With Game 5, I was just happy San Jose won the game on a good goal. It was set up by a faceoff win, some hard work on the boards, and a great pass (again) by Thornton to Marleau. The Wings are a bit sour that the goal occurred on the heels of an egregious non-call to a hit-to-the-head on Franzen. Yet, after this series, how can anyone be surprised by inconsistent officiating? The Sharks won the game by outplaying the Wings for longer stretches. In the clutch, one team stood tall. Every hockey fan knows the Sharks are perennial playoff under-performers so I'm happy for them and their fans. They've had a great team for many years now, and perhaps it's finally their turn. Other than those embarrassing dives in Games 1 and 2, I've got no qualms with this squad. They're incredibly disciplined, and the coach is a Babcock mentee.
The Sharks will have their hands full with either the Hawks or Canucks. Both teams, in my humble opinion, are stronger playoff contenders. But only on paper. Besides, I don't care who wins as long as the Western Conference champ beats the Penguins.
As for the Wings, they get a few extra weeks off this offseason. This grueling season may serve to recharge the batteries for Datsyuk and Z. It may also signal the departure for Nick, who has yet to make his decision. My gut tells me he'll be back. But my gut also told me Holland would find a way to re-sign Hossa, so clearly the gut is about as good a guide as "Satipo" from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The Wings already received some excellent news with the return of Jiri Hudler. So, buck-up, Wings fans. Hope remains.
Los Tigres
I wish I could say the same for Tiger starting pitching. It's now May 10, and the Tigers have two reliable starting pitchers. One of those reliable starters is a guy who spent the past two years in Single-A and on the DL with an anxiety disorder. With dreadful starting pitchers and the worst defense in the American league (28 errors), the team has relied solely on the heroic bat of Miguel Cabrera and a shockingly stingy bullpen.
Baseball sage Pat Caputo of 97.1 likes to say that "water finds its level." That may apply to a guy like Verlander who opened the season with an inflated ERA. Yet, Porcello and Scherzer, though, are both so young that we don't quite know what their "level" should be. With Bonderman, my guess is that we're seeing the real Jeremy Bonderman. He's a guy who's spent the majority of the past two years with a massive shoulder problem. He's lost 7-10 mph on his fastball and has become a one-pitch pitcher - slider. Scherzer has given up 21 earned runs, 27 hits, and 7 walks his past three starts. He averaged only four innings per start. That's alarming.
On the flip-side, Miguel Cabrera remains red-hot with a .370 average and an eye-popping 33 RBIs. This is a guy who simply could not knock runs in outside Comerica Park. Those days are long gone. Austin Jackson and Damon continue to get on base, and the team is near the top of the league in doubles. They can hit. But it's all for naught if the pitching gives up 16 hits/game.
There are options in triple-A. Galarraga took his demotion in stride. After a sizzling start, he's cooled off slightly but still sports a 3.8 ERA (1.1 WHIP). Alfredo Figaro also may be ready for another go-round, with a 2.5 ERA. Both pitchers are more MLB-ready than Bonderman right now. Scherzer's handful of good starts in early April warrant a long leash, but the big question mark is Porcello. He's walking around with a 1.8 WHIP and has exhibited none of the elite-level stuff from his rookie campaign. Obviously, it's too early to go alarmist on young Rick, but he may benefit from some time in Triple-A. If he's struggling consistently, the Tigers aren't doing him any favors by lining him up against Justin Morneau.
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