Does the 40-game mark matter as much as we all pretend (due to Sparky Anderson’s desire a team not be judged until then)? Maybe.  Maybe not.

• Around 40 games in 2007, the 4 American League playoff teams would have been Boston, Cleveland,, Los Angeles and Detroit (wild card). The 4 National League playoff teams were the Mets, the Brewers, the Dodgers and the Padres. World Series-bound Arizona was 21-19. The playoff-bound Yankees were 17-19.

• Around 40 games in 2006, the A.L. playoff teams would have Detroit, Chicago (wildcard), Boston and Oakland/Texas. Only Detroit and Oakland made the playoff of that bunch. The eventual Central Division champion Twins were 17-24. In the N.L., the playoff teams were the Mets, Cardinals, Reds (wildcard) and Padres. That was a decent predictor, as the Cardinals had the best record in the league before falling on their face and picking themselves back up to win the World Series. The Reds missed the playoffs.
• Around 40 games in 2005, Baltimore led the A.L. East with a .667 winning rate. They missed the playoffs. The World Series champion Chicago White Sox were running away with the league at 29-12. The National League pennant winner Houston Astros, however, started out 15-24.

You can go on and on and on. You know the only conclusion you can draw from the past three years? You can’t draw a conclusion at all! Some of the season’s best teams were in first. Some weren’t. It was better to be in first than not to be, obviously. But teams that started slow rallied in each of the three years.

Every team plays every team in its league. So for Detroit, that’s 13 teams. They haven’t even faced four teams at all and have spent 45% of their time playing against teams currently in first place. While, you know, you’d expect teams who expect to be contenders would split against first-place teams (the Tigers are 5-11) any review of the Tigers should note that strength of schedule).

So, maybe we shouldn’t put too much weight on the first 40 games. You’re still getting a skewed view of things and the first 40 really aren’t a reliable predictor.

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Boston 5,
Tigers 1

Recap:

• Justin Verlander gave up all 5 runs, going six innings.
• The Tigers scored on a blooper off the bat of Ramon Santiago
• Some other stuff happened but in the end, we’ve seen this game enough times already this season that you can fill in the blanks yourself.
• Oh, and Matt Joyce made a nice diving catch in left field.

Analysis:

• Well, following the, was it 8 wins out of 10? it seems so long ago, the Tigers have now lost 6 out of 7.
• The good news is, they won’t be facing Boston any more until the postsea….hahahahaha. Sorry, couldn’t get through that joke without cracking myself up.
• Yeah, I don’t have anything else to contribute because nothing has really changed.
• The Tigers are paying this team about $100M too much.

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Ever since the Tigers lineup stumbled out of the gate, a small trickle of a theme has turned into a full-blown meme: Detroit needs Barry Bonds. Rob Parker in the Detroit News is only the most recent writer to trumpet that claim. It’s even shown up on USA Today. A Google News search Detroit Tigers + Barry Bonds reveals 89 entries, though not all are an exact fit.

I’m here to tell you that’s crazy talk. And it doesn’t long to explain why.

1. The Tigers’ offense is not the problem. It’s not like this is a team with incredible pitching but no run scoring. No. This is a team with an incredible, but so-far inconsistent offense that can’t win when it scores four runs because the pitching is so bad it can’t hold any opponent to a trickle of runs in a close game.
2. Great, another designated hitter. The Tigers can slot him in the DH position and play Gary Sheffield and Carlos Guillen on the left side every day, I guess… But the real reason people are batting around Bonds’ name is they think Gary Sheffield is done.
3. Sheffield isn’t done. Sorry but it’s true. He’s going to be given every chance to succeed. I may not like him playing in the field, but we’re playing real baseball here, not fantasyland. You’re not going to cut-and-run with a guy of Sheffield’s proven history. Yet with that salary he’s not being traded either.
4. Barry Bonds isn’t working for free. He’s probably not sitting around, waiting for the phone to ring, telling teams he’ll play for pennies on the dollar of what his ability is worth. He’s gonna cost a pretty penny and the Tigers have the second highest payroll already.

You’ll notice I didn’t say “Bonds did steroids!” or any such thing. Fact is, the era was so tainted by steroids, it would be silly to single him out when it’s possible current Tigers may have been involved in PEDs at the same time Bonds was. As well, maybe Bonds can seem repulsive, but we’re rooting for a baseball team here. They’re not all saints. We may think the Tigers all seem like great guys, but who really knows?

Parker has a point or two. Bonds can still hit. He can still get on base. He bats from the left side. All quality points. Ultimately, I return to this: Detroit doesn’t need any more hitters, especially the no-field variety.

If we’re going to argue for signing a big-name, out-of-work ballplayer with a spotty background, it’s not Barry Bonds whose name should come up.

It’s Roger Clemens.

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The blogosphere is known for its attacks on the “main stream media.” And you know, sometimes columnists say the darndest things and deserve a bit of the medicine they offer teams. But I think most baseball bloggers out there would tell you how grateful they are for the beat writers who cover their team. A good beat writer can find new storylines, and gets player and management reaction to the questions the fans have about why a decision was made. They answer fans’ questions and share their own insights into the team. That’s a longwinded setup to say, Thanks Danny Knobler.

After 18 years covering the Tigers for Booth Newspapers (MLive), Knobler recently covered his last game as a Tigers beat writer. He will now be a national baseball writer for cbs.sportsline.com. Knobler’s making a wise move going from print to digital, I’m sure. And I’ve always thought he had a tough job, as those folks at MLive message boards can be pretty, er, silly at times. I’ve enjoyed his writing and timely updates, and linked to them quite a bit. I look forward to seeing what he has to say about the Tigers and wish him luck in the new endeavor.

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Tigers 10,
Red Sox 9

Recap:

• Well, the Tigers kept their undefeated streak when scoring 6 or more runs alive by edging the Red Sox.
• Of course it’s not that clean-cut, is it? It was a heavyweight fight where every punch by the Tigers got countered by the Red Sox. They thought they clocked the Tigers at the end of the match, but Detroit stood on wobbly legs, got one last hit in and won by judge’s decision in the end. Ultimately, all that matters is they won.
• Of course it’s always more fun to be the counter-puncher than the team trying to hold on, isn’t it? Which is why the ninth inning comeback win was great.
• Boston’s superb closer Jonathan Papelbon got tagged with the blown save and loss after Matt Joyce hit an infield single (Ryan Raburn pinch ran), Edgar Renteria got on via error by Boston shortstop Julio Lugo, Pudge bunted them to second and third, Curtis Granderson drove in the tying run with a ground out, and Placido Polanco hit a broken-bat walkoff just over Lugo’s head.
• Sure, kinda a blah way to win a game, but who cares, the Tigers came from behind and won a game!
• Polanco went 5-for-6.
• Let’s see, other stuff that went on:
• Armando Galarraga pitched mostly OK but sorta tired in the late middle innings… again. He gave up five runs in 5.1 innings, but had six strikeouts and one nasty, nasty little strikeout pitch — knuckle-curve Rod Allen called it on FSN — that froze David Ortiz and left him bewildered.
• Francisco Cruceta — The Caped Cruceta, as the commenters at Bless You Boys have taken to calling him — had a tough game. He had a blown saved and allowed runs in both the seventh and eighth innings. A three-run homer in the seventh tagged Zach Miner with a pair of earned runs.
• Edgar Renteria made a beautiful stop to save a run, ranging far behind second base and making a diving stop.
• Todd Jones got the win.

Analysis:

• Well, the Tigers needed that. I’m not about to say any win “turns them around” but it sure turned around my ever-worsening attitude for the night.
• Galarraga is proving himself as a guy who could remain with the Tigers the full season. If he isn’t a starter, he can sure be an effective reliever. Ask Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz about his ability to get the strikeout. Or witness for yourself (way too often) his ability to pitch out of jams, as long as it’s within the first 4 or so innings. After that, he goes downhill. That has reliever written all over it. Except the Tigers need quality starters, too, and might not want to change his role.
• Polanco is back! I think.
• Miner + close game = *covered eyes*
• Cruceta proved that he is human. He gives up runs just like anyone else in the Tigers bullpen, visa problems or no visa problems. I think he’ll be OK. At least he has a cushion of fan positivity while he gets everything together.
• This team just has to keep battling. That’s really all you can ask of it right now. They did a good job of that today.

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Sometimes The Wayne Fontes Experience’s Big Al answers my questions, and sometimes, I answer his. His questions are a bit more thought out than “WHAT THE SAM HELL IS GOING ON??!!” admittedly.

• Sheffield to left field. Long or short term solution? (If it’s one at all)
  

I’d say a short-term solution at best. But really, poor solution overall. Gary Sheffield asked Jim Leyland to spend more time in the field, because he says he is a complete baseball player and a complete baseball player must play all available aspects of the game, such as camping out in left field and occasionally catching or throwing. That’s all well and good. Hasn’t helped yet, but OK. I guess we can let him try. Even injured, he’s got to have a better arm than Jacque Jones demonstrated this season, right?

But the thing is, THIS IS NUTS!!! The Tigers called up Matt Joyce, who earned an award in Double-A for his play in the outfield. What is the way this outfielder is used when he starts for the Tigers? Why, as designated hitter.

Of course.

This is the solution? A tri-cortisoned Sheffield plays the outfield while Joyce plays DH?? Well, OK. Maybe it’s for tonight only. Jim Leyland wanted Sheffield to play in the field three straight days before getting a rest day. And Joyce can play any of the outfield positions. But I don’t know, this seems crazy. If Sheffield isn’t playing DH, then Carlos Guillen probably should be, so the Tigers can get a good mix of defense and offense. Instead. Sheff insists he should play in the field, and Leyland’s going to let him.

Unless this is some sort of evil genius going on, as it’s sooner than later Sheff is going to hurt his shoulder out there and go on the disabled list.

• Why all the love for Brandon Inge?

Because Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera are not all that good at third base. While the Tigers lineup is seemingly a bit part of the problem, the Tigers pitching is equally a part of the problem, and the Tigers defense on the left side isn’t really helping matters. A team like Detroit’s has enough scoring ability to carry Inge’s bat at third base. Inge’s OPS of .736 is fifth among regulars in the batting order and ahead of Placido Polanco, Edgar Renteria, Pudge and Sheffield. His OPS is seventh among American League third baseman with at least 75 plate appearances (when you take Miguel Cabrera out of the mix, otherwise it’s eighth). He’s not having that bad a year. His bat is average, his glove is above average. That makes him a worthy addition to the lineup in my mind.

Secondary answer: Fans always want “the other guy” and since he’s not playing third base regularly, that makes him the perfect solution to what ails the Tigers in the fans’ minds.

• Why all the hate for Miguel Cabrera?

That I don’t get at all, either. He’s not playing like Mickey Mantle, so fans want their money back. Even though it’s Mike Illitch’s money. And it’s not $20 million per season yet. And it’s only May. So fans are thinking Cabrera is overhyped and overpaid.

And they’re wrong on both counts, as Al detailed so well I’m not going to duplicate it, just link to it again.

Detroiters, you should be happy Cabrera wil be wearing the Olde English D for quite a while. He’s going to prove his worth as the season and his career continue. Don’t judge him off of one month’s work.

• How would I characterize the Tigers’ struggles at start of the season in one sentence?

Oy vaye.

Take two? Pitching, hitting and defense have all been way too inconsistent.

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News out of Brandon Inge’s mouth is that playing catcher isn’t so bad after all.

“My heart’s definitely into it now, and that’s a big step,” Inge said. (quoted by Danny Knobler)

Which, you know, is probably a good thing because he’s under contract with the Tigers for a few more years and Pudge Rodriguez isn’t. So, somebody’s gotta crouch behind the plate, right?

While we all pine for Inge to play third base — maybe “all” isn’t completely accurate, but I bet it’s a lot closer to accurate now than say, February — his ability to play another key defensive position is much needed. And from a personal standpoint, I think any uniform with “Inge” on the back that doesn’t have Detroit on the front would just look so incredibly weird.

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I don’t listen to talk radio myself. Don’t like it. But I imagine the message boards and comments section of your favorite Tigers blogs is likely pretty representative of some popular opinions out there. I’m afraid I can’t agree with everything being batted around. Here’s my favorites:

• Trading Jair Jurrjens for Edgar Renteria was an incredible mistake. (I believe the popular terminology is something between stupid and idiotic by some guy named Dumb-rowski).
• Related: If the Tigers had reliable rookie Jair Jurrjens on the pitching staff, things wouldn’t be so bad.

I understand the idea. Tigers fans observe the Tigers pitching stinks. Which, well, it does. The team ERA is 4.98. It has allowed 185 runs (fully 20 are unearned). Meanwhile, Jurrjens, traded to Atlanta this offseason for Renteria, is having a wonderful season. His ERA is 2.84. His walks+hits per inning rate is just more than 1. He is the answer to the Tigers’ problems, right?

Well first, that trade was probably not that bad. It’s not really a winner of a trade, but I think people are overemphasizing it as a loser simply because Jurrjens isn’t here to fail with the rest of the team. Renteria’s fielding percentage (a raw, weak stat, but a stat) is second in the A.L. His range factor and zone rating are both 7th. So what’s that make him? Average I guess. Meanwhile he has the third-highest OPS among American League shortstops.

Had the Renteria trade not occured, the Tigers would probably have kept a poor-fielding Carlos Guillen at shortstop, for awhile anyway, before giving way to Ramon Santiago. Maybe they then switch Guillen to first base, I don’t know. We do know they were going to do everything in their power to play Miguel Cabrera at third base, so I suspect things would eventually have played out the same. The fact of the matter is, Guillen has to play somewhere in the field, or Gary Sheffield has to play somewhere in the field, or Miguel Cabrera has to play somewhere in the field. None of this is related to Renteria. Leave him out of this.

Now, examining Jurrjens, we find this. His numbers in the National League are fantastic. He has also faced couple of teams that have scored fewer than 150 runs: the Nationals, the Mets, the Marlins, the Rockies. I think we can agree, the Tigers pitchers might not look so bad against them. Meanwhile, Detroit has spent 25% of its games against the Red Sox (leading offense in the A.L.) and the Angels (the No. 2 offense in the A.L.). They’ve also faced the Yankees. Would Jurrjens have fared as well against that competition? We can’t say for sure, but I have to believe his numbers would likely be a bit worse. Don’t you?

And then we have the next problem. Let’s say Jurrjens is with the organization right now. Who does he replace? No, don’t say Kenny Rogers or Nate Robertson. The answer is, as the top remaining prospect, he’d already have replaced Dontrelle Willis. Armando Galarraga did that, and he did that quite well. So we have to advance the question: Would you be calling for Galarraga, some guy in the minors with sorta middling stats, to replace Robertson or Rogers? Would you have the gall to have him replace Justin Verlander or Jeremy Bonderman? I highly doubt that. So either way, what has to happen is the four horses the Tigers have must perform. Anyone who thinks one of those guys is going to lose his job is kidding themself.

And let’s face it, the Tigers are already stinking with them playing. If any of the four goes on the disabled list, it really isn’t going to matter much.

Look, I’ll agree, it sounds great. I enjoyed Jurrjens and wish he hadn’t been traded, too. But if you believe it would make that big a difference with this team — a team that struggles to score in nearly half of its games — you’re kidding yourself.

The real problem is having three designated hitters — side note: also please stop calling Ordonez a designated hitter. He is a capable right fielder — and injuries to your second baseman, center fielder and designated hitter, who suddenly wants to play the field despite two aching shoulders. This would be a better team if the Tigers could find a way to play Inge at third and Guillen at DH every day, I have no doubt.
But there’s too many big egos and big salaries getting in the way right now. That, I believe, is the true key to unlocking the Tigers.

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Boston 5, 6, 7, 8, 1, 2, 3, really doesn’t matter does it but for history’s sake let’s say 5
Tigers: 0.

Recap:

• Curtis Granderson.
• Carlos Guillen.
• Pudge Rodriguez.
• Thought they each deserved a line of their own because there’s really nothing else to write about this crappy game except those three got hits.
• Nate Robertson gave up four runs
• Freddy Dolsi allowed one.
• For the record, the kid gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Manny Ramirez

Analysis:

• I dislike Boston because people call Manny Ramirez, ManRam, for the record. It really has nothing to do with the actual Red Sox. I’m sure they’re perfectly acceptable people. But the media annoys by shoving the Red Sox and their cutesy nicknames down everyone’s throat.
• Had to get that off my chest. And I was working during the entire game so I can’t really say I have any observations about it.
• Anyway, the Tigers go from 19 runs and sweeping the Yankees in the Bronx to being swept by the Twins and shut out by an ancient mariner. or red sock. Whatever Tim Wakefield is.
• The team scored 19 in a game and averages nearly 7 runs a game for quite awhile and suddenly enters Minnesota and can’t score and still can’t score.
• The Tigers have gone 0-7 and 8-2 and 0-5 and the fans have gone from cautiously optimistic the team can’t suck for the whole season to despondent to happy to chagrined and now, depending on the source, we’re either pissed or depressed.
• I’m annoyed with the whole thing.
• Does Jim Leyland have any other drastic changes up his sleeve?
• Right now, I can’t even tell you if this team is good or stinks or what. That’s probably the most frustrating part. I’d like to know one way or the other. I guess ultimately it adds up to being average.
• They’re just not as good as the top tier in the American League. The results alone tell us that. But they haven’t played enough games against bad teams to be above .500 right now. So they look worse.
• So, right now, they’re average. That’s what I’m going with.
• Meh.

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Red Sox 6
Tigers 3

Recap:

• Drastic changes, still inconsistent offense.

Analysis:

• Thank goodness for playoff basketball.

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