That's right, it's still the Detroit Tigers. The same team that lost 119 games in 2003. It's all pitching, with a team ERA of 3.54. The second best American League team is Oakland, with a 4.16 ERA. A full .62 higher. We've thrown 11 shutouts this year.
Everyone wants to talk about Jim Leyland and the job he's done, but I don't give a lot of credit to managers. I think the results would have been much the same with Alan Trammell still at the helm. I think the man who deserves the lion's share of the credit is general manager Dave Dombrowski. He took the wreckage that Randy Smith had left behind and turned it into a winner in short order. So I would like to take a moment and take a look at some of the transactions that were made to assemble the Tigers' current starting pitching staff:
Kenny Rogers (10-3, 3.72 ERA) Signed as a free agent. With so many free agent pitchers failing to live up to expectations, it's difficult to pick one who will continue to perform. Result: very shrewd signing.
Justin Verlander (10-4, 3.13 ERA) 2004 1st round draft pick. While all of Randy Smith's 1st round picks seemed to go bust, Dombrowski's picks are starting to pay off in a big way. Joel Zumaya is another making major contributions to the team. Humberto Sanchez is another making big waves at AAA. Result: Superb draft pick.
Jeremy Bonderman (7-4, 3.65 ERA) Part of the three way trade that sent Jeff Weaver to the Yankees and Bonderman, Carlos Peña, and Franklyn German from the A's to the Tigers. While Peña and German never panned out, Bonderman has been well worth the price. Especially since Weaver is getting hammered for the Angels these days. Result: brilliant trade.
Nate Robertson (8-4, 3.35 ERA) Part of the trade that sent Mark Redman to the Marlins for Robertson and Gary Knotts. Knotts has since been released, but Robertson is having a spectacular year. Meanwhile, Redman is getting pounded for the Royals. Result: brilliant trade.
Zach Miner (5-1, 2.68 ERA) Part of the trade that sent Kyle Farnsworth to the Braves for Miner and Roman Colon. Colon is worthless, but Miner has been fantastic filling in for the injured Mike Maroth. Farnsworth has a 4.75 ERA for the Yankees this year. Result: brilliant trade.
Mike Maroth (5-2, 3.56 ERA) Acquired from Boston for pitcher Bryce Florie. Florie hasn't pitched since 2001. Result: brilliant trade.
So there you have it. The Tigers' long road to perdition is over. Dave Dombrowski's brilliant job in the front office has brought us back into contention.
Hard to argue -- One innocent Friday, my brother (and his kids) and I drove down to Chicago and watched the Tigers beat the Cubs, most of it in the first two innings. OK, so we go to see the Cubs play, not win. A few days later I go with friends to see the Brewers. Guess who they're playing???? Yeah, 10-1 Tigers over Brewers. 🙄 Tigers rock this year.
Originally posted by Derfel CadarnYou mean like the White Sox last year who almost but ultimately didn't?
Too bad they'll pull the same thing every "best team in baseball" pulls and fall apart come playoffs.
Edit: I'm rooting for the Tigers to make it all the way. I don't know if they will be able to pull it off though, how much playoff experience do they have?
Originally posted by rwingettLike fighting? Just be glad you're not in the AL East. You'd be in third.
Thems is fightin' words.
P-
2 wins, 5 lost May into June
May 29 vs NYY
Loss 0-4
W: R. Johnson
L: J. Bonderman
May 30 vs NYY
Loss 6-11
W: M. Rivera
L: T. Jones
May 31 vs NYY
Loss 1-6
W: M. Mussina
L: N. Robertson
June 1 vs NYY
Win 7-6
W: F. Rodney
L: K. Farnsworth
June 2 vs Bos
Loss 2-3
W: R. Seánez
L: T. Jones
S: J. Papelbon
June 3 vs Bos
Win 6-2
W: J. Bonderman
L: T. Wakefield
S: F. Rodney
June 4 vs Bos
Loss 3-8
W: M. Clement
L: Z. Miner
Originally posted by rwingettThe Tigers stink and will collapse in the second half when the league starts tearing up their young pitchers after getting a few looks at them and people like Rogers return to their usual pedestrian level of performance. I think they might hold off Cleveland for 3rd in the division behind the White Sox and Twins.
That's right, it's still the Detroit Tigers. The same team that lost 119 games in 2003. It's all pitching, with a team ERA of 3.54. The second best American League team is Oakland, with a 4.16 ERA. A full .62 higher. We've thrown 11 shutouts this year.
Everyone wants to talk about Jim Leyland and the job he's done, but I don't give a lot of credit to ma ...[text shortened]... mbrowski's brilliant job in the front office has brought us back into contention.