Much to Derek’s dismay the Tigers are still in first place and they still have the best record in baseball. Yes they got swept by the WhiteSox and they have a 3-9 record against the ChiSox this season. But it’ll be ok. I’m actually glad to see them struggling right now.
Even with the sweep, which puts their losing streak at 5, they are still sitting on the best record in the Majors. Their pitching staff is still one of the best in either league. Their march to the playoffs is still all but assured. As of Sunday, we currently have 76 wins. Which is more than all but two seasons in which Bobby Higginson endured in his dozen years as a Tiger.
The Tigers are on pace to win 105 games. That is one more than the 1984 team won on their march to the World Series. Now, even the most optimistic of Tiger fans (me included) don’t expect this pace to continue. Even if the team plays close to .500 ball (22-23) from here on out we’ll finish with 98 wins. That will likely be good enough for both a playoff spot and the division championship. It is starting to look like 100 wins isn’t too far out of reach. Having said that you’re not going to get me to make any October predictions, other than, if the Tigers make the playoffs, they are going to have to play very well to advance.
There seems to be a fair number in the media (Detroit included) saying ‘see they aren’t for real’. There is a lot of people looking for this surprising team to fall apart, and struggle to make the playoffs, if they do at all. Seriously, all they have to do is win 14 games from here on out and they will have won 90. While that doesn’t seem like it will get them into the post season, it will certainly keep them in the hunt. But falling to a barely-over-300 winning percentage is pretty unlikely given the season they are having.
I personally am glad that they are struggling right now. It won’t really bother me if they drop 2 of 3 to Boston this week. This team seems to believe they can beat anybody on any given night. If they don't win this series all that does is fuel the media and drama. If the Tigers end up facing the Red Sox, or the Yankees for that matter, in the playoffs, I have no question that we will give them a good series and make them earn every victory they get. And in the background you'll hear the media chirping about how they Tigers can't seem to beat the elite teams.
We have a pretty tough schedule for the rest of the month. We’ve got another series against Chicago, a series against the Yankees, and one against the Indians. The only possible rest is against the Rangers later this week. But the September schedule doesn’t look quite as tough.
The schedule has the potential to be an ally for the Tigers. They should right themselves sooner than later. At which time they’ll be in good position to be firing on all cylinders heading into the post season. It is much better to be struggling (which happens to even the greatest teams) in the middle of August, than in the middle of September.
Just remember, and I hope that every member of the Tigers remembers, as of today they still have the best record in baseball, and they still have a 5 ½ game lead over the White Sox for the lead in the AL Central.
3 comments:
Since the Tigers thankfully took the first game from Boston, I will be pissed if they don't take 2 of 3 in that series.
That said, the pitching is starting to cool off. Kenny's 0-3 with a 6.37 ERA since the All-Star break (typical Kenny). His ERA would be even higher except the 4 runs he gave up this weekend were all unearned. Bonderman's 3-1, but with a 4.70 ERA. Nate's 2-3 with a 5.45 ERA. Zach Miner is 1-2 with a 6.60 ERA. Verlander is the only starter who has continued to pitch well, but at some point the innings may catch up to him, not to mention the pressure of a playoff run. I'd be a little on the nervous side. This is a team that may make the playoffs, but be limping going into them, with no real prior experience (sans Pudge) to fall back on.
I'm not nervous at all.
Everybody talks about how we should be worried about not making the playoffs. In my mind, and I know I am not reflective of the Detroit media or anyone else, we were only supposed to be above 500 and make some noise in the wild card race.
Sure I'd be disappointed if we fail to make it at this point. And given how we've played this far that kind of collapse would be embarrasing. But anything above my original expectation, to me, is gravy. Verlander and Bonderman, and Zumaya are bound to be even better next year (assuming we don't burn them out this year).
You're right in that you shouldn't be nervous about getting into the playoffs. At this point, they should make it. I would be concerned about what happens once you're there.
Hey, I just noticed you had two other postings. Geez, you're putting me to shame. OK, not really.
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