WHEW!!!
ROB SANFORD
The Tigers proved to themselves that they don’t necessarily need just home runs to win games….in taking 3 out of 4 over the White Sox. They took a page out of Angels and Twins playbook by using agressive base running, along with good pitching and defense. Brandon Inge continues to amaze me at third. I saw a couple of games in person in the last homestand, and it was easy to see his bad knees are very painful. Friday night, he made a big time back handed play…planted his right foot, and fired a strike to first. But in looking back at Inge….I saw him double over and pause for a moment with his hands on his knees. I don’t think anyone really knows how much pain he’s having to deal with, and stay in the line up.
The pitching preformance of Justin Verlander in game 1 of the day-night doubleheader might just have been the biggest this season so far. If he was rocked and pulled early….it would have put a strain on the bullpen for the rest of the series. Justin is a nice guy off the field, but when he steps on the diamond, he becomes a preditor.
The major league trading deadline comes at the end of the week, but I just don’t see the Tigers making any blockbuster deals. I may be wrong, unless the right offer comes along…but of the names mentioned that could be obtained, I don’t see any difference maker who would push the Bengals over the top. Of course the Blue Jays Roy Halladay would fit that description, but I’m not will to mortgage the future by selling off top prospects. For those who you who think this philosophy is wrong….I know your reasoning….”the future is now” and if you have a chance to win, then you have to go for it. The Tigers did that in 1987…obtaining pitcher Doyle Alexander…who was the final piece and helped push the team into the playoffs. But out of the prospects sent to the Braves in that trade was John Smoltz….a move that the team probably second guessed itself. Would the Tigers have won without Alexander??? Who knows, but before you jump into the abyss…you better do it with your eyes open.