things to come...

I’ll tell ya what… I don’t think JL will wait too long to make the following changes to the lineup:

-Vmart in at C
-Raburn at RF/LF
-Boesch at LF/RF
-Mags at DH

Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club

by tigers22 on Mar 31, 2011 8:03 PM EDT reply actions  

i dunno man...

Avila wasn’t very solid behind the dish either. Plus Boesch’s bat in the lineup over his is a HUGE upgrade

Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club

by tigers22 on Mar 31, 2011 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

alright maybe not against CC

I’m just sayin

Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club

by tigers22 on Mar 31, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Avila looked brutal today

He will have better days but he wouldn’t have his job if it weren’t for his old man.
His first 2 strikeouts today he looked really overmatched. If he were on any other team he’d be in AAA figuring out how to hit good pitching. I’m still rooting for him though. He seems like a good guy.

by mickey_brignall on Mar 31, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

Really?

He had one bad day. One! Didn’t he also have the highest OBP on the Tigers in Lakeland?

Actually, I know that. Yes. Yes he did.

"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Mar 31, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

And it's not like he was facing pushover pitching today

Last time I checked, Sabathia and Rivera were pretty good.

Tigers Amateur Analysis

Doña of the fractured Venezuelan Mafia
Haunted by the ghosts of Tigers past

by SabreRoseTiger on Mar 31, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Yeah, they're all right

"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Apr 1, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Like Avila's, right?

I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!

by 77bestrookieclassever on Apr 1, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

it's one game

Even the best hitters have 0-4, 3K days. One game only.

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"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)

by Baroque on Mar 31, 2011 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

True

Maybe nerves a little bit also…opening day, Yankee Stadium…blah, blah, blah. Hope things go better though.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Apr 1, 2011 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions  

He's our 9th hitter.

Bad days happen. Look at Pujols.

by jeremy j on Apr 1, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions  

What i want to know is if

there was cream cheese on Alli’s bagel, was it toasted? did it have jam… or was it just plain. Also was it accompanied by tea, juice or coffee?

Your 2k11 Detroit Tigers "AL Central Division Contenders" So get over it.

by Detroitchik on Mar 31, 2011 8:34 PM EDT reply actions  

Could have had butter, too.

And what about milk, soda, or an energy drink?

I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!

by 77bestrookieclassever on Mar 31, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don't know, but I had some awesome pizza during the game

I want everyone to know that, too :-)

Tigers Amateur Analysis

Doña of the fractured Venezuelan Mafia
Haunted by the ghosts of Tigers past

by SabreRoseTiger on Mar 31, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

This is the kind of analysis I want on this site

Relax on the game, people. This information is much more important, especially with an off day tomorrow.

by Rob Rogacki on Mar 31, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

This being one of the few games I won't actually watch

I have little to add. JV struggled with the strike zone (something like 65 strikes in 114 pitches or something). Productive outs are the new market inefficiency (2 sac flies). Other than that I got nothin’. Good season debut for Schlereth…

by ChrisDTX on Mar 31, 2011 8:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

JV struggled with the strike zone

More like, the umpire struggled with the strike zone.

by rea on Mar 31, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes

It was very inconsistent.

Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Fight!

by Brand New Hero on Apr 1, 2011 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

If MLB At Bat is accurate at all

I was questioning the Umpire Unions vision plan. Seems like maybe they need an upgrade.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Apr 1, 2011 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

Again, there is 99.38% of the season to go

If you got a failure on a quiz, but it was only 0.6% of your grade, I hope no one would freak out over it. Shrug, work to do better the next time, and stop fretting over it.

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"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)

by Baroque on Mar 31, 2011 8:58 PM EDT reply actions  

This is only my second Opening Day as a BYBer, and we won last year, so I have no idea if this is the typical reaction to losing on Opening Day

I do know that at the time I joined BYB (late April 2009), people were going after Verlander the way they’re going after Avila right now.

Tigers Amateur Analysis

Doña of the fractured Venezuelan Mafia
Haunted by the ghosts of Tigers past

by SabreRoseTiger on Mar 31, 2011 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think there is a vocal minority

Who go after anyone who is struggling. It just makes way more sense to see how a little bit of the season plays out – like, say, at least one home game, for example.

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"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)

by Baroque on Mar 31, 2011 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

This is my first...

My thoughts may be a little biased. Sorry.

by KyTiger23 on Apr 1, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

but it's 100% of the games played so far

not excusing the negativity, just offering an explanation

Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes

by JerseyTigerFan on Mar 31, 2011 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

We might as well just quit the season now

Seriously people, relax. It’s one game, on the road, against one of the top 5 teams in baseball. I think the fact that Verlander went 6 innings and only gave up 3 runs (as compared to his usual April suck-itude) is much more important than the fact that Coke gave up runs out of the bullpen, when he’s just going to be starting all season anyway.

by Rob Rogacki on Mar 31, 2011 9:01 PM EDT reply actions  

And also

After the game Verlander said that because of the cold he had little feel for his breaking pitches anyway – yet they looked like THAT?!? Most pitchers would LOVE to throw breaking pitches like that when they were doing well, let alone lacking feel for them.

(Mario Impemba tweet)

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"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)

by Baroque on Mar 31, 2011 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I kinda thought that might be the case

He will win the Cy Young, I think.

by ChrisDTX on Mar 31, 2011 9:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

I think so

the only thing that’s stopped him has been miserable Aprils. The rest of the season would definitely put him in the conversation.

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"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)

by Baroque on Mar 31, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

i was describing the action to my dad

 as he was on a trip and not watching. i told him even on a day when not at his absolute best, jv is ridiculous. i thought he was much better than cc today, his stuff is just better than most everyone else’s. like i saw (heard? read?) someone else say, he wins most games with stuff like that, and he wasn’t at his best. let me agree with the cy young talk.

by atlantatiger on Mar 31, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed.

His fastball was accurate, and his off-speed stuff was just nasty. I think he’ll get 20 wins this year.

Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Fight!

by Brand New Hero on Apr 1, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

If Avila and Rhymes are going to start for this team

They’re going to have to learn to hit tough pitchers like Sabathia sooner or later.

by Joe Galea on Mar 31, 2011 10:29 PM EDT reply actions  

Rhymes was fine today

One AB robbed on a bad check-swing call. One decent liner caught by a great CF. One productive bunt that could have been a single.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Apr 1, 2011 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

Also, maybe I am a pessimist

But we normally do poorly in April on the road, and playing in the Bronx is always a tough order anyway, so if we’re going to lose April road games (I know, March 31st), might as well be to the Yankees and not the Royals.

by Joe Galea on Mar 31, 2011 10:30 PM EDT reply actions  

Wasn't This Game On ESPN?

Nuff said as to what the outcome was going to be

by Buddahfan on Mar 31, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions  

What's most amusing to me

were the people in the game thread who talking about the good ol’ days of Laird.

by okie for michigan on Apr 1, 2011 12:39 AM EDT reply actions  

hee hee

That was funny. I mentioned it to one of my twitter friends I’m trying to convince to join up (he thinks he might be a little too caps-locky for BYB, but that’s when he’s really annoyed or sarcastic) and his only response?

“Sigh”

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"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)

by Baroque on Apr 1, 2011 6:48 AM EDT up reply actions  

well we lost.

but it’s the first game of 162 and we looked pretty good. It was fun chatting with you guys. I’m definitely gonna make game threads more of a habit again this season.

by madpoopz on Apr 1, 2011 12:56 AM EDT reply actions  

Coke

As you boys will soon come to learn, there’s good coke, and there’s bad coke. That’s what you get with Phil… He’ll be lights out one night and look as unhittable as any left to toss the ball, and you’ll have nights when you bring him in to face a couple key lefties and the first guy rips one into the second deck. Listen, I’m just psyched to have baseball back. Verlander is a beast and pitched well enough to win. Inge was your offensive star of the day. The top of your order let you down, but give a little credit to CC, who threw a solid game as well. At the end of the season, there’s no reason why both our teams shouldn’t be playing meaningful games in October. Certainly glad we got the first one, but good luck to one of the other ancient, classic AL franchises.

by TNYFBG on Apr 1, 2011 1:57 AM EDT reply actions  

wait...

a non annoying Yankee fan?

And all jest aside, it’s the first game of the season. Nobody should be freaking out for any reason at all. Like you said, we should all just glad that baseball is back and that the first game was pretty good.

by madpoopz on Apr 1, 2011 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions  

HI all

I don’t think any of you will remember me but I joined up here a little midway through last season. I’m practically done with the NHL this year (Avs suck…) so I’ll be here to watch the time go by til October.

Sucks we lost, hate those Yanks…

Go Tigers!

Living in the D, but It's All About The A.

by Avalanche318 on Apr 1, 2011 10:25 AM EDT reply actions  

I remember you

Just because I thought it was weird that someone would be an Avalanche fan and want anything to do with a Detroit team…or vise versa. Unless things have changes pretty drastically since I last lived in Detroit the Wings and Avalanche used to have one of the most intense rivalries in sports.

by wilsonm24 on Apr 1, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’m from Detroit, but found the Avs by myself and inherited all other fandom by geography (big Pistons, UM football, seasonal Tigers/Lions fan)

Living in the D, but It's All About The A.

by Avalanche318 on Apr 4, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Have to say...

I will not watch the Tigers on ESPN when they are playing an East Coast team. They were all over the Yanks’ nuts!

by jeremy j on Apr 1, 2011 11:47 AM EDT reply actions  

It took me 11 years to learn not to freak out over the 1st game a long season

The only really bad thing I took from this game is it looks like Victor is gonna be catching alot more than we thought, I know it’s only one game but Avila did not look good. I know it’s one game but those were 3 bad stirke outs. I still hope the best for him though, want him to be our long term soultion…

by msivits on Apr 1, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions  

I mean Catchers aren't really depended on that much for hitting

It’s all about defense

My thoughts may be a little biased. Sorry.

by KyTiger23 on Apr 1, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

True

If his defense had been good, he wouldn’t be getting nearly as much flack.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Apr 2, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions  

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