Thoughts while I am seeking someone to "Talk me off the Ledge..."
What on Earth is going on here?
The mighty (?) Tigers are the only team in major league baseball without a victory.
I know it's only 0-4 but we waited all winter for this?
I was at the opener and enjoyed it a lot. Never mind that I have personally attended five straight losses. It was an exciting ballgame.
The team followed this effort with two sleepwalking losses that wound up a stunning three game sweep at the hands of the Royals. I am not going to denigrate them. Hell, they swept us at home to end the 2006 season, costing us a division championship that we still have not won since1987.
And they do have some excellent young pitchers. The pen between Yoakim Soria closing and Edwin Nunez setting up looks excellent. Everybody talks about Gil Meche but I think Brian Bannister is the diamond of this emerging big three. All he did was stuff the Bengals bats where, er well, you know where - in game two. Zero runs and three hits in seven sterling innings. If Zach Grienke can maintain his composure, he makes it a very solid group. And I'd say he did Thursday. He stuffed the Tigers ba-t-s ...err I have said enough...HAD enough already!
I'm not here to wax poetically about the Royals starting pitchers!
Jim Leyland summed it up perfectly following the 4-1 loss yesterday.
"We stunk."
All told, the team went 2-22 in the series against Kansas City with runners in scoring position. Of course, most of this was in game one because they had only a few runners in scoring position the last two games in the series, and but one Thursday.
They went scoreless for eighteen innings consecutively. This is the club that many pegged to challenge the 1,000 runs scored barrier! They may eventually make it but I'm ready to see them start scoring.
Well, they did today. But they id soething else even better. Something that you don't like your home team to do better...
The White Sox beat the Tigers 8-5 and made it 0-4 and the Stranders, who left another dozen men on base in the first four innings!
For those who don't feel like doing the math, they were perfect here! The maximum number or runners you can leave on base in four innings is...ready for this?
TWELVE!
Gary Sheffield has a torn tendon in his ring finger and could be out for weeks.
Miguel Cabrera has a strained quad.
Curtis Granderson is at least two or three weeks away from returning.
Jason Grilli is still starting bigger fires than they had out in San Diego last fall.
I know. I know.
I know it's only four games in.
But still, can we get a do over, or something.
Somebody, somewhere, anywhere (even Cleveland), find me a silver lining in this swiling mass of gray and black.
And do me a favor.
Talk me off the ledge. It's still really damp and cold out here in Motown...Maybe Miss America can do something...I need your sweet smile honey. Come on back to the ballpark. And coach Mr. Grilli on how not to be such a gas can if you can, dear.
