Back at it

Hey Marty,

about the plunking. I was not far from home plate for that game and actually heard it it Ichiro. There was a collective gasp from the crowd and then a fairly substantil booing when he finaly hobbled his way down to first. Although I was having a pretty good natured repartee with surrounding fans I was pretty careful with not saying anything too contentious after that play!

Verlander was a definitely a bit wild and his body language did seem apologetic.

Thanks Dan.

Nate was sharp tonight. He stayed away from those crucial walks, didn't run up too many counts. Mauer, Cuddyer, and Morneau really helped him in the 6th and 7th. Jones is back in form, he's put together a small string of saves. Nice defense led by Inge and Guillen.

Man--I would have liked to see this game in Seattle. I love the 1-0 & 2-1 type games.
Nice job Nate and kudos to to TJ for setting the Twins down 1-2-3.

Granderson is becoming a .300 hitter right before our very eyes!

I really didn't think we'd win that one tonight so, needless to say, I'm real happy to get that one. And look who now has the best record in baseball. And without all that mojo, too.

I must say, I wasn't happy with the decision to have Polanco bunt both times, and that's not second guessing just because the bunts failed. As soon as he squared around both times, I howled "Nooo!" The guy is a magician with the bat and I thought he should have been allowed to work that magic. We could have had multiple run innings. Besides, it's hard to get a good one down on that darned carpet. All's well that ends well, this time.

Granderson must be up near .300 now, so it's not a stretch that he could hit at a .300 pace for the remainder of the season.

I checked out the Cleveland highlights. Down 5-3 in the ninth and Jenks grooves one to Garko. Then the attempt to throw out the winning run in the 11th hits the mound and glances away. What are you gonna do? I just hope the White Sox continue in their funk during all those games we have left with them, but I doubt that will happen.

Oh, and Sizemore goes back on a deep fly and makes sure to make a little jump at the end so he can gently "crash" into the padded wall. Got to get in the highlights, right Grady? What a hot dog.

I am so sick of this love affair with the media has with Grady Sizemore. Not that I don't think he is great. But Curtis grabbed one at the wall and didn't crash so hard and didn't make the highlights. He is like a crash test dumby, I am suprised he hasn't hurt himself.

Anyway great win last night Nate was awesome. Now best team in baseball huh??

Nate's effort last night was outstanding-- I was really worried in the sixth that he was going to crash and burn but he held it together. I was also a little surprised that Leyland went with McBride for the 8th-- it should be very interesting to see what happens when Byrdak comes off the DL. Imagine that: a few weeks ago, the entire bullpen was driving us crazy but by trading for McBride and Capellan and moving Miner and Durbin into the 'pen and it seems like the situation has stabilized. To be certain, none of those guys are commanding like a Zumaya or another top notch pitcher but I feel a heckuva lot better when Leyland comes out then I did a few weeks ago.

As far as the Indians are concerned, I see a second half swan-song in their future. I just can't see them living with the one-run victories like they have so far this year. (remember how the Tigers survived with this approach for most of the year last year?) Mix in a bullpen injury along with a few last minute losses and I think you'll see Cleveland fade back into the pack. That's why I agree with Rich that despite the Indians better record and hype this season, the Twins are still are most dangerous competitors for the Central division crown.

Are C-Mo's days with the Tigers numbered?

With Thames producing, Raburn able to contribute at a big league level, Clevlen retuning from an injury with a vengeance, Maybin flirting with being a big leaguer next season, Gorky Hernandez and even Timo Perez around, It would seem to me that his spot is very threatened.

Dan-- You're right about the number of outfielders and prospects that the Tigers have in their system. However, I'd say that Monroe should be more concerned about his own stat line: .220, 9 HRs, and 126ks. Ouch. Those numbers don't get it done on a bad team...

I'm really bummed as I've always cheered for Monroe. He-- much like Thames-- has had to fight for a chance to play and I really thought this would be the year that he would establish himself as a true star in the outfield. I'm not sure what's happened but it seems like the cart has fallen off the track.

His spot has been threatened since he got here. Now at 30 years old, his upside is fading. While other players improve, he may have topped out and is now even in regression. He remains a very undisciplined hitter with athletic skills in the outfield.

It's the Fernando Rodney situation again. At what point does potential cease to be a factor? I'm sure Monroe can be packaged in a deal, but his value has dropped now.

Rather than sitting on the bench, Craig could benefit from some time with Bull Durham at Toledo. I suppose you'd have to put him on the DL with a tired bat so he could get rehab time down there.

You would think that C Mo is the odd man out, Dan. Even if Maybin isn't ready for showtime next spring, Marcus looks better able, and less costly than C Mo to hold a spot warm for him until Cameron arrives. C Mo stands to make 5- 6 million in arbitration next year and then he can hit the Free Agent market. Marcus makes far less and produces as much or more than Monroe. Craig would make a fine fourth outfielder next year if it comes to that, but it's only a question of when his days as a Tiger are done. Really, only an injury to Maggs, Sheff, or Granderson could extend Monroe's stay in Detroit, IMO.