So, Tigers Are OK, Almost

By Matt Sussman | Apr 24, 2008 | Filed Under Baseball

tildeswing.jpgI broke down this series over at The Big Tilde, but this bears repeating: The Rangers scored 10 runs; the Tigers hit 10 home runs. The bullpen pitched 13 innings and had more wins (2) than earned runs (1).

Yes, it’s the Texas Rangers, so it was glorified batting practice. But that’s a hell of a lot of runs. And that team is known for at least some decent offense, and the Cirque De Blown Games pretty much became a unified shutdown pitcher.

Of course, the question mark is still that starting pitching. Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers, and Jeremy Bonderman combined for 14 innings, 9 runs, 17 hits and 12 walks. That’s an ERA of 5.78 and a WHIP just over 2.00. Absolutely not good enough. The fact that Jim Leyland had more faith in Zach freaking Miner than BBonderman in a tie game, really said something.

This upcoming series against the LA Angels will be another test for the starters. Nate Robertson and Justin Verlander get another go at solid outings, while Armando Galarraga (the non-non-Hodgkins Galarraga) will start the Saturday afternoon game. Hard to believe, in that vaunted rotation, and in that depleted farm system, that a minor league call-up not rhyming with Schmorcello is the only sure starter these days.

BallHype: hype it up! Tags: ,

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  1. MP on April 25, 2008 12:43 pm:

    I wonder how much Rogers has left in the tank, due to his decidedly slow start this year.

  2. Jeff V on April 30, 2008 12:21 am:

    Is there anywhere that I can bet on “the tigers going on a crazy winning streak yet still not making the playoffs”

    Seriously I’d give great odds at this point.

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