Rotation mutation

I have to wonder if there's any chance for Maroth to start in the playoffs. He hasn't started a game in months, so it would be trial by fire. Terrifying, yes?

I missed the last inning of Saturdays game with Kansas City. Looks like Maroth got touched for 3 runs. Guess I really overlooked that outing. Did he look bad? Still want him on the roster, but can he help? Any opinions?

Steve, I have to think Maroth isn't even going to be on the playoff roster, unless that TBA on Saturday would be him. I am, however, going to go with Jason's best guess, which is Miner. He (Jason) is a lot closer to these things than we are.

If this does turn out to be the case, we can look at the bright side. Maroth will be back in the rotation next year, which is kind of like signing a talented free agent to join an already excellent pitching staff.

I don't see how Leyland can possibly disclose a playoff rotation without publicly stating which team he expects to play first, and that wouldn't be smart.

Marty, Mike looked better than in his previous outing, but it's really hard to judge. What he's trying to accomplish as compared with the game results can be two very different things.

I've made it abundantly clear the last few weeks that I'm a huge Maroth supporter, but without observing another appearance, I don't know if he can help or not.

OK The Jim Leyland Love-In is over for me now.

According to Gameday, Stairs and Casey are playing.

Neither one needs to. If Leyland thinks it best to play Casey then I defer, but Stairs? NO WAY.

I guess we have to be thankful that Perez is not in at third.

Thanks Rich. I am back in full heckling mode.

Any idea why Ordonez out so early in the game?
Weird.

A couple of observatins:

Casey: Will the real Sean Casey pleas eshow up and stay tuned. Swings at horrible pitches then makes great plays digging out poor throws, then misses grounder thru his legs turns doubles into singles. Sure think Shelto desrerves a chance.

Inge--seems to be very skilled on the reatction plays but the medium hit stuff and throws give him problems. I think Inge is just fabulous but this is an observation bsed on recent games.

Granderson needs to develop his arm. Very good glove but a very mediocre arm.

We want Thames and Shelton!!!!

Dan, I am happy to say that we are on the same page here. That is about all I am happy about at the moment.

The third hitter is traditionally your best hitter, but in an unorthodox lineup this could be tilted either toward power or OBP.

Since joining the Tigers Casey has

4 HR 28 RBI .269 OBP .348 SLG

.230 AVE

In September .221 OBP .291 SLG

.157 Ave

To move on to Stairs, who presumably has contractual obligations to the Dominican Bush League Softball Organization but continues to start. Since he joined the Tigers he has

1 HR 2 RBI .222 OBP .346 SLG

.192 Ave

For the season

12 HR 47 RBI .324 OBP .408 Slg

.243 Ave.

Thames in almost exactly the same number of at-bats

26 HR 60 RBI .337 OBP .555 Slg .259

Against right-handed pitching he is hitting over .250 with a slugging percentage of .550. 18 of his 26 home runs have come off right-handed pitching. In other words there is no reason to believe that the side the pitcher throws from effects Thames offensive performance whatsoever.

There is also Thames'tendency to get key hits and the fact that he is leading the team in Slg. by .50 points, averaging a HR every 14 at-bats. He is a true team player who is just looking for a chance to contribute. At 29 he is still looking for his place at the table and seems to me to play every game like it is his last. What is Leyland thinking about???????????

This umpire tonight...............has been squeezing Bonderman all night.

Then, out of nowhere, he calls Infante out on two balls. Like, all of a sudden, the strike zone expanded. I know I am a Tiger fan, but it seems we have been fighting this all season, like the umps cannot decide whether Tiger pitchers are as good as they seem, and that the Tigers cannot possibly be this good.

'Tis enough to make a Tiger fan mad...........very mad.

Yes Marty, full heckling mode has clearly commenced.

Why on earth is Miller pitching? Lets get some innings for the guys on the postseason roster. Its the 7th inning Leyland..

Does anyone know how to write Leyland or Dombroski? I am yelling as loud as I can but am considering alternate forms of communication. Maybe carrier pigeon.

Miller's stuff in positively electric.

This season has NEVER been about only this season..it is about the future as well.

Miller, combined with Verlander and Zumaya and Bonderman, make for some prospects not seen in these parts for some time.

Zumaya walk = once again, an ump squeezes a Tiger pitcher.

When is this going to stop?? That pitch was painting the black, and fooled the ump, and now.........it is 4-2. I hope he is happy.

OK quickly. Lefty coming in to pitch to Casey. JL please do the right thing! Let's see what actually happens.

Scratch I hear you, that pitch from Zumaya was perfect; Zumaya has been the victum of some rather abridged conceptions of the zone.

But if I can respectfully say that while I am excited about Miller's future I don't want to see him in a close game with the division on the line. Its just irresponsible on Leylands part. Millers walk scored and changed the whole complexion of the inning.

If they are considering Miller on the postseason roster at all, you have to get him in a game like this. He has just had trouble with walks so far with the big club.

You got your wish with Shelton pinch hitting. Shelton did what he has done best since April. Don't get me wrong, using him to pinch hit there was the right move but he has not really put it together since the beginning of the year. Using him there is key if you actually are thinking about him in the playoffs as well.

Big Red, You got to do better than that. We're behind ya. Let the one GOOD pitch you got go by. Case of the opposites.

Another Muppet Show is at an end and the credits are rolling. As usual, it came out okay. You guys are very entertaining, since I only read this after the game is over. :-)

Okay, we covered the bad stuff, like why is Miller pitching. We also survived another Indiana Jones appearance from Mr. Rodney. Now for the good. How about that Placido Polanco? And what did you think of that squeeze play? The double steal? Gives the opposing postseason managers something to think about. Todd Jones closes the door again, and has anyone noticed that his opponent batting average was down to .270? I think it had been like .323 or something? Wasn't it a good thing that Leyland used Shelton in that spot? That tells me he's planning on using Big Red in meaningful playoff situations. Omar replaced Stairs at DH. I thought it was a very entertaining game and a good win. I enjoyed every minute. Having iced a playoff spot helps me do that, I guess.

No one answered about Maggs, but they said he had back spasms. Probably hurt himself in that raucous celebration. That dude is a partyer, I never knew that.

Looking ahead, I'll need a supply of drugs to endure Mr. Rodney's postseason appearances, but it's really really REALLY great to know that there will be more baseball next week. In high def, no less

The word I get is that Marcus Thames was ill (too much bubbly) and wasn't even at the ballpark. That would explain Stairs, or at least his at bat against the lefty reliever, and also the use of Infante in his place.