What to do with Miner?
I haven't raised hypothetical questions on the blog before, and I usually don't post the night before a day game, but Miner's outing tonight raises an interesting one. His next turn is Tuesday, the series opener against the Yankees in The Bronx.
Because it's right after an off day, you could theoretically skip Miner's spot and move Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander up while still letting them pitch on their regular four days' rest. Or, you can bring back Maroth for either Wednesday or Thursday of that series. If you do either of those, though, it's basically a deflating move for Miner.
If you let Miner pitch Tuesday, it's a solid vote of confidence, and he has shown more than once he can rebound from bad outings. But as the Yankees showed against the Red Sox last weekend, they make pitchers throw strikes. If Miner isn't aggressive and gets knocked out early again, it taxes the bullpen at the start of a series where they could be going early and often.
When asked after the game about any possibility of skipping Miner's turn, Jim Leyland said, "I don't have any plans for that." It's a tough decision either way. If you're Leyland, what do you do?
If Maroth pitches well in his next start and has no discomfort, I would bring him back to face Abreu, Giambi, and Cano. We've been waiting for him to be healthy and take back his spot. Even if Minor had gone five decent innings yesterday, I would make the same move.
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Yank him out for the veteran Maroth.
On a similar hypothetical note, assuming the Tigers are in the playoffs, who is off the roster once Polanco and Maroth come back?
Is Clevlen the extra outfielder or is it Gomez or Infante even?
Do you carry one less pitcher due to the short series and keep Infante and Clevlen and send out Lewis?
Is Infante off in favor
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Infante has had a rough go. He has been asked to be patient and then to fill in situationally. I am sure in his mind he has done everything he has been aksed to do and not been properly rewarded. Probably a pretty tough pill to swallow when the Tigs went after Perez. After all he played as a regular in '04 and hit (and fielded) pretty well with over 15 homers I believe.
I think he is too versatile to leave off the roster. What if Inge or (bite my tongue) Guillen go down?
My guess is they will be recalling Shelton though where do you play him with Casey playing as well as he is and Thames as the extra right handed bat?
Maroth is not going to have an easy comeback. Miner has shown that he can be difficult to hit at times. He needs some more polish and tutoring but I don't think he should be regarded as being done at this point.
Clevlen has shown he can play. What I have really been surprised with is that he does not seem overwhelmed at the plate. I think it would be a better idea to have his right handed bat offset Granderson right now rather than another left handed bat.
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Something wicked this way comes....
Well let's hope all the bad air has been let out. These kind of games will happen but they are easier to take than a squeaker with blown opportunities.
All in all---Chicago had to salvage the series, not us. And if we both play a split is technically to our advantage with the lead and games remaining.
Reality also includes momentum and statements. The Sox mad a pretty emphatic statement today as they played superbly.
This is going to be a gut-wrenching stretch drive without doubt.
It seems to me that the number 8 and 9 hitters have been hurting us all year. Anderson has had some big hits as have other #9 hitters around the league. These hitters maybe "gifts" but they still need to be opened delicately and not regarded as "gimmees".
Big game tomorrow---let's win won for Rich who just traveled over 500 miles to watch his beloved Tigers yesterday and today---apparently he will be watching the boys tomorrow in Clevland.
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If you're going to lose might as well lose big. No excuses in this game, but with just decent run support in past games, Nate could be 14-7 now. But last night... What was Pudge thinking?... (and I love Pudge) but he swung at what appeared to be ball 4. Bases should have been loaded with no outs. Casey's double brings in 3 with still no outs...Then it's a different game. That's just fundamental team baseball.
That was the pivital game in the series, it shouldn't have come down to today's game.
I feel badly for Omar. What's he got to be thinking right now? Why did Tiger management feel the desperate need to go out and get Perez? I don't get it. Nothing against Perez, maybe he will help in the future, but when Placido gets back, is there a place for Perez on the roster? I like Omar, and he's paid his dues. Apparently Jim Leyland has no confidence in Omar. I thought he did well given the chance. One big error yes, but it followed two of Nate's walks, and that was that game.
Chemistry is changing and I'm not all that comfortable with it. I like Casey but look forward to Chris Shelton coming back with his old swing hopefully.
Just read the SI story on young arms and the danger of too many innings. A lot of insightful stats. Verlander on the cover. Good article. Mike Maroth might be the answer to bolstering a staff full of young and possibly tiring arms. If Mike is fully healed and ready, he'll bring a fresh arm to the rotation. Don't give up on Zach. How about giving Wilfredo a start or two. Is a seven man rotation a ridiculous idea? Line him up before or after Zach and they can cover for each other if either has a poor early outing... I didn't necessarily say these were good ideas... just ideas.
With all the lineup versatility that the Tigers have they still don't have a legit leadoff guy. Curtis did well but he's in a funk now. He needs that pressure taken off him. Carlos could lead off but I'd like to see him in the third hole. Why doesn't he hit there? He currently has the highest average doesn't he? Try Inge again at leadoff. Rodriguez second. Guillen third,Monroe forth and Ordonez fifth, Young sixth against righties, Marcus sixth against lefties, Casey seventh, Granderson eighth, and Infante ninth.
My wish list for playoff roster should Tigers make it and given everyone healthy:
Based on contributions and fairness (not as much speed as you'd like...oh well)
Rodriguez
Wilson
Guillen
Polanco
Inge
Ordonez
Monroe
Shelton
Thames
Granderson
Young
Casey
Infante
Just a sideline...
I was in Pittsburgh before the All Star break. Watched a fun game on Sunday, July 2.
Based on their willingness to sign autographs for the kids and interact with fans here are my picks.
Easily #1 was Mike Maroth,then
Nate Robertson,Chris Shelton, Todd Jones, Jason Grilli, even Jim Leyland signed a couple. Sorry if I've forgotten anyone.
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To me, Miner looked scared his last outting. Understandable. However, the kid has filled in admirably, and we would not have the lead we have without him.
Leyland knows the psyche of his players better'n I do, so he must know that skipping Miner's start will create a confidence problem. I can live with that.
That being said, however, I am not so sure starting him the first game of the Yankees series will help his confidence. It's asking a lot, and he seems to be pressing.
We should trust Leyland's judgement. If he gets hit hard, I think we'll see him take a rest his next scheduled start.
Sometimes, as Leyland has shown, one ballgame might be sacrificed to protect the confidence of his ballplayers. Things like letting Pudge swing at ball four pay off, in the long run.
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Placating players and confidence building are for Spring Training and when you are playing out the season. We are in a pennant race. I would be far less concerned with Zach Miner's confidence level, or anyone else's for that matter, than I would be by "sacrificing" a game at this stage of the season. What if you are 1 game behind on Oct 1st?
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