As the Tigers shift their focus to the death pit known as the Metrodome the next three days, a different kind of black hole has developed for the club this decade.  It's called the West Coast, in particular, Anaheim and Oakland.  For some reason the Tigers have really struggled when heading out west since 2000.  Including the first half of this season, the Tigers are 10-32 at the "Big A" and 15-29 at the Coliseum.  That's a lot of losses.  Granted, the Angels have had some really good teams this decade and the A's were not too shabby either in the Zito, Hudson and Mulder era, but the Tigers have been pretty competitive since 2006.  Their record in those two parks since '06:  8-18

So why is it so difficult for teams from the midwest and east coast to win in California?  Could be the time change.  The grind of the schedule is difficult enough to deal with, but losing three hours is a tough adjustment for the body.  Just when you get used to west coast time, you move on to the next city and time zone.  One other theory that I have, and admittedly it might be a little out there, is that so many players are from California.  When they roll into town, their friends and families are waiting, and that may be a bit of a distraction.  Not a bad one, but a distraction nonetheless.  I have seen many a player scurrying around the clubhouse trying to scrounge up extra tickets to accomodate everyone.   Does this explain why the record is so bad out west?  No, but it does play a role.  I've seen it time and time again. 

As for the next challenge, the Tigers have to find a way to get a win or two this weekend.  The Twinkie Dome is only as tough as you make it.  Yes, the Twins have sculpted their teams to fit this park and yes Ron Gardenhire is a terrific manager that knows how to use this field to his advantage, but the Tigers have Jackson and Porcello going in two games here.  They need to forget the past.

By the way, the next time you are in San Francisco, make sure to stop and one of my favorite places on the road, the Buena Vista Cafe on the corner of Hyde and Beach.  They are famous for their Irish Coffee.

 

One of the things that I like about interleague play, (there is not much, really) is that we are exposed to the top pitchers in the National League. The last two games, the Tigers have picked up wins in games started by Yovanni Gallardo and Carlos Zambrano. Clearly, they are two of the best in the National League. I loved watching both pitch. Gallardo was masterful at spotting his fastball and for the most part dominated the Tigers on Sunday. Brandon Inge however punished one of his few mistakes for the game winning home run. On Tuesday, Zambrano looked really good until Inge got him with a late homer to put the Tigers ahead. The last two wins for the Tigers displayed a trait that the 2006 team had, an ability to compete and win on nights when the other guy is dominating. Jim Leyland always talks about how this is the big leagues and you have to find a way to win on certain nights, when the other team throws a great pitcher. The Tigers have done that several times this year. There is a long way to go, but you have to love the vibe this team has right now. Speaking of Inge, many times fans don't realize the community work that some of the players are involved in and take very seriously. Inge has been a big part of this community and Tuesday was a special night. Several weeks ago Brandon visited children at the U of M children's hospital. One little guy named Tommy didn't get a chance to see his hero. So, Brandon made a return trip to the hospital to sign some autographs and visit. This time, Tommy had an autograph for Brandon. He signed Inge's arm for good luck. So, as Inge took the field on Tuesday night, there it was in black magic marker, the name "Tommy" written on his forearm. Inge responded with a home run off Zambrano. There is nothing more heartbreaking than a sick child. For one day, Brandon made a young man smile.

The last stop on the Tigers June torture trip is here in St. Louis where it is approximately fifty degrees warmer than it was the last time they were here.  The last time of course was 2006 when the Cards beat the Tigers in five games for the championship.

As you might expect, both players and staff were peppered with questions about memories of the chilly World Series three years ago.  Most who were here have tried to move on, however, that is easier said than done.  Nate Robertson pointed to the stadium as we waited for our bags to arrive at the hotel the other night and said, "I have bad memories of that place." 

Brandon Inge was sitting at his locker yesterday and his memories came pouring out faster than perspiration on a runners forehead on a July day in St. Louis.  "When you get that close you have to win it or it's a big disappointment," he said.  "We felt we probably had the better team, but the week layoff hurt us."  Inge harbors extra disappointment because he made the final out.  The man who struck him out to end the Series was on the mound last night, Adam Wainwright.  Inge vowed privately to get him, and he did.  It was on a much smaller stage in a blowout game and meant little, but it had to feel good.  Inge said he would homer against Wainwright last night, and he did. 

Not surprisingly, both managers had little to say about the World Series.  Larussa and Leyland are close friends and neither would say anything to embarrass the other.

BTW, if you don't think the humidity has any affect on the players, Justin Verlander's quote said it all.  "After the first inning, I was gassed."

My impressions of the new Busch Stadium?  I like it.  Very cool deep red brick on the exterior.  The inside is a little plain, but the downtown with the arch as the backdrop is very scenic.  There is a statue of Jack Buck on the outside and every time you walk by it, a recording of one of his famous calls plays.

The just completed sweep at the hands of the Red Sox magnified the one consistent problem the Tigers have had the entire season. For some reason, the offense, loaded with players that have hit and produced at a high level for many seasons, has gone south for the spring.

While the Red Sox did not face the Tigers top two starters, the Tigers still didn't hit enough to wiin, regardless of who was on the mound. Yes, Beckett, Matsuzaka and Wakefield are three of the Sox top starters, but in years past, the Tigers offense has been able to battle against good pitching.

Despite some late inning noise in the first two games, the Tigers never really seemed to be in any of the three games. Leyland keeps repeating the fact that his big boys have to start to hit or his team will not win. He's right. The Tigers have been able to ride their pitching for the first two months, but until Magglio, Polanco and to an extent, Granderson become more consistent, the Tigers will struggle to score and to win games.

Let's hope it happens sooner rather than later.

* * *

Off topic, it was great meeting Matt Stafford the other night. He stopped by the booth and spent a half inning with us. Very impressive kid. He is very polished and will have no problem dealing with the media. Can he play in the NFL? I have no idea. I do know this, I'll be rooting for him to help turn the Lions around.

Over the past couple of days, several friends have pointed out the fact that Gary Sheffield is doing well in New York and they feel that perhaps the Tigers cut him loose too soon.  When Gary was a Tiger and was healthy, he was a very good player.  in fact, a better all around player than I ever realized.  The problem was, Shef was coming off several injuries and didn't perform all that well this spring.  The Tigers also felt that he was limited defensively in what he could bring to the club.  You can only carry so many potential DH types on your roster.

So, Sheffield goes to New York, hits his 500th home run and plays well.  That's great for Gary.  I was hoping to call his 500th home run, but in the end it worked out well for him.  It also worked out just as planned for the Tigers.  With Sheffield's departure, and to an extent, Carlos Guillen's injury, the Tigers accomplished what they wanted when Sheff was given his walking papers; they got faster and more flexible as a line-up.  Anderson's day in KC yesterday was a great example.  Ryan Raburn is also playing well these days and Clete Thomas has had his moments.  Even when the Tigers went to the World Series in 2006, they craved more speed.  Now they have some.  Sometimes you have to make tough choices (and eat a large contract) to do what's best for the team.  The Tigers made a hard choice.  Sheff is doing well.  The Tigers are in first place.