13th
June
2008
What’s that I found today?
posted in 2008 season, Chicago White Sox |
Tigers 2
White Sox 1
Recap:
- The Tigers swept the White Sox.
- The Tigers.
- Swept.
- The White Sox!
- Yeah yeah, they’re still 8 games back and all that stuff. But given the incredible domination by Chicago in the series the past several years, I think we’re allowed to enjoy this one for a little while, right?
- Kenny Rogers deserved the win, but left the game after 8 innings with it tied 1-1. He gave up four hits.
- Todd Jones got the win for the ninth inning show. He deserved something. Like maybe a hold.
- And — and I might be burying the lede here — Miguel Cabrera hit a walkoff solo homer for the victory. It was his only hit of the game.
- Despite the fact the Tigers got 5 hits from the top third of the lineup, they only scored one run prior to that, No. 3 (Guillen) driving in No. 1 (Renteria).
- The Tigers left three runners in scoring position with two outs.
- Detroit has now taken 5 of 6 games (which is good, but also 5 of 7, and 5 of 10)
Analysis:
- If anything is the start of something good, taking 5 of 7 from Central Division rivals is.
- What’s led to the wins?
- Timely hitting. Not enough. But you don’t need a lot, just, well, timely hitting, like say a ninth inning homer. You can’t always rely on that, but hey, as Tigers fans know this year, Detroit has lost so many games that way, it had to balance eventually. And it has.
- And why are the games so close? PITCHING!
- Nice bullpen performances. Todd Jones remains stellar. Freddy Dolsi had some good showings this week.
- But, mainly, it’s starting pitching. The starters have set the game up so well. Three quality starts against the White Sox. Two pitchers who went 8 innings or more. Against the Indians, the Tigers had sorta a combined quality start. Armando Galarraga fell an out short of one, but the bullpen helped him out.
- And finally, the defense has been pretty good. Carlos Guillen has looked better at third, and Brent Clevlen has been a boost. (Ryan Raburn is kind of a boost too, but had an error Thursday that helped lead to Chicago’s run). Detroit will never be mistaken for having great defense, but the infield is starting to come together.
- Can they keep it up? Sure. I like the pitching, well enough anyway. And the bullpen will soon see Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya come back for a boost. And I think Miguel Cabrera is starting to hit a bit more and guys are more consistent at the plate.
- But will they keep it up? That’s been the question all year.
- Bilfer likes the upcoming schedule, as do I. Before the season, we all said if Detroit can survive the first two+ months, it’ll be in good position to win the division. They didn’t exactly survive the first two months of the year. And the Tigers aren’t in a good position to win the division.
- But they’re three games closer tonight than they were Monday night, and that counts for something with three and a half months to go.
- I’m not about to call myself an optimist at this point, but I am feeling better about the team overall.
Question for those who saw the Cabrera homer –
Can you ID the song the stadium is playing as he scores? Sounds better than the average stadium pablum pumped out by most stadiums — thank you Motown.
I was at work and the TV was muted, so I can’t say for sure, but they normally play “celebrate” by kool and the gang.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwEMxYggoKQ
(The A’s also use that as their victory song, I must note for my Oakland correspondent)
ah I found the video on tigers.com and it definitely wasn’t that. Had more of a my chemical romance kinda sound
Things are definitely looking up. Micheal Rosenberg helpfully pointed out that the 1987 Tigers were 7.5 GB on June 13, 1987. We can be as close as 7 and no worse than 9 GB at the end of tonight. It’s certainly doable. Is it likely? Probably not, but this Chicago team is as likely to falter in the second half as we did in 06 and 07, and there are signs pointing to our return to competitive baseball.
The biggest problem from here on out is replacing Bondo in the rotation. It’s probably a little much asking for two surprises in a year.
Anyone else think Zach Miner should go back into the rotation? Especially with Rodney and Zumaya due back soon?
At this point< i think that the Bondo injury is the least of our worries, actually. That may seem insane, but I think someone will fill in adequately. Tigers still have other major issues that seem bigger than that…like…CONTINUING TO WIN AND NOT ANNHILATING ALL OF OUR HOPES AND DREAMS LIKE OSAMA WITH A GREEN CARD!!!
This all feels like a set-up, that’s all I’m saying. This ChiSox series was our World series to me, that and the sweep of the Yanks in Ruthtown. I hope for the best, but my, and many Tiger’s faithful, hearts have many scars. We have the talent to win this whole thing. But, obviously, as demonstrated by the ‘08 Tigers, it takes a hell of a lot more than that. So, I hope they continue to find that, whatever that may be, and find a way.
Sorry to sound so despondent after such an awesome, awesome week from our team, but this is what I feel.
No, guys, I feel exactly like you do. We’ve been there before. We’ve seen them do good things for a few games in a row more than once only to have the carpet pulled out. A philosopher once said, fool me once, shame on, shame on you, fool me … you can’t get fooled again.