All Star Break // It's Reflection Time
The first half of the baseball season is over. While it hasn't been all bad, it really seems like things can only improve in the second half. After all, this is baseball. Anything can happen at any time.
PITCHING
Zimmermann and Norris are on the DL for now, but are expected to return shortly after the All Star Break. Our rotation is Verlander, Zimmermann, Fulmer, Norris, and Pelfrey. The first three are solid. You don't worry when they're on the mound and you can expect to win the games they start. Norris has shown the kind of pitcher he can be if he can stay healthy. He could really help us. Pelfrey has had some better starts and if he can keep it up, we at least have a chance to win on the days he pitches. That's about what you expect from a fifth starter. Let's face it, you can't always have a rotation like we did back in the days of Scherzer, Verlander, Porcello, Sanchez, Fister, and Smyly.
OFFENSE
We are doing pretty well here. Up and down the lineup, guys are contributing. But you also know there is more. Cameron Maybin has been a catalyst in our lineup. J.D. coming back will be big. Cabrera is doing fine, for Cabrera, but it seems like he isn't quite there. All around, it's a good lineup that has the potential for more.
DEFENSE
I don't get why our defense grades out below average, I really don't. The only possible two "weak spots" might be left and center, but we have J.D. in right (usually) and our infield defense is strong. Yes, Castellanos is strong at third, have you watched/listened to the Tigers this season?!
BULLPEN
It has been so long since I've been comfortable with our bullpen. Maybe since the year Valverde was 49-49 in save opportunities. Last year we had a starting point with Alex Wilson and Blaine Hardy. This year, while we've had some struggles (mostly due, I think, to the heavy workload the bullpen was carrying because the starters were struggling so much), we have a much better bullpen. It'd be nice to have Shane Greene back in the starting rotation, but he is really helping us in the 'pen and for the first time in years, we have a closer we can trust. It's really nice.
A miscellaneous high point is our extra-inning play. I remember a few years ago, where you could never count the Tigers out until the third out of the ninth inning (or whatever the last inning was). Last year, if we were down late, we were pretty much out. This year is not like that. We battle till the last strike is called. It's a really encouraging sign to me that this team can make a comeback and doesn't give up.
I can look ahead with optimism because we are above .500, are playing good baseball, and we will get our injured players back soon. LET'S GO TIGERS!!!!!!
PITCHING
Zimmermann and Norris are on the DL for now, but are expected to return shortly after the All Star Break. Our rotation is Verlander, Zimmermann, Fulmer, Norris, and Pelfrey. The first three are solid. You don't worry when they're on the mound and you can expect to win the games they start. Norris has shown the kind of pitcher he can be if he can stay healthy. He could really help us. Pelfrey has had some better starts and if he can keep it up, we at least have a chance to win on the days he pitches. That's about what you expect from a fifth starter. Let's face it, you can't always have a rotation like we did back in the days of Scherzer, Verlander, Porcello, Sanchez, Fister, and Smyly.
OFFENSE
We are doing pretty well here. Up and down the lineup, guys are contributing. But you also know there is more. Cameron Maybin has been a catalyst in our lineup. J.D. coming back will be big. Cabrera is doing fine, for Cabrera, but it seems like he isn't quite there. All around, it's a good lineup that has the potential for more.
DEFENSE
I don't get why our defense grades out below average, I really don't. The only possible two "weak spots" might be left and center, but we have J.D. in right (usually) and our infield defense is strong. Yes, Castellanos is strong at third, have you watched/listened to the Tigers this season?!
BULLPEN
It has been so long since I've been comfortable with our bullpen. Maybe since the year Valverde was 49-49 in save opportunities. Last year we had a starting point with Alex Wilson and Blaine Hardy. This year, while we've had some struggles (mostly due, I think, to the heavy workload the bullpen was carrying because the starters were struggling so much), we have a much better bullpen. It'd be nice to have Shane Greene back in the starting rotation, but he is really helping us in the 'pen and for the first time in years, we have a closer we can trust. It's really nice.
A miscellaneous high point is our extra-inning play. I remember a few years ago, where you could never count the Tigers out until the third out of the ninth inning (or whatever the last inning was). Last year, if we were down late, we were pretty much out. This year is not like that. We battle till the last strike is called. It's a really encouraging sign to me that this team can make a comeback and doesn't give up.
I can look ahead with optimism because we are above .500, are playing good baseball, and we will get our injured players back soon. LET'S GO TIGERS!!!!!!
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