Rained out today, maybe a double header tomorrow. Boston looks wicked.
Die Yankees Die!
Die Twinkys Die!
Team batting was .230 a month ago now it's .260
ERA has dropped a run too

Tigers lost 3 of 4 in Boston. Boston showed some good pitching. Or Tigers hitting is hitting a pothole. They have been hot lately, but Boston managed to shut them down. Pitching was decent, especially for a Fenway park game. Bullpen has been shaky. Some guys have been good, some have been awful. Ledezma had struggled. Inge is back to his usual form going 1 for 4 in the game with a HR and 3 strikeouts. Sheffield needs to get more consistent, and we need some power out of 1st base. Casey has been hitting better, but mainly singles. We need him to start hitting gappers for 2b hits and drive in some runs. Maroth skipped his start due to flu and Miner started in his place. Pitched decent enough considering that he was called up yesterday night. Only gave up one earned run. Miller will be starting tomorrow for Bonderman.

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I think the Washington Wizards have got to be the dumbest team in the history of civilization. - C.Barkley

Boston pitching is monster.
So step into Mariners 16-4. At least the bats warmed back up.

My bad, they were playing the Cards.
And they scored more runs in that game than they did in 5 games of the World Series.
Why would the Cards tear down a team that busted its azzzz to win a World Series?

FIRST QUARTER BREAKDOWN.

RECORD: 26-16

BATTING: team leads all baseball in runs, extra base hits and slugging pct. Remember that the Tigers after 15 games, The tigers had 6 players hitting under .200!! They are now flexible and explosive.

PITCHING: Definetly not as good as last year when we led all of baseball. But considering we started the year without Kenny Rogers and have used an injured Bonderman, Mesa and Zumaja. Our bullpen sans Todd Jones has been unbearable. Grilli and Ledezma need some straighten it out down on the farm, but they can only be released as they are out of options. I believe we have new fresh arms in Miller, Byrdak(33 yrs old with an ox to grind) and Durbin (probably last chance)and we should go with them. Verlander, Rogers, Bonderman, Robertson and maroth are still a solid 6 innings a night though.

PLAYERS:

1. SHEFFIELD. When he got hot, so did the team. That is not a coincidence. The team loves the old man and his plate aggresiveness and discipline has helped the seasonal stats of the men hitting in front and behind him.

2. POLANCO. Mr. Consistency. He's a .300 to .350 hitter. He leads all baseball in average with rinners in scoring position and hitting with 2 strikes. He has fewest strikeouts per atbats in AL. He gets things done.
No errors all year.

3. ORDONEZ. I remember this guy when he played with the White Sox.
2004- .292, 9 hr 37 rbi's ALL SEASON. This year >344, 9 hr 38 rbi's. He has that swagger back and he thanks the good lord that he bats behind Shef and ahead of Guillen.

4. THE GRANDY MANCAN. Curts is the only player in baseball with 7 HRs, 14doubles and 6 triples. He's steady in the outfield and aggresive on the bases. I dont know how good Cameron Maybin is but if he's better than Grandpa, will hav ethe best outfield in baseball.

5. GUILLEN. The lone ranger. just quiet and effective. Always gets the key RBI. We need to get him trained at first base though because his bat is more important with his weak legs.

PITCHERS:

1. JONES. He is fun though. I like his toughness in the 9th. Very wise pitcher.

2. VERLANDER. Getting better and better. will win 20 games this year.

3. ROBERTSON. Keeps us in every game.

4. DURBIN. Suprisingly good in last couple of weeks. I hope his confidence catches up with his talent.

5. ROGERS. In my opinion, doing a great job as pitching coach on the bench. Gives great tips during games and keeps all their heads up.

LEYLAND- This is the man. In spite of poor hitting and a lousy bullpen, he takes it 1 inning at atime. When this team is healthy, we will have more balance all over the field.

record after next 40 games: PREDICTION 27-13 OVERALL 53-29

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http://casstechhigh.ning.com/profile/gregoryhollenquest =

Nice wrap.
Maroth, return to last years early form.
I'll go 22 and 18 - Mash unit-

22-18????? And who do u expect to get worse than now THEE? Shef? better...Casey? BETTER...THames?..Better..cuz aint nobody getting worse.
Believe me , the party is just gettin STOTTED!!!!

I'd be on a bit of a cautious side - 25-15. I know the hitters are on fire, Casey is hitting like he is supposed to, Inge is homering, and Sheff has warmed up. But the pitching has not been there consistently. What this adds up to? They could easily go 30-10 in the next 40 or they could be something like 22-18 if the pitching continues to struggle. Outside a couple of guys we have no bullpen, at least they haven't shown us that they can keep Tigers in a close game. Hoping for return of Rogers and Zumaya and moving Durbin to bullpen where he seemed to do better since there wasn't as much pressure on him.

__________________
I think the Washington Wizards have got to be the dumbest team in the history of civilization. - C.Barkley

Figure on 24-16 for the next 40. Team chemistry picks up later in the season when Kenny R. returns and Sheffield is in full throttle.........

Bondo said he's pitching the next game. Miller is sent back to minors. Maroth with another bad pitching performance. I wish he could recapture the early season form from a year ago. If this continues, he could be the odd man out when Rogers comes back. Durbin actually pitched better as of late and if he could stay this consistent... Also, Grilli and Ledezma's jobs are no longer safe the way they are performing. We may see changes to Tigers bullpen in the near future if things don't change. Tigers bullpen is 29th in ERA after being in top 5 last season. Maggs has gone off the charts. If he can keep it up I don't think that contract that he signed will ever be brought up again.