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Looky here
I’m not going to touch most of the bullpen conversation because it has been exhaustively covered everywhere. Instead, let’s focus on a positive, like the fact that the Tigers may have found legit starting pitching.
Ignoring the smoking ruin of Jordan Zimmermann — tough to do, I know — things have gone about as well as possible. Justin Verlander is Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer is continuing his Rookie of the Year pace, Daniel Norris is putting it together, and Matt Boyd has been a bright spot.
Adding to this equation is a red-hot Buck Farmer, who is sporting a 35-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the minors and waiting in the wings should the Tigers need a starter. Let’s check:
“Everything,” Rojas said. “His command. His fastball is there. His off speed, he can throw it when he’s behind in the count. His change up has been tremendous. He’s been doing a great job.”
I’d say that covers it. So, yes, the last three innings are going to be a struggle, but at least two-thirds of the games seem to be going well. Right?
Obviously
Francisco Rodriguez taken out of #Tigers closer's role for now and replaced by Justin Wilson until K-Rod overcomes his struggles
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 9, 2017
At least someone is profiting
Ever uttered the sentence, “this bullpen makes me drink?” Of course you have, we all have. And one Michigan man is capitalizing on that theme.
“I have a conflict of interest inside of me, because I’m a diehard Tigers fan,” Coil said Monday, after Francisco Rodriguez had blown back-to-back save chances out in Oakland on Saturday and Sunday.
“But when I turn it on and the bullpen is having a meltdown, I can’t help but laugh.
“I usually make a couple bucks.
“I’m starting to feel bad.”
He sells them for all the teams, but let’s be honest, Tigers fans are the biggest supporters of this site. The best part is he let the domain expire hoping to provide some good luck for the team, and re-upped a couple games into the season. It’s going to take a lot more than that to fix the team’s problems.
The best $80 you could possibly spend
You can now pre-order a Sgt. Pepper's jersey. Quantities are VERY limited.
— Swamp Shop (@SwampShop) May 9, 2017
Order yours: https://t.co/OZJZGfH0Bq pic.twitter.com/U7pJLWqBn0
Get your Matt Harvey takes here
Matt Harvey, or the artist formerly known as the Dark Knight, is having a rough go of it. He hasn’t been pitching well in 2017, then was suspended for three games after failing to show for an afternoon off day game, which was inevitably followed by the news that the reason he didn’t make it was because he was partying until 4 a.m.
This has led to responses that span the whole spectrum. From accountability questions, to Buster Olney suggesting they should send Harvey down to the minors to get his mind right. This wouldn't be such a big deal, but Harvey has had run-ins before and the injuries to the Mets rotation mean they desperately need his pitching. However this ends, I sure don’t think Matt Harvey will be a Met when his contract is up after 2018.
For your free time
Please look at Cody Bellinger’s swing. Also the Dodgers have three stars under 23 and have all of the money on Earth. Sigh. Old friend alert, Doug Fister is close to signing. Signing Freddy Freeman and trading Jason Heyward was a good idea by Atlanta. Max Scherzer has taken 14% of ALL OF HIS STARTS as a National into the sixth as a no-hitter. The Tigers employ Jordan Zimmermann. Jered Weaver threw a 79 mph fastball yesterday.