September call-ups

While I think Ledezma has pitched great recently, I was impressed with Tata to begin the year. I would rather see either of them make the start than Miner. If Tata does get the start and Ledezma ends up back in the bullpen, will this be the result of a comment Leyland made early in the year that he would like to have 3 lefties in the pen?

Nice to see Shelton back but it is unfortunate he really din't get himself "fixed" in Toledo. Sounds like Clevlen will be back too.
Great game last night. Nice to see all cylinders firing.

Egasds. Jones pitched very well in the 9th. Gullien probalby should've made that play--.
Ordonez looks awful--almost anybody else makes that play or at least dives for it.

Leyland for an old school manager does not seem to know how to make these guys bunt. Too bad on several counts about Gullien's double, but you gotta make Rodriguez bunt Perez over. D-U-M-B

Pretty bad. Perez actually $ucks. Lots of other self destruction goin' on and BTW I don't think it is a very good move at all pinch-hitting Young for Inge. Inge is a gamer- Leyland not showing confidence in him at that stage of the game and the season. He's already batting the guy 9th with guys like Perez hitting ahead of hime.
Brutal and disturbing loss. And I am posting this as Miner is on the mound.

Getting Perez was not a good Dombrowki/Leyland move. The guy has only hurt the team and was essentially an insult to Omar Infante.

I don't know what you do with Rodney--he is not reliable because he can't throw strikes when he needs them. Pretty much makes him a liability for a relief pitcher and he doesn't have the stamina or composure to start. I suspect he will end up (next year) being a "throw-away", early or middle relief man when the game is doubtful.

Nice trade bait.

Dan, I agree, Pudge should have been bunting. However, if you have him swing away like Leyland did at least he hit it to the right side. Erstad made a good play and many firstbasemen don't come up so cleanly on that play. Have you ever seen Ordonez actually dive for a ball? I haven't yet. He seems to let up on them too easily. Perez has not shown even any promise of being a good addition yet. The only positive is if Guillen misses any time from the hamstring that we have a backup infielder. However, I would rather have Santiago in there at short for the defense if nothing else. Some good glove work at third by him especially considering it was his first time there in the majors. Rodney does need to step it up if he wants to be in crucial situations late in the game. He can't seem to do anything unless someone is on base. I was also surprised to see Jones go out to pitch in the 10th. He pitched good in the 9th and the defense let him down (Ordonez) but he can't seem to go 2 innings. Good job by Thames driving in the runs in the 8th.

Leyland got ahead of himself in this one. I sure hope Guillen's ham isn't serious. Wer'e pretty much toast without him. Inge makes the play that came to Santiago. Not to knock Ramon, but playing third for the first time in your career in a 2-1 game is asking a lot. Nefi Perez might be the biggest joke in Tiger history. We cannot win going 1 out of three each series. I was hoping for a sweep from the Yankees, but they didn't show up today. I agree that Rodney can't throw strikes when needed. No walks until the end of the game; Mags goes 1 for 5; everything is not well in the Motor city.

I dn't mean that Santiago didn't make a great stop. Inge would have made the play, and immediately made the throw. Under no cirucmstance should his glove be out of the game in late innings except injury. While Dimitri's numbers were great against Shields, I think the tradeoff is just too much to absorb. Isn't it amazing that we rarely beat a good closer, but I guess hardly anybody does. It just seems to me that Rodriquez as a closer makes Jones look like a dwarf, and I think Todd has a lot of moxey and heart. Just not really dominating stuff.

Yeah, this one hurts, really hurts. So much went so wrong when we were so close. Can't really blame Jones with all those defensive mistakes behind him though I have always feel that the more pitches he throws the odds rise incrementally that he'll get hit.

THe big foreseeable mistake is pinch-hitting for Inge. I agree with you Dan, he's a gamer and I can't tell you how shocked I was that Leyland would pinch-hit anybody for him. And in September, thats just devastating for Brandon's confidence. What is Leyland thinking? I've said before here both how highly I esteem Brandon and that I thought he was about to get red hot so I may be biased but...I just don't get it.

Also, you can't take a player of Inge's tremendous defensive abilities out of a 1-run game. Not to mention that he hit a homer and a double last night. And he had that great at-bat for a walk in the 9th inning in the Bronx on Wen. What does he have to do?

Does Inge make the play in the 9th and end the game? Two on and two out in the 10th and instead of Inge it is Santiago. Does Inge get a base hit here and win the game? I am so frustrated with Leyland I can't even express it.

As for Perez, well we've already said it but its all true. If Guillen is out we are really in trouble.

Great clutch hit by Thames, good knocks from Infante(again!) and Granderson and what a determined performance from verlander just squandered.

As for Rodney I think he does a terrific job. He and Zumaya both have to stop walking people -- its just unacceptable for a reliever. Rodney has outstanding stuff, he just needs to refine a little bit. Sometimes, like with Jeter the other night, you just have to give the hitter some credit.

I would have thought even Ordonez would catch that one -- he didn't even try.

It's funny how the comments come rolling in when the Tigers lose. Anybody notice that? Like we're all going to come in here and fix it, myself included. :-)

Okay, on the positive side, we're back to the same standings as yesterday but there's another day off the calendar (yeah I'm playing clock management). Verlander came back from his Cleveland spanking in a big way. Real good comeback in the eighth inning.

On the negative side, this is one of the few, if not the only time, that I really didn't agree with ol' Jim's game management. I liked letting Verlander get out of his seventh inning jam, but I didn't like Young pinch hitting for Inge. Surprising, since Young's numbers against that pitcher wasn't a very big sample. I also think Gomez should spell Ordonez on defense after taking that lead. Maggs just doesn't seem to get to them, although I realize it's hard to tell watching on TV. Finally, I would never send Jones out for a second inning. I don't think that has ever worked, has it?

If Guillen's injury is very serious and we're stuck with Perez.......uh.....

Well, go get 'em tomorrow.

Missed the whole game except the 9th. Right on all counts Dan. Jones deserved better in this one. 2 outs and then the ground ball...then the great stop but poor finish by Santiago opens the door. You could read Jones' lips and gesture when Guerrero's hit dropped in front of Ordonez. He felt that should have been the game. Three chances to end it! Next inning a freak injury keeps Guillen from reaching 3rd. Ivan gets good wood but should have been bunting. In the 10th when Perez made that opening error on the ROUTINE throw I kinda got that SICK feeling it was over. However many batters later, Figgins crushes the ball but all those bleeders set it up. How many times can you ask Jones to come up with good pitches?
By the way, would have liked to have seen Inge get to hit in the 8th. Young strikes out in a pinch hit role...ugh

The Tigers have won very few close games since the second week of August. Not good because most post season games are close. This was another tough one to swallow. Where were the bats early when Justin was pitching so well? Another wasted effort. Was that the right situation for Miner? Rodney looks very good on occasion but I really don't have confidence in him after the 6th, maybe 7th.

Tonight was a bonified train wreck. Hope for better tomorrow and more importantly that Carlos and Todd are OK.

Infante's at .299
How about Infante at SS, Rodriguez at 2ND, and Wilson catching tomorrow?

Marty,-I think it far more likely we will see Santiago as SS and Infante remain at 2B

Rodriguez is versatile but I think asking that out of him when you have other infielders (aghast-even Perez) would be pushing the envelope.

Seems like a lot of us here would really like to see the tigers play some small ball--Rodriguez is the kind of team player and leader that would have and could have set an example (had he been told to) to the rest of the team. Funny that one of the strengths of the team is seemingly overlooked by Leyland. These guys could play like a unit, moving runners along for the greater benefit of all, (rather than striding up to the plate and taking 3 swings-then on to the next guy), but Leyland doesn't coach them that way. He seems to handle them like they are the '27 Yankees "Murderer's Row" and that it would be unthinkable to ask them to lay a bunt down.

Ordonez is hurting the team. I wonder by Jones' reaction to the fly ball, if there is some consternation in the clubhouse surrounding his individual and remote style of play and lack of effort.

Games like yesteday are really troubling because of the inability to control the momentum shifft and the inability to make the easy play.

I think the play by Guillen was the back breaker. He made a very good "effort" to get to that ball but does have a problem with getting the throws to first. Not to knock him because he is the team's best player IMO

Santiago played pretty darn well considering the pressure he was under and almost won the game with his AB. He did hit a top closer with authority.

I hope Leyland does not end up screwing up the chemistry on the club. He seems to be inonsistent with how he shows support for his players.

Lots of good points above. Another point is what about Zumaya? I can think of at least 3 times recently when he has been used in games that were already decided and then when you could use him in a game that is undecided, he is unavialable. He should have been brought in when Rodney came in or at least in the 10th to replace Jones. Jones is a 1 inning pitcher--and on top of that he was frustrated and dealing with some kind of physical problem. To leave him in was not a bright move--does this make him unavailable today?

My lineup today:

Granderson

Rodriguez

Casey

Monroe

Young

Inge

Infante

Gomez

Santiago

Dan, I like your lineup; looks like a winner. As soon as I had posted my blog last night I wanted to take some of it back. We get awfully judgemental seeing bad stuff happen. I guess that's OK; it's part of the fun...but I don't want to turn into a flaming cynic...takes the joy out of the game. Stuff happens. Santiago's double clutch followed a brilliant stop, so how can you blame him for that? He hit the ball hard in the 10th, just at somebody. I agree,he should start. Gomez is a good choice too. These two add speed and defense, and if they hit it's a bonus. The Tigers could use a sleak young look right now. How does Thames hit right handed pitching? Sure wouldn't mind having him in there.
Back to this cynicism thing, I feel badly for Perez. He's a legit big league baseball player, but for whatever reason, he was not prepared to fill the role he was brought in to do. What made it so hard for me to swallow was that it seemed like Infante was never even considered. I think it showed a little panic mode, a little weakness in confidence level on the part of management. Anyway I wish Perez well, maybe he can still help the Tigers in a limited role, but right now Infante's the man. Let's hope Ledezma pitches well tonight. With a good defense behind him I know he can.

Finally, Jim Leyland has been an excellent manager this year... Look where the Tigers are. We weren't questioning him in the first half. But man, there were some issues in the late innings of last night's game. I guess we've beat it to death, let's move on.

Dan, I like your lineup; looks like a winner. As soon as I had posted my blog last night I wanted to take some of it back. We get awfully judgemental seeing bad stuff happen. I guess that's OK; it's part of the fun...but I don't want to turn into a flaming cynic...takes the joy out of the game. Stuff happens. Santiago's double clutch followed a brilliant stop, so how can you blame him for that? He hit the ball hard in the 10th, just at somebody. I agree,he should start. Gomez is a good choice too. These two add speed and defense, and if they hit it's a bonus. The Tigers could use a sleak young look right now. How does Thames hit right handed pitching? Sure wouldn't mind having him in there.
Back to this cynicism thing, I feel badly for Perez. He's a legit big league baseball player, but for whatever reason, he was not prepared to fill the role he was brought in to do. What made it so hard for me to swallow was that it seemed like Infante was never even considered. I think it showed a little panic mode, a little weakness in confidence level on the part of management. Anyway I wish Perez well, maybe he can still help the Tigers in a limited role, but right now Infante's the man. Let's hope Ledezma pitches well tonight. With a good defense behind him I know he can.

Finally, Jim Leyland has been an excellent manager this year... Look where the Tigers are. We weren't questioning him in the first half. But man, there were some issues in the late innings of last night's game. I guess we've beat it to death, let's move on.

Hey Marty! Ihave become cynical and I need to control that. As I've said before my Tiger days go back to 1959, and am still trying to rationalize the Kuenn, Colavito trade. I know Leyland knows what he is doing, and all of these guys are doing what I dreamed of doing. Problem 1- I couldn't hit a crve ball; probelm 2- I couldn't hit a fastball. Far be it for me to tell who should play or not. I am concerned that Mags is just worn down, and will need off season strength program. I'm going to watch tonight and hope that Nefi has a big night. Go Tigers.

David, all of us that post on this message board have become cynical at least a few times this year, so don't feel so bad! :) Dan I like your lineup as well. I don't know what's going on with Miggy, but I hope he'll pick it up come the playoffs.

Not to change topics or anything away from the Tigers, but that's 52 for Howard! I don't know about all of you but I still consider Roger Maris the single season home run leader (part of that is probably because I'm from North Dakota like Roger was!) Anyway, I think Mr. Howard as a serious shot at this thing this year. Any thoughts?

Wow, Ernie on the radio!!! Great to hear his voice again, as he joined the guys on WXYT.

Great to see the Tigers on ESPN!!!
Hopefully we can get Joe Morgan to talk about us instead of the Angels!

Youn and Casey are slumping --c'mon boys snap out.

What was the last team with the best pitching record in baseball to not make the playoffs? Was there any?

Yeah, those ESPN guys looked at it as being all about the Angels hanging on. Whatever. I don't expect much from that network.

What I am seeing is an awful lot of excellent pitching against the Tigers. They were slumping to start with, but here lately the opposing pitching has been lights out. If you look at the stats of the guys going against us, they're better than the Tigers' in many cases. All those guys Detroit beat up on early in the year are probably in the minors at this point. Escobar was unhittable tonight.

I still think they'll make it, but this will be a very difficult month to watch.

You're right. The Tigers have run into some awfully good pitching. I didn't realize there were so many out there. Still, somebody's got to start hitting.Thank you Kansas City! But if the Tigers back into the playoffs, someone's gonna hand it to them.

It seems to me that the Tigers are part of the problem as far as the great pitching they see. Often they make pitchers better than they should be. This has a lot to do with the style of hitting, being aggressive and impatient.
Good game tonight and Escobar dominated them. Although they can't afford to keep losing series after series at least this was a well played game with a deserved outcome---unlike last night where poor play and choke syndrome prevailed.

Part II:
It might be time to get Shelton back in as Casey is struggling--Young has seen the bloom fall from his rose I'm afraid.

Ordonez showed some signs of getting out of the funk he has boxed himself into. much more patient at the plate.

Rodriguez is very inconsistent. I saw where lelyand praised him for the Friday night game and his at bats and then the very next day he looked awful--as he did today. Man, wouldn't it be a luxury to have a pure hitter like Guerrero around? He had me thinking how far away he was in the lineup all night. A wind would have been ideal tonight but not in the cards----at least the Twins and the Sox both lost. The Sox are a real threat because they have all the ingredients to make a good run. Starting pitching, relief pitching, hitting, defense, speed, power.

Tigers need to build a cushion.

Santiago played pretty well tonight-seems reliable defensively and did a real nice job of laying a perfect bunt down tonight.

Wonder if Shelton will get a few swings again soon? With Casey not hitting, he just might.

Thames came in tonight under real pressure and acquitted himself pretty well agains K Rod. Tough to come in at a time like that against a righty (keeping in mind he has been platooned most of the season and conditioned to think he can't hit righties).

Surprised to see Hooper called up--might be a good move though as he has good speed. let's hope Leyland doesn't have the audacity to play him ahead of Infante though.

So much for the playoffs. Tonight's loss spelled the story out really well. As a Tiger fan since 1955 I have cheered for these guys in futility for all but two or three seasons. This team has been dead in the water since August 1st. Pitching is great. Ledezma going the number of innings he has in his last two starts and not winning either game? Geez! Unbelievable! Look, Dave Dom has done a nice job finding pitching, and it has been fun not having to look to football season coming prior to September, but these guys can pack their luggage now. Injuries? Yeah, they are a part of the game, but using Perez instead of Infante during the Yanks series was just poor team management. Pinch hitting for Inge,etc. are just other examples. Thames not playing cost us huge run production over the last few days. And so on, and so on. I have said it for weeks. Look at the box. No runs, no wins. We can pitch our way into 1-0 losses daily. We have no hitters. Why is it today that we can't seem to find a couple of guys who can hit for a couple of million bucks a year? I know it is easy to be critical and cynical. I don't really mean to be that way. It is easy to sit and say Leyland has done a great job for half the year. Unfortunately he can only play what he has to work with. Bottom line is he cannot hit and pitch.After all, being a Tiger fan is absolutely futile, and I am happy to have had a little excitement for a change this summer, but the best thing we could do is continue tanking for the month and save the embarassment of having to attempt to be a playoff team.They don't need to re-create the Lions/Eagles playoff scenario from a few years ago. Most of the guys in our lineup couldn't hit a strike if they had their eyes closed. We know that because they have been trying to do that for weeks. Pudge is a great player who has hit the wall. Ordonez couldn't possibly live up to his hype and contract. He simply doesn't have the will and game to do it. Our only hitter Guillen) is hurting. So, we might as well start thinking about next year. Do not offer Young a contract. Jones is a decent guy and all, but he couldn't close a mortgage if there is any pressure involved. We have no one to move a runner from first to second. We might as well start thinking about what we need to do to give us a chance to succeed next year. It is , as you know, a ritual this time of year.

I think you may have some very valid obsevations there but to give up on these guys totally is still a bit premature.
next year will see some very major changes -without question. Ordonez seems to be entering Bobby Higgenson territory. Rodriguez is looking like he is suffering from the realization that he will never be the player he once was. Monroe is close to becoming special, as is Granderson. Casey may just stick around next year as his value transcends what you see just on the field. Part of the hitting problem is the result of the complication of not having a leadoff hitter and a number 2 hitter right now. It's a big problem.

Jones needs to have the best defense possible behind him to be effective.

Inge is going to be a better than average player and might just win a gold glove next year.

Great arms in the minors and I think we have some guys like Robertson, Miner and Maroth that might bring about some interesting trade possibilities.

This year is all about pulling together again and adopting a Three Musketeers approach to winning enough to get the middle infield back again.

Bonderman and Robertson winning a few games might help too!

Dsmith; come on, buddy, buck up now. Many of us here are old Tiger fans from the 50s and 60s and know where you're coming from, seeing as how we're probably Lions fans too. :-) This is probably the worst thing that fans have to endure, having your team sprint out to a big lead then having to protect it....for what seems like years rather than weeks.

Hey, I don't think Chicago nor Minnesota can catch up because they ain't playin' all that hot either, and we'll get to the playoffs. Now, maybe we won't go far, but we'll enjoy it and THEN we'll talk about what we need to give us a chance to succeed next year.

And yeah, I sound like some kind of Dr. Phil, I realize that.

Dan, good observations as usual. You know, it appears that Pudge comes up there with a good plan in mind, but he's just so darned anxious to execute it. I would like to see Shelton get a crack, and I think that's coming up too. And Guerrero, well, there's only one of him. We could get him, but we'd have to give up Verlander, Zumaya, Maybin, and Neifi Perez.

The Hunt for October

My beautiful tigers, so tattered and torn, the dog days of summer have made you so lost and forlorn.

Gullen and his errors, pudge and his bat, it is not yet time for that long winter’s nap!

Your fans the world over, they wait to see, if the tigers, their tigers will be all that they can be.

They watch in the 7th inning with their hats inside out, pieces of gum stringing slowly out of their mouths.

So relax, have fun and enjoy the love that you’ve found, ignore the critics and the cynics, they don’t know your World Series bound!

Though the subject was tearful
The ending was cheerful

We shouldn't be blue

That was sweet of you, Lou

Shelton and Thames in the lineup. Not a bad RH hitting lineup but I would have Inge ahead of Infante if only to restore some confidence in this young man who has had to deal with the stigma of batting 9th all season. I believe Inge is one of those guys you want to stimulate right now and is capable of winning a few games with his bat and glove.
At least he is ahead of Shelton and Santiago.

Wouldn't it be great to see Big Red come back with a vengeance?

Better say this now:

Robertson has been pitching well pretty much all year. Usually has one bad inning-let's hope the 1st was it this time. It's criminal the club doesn score runs for him and I kind of remember this being historic even in the bad years.

He has been very impressive in getting that first pitch strike and getting ahead of hitters. Wish he could get Ibanez out though.

Negatives: (ah c'mon, you knew one would be coming)

Our hitters have the habit of making good pitchers look great and average pitchers look......well great.

We're letting this guy off the hook way to easy, (at this rate he could pitch 15 innings if he needed too). Same as Saunders the other day.

Seems like we have problems against lefties.

Kudos to Ordonez. He has responded and he had a GOOD game today. I was most impressed with his willingness to help the club and go the other way to get Thames to third. That was more important than his home run IMO.
Infante continues to impress-also looking very sharp in the field.

Thanks, RL. I needed the reminder. As you know, it's tough being a Tiger fan. Then, to still be in front on Labor Day is just getting to my nerves a bit. I believe. I believe. I believe.

We live to fight another day. Well, that's not accurate although it does feel like that sometimes.

Man, Nate threw another gem. That was a nice rally in the seventh. I hope all these Ordonez bashers (I don't mean the folks on this blog because we haven't bashed) have taken notice. Up until and including his nice, push the runner over at bat, he'd been the entire offense for two days. For what that had been worth, anyway. Came and got that ball in rightfield too.

Did anyone else think Shelton had some of the better at bats all day? He seemed to have an idea up there.

Magic number, at this writing, is 21.

My favorite moment: Nate calling Inge a showoff after that long throw to first on the lineout. What a throw!

OK. Worked today(it was Labor Day) so didn't get a chance to see the game. Do I get down on this team? Sure. Is their present lack of hitting a major source of gut wrenching anxiety? Uh, yes. Have I given up on the Tigers? Of course not!!
Finally Nate gets some support. Shelton is back in there! Thank's Jim for having a little faith!...new Chemistry, and he got a walk. Like to see him in there against left handed pitching.

I've been fighting for Infante since Polanco got injured. 2 more RBI's case anyone's counting. Nice job Maglio. Keep it rolling. Pudge is still the best defensive catcher in baseball, or close to it. He's pushing himself too hard at the plate. He looks like he's trying to do it all himself. I'd like to see him stay within himself and do the things he's capable of doing. Would still like to see him bat second. Bunts, hard liners, and hard ground balls to the right side will go farther than long fly balls to the warning track in spacious Comerica.

Carlos Pena was the 10th Tiger in the lineup today. Walk off home run in 10th to stun Chisox. You gotta love it! Thank you Carlos!

Don't you think Chicago and Minnesota wish they had a 5 and 5.5 game lead. Go Tigers.

One last thought. There is a way to bring these opposing pitchers back down to earth. Make them throw strikes. Being an aggressive hitter doesn't mean jumping on the first pitch, especially against a pitcher who's cruising along. It means jumping on a pitch after you've patiently worked the count in your favor.

Marty--I think you are spot on. Rodriguez should be batting 2nd. He is a class act and needs a mission--batting 2nd in Rock's absence would be a very good spot for him to be personally and productively.
Rich--I gotta feel that the Ordonez bashing was a neccessary evil. I am not totally convinced he is "back" but it is looking good. He needed a wakeup call and physical limitations aside, he is responding to the urgency that IS the present reality.

I hate to say this but -----BIG game tomorrow.

Next guy to get on board (and I think Granderson already is) is Inge. He is ready to wake up and be a major offensive factor. When he does we will have locked up the Division Championship.

Part of that is to elevate him from the ignominy of batting #9---you watch it will be. Perfect time to do that because Santiago is a natural choice to fill that spot.

Somewhat surprised though encouraged, that Leyland did not sit Rodriguez out after a night game before a day game. This would be indicative of Leyland realizing the importance of the month of September. Wilson will do the job, but even though Pudge has been a 'soft" .290 hitter he is an integral part of the equation and Leyland exhibited a lot of confidence in him. That will help the team.

I disagree with a lot of tactical stuff Leyland does but he does have a grasp on the "greater good" of the club that suggests he might have been a very good diplomat in another life. I think he is the right person at the right time for this team. Win or lose I don't think it would be fair to dispute that. His heart is in the right place and this is the kind of team that can respond to that stimulus. Not Chicago--or the Twins or the Yankees as they ar all jaded, I think we have the right combination of experience, enthusiasm, unpredictability and leadership that may just see us through a very amazing season for the Tigers.

That being said--I will be here harping (in good spirit) on all the "mistakes" as I live them, along with all the faithful here, to the bitter end.

The Tigers were outdefenced tonight in a game that saw little hitting. A costly error by Inge who later made a highlight catch. The next Seattle batter barely puts the ball in play with a run scoring, game tying chopper to the right side.
Beltre played brilliantly at third. Ordonez gunned down on a hustling play by the Seattle catcher... He should have been sliding, bad call or not. Mental error.

Pudge's leadoff single in the ninth could have produced an RBI in the eighth. Do the Tigers have anyone who can execute a simple bunt when the situation calls for it? Having said that, I do respect Casey's hitting approach and usually am comfortable when he comes up in important situations. Jim Leyland obviously does too. Unfortunately, with Casey's lack of speed the ground ball double play is what you risk.

Miller looked good. Unfortunately he now knows the feeling of having his first decision be a loss. Zach Miner looked very good. Pudge and Maglio are starting to hit well. That's a positive.

Again, the Tigers were outdefenced tonight.

Hope for better tomorrow.

Marty, you make an outstanding point. They WERE outdefensed, and right now, that is part of the problem, no?

The Tigers only have one way to win right now, and that is to outpitch an opponent. They cannot outdefense, they cannot outrun, and they cannot outhit anyone.

Something that needs to be addressed in the off season.