Friday with the farmhands
Though the Tigers put on a home-run parade in Friday’s 12-3 win over the Dodgers, Jim Leyland didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. The wind was blowing out strong here all day, and Leyland said it could’ve easily been a 14-11 game. The difference was that Detroit’s pitchers managed to keep the ball on the ground much more, especially Chris Spurling and Jordan Tata. It was a nice bounceback outing for Spurling after giving up the two home runs Wednesday to the Braves.
Leyland can’t stop praising Brent Clevlen. After Friday’s game, which featured Clevlen’s third homer in five days, Leyland called him "a helluva prospect. He’s one of the best I’ve seen in a while. I like him a lot." I don’t think Leyland likes him enough to take him with the big club out of camp, but I think Leyland’s putting him in his picture for the near future. The spot appearances in center field, including a late-inning stint there Friday, are for a purpose.
Jason Beck
It is encouraging to see the good springs that Clevlen and Tata are having.
Let’s here it for these young farmhands. They’re doing a pretty fair job I’d say. Why don’t we take a few north. Maybe Verlander, Zumaya and De La Cruz would be a good start. The hard part is that some of the others may be deserving too. Things may look a bit brighter soon.
I would love to add Clevlen to the above mix but know he needs to play not sit. The outfield is definitely too crowded today. But some will be leaving town after the season leaving room for a couple young upstarts.