Bleacher Report - Articles by Nathan Simko

Detroit Red Wings to Jose Theodore: Thank You!

Nathan Simko — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:11:35 -0400

One down, three to go!

That's what the Detroit Red Wings are trying to concentrate on tonight after almost blowing a 4-1 lead in the series opener.

The Red Wings came out flying, but gave up the first goal in the game when Paul Stastny found the net.

Hendrik Zetterberg answered less than one minute later, netting his third of the playoffs. In a span of less than eight minutes the Wings scored two more times, giving them a 3-1 lead and out-shooting the Avs 15-6 in the first period.

It took only 1:15 into the second period for Johan Franzen to score his second of the game, a goal that would end up being the game winner.

The Avs would pull Jose Theodore after allowing his fourth goal on 14 shots. This move sparked a very strong Avalanche comeback. Peter Budaj came in and provided the Avs with stability and confidence, something Theodore never showed.

The Avs took control of the game and applied very heavy pressure on Wings net minder Chris Osgood.

Colorado would get goals by John-Michael Liles and Milan Hejduk in the second period, pulling within one goal of tying the game.

There were no goals scored in the third period. Peter Budaj stopped all 18 shots he faced, while Osgood made 18 saves on 21 shots.

Osgood made his final save of the game when John-Michael Liles received a pass from the corner and found himself one-on-one with Osgood with less than 10 seconds to go in the third. Liles didn't get as much as he would have liked on the shot and Osgood made the save.

I'm very interested in seeing if the Colorado Avalanche come back with Budaj in game two or if will they give Jose Theodore another shot. I hope they come back with Budaj because he looked horrible, although not all the goals were his fault.

The Avs played horribly and didn't offer much support for the one-time Montreal Canadiens All-Star goalie. But as we all know, in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's not how they go in, but that they did go in. He could have been better and even one less goal could have changed the outcome of this game drastically.

Before I wrap up this article I just want to say that I feel the slightest bit lucky tonight. This match was a tale of two games.

The first half was completely dominated by the Red Wings. But after they scored the fourth goal, they seemed content on sitting back and coasting through the rest of the game.

We are lucky to be up 1-0 right now! The Avs had us on our heels, and even though they didn't pepper Osgood with a ton of shots, it seemed that every opportunity they did have was a trick shot or a great scoring chance.

The Wings need to come out in game two more physical. They need to increase their intensity to be about 10 times more forceful than they were tonight, and go up 2-0 in this series.

Because I don't want to go into Colorado with the series tied!

Detroit Tigers Complete Sweep of Texas Rangers Thanks to Five Home Runs

Nathan Simko — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:27:45 -0400

The Detroit Tigers got it done again today, completing the series sweep of the Texas Rangers.

This was a series in which the underachieving Tigers needed to take all three games. Not only did they do what they needed to do, they also controlled and dominated all aspects of all three games.

The Tigers put up 37 runs against the Rangers, and allowed only 10 runs. The best part of the last three wins was the Tigers' bullpen. They only allowed one run in this series, as the starters were responsible for the other nine runs.

All of today's runs came off of five home runs. Magglio Ordonez led the way with two homers and four RBI. Brandon Inge, Ryan Rayburn, and Curtis Granderson had one home run each.

The Tigers' next few weeks are not going to be so easy. The LA Angels come in for three, then the Tigers have to face Minnesota, New York, and Boston. The real test is going to come in the next two weeks.

After the game Tigers manager Jim Leyland said, "I was joking with Bondo and Kenny that they were taking years off my life." You know that saying, a lot of truth is said in jest!

I'm really interested in seeing how long it takes for the starting rotation to catch up with the now sparkling offense, especially against some real teams and not the bottom of the barrel.

Jacque Jones left in the forth inning after running into the outfield fence. The reports are that he has a bruised knee.

It also appears that Carlos Guillen will miss at least one more game and possibly more. Guillen hit a pitch off of his knee in Wednesday's game. He played out that game, but woke up today with stiffness in his knee.

Gary Sheffield is still nursing an injured shoulder.

As long as the Tigers' bats keep going like they are know, we should be fine and get through the next few weeks with a few wins. But the Tigers are looking forward to getting healthy again.

And when they do, the AL needs to be on high alert because this is a team you don't want to mess with!

Tigers-Rangers: Carlos Guillen, Strong Bullpen Lead Detroit to Third Straight

Nathan Simko — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:04:20 -0400

Tonight the Detroit Tigers showed why they have the premier offense in all of baseball. They continued their romp of the Texas Rangers beating them 19-6.

It sure didn't look like that would be the final score after 3 innings. Kenny Rodgers had a horrible start letting the Rangers go up 5-0 on 9 hits and 6 earned runs. The first six batters he faced he got ahead 0-2 on them but he found a way to let them on base. It was not looking good!

Kenny finally got the hook when manager Jim Leyland had enough shortly into the 3rd inning pulling Rodgers for the rookie Clay Rapada who would be credited with the win.

Rapada came in and provided the shutdown pitching the Tigers needed to not only tie the game but come back and take the lead, a lead the Tigers would not relinquish. Rapada would only pitch 1.2 innings but made good use of his time allowing no hits and striking out two batters.

Lopez came in for Rapada and continued the shutdown of the Rangers giving the Tigers a chance to build on their lead. Lopez went 3 innings allowing only 2 base hits and struck out three batters.

In fact it didn't stop with Lopez. The Tigers bullpen gave up only 2 hits and allowed no earned runs.

This much criticized bullpen showed its critics what they can do and what we should expect this season. I think people need to stop pointing at the Tigers bullpen and start looking at our starting rotation. They have proven that the bullpen is not the issue here. When you have a starter that goes less than 4 innings gives up 6 earned runs on 9 hits you have a problem. This isn't the first poor start for a Tigers Pitcher this season. In fact most of our losses can be attributed to a poor starting pitcher.

The offense was sparked by Carlos Guillen who went 3 for 5 and driving in an incredible 5 runs. After the game manager Jim Leyland said "this is the guy I love. This is why I believe in Carlos. He plays hard and never gives up. That's why I love him."

The Tigers offense had only 14 hits in this blowout, but thanks to horrible Rangers pitching, were given 10 walks allowing this game to get out of hand.

As long as the Tigers keep capitalizing on teams mistakes and building their confidence level higher and higher this could be a very promising season for the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit Tigers Win Big Thanks to Ramon Santiago's Big Night

Nathan Simko — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:57:50 -0400

The Tigers are in need of some great play. In fact, they are desperate for some unlikely sources to step up and have a big game.

That happened Tuesday night when Ramon Santiago got his first home run since August 1, 2003. He has had over 400 plate appearances in that time.

It all started with a two-out double in the second inning giving the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish. He finished up with a big two-run homer off of Texas starter Vicente Padilla.

Santiago's big play sparked a big night by Edgar Renteria, Miguel Cabrera, and Magglio Ordonez. Renteria went four-for-four while Ordonez and Cabrera each had a home run.

This has been a terrible start to the season for the Detroit Tigers. Coming into Tuesday night’s game, they were tied for the worst record in MLB with the Texas Rangers.

Thanks to last night’s big game, there is a title they no longer hold.

I'm hopeful that the Tigers are going to sweep this series against the Rangers and start their climb out of the AL basement. With the lineup the Tigers put out on the field day after day, it’s almost a certainty that this will happen.

The only question is will they climb out in time to make the playoffs?

I for one believe this is the year the Detroit Tigers will break out and win their first World Series since 1984.

Detroit Red Wings-Colorado Avalanche: A Rivalry Renewed

Nathan Simko — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:58:40 -0400

It seems like only yesterday when Darren McCarty had Claude Lemieux down on the ice, covering his head with blow after blow.

Mike Vernon and Patrick Roy squared up at center ice. Gloves and sticks flew everywhere, and every seat was filled with crazed, screaming fans.

A lot has changed in the NHL and this rivalry since March 26, 1997. Only seven Red Wings and two Colorado Avalanche players remain from that game. Anyone will tell you that the fierce hatred has long since evaporated from this rivalry, but I beg to differ.

The Red Wings won the season series 4-0 with three of those games coming in shutout fashion. The Wings are poised for a second-round sweep but as we all know, it's the playoffs and anything can happen.

This is the new NHL but the spirit that still drives players to win the Stanley Cup, the passion that drives teams in the playoffs hasn't changed. I believe that by the end of this series we will see blood, we will see more fights than any other playoff series this year and we will see a rivalry renewed.

We won't see Chris Osgood and Jose Theodore at center ice, but we will see an amazing goaltending duo that is going to be the story of this series. Both are coming off an extraordinary series.

Jose Theodore played all six games in his series and finished with a strong 1.88 GAA, while Chris Osgood had to come in and save Dominic Hasek from another first round upset. But Osgood was strong, and will continue the Detroit Red Wings run for the cup in round two.

With Joe Sakic leading his team in points after round one you have to believe his leadership is as strong as ever. The Detroit Red Wings don't have the veteran leadership of Steve Yzerman anymore but Nicklas Lidstrom is a veteran and has proven his ability to lead this team.

The difference is a much younger and less experienced crew lead the wings thus far in the playoffs. With Pavel Datsyuk, Jiri Hudler, Niklas Kronwall and Hendrik Zetterberg the top point leaders.

All of Hockeytown is excited and foaming at the mouth for this rivalry to begin again. The game needs this and Hockeytown needs this to be a nasty, ugly barn burner. I'm predicting a 4-1 series going to the Detroit Red Wings.

There is only one question to answer. Will this be a rivalry renewed?