TIGERS 08 SEASON THREAD

[TaShawn]

Originally Posted by Delfino Delivers

So much for the 3rd Basement of the future. Guillen and Cabrera switch corners. I don't think this is the best line up for us.

Put Brandon on 3rd, Cabrera on 1st and let Guillen DH. That gives us our best defensive and offensive base line up.

Given Shef's troubles, that is a pretty good solution. Clete Thomas looks like a great backup outfielder and maybe a replacement for Jones in left if he continues to out-hit him. In fact, all of our utility players/ backups are doing a nice job at the plate.

I guess I would go with your plan to put Inge back at 3rd. Then he should also have no problem backing up Pudge every once in a while. When that happens, throw Cabrera back to 3rd, put Guillen in, and either have Pudge DH, or even let Granderson DH until he's back up to full speed.

[round]

I think its a move to keep stability..... Our stud 3rd baseman... i mean 1st baseman has looked better at 1st then Guillen has so far. Let him sit at 1st and play every day. Guillen has played 3rd before and can DH some too and being older probably can take the DH to 3rd swap better then a young player. This way it also sets up that Inge can play alot at 3rd without having to Move folks around. I look at as the skipper making a move to get the best all around team on the field everyday both offensively and on def. The more I think about it the more I like it.

Hopefully with our CF back in the fold shortly and Thomas looking so good (like somebody mentioned playing some in place of Jones once Granderson's back up to speed). Now we just need to get the pitching back in place.

Speaking of pitching... Its not great but seems to be going in the right direction.

[Delfino Delivers]

Got tickets to the Stons tonight so I'll have to tape the game to see how they fare with the new lineup.

[TaShawn]

They optioned Clete Thomas back to AAA? He's hitting .295 in 20 games (3rd highest BA on team).

I'm guessing that they think he's making Jaques Jones nervous.

[TaShawn]

That could have easily been a 20 run game. Not bad for only 8 innings of work from our offense.

The Texas pitching is so bad that I knew we were fine down 5 early in the game.

Granderson with a nice return (3 RBI's I think). JJ with a HR. Cabrera with another one.

Here is how bad their pitching is though, besides the 14+ hits we got, we also got at least 8 walks and 2 hit batsmen.

[Delfino Delivers]

Sounds like they didn't go with the new line up. Will have to watch it tonight after work. Even though I know the outcome.

[TaShawn]

We are now the 4th highest scoring offense in the MLB and the 28th best in terms of runs allowed.

Pretty clear where the problem is.

And there isn't much that can be done to fix it. We just have to hope that the starting pitchers will get their groove back (like Jarvis Hayes did for a 3 game stretch a couple months ago).

[Delfino Delivers]

Looks like Brandon's slump is over.

Our bullpen is our strength compared to our starting pitching. May need to bring up a few youngsters in a hurry this year.

Any word on Willis' return yet?

[TheeTFD]

I hope the starting pitching comes around faster than the bully.
The way they're playing we could be @.500 in 12 more games.

[TaShawn]

How about Gallaraga? A no hitter through 5 and 2/3 and only 1 ER. Even though he didn't officially get the win, he's been responsible for 3 wins already in place of Willis.