Most of the complaints following yesterday's blowout loss to the Tribe will focus on Jim Leyland's inexplicable lineup choices. For reasons unknown, Leyland continues to give days off to All-star Jhonny Peralta, and he also rested 2B Carlos Guillen in what has become - to date - the most important series of the year.
With two games in the bag, the majority of the damage is done. The Tigers' 4 game lead over Cleveland shrunk to 2. Worse, the Tribe maintain a psychological edge. This was the Tigers 13th straight loss in Cleveland. 13! And Cleveland is doing it with rookies and 2nd year players. This isn't the Yankees or Red Sox. This is Jason Kipnis going 5 for 5 (career at bats: 56). This is Cubs' castoff Kosuke Fukudome blistering Porcello for 3 hits (2 doubles).
All told, the Tribe notched 18 hits off Tiger pitching. Don't let Leyland's crappy lineup distract you -- it was the pitching that shoulders responsibility for this disaster. This game was Porcello's most important of the season. Not only was he facing the arch-rival Indians, but the bullpen was shot from the night before. The Tigers desperately needed innings out of this guy. The Indians were in the same boat, and they got 8 strong innings out of Jimenez. Porcello? He gave the Tigers nothing.
Technically, Porcello threw 3.2 innings, but he might as well have stayed home. The Cleveland hitters teed off on Porcello for 11 hits and 8 runs. This game was over in the 4th.
Now, Porcello gave Cleveland an early 1-0 lead in the first. We all hoped he'd settle down. But he came back in the second and gave up 3 more. Still, the Tigers fought back in the fourth. Thanks to a Raburn (!!) triple, the Tigers clawed back to make it 4-3. It seemed the game was ON. Nope. In the bottom of the 4th, Porcello gave up hit after hit. Then Dirks joined the fun by airmailing a throw into the camera well, turning a routine single into an RBI triple. Porcello proceeded to let the runner on 3rd score thanks to his wild pitch. Cleveland fans erupted in a chorus of "DETROIT SUCKS!".
Who can argue with them?
When the Tigers needed Porcello most, he failed. Now, every pitcher has off days. I'm not ready to write this guy off. Yet, this is one of the reasons I hoped the Tigers would be sellers at the trading deadline. Despite his problems, Porcello would command quite a steep price in a trade. He's only 21 and has proven to be a legitimate MLB-caliber pitcher. That has value. Even if the Tigers somehow win this Central (big IF), I don't see them doing any damage in the playoffs. Talent-wise, they are light-years behind the other division leaders, especially Boston and Philadelphia - a team overflowing in riches with Roy Halladay (15-4, 2.51 ERA), Cliff Lee (12-7, 2.83 ERA), Cole Hamels (13-6, 2.53), and Vance Worley (8-1, 2.35 ERA).
Tonight, the Tigers unleash Verlander. Perhaps they can salvage one win and come home feeling a bit better about themselves. As a fan, though, it really doesn't matter. It's clear to me at least that the team is not elite. They're lucky to be where they are. To rub salt in the wound, Curtis Granderson hit his 30th home run yesterday. That's more than Detroit's outfield (Maggs, Jackson, Boesch) combined. As Mrs. Nofrownmotown said yesterday, "If the Yankees want one of your players, perhaps that's a sign that you should keep him." I'm a Dombrowski fan, but man that trade still makes me angry.
Very astute comment by Mrs. NFMT. And I share your lack of confidence. That said, I really hope JV goes out and mows down the Tribe tonight. Need to feel positive about something.
ReplyDeleteYeah, let's hope the Tigers at least keep things interesting. We've still got a few months before hockey.
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