TigerTalk

On September 13 + 14 I will be doing something I have never done.  On those days I will be in Chicago wearing the colors of the Detroit Tigers and rooting for my life-long favorite team!  I have never attended an "away" game before.  But it just so happens that I am traveling that weekend and passing through Chi-Town.  I had to take advantage of this opportunity.

At this point it is safe to say the Tigers are playing for next year.  This year certainly didn't go as expected.  But still, there are lots of things that went right this year.  Miguel Cabrera continues to smash the ball out of the park at an amazing rate.  Marcus Thames also had an incredible streak of home run games.  But the story for me this year is young Mr. Armando Galarraga, who has pitched his way into the hearts of Tigers fans.  The rookie sensation is cool under pressure and just knows how to win games.

I'm really looking forward to seeing my Tigers play in September.  By then the September call-ups will have happened, and I will get to see the incredible diversity of the Detroit lineup.  Hopefully I will get to see Galarraga pitch in person, along with Cabrera and the rest of the lineup.  Maybe I'll get a glimpse of the Toledo Mud Hens Olympians.

TCS

Armando Galarrga earned his tenth win of the season for the Detroit Tigers this evening in the 10 to 2 victory over the Oakland Athletics.  He gave up 2 earned runs over 5 2/3 innings striking out 4, and walking 2 in his last inning of work.  Bobby Seay, Joel Zumaya, and Kyle Farnsworth all pitched scoreless innings of relief.  Seay provided a key out in the 5th, stranding the bases loaded.

Miguel Cabrera, after winning the American League Player of the Month for July, is making a serious bid at a repeat for August.  Today he hit 2 home runs, including a 3-run shot to give the Tigers their big lead.  Gary Sheffield and Edgar Renteria provided home run power against the A's.

With a home stand filled with bottom-of-the-pack teams, it is possible the Tigers may make one last ditch effort to get into the playoffs this year.  Chicago and Minnesota flip-flopped first and second place positions today, and Detroit moved to 7 1/2 games from first place.

TCS

This has to be one of the most disappointing weeks I can remember for Detroit Tigers fans in recent memory.

Todd Jones could not throw pitches without giving up several runs, so he was replaced by Fernando Rodney who was not that much better.  Later it was discovered that Jones has had an injury for the last six weeks.  So, off to the disabled list he goes...

Ivan Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees.  It was a necessary evil, but I still don't have to like it.  Pudge was a founding member of our current team, and well liked by the fans.  And this year he was hitting well, too.  We sure will miss him.

We split the 4-game Cleveland series which should have been won against one of the current poorest teams in baseball.  We lost the 3-game series to the Tampa Bay Rays, one of the best teams in baseball, even though prior to our arrival, had shown little ability to score runs.

Probably the most disappointing thing to me is the pitching, which has been incredibly bad as of late.  The starting pitchers, including our ace Justin Verlander, had bad outings.  The relief pitching has been horrible.  Walks are commonplace.

Through all this, I know a new day is dawning and the sun will shine again.  But if the Tigers do make it to the post-season, it will be a miracle beyond anything baseball has seen for a long, long time.

TCS

I have a Pudge Rodriguez jersey in my closet.  I have a Pudge Rodriguez autographed baseball on display.  I have a Pudge Rodriguez autographed baseball card in my collection.  I'm wearing a Pudge Rodriguez T-shirt right now.  The reason for all this is clear:  Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez was a huge boost for the Detroit Tigers and helped propel them into annual contention.

But now Pudge is with the New York Yankees.  In a month the Tigers face the Yankees in a makeup game.  Undoubtedly, the former teammates on both sides will reacquaint each other with their buddies.  Gary Sheffield had a tenuous relationship with the New York club.  Most likely the Yankees are sorry to have parted with Marcus Thames early in his career.  Kenny Rogers pitched for the club, trying to avoid cameramen.  And now, Kyle Farnsworth can add his name to the list of former Yankees while he comes back to Motown.

This trade was good for both teams.  New York was looking for a catcher following Jorge Posada's season-ending surgery.  In return they also get a good bat and outstanding defense.  The Tigers were looking for a solid relief pitcher, and wanted to rid themselves of a high-priced salary whose contract keeps on getting more expensive.  With Pudge up for free agency at the end of the year, the time was right for a trade.

In 2004 Rodriguez came to Detroit from the Florida Marlins following a World Series victory.  The Tigers were in desperate rebuilding mode, and Rodriguez filled the mold to help create a team worth respecting again.  He over the last four years he was the veteran helping to mold young players into stars.  One of the most outstanding highlights of his career is catching and calling the Justin Verlander no-hitter over Milwaukee in 2007.

I am tremendously gratified that Pudge played well for the Detroit Tigers, and he is leaving on good terms.  The way other players sometimes handle trade demands (aka Manny) Rodriguez is a class act, and I am sorry to see him go.  But I can understand why.

TCS

Tonight in Cleveland the Detroit Tigers defeated the Indians 8 to 5, mostly using timely two-out hits.  It was good to see after being shut out by the Tribe on the previous day.  Home run power came from Miguel Cabrera and Brandon Inge.

Edgar Renteria hit a doubled to deep left in the 4th inning with two outs and two on, scoring Magglio Ordonez and Matt Joyce.  Brandon Inge followed that up with a double of his own scoring Renteria.

In the fifth inning Gary Sheffield got his timely hit with two on and two outs by doubling to deep center, scoring Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera.

Armando Galarraga pitched well enough for his 9th win of the year.  In 5 1/3 innings he gave up 5 hits and 3 runs while walking 2 and striking out 3.  Freddi Dolsi, Casey Fossum, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney pitched in relief.

The Tigers even up the series 1 - 1.  Tomorrow will be a major test as Nate Robertson faces the Cy Young candidate Cliff Lee.

TCS