Game 119: Tigers win, Polanco lost
posted in Analysis, Boston Red Sox, roster moves |How costly the Tigers’ 3-2 victory over Boston will be remains to be seen. Placido Polanco separated his shoulder while making a run-saving catch in the seventh inning of the game Tuesday at Boston. Craig Monroe drove the game-winning run in with a tough hit down the right field line that popped out of Boston right fielder Wily Mo Pena’s glove. And Jeremy Bonderman pitched so well again that you really have to start wondering when the Cy Young talk comes his way. Watch. It will within another few starts if he keeps pitching like himself.
But the outcome of the game, while important in its own right, really pales in comparison to what happened during the game.
Here’s what we know: Polanco was put on the 15-day disabled list for the injury and will be checked out more completely today. Ramon Santiago, a pretty nice defender and pretty crappy batter, received the call-up. And Omar Infante will take over as the day-to-day second baseman, at least temporarily, although likely for a lot longer.
Speculation by Pudge Rodriguez immediately following the game and quoted by the AP is that Polanco is done for the year. But the Tigers believe it’s too early to say for sure, and they’re probably right.
I do not mean to lessen the gravity of the loss. Polanco is a great defender and a nice contact hitter. It’s pretty big when you play as a team with no superstars, but a lot of important cogs. But if the Tigers were forced to have an injury, it’s one of the lesser injured players they could have. Other than the depth at the left field/first base /designated hitter rotation, he’s one of the few guys who doesn’t leave a big hole. The loss of Carlos Guillen, Magglio, Brandon Inge, Curtis Granderson or Pudge would have been far worse. What those guys bring to the team — whether at the plate or in the field, or in most cases both — is impossible to replace.
Polanco didn’t get on the base an exceptional amount of time. He didn’t have much isolated power, If you want to go the winshares way, he’s right around 0. Polanco and Infante have similar equivalent averages at .244 and .243. (This link is a direct comparison of runs created at Fangraphs. I’ll compare more between the players later today.) Obviously, Placi is popular in the locker room, the guy I wanted up with a runner on third, a better defender and a leader on the field. Infante is a drop-off, and the game isn’t played by statistics alone. But, I’m just saying, it could definitely have been worse.
Hopefully we find out more today or tomorrow. That shoulder injury does not necessarily put him out for the rest of the year, although it certainly could. The Providence Journal speculates it’s typically 4-to-6 week injury. We just can’t say for sure. So, put that panic button away, for now anyway. Let’s get some more facts first. And, see if there are any waiver-wire trades to be made. It’s certainly another character builder, one you’d prefer to avoid.
So, remembering the loss, I am still very happy to take the first two games in Boston. That was much needed after a 5-game losing streak. The Tigers took on the Red Sox’ top two pitchers and came out with a pair of victories in the hardest stadium for the visiting team to win in against a team fighting for the playoffs. It’s definitely a character-proving series, and the Tigers came out looking stellar. Chicago lost, so the AL Central lead returned to 6.5 games.
I would never expect a sweep in Boston, but considering the pitching matchup of Justin Verlander verus David Wells, you have to figure it’s possible.
Hopefully they can survive the Polanco test as well.
Sphere It
[...] Placido Polanco, who made a circus grab in shallow centerfield last night against Boston in the seventh inning, apparently is done for the year. (Mack Avenue Tigers) [...]
First off, you really do a nice job on this blog.Concise formatting and commentary.
Polanco was leading the majors in BA with RISP at around .400.He is a favorite for how he goes about playing his position.He was injured because he overextended himself to make that play.He gave himself up for the team. Not sure that Infante gives the confidence that Polanco would when the chips are down.But, your stat items are correct and hopefully Infante can be plugged in.He was getting more time anyway to rest infielders.