Some good news from Tigers rookie: Brennan Boesch repeats as AL rookie of the month | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
Tigers beat Twins 7-4. Twins were without Morneau due to a concussion. Does that seem fishy to you? A specialist who works with pro teams in Detroit advised him not to play against the Tigers? In all seriousness, I loved this tidbit:
Tigers have the most home victories in the American league this season. Even more home wins than the Yankees. First place seems a certainty. No jinks this season. Go Tigers.
Their road record stinks to say the least. And White Sox are hot on their tail. I don't know if Tigers will make it, I hope they do, but it will be a dog fight. They will need some bullpen help to get there.
To bad they could not finish the first half in first place. (losing today to the Twinks).. They have been monsters at home with Cabrera having an MVP season, but unfortunately during the same time frame, the ChiSux have been hotter.
I think this has been a "planned" loss. Pavano has always pitched great against the Tigers and Detroit had a AA rookie starting, so it was kind of expected and I am not terribly disappointed. I believe that Chicago will be the primary competitor with all the pitching they have. Although, Twins are a second half team, so we all know not to count them out.
They got swept by the last place Indians Looks like the second half the season summer blues is already upon us....five straight losses after holding on to first place for a couple of days...
Well the Sox got swept by the twins this weekend, so the three horse race just got tighter again...Sox on top, Tigers and Twins 1.5 back. Even if the Tigers had split the series with the tribe (at least winning both games yesterday instead of the one run losses), they'd be in first place a half game up on the ChiSux.
From the DetNews: - Quotable "They fooled me. I thought we'd be ready. We were coming off the break, we had a nice little workout (Friday), guys were back and appeared to be fresh. But we weren't ready to play. I'm shocked, to be honest with you." -- Jim Leyland , Tigers manager, after his team was swept in a four-game series by the Indians Wait until this year? Under Jim Leyland, the Tigers never have had a losing first half or a winning second half. The comparisons: Season / Before All-Star break / After All-Star break 2006 / 59-29 / 36-38 2007 / 52-34 / 36-40 2008 / 47-47 / 27-41 2009 / 48-39 / 38-38 2010 / 49-38 / From The Detroit News:
Leyland's second half struggles are well known. As well as not having any feel for pitcher management.
You are right the guy is lost after the All Star break...Maybe Dumbroski should have a two managers, one before and after break?? Leyland manages the first half and pitching coach Knapp or Belliard or Gene Lamont manages the second half? Just a thought Maybe this the year he turns it around...although he is already four in the hole...
I don't think Leyland manages any differently pre-All-Star game versus post-All-Star game. Perhaps the players have just played worse in the 2nd half of the last couple of seasons? Tigers tied 6-6 in the 14th inning right now....
Could be that he wears out pitchers? Not saying that's it, but it would be a way to see that pattern without managing any different in the 2nd half.
There's not really a pattern other than in the 2nd half the team has to put its head down and just grind out with the best lineup out there every day. With Leyland all of the players get their "scheduled" days off regardless off the situation and other events, i.e. allstar break, thus creating "scheduled" losses when other teams bring their best possible roster. He also can't manage pitchers in the games by either pulling them too early, leaving them in too long, playing percentages, and most of the time getting the short end of the stick. It has been a pattern and he's under .500 for his career as a manager.
