Monday Tigers News: We’re done with the Sox

Thank God that’s over. The White Sox finished their almost complete domination of the Tigers over the weekend, closing out the 10 game season series and leaving the Tigers with one win out of that 10 to show for it. Now a full 5 and a half games out of a playoff spot perhaps no team did more to doom the playoff hopes of Detroit than Chicago.

Although a shot at the post season is practically non-existent, that doesn’t mean the Tigers don’t have anything to play for in the final few weeks of the season. Ron Gardenhire wants his team to focus on winning, staying positive, and building confidence. Getting a little bit more out of his starting pitching is one thing that he thinks would help.

Let’s hope Gardy gets the boys back on track and we see a team having some fun with the rest of the season. That could start as soon as Tuesday when the Royals come to town for a two game tilt.

Candel in the wind

Coming into the 2020 season Ron Gardenhire new he needed Jeimer Candelario to have a good year to compete.

“The biggest thing for me in this offense and our lineup is that Candy has a good year,” Gardenhire said July 24, after the first game of the year. ”He needs to step up and get it done.”

Candelario has answered the call. After losing C.J. Cron to injury early and watching Miguel Cabrera struggle to reach even a shadow of his former production, Candelario is the offensive jolt this team needed to push for a playoff spot.

The organization has always believed Jeimer can hit, but a dismal 2019 and a rough start to 2020 was starting to raise some doubts. Then August came. Hitting Coach Joe Vavra believe Candelario can be his own worst enemy. He can think too much. Candelario has become more focused and is taking a more aggressive approach which has resulted in a .355 average since the start of August. He’s turning into the Candelario we hoped we would get, and it’s fun to watch.

Discovering Isaac

The first time Chicago Cubs scout Louie Eljaua saw Isaac Paredes play baseball he was pitching. Throwing 91 mile an hour gas at the age of 15 was impressive, and while he has always been of more value for his bat, Eljaua saw one of the more valuable things he looks for in an otherwise talented prospect. He saw that Paredes was a competitor and that he could have the mental make-up to make it in Major League Baseball.

Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press chronicles the path Paredes has taken to Major League Baseball in this piece about the young Tiger. Following the process of figuring out what position he would play, his mature plate approach, his reaction to being traded to the Tigers, and his relationship with players like Miguel Cabrera. It’s an interesting read about a player who should be playing in Detroit for some time.

Thriving Garcia

I don’t know if Bryan Garcia is the closer of the future, but he certainly appears to be the closer of the moment. Showing continued improvement from last years Tommy John surgery, Garcia seems to be about the only person in the bullpen able to wrangle a decent hold on the gig. It’s something he’s used to from his college days. Gardenhire likes his make-up and how he comes at batters. The skipper seems optimistic that Garcia might stick.

Ahead of the curve

When Alan Trammell came up to step in and coach for Ramon Santiago on Friday, one thing people wanted to know was how some of the prospects down at the alternate site were looking. Trammell has spent his summer working with the players in Toledo and while it’s not actual baseball, they’re doing what they can. He had good things to say about Spencer Torkelson adjusting to first base and stated that Riley Greene is certainly ahead of the curve, but not ready to play with the big club quite yet.

No-no for the Cubs

A former college walk-on, right-handed control artist Alec Mills took the path less traveled to the major leagues. On Sunday, he spun the 16th no-hitter in Chicago Cubs history. The Milwaukee Brewers were the victim, and in Miller Park no less. Here’s a look at the final out.

Baseball is awesome

Albert Pujols hits home run number 660 tying Willie Mays for fifth on the all time list.

Around the horn

Fired clubhouse attendant files suit against the Los Angeles Angels. The post season bubble plan awaits union approval. For the first time in the history of the NFL no team is playing its home games in a Major League Baseball stadium.