Wednesday, June 4, 2008

The Tigers:More or Less Frustrating Than '94 to '05?

As I start this, the Tigers have lost their 4th game via a walk-off of some sorts on this road trip. Maybe they take a gem by the starter and not score a run for him(May 26 @ LAA Angels).Maybe they will take an early lead and then not get any more runs over the next 8 innings(May 27th @ LAA Angels). When they are not losing in walk-off fashion, they will win a game by scoring 7 runs in the top of the first inning, not score anymore, then nearly blow the lead over the rest of the nine innings. Then they will follow up that effort by getting two-hit and keep the scoreless streak going 'til it hits the 17 inning mark. (May 29th,30th @ Seattle)

These are a lot of the same things that happened to the Tigers during their stretch of 12 losing seasons from '94 to '05.

-Then, the tigers were throwing out lineups with greats such as Shane Halter, Joe Randa, Robert Fick, and Wendell Magee. Payroll around 40 million dollars
-Now, The tigers are throwing out an All-Star at almost every position. Payroll around 140 million dollars

-Then, the tigers lose a game in extra innings, 5-4, by a walkoff infield single and it was cute because they shouldn't have even been that close. And really, do you expect Deivi Cruz to make EVERY play?
-Now, the tigers lose a game in extras,5-4, on an infield single and its frustrating because the Tigers walked 10 batters and they left 15 runners on base(including 9 in scoring position).

-Then, the tigers would lose a game 7-0 and their ace is the starter that day. Come on now, Brian Moehler, you can do better than that.
-Now, the tigers lose a game 7-0 and their ace is on the mound. Justin Verlander, Cy-Young runner up, gave up those runs on 6 hits. And the All Star offense didn't get a hit off of GAVIN FLOYD until the 8th inning.

-Then, the tigers win a game 19-6, Tony clark went 4-4 with two HRs, and you were happy that Justin Thompson, Doug Brocail, and Matt Anderson were able to limit the other team to 6 runs. The next night the team loses 3-0 and people are saying that that is the Tigers they know and love.
-Now, the tigers win a game 19-6, and everyone is starting to feel that the tigers are starting to turn a corner, then they lose 14 of the next 21 and people are don't know the tigers team that they love.

Its not cute anymore, Detroit Tigers.The payroll is up between 90 and 100 million dollars, which makes every loss 90 to 100 million times as fristrating.

This sounds like a panic attack entry, and IT IS. When do people stop saying "its early in the season just give them time"? Its 58 games into the season. There is still 104 games left. But the tigers are now 24-34. I am not confident enough that the Tigers can go 66-38 to finish with 90 wins and a realistic shot at a playoff berth at the end of the season.

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