Game 139: Are we there yet?
posted in Analysis, Chicago White Sox, The Stretch Run |I feel like I’m in the backseat of a car on a long trip across the country. Or, really, at that age, across the county would do. Every day I’m looking at the playoff race saying “Are we there, yet?” We’re a bit closer today than we were yesterday, because the White Sox lost. But the reason I keep asking if we’re there yet, is that the Tigers are making this less a pennant race and more a pennant stumble. They lost, 4-3, to Seattle. But you knew that.
Jeremy Bonderman blew a 3-0 lead, but only allowed three runs before the rain took him out of the game. (Actually, some might argue the rain should have taken him out of the game before he allowed three runs. I wasn’t there, I don’t know for sure). Andrew Miller pitched a beautiful fifth inning, and a pretty good sixth inning in which he gave up a hit and walk, but allowed a run to take the loss. The Tigers scored three runs in the first inning and then gave up the ghost. They scored too much Monday or something. I don’t know. Miller might have earned his first win, or any of the relievers behind him, but Detroit refuses to get on base for some inexplicable reasons. Well, read Jason Beck. Even he sounds sick of it.
Awhile back, Nate Robertson blogged that fans should enjoy the pennant race. And maybe we would if the Tigers were racing the Twins and White Sox to see which two of three good teams can make the playoffs. But unfortunately, the Tigers are backing their way into the playoffs. The White Sox stink. And the Twins are only servicably better. I still expect the Tigers to make the playoffs. And the season starts anew in October.
But the problem is Detroit plays such ugly games that I find it hard to enjoy them. I feel like I’m watching the Tigers of past years. With this winning percentage lately, who can blame me? I don’t want to be the chokers or the lovable loser team, either. I keep wondering what’s going to go wrong and if they’ll ever score a run when it’s needed. It’s amazing so much can change in a month. But maybe next week if Placido Polanco and Carlos Guillen are healthy, the team can catch on again. For now, I just keep hoping we can hold on each day until we clinch something. This month, the Comedy Central returned.
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