Sunday's loss to the White Sox in Chicago was about as bad as we have seen from the Tigers in quite some time. There was plenty to be disappointed about in this one. From the rapid fire way the Tigers made outs at the plate when the score got lopsided, to the poor pitching performance that put the Tigers in a hole early.
It's embarrassing for anyone connected with the club to watch a team with this much talent struggle on a nightly basis. There are many reasons for the Tigers sputtering start. However, on Sunday, one stuck out like a sore thumb in particular. Walks, walks and more walks. The Tigers staff has surrendered 62 walks in the first 12 games. That's an average of over five per game. The 62 walks are the most in all of baseball, not just the American League.
The Tigers are also averaging 158 pitches per game (the most in the A.L.) and threw 212 in one game at Boston. The starters ERA is a combined 6.54. Is the slow start entirely the pitching staff's fault? Not by any stretch. This offense has already been shutout four times. However, with the offense struggling as mightily as it is, the pitching has not been able to step up.
I still think this club will turn the corner at some point. I also believe they will do it before it's too late. There is not one team in the A.L. that has gotten off to a blazing start. Maybe the two games at home will jump start this club. Maybe the tongue lashing after Sunday's games by Jim Leyland will. I hope it does, because this can still be an exciting summer.
I am depressed, frustrated, and enraged. This was not supposed to happen. I realize there is ample time to turn this thing around, but I have yet to see any signs of it. I have such high hopes this year, but it's very hard to wonder why when I have wintnessed the last 12 games.
tigers must start growling or they will be meowing bye the allstar brake!!!!! hey i think there is a manager in the china league who they should look at a possible hire!!!! his name is winonesoon!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sorry, but many people had this team way too highly rated. If recent history has proven anything, it's that great (not good) pitching wins championships. Don't give me Verlander or anybody else; the Tigers' pitchers are mediocre on their best day. And that bullpen (led by Todd "No Lead is Safe With Me" Jones leading the way) stinks! Combine that with poor hitting, and voila, you're 2-10! And I really feel it could get much worse before it's better.
Yeah the hittings not there...Cabrera should apologize for being an overpaid bum and Polanco has gone from a .300 hitter to a .167 hitter in less than a year!
Sheff needs to be moved to the 5 or 6 spot (maybe a trade for a relief pitcher) and Guillen made the #3, he is the only consistent bat we've had all year! Maggs...whats-up dude, swing at 1st pitches much? Wheres your head at?
This line-up doesnt make anyone pitch around them they just swing and swing and swing. No hit and runs, no base stealing, hardly any sacrifice bunts, but we are hittin into tons and tons of DP's...
62 walks, guess thats how the White Sox have 3 games (outta 6)against us where they have more runs than hits....
Granderson is no superman, but his return will make a big difference with the offense. Count on Renteria to start hitting much better soon. As for the pitching woes, well my twins should instill some confidence in them after this series.
Mario Impemba is in his seventh season as play-by-play announcer on FSN Detroit’s Emmy-winning Tigers coverage.
In addition to Tigers duties, he has done play-by-play on FSN's coverage of MHSAA football and basketball championship games, as well as CCHA hockey and college basketball. In the off-season, he is the radio and television voice of Oakland University Golden Grizzlies basketball.
Before joining the FSN broadcast team, he spent the previous seven seasons as the radio voice of the then-Anaheim Angels and served as a fill-in TV play-by-play announcer during his final three years in Anaheim.
Check out more about the craft of baseball broadcasting at his website, thesoundofbas eball.com.
