Bleacher Report - Articles by Timothy Cousino

Sandlot Ballgames and Bubblegum Cards

Timothy Cousino — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:41:20 -0400

A hot, sunny, summer day in the old neighborhood usually meant that it was time to go round up the ol' gang of bubblegum chewin', baseball-card tradin' buddies of yours, and head out to the nearest ball field in your hometown for a sweet escape from reality.

Those days seem like a thing of the past.

I can drive by my old neighborhood anytime of day in the summer and look at an empty ball field. I know that this neighborhood is filled with kids. Where are they?

Video games, iPods, and computers could be a part of the finger pointing, but they're not entirely to blame. Being overweight and not exercising as a child seems to be on the rise also.

What I really notice is that kids have so many options to choose from nowadays.

Especially if both parents are working. When I was a kid, we breathed baseball. Mom was a housewife, and I can tell you that on a nice day, you weren't layin' around the house. You were outside.

And we wanted to be outside. "Let's get Tommy, He's got an extra mitt!"

Tommy also had a pool for after the game.

I know that as I got older, I would get tired of playing ball in the summer, mainly because I was playing organized baseball at school. It turned into a chore. Then it turned into a dream of yesterday.

Where are the sandlotters like when I was a kid? And as for bubblegum cards, most kids can't afford the cards anymore, and most of them don't come with that gnarly gum that splintered into a thousand pieces of sugary bliss and tasted too damn good to be true anyway.

It truly is a different era. I would put Whitey Ford in the spokes of my bike, not in a binder to sell off later on eBay when the market was right.

To read more articles from Timothy go to www.Tigertizzy.com

Detroit Tigers: Will Relievers' Return Rev Team Up?

Timothy Cousino — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:19:40 -0400

In 2006 Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya were a big part of the success of the Detroit Tigers and their eventual run at the post season. This year, due to injuries, the bullpen tandem has been out of the lineup since the beginning of the season.

In June, their long rehabilitation is over, as they have rejoined the Tigers seemingly at a crucial time where the Tigers are poised to make a run at being a .500 ball club just before the All Star break.

Fernando Rodney had his debut with the team during interleague play against the San Francisco Giants.

A pre-game interview with Tiger manager Jim Leyland revealed that Rodney was feeling great and ready to go, but was he? Leyland told the media that he was going to use him in non-pressure situations only, and that he would slowly bring him back.

A three-run homer and a loss later, it showed that Leyland was pushing the envelope a little too soon. I would think that after that poor display, Leyland may choose a different route of deception.

But was it all Leyland's fault? I believe it was a combination of three things that went wrong.

First, let's start by saying that Fernando Rodney has two pitches: a mid-90s fastball and a knee-buckling changeup. He struck out a hitter on five straight unhittable changeups. The most they could do with it was foul it off.

Every time Ivan Rodriguez called for a fastball, they ripped a base hit, because his fastballs were elevated and in the wheelhouse. If I am a hitter facing Rodney, I'm sitting on a fastball.

The three things are: One, Leyland should not have had him out there in the first place. Two, Pudge called the wrong pitch. And three, Rodney has to keep his fastball down. I haven't seen him do it in a while, even at Toledo.

Bottom line: work him in slowly. I know everyone wants this team back on track, but don't give away ball games just to give the kid some work.

The same for Joel Zumaya: work him in slowly and let him build his confidence.

The Tigers finished up their interleague road trip with four straight series victories and two of them were sweeps.

With Marcus Thames hitting cannon shots and Curtis Granderson beginning to come around, we could see the team most analysts were projecting to be World Series contenders. But first, let's get to .500.

Jim Leyland's Decisions May Be Costing Tigers as Twins Sweep Detroit

Timothy Cousino — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:51:02 -0400

The Detroit Tigers were swept in Minnesota after another disappointing loss to the Twins, 7-6.

After sweeping the New York Yankees, you would think the Tigers would have good momentum going into the Metrodome. Not the case.

Today the Tigers again looked flat—similar to the first two games when Tigers' bats were silenced by great pitching performances by Livan Hernandez and Scott Baker.

In my opinion, the Tigers have been struggling because of the poor decisions being made by manager Jim Leyland.

Carlos Guillen at third? How's that working out for ya, Jim?

The move at the beginning of the season to have Carlos Guillen at first base rather than shortstop sounded good considering most aging hitters who have lost a step in their giddy-up make the transition smoothly.

Not in this case. Guillen tends to play first base like he was playing over the bag at short. Jim Leyland figured he had better move him before Guillen or someone else (a baserunner) got hurt or worse. The fundamental errors he makes at first are just to much too bare, and kind of comical to watch—in a sadistic way.

So the easy fix would be?

Move Carlos to third and move all-star third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first. That seemed to be a good idea at the time but you forgot one thing—Carlos has to learn how to play third base first.

Third base is all about positioning yourself in front of the ball when it comes off the bat. You cannot charge the ball and get it on a short hop like you would at short or second base.

After watching Guillen at third and all the errors (seven this year) he has committed and his direct hand in causing losses (I count four), you would think Leyland would have seen enough.

Bottom line: What do you do with him?

Carlos Guillen is a huge bat in the Tigers' lineup, and we cannot afford to have him out of it.

Therefore, this one should be easy—DESIGNATED HITTER!

Guillen claims he cannot hit as well if he is not fielding. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

When you DH you have nothing else to do but concentrate on hitting. If poor fielding caused good hitting I might buy that.

This is not my first rodeo. All aging, leg-hurting, shoulder-aching players try to hang on to their dignity as long as they can—just ask Gary Sheffield.

And speaking of Gary Sheffield (one of my favorite players), he is currently batting .179 and struggling with the bat and shoulder problems.

Sit him down! Let him heal—we may need him down the stretch. Right now he is not helping this team. Carlos Guillen's bat is, just not his fielding.

Can the Tigers sacrifice a little in hitting to put Brandon Inge back at third? I would think it might not be a bad idea as long as you had a back up catcher for Ivan Rodriguez.

When Pudge needs a rest you put Inge behind the plate, put either Cabrera or Ryan Raburn at third. Not Guillen.

Let's not forget that Jim Leyland is the manager for the Detroit Tigers at the moment. I think he is truly a great manager for the Tigers. Just not today.

Carlos Guillen is making errors at third base and causing us to lose ballgames. Let's not blame him for the errors or the lost ballgames—remember who put him at third and supposedly prepares this pro ball club to play at the best of their abilities.

Go get 'em, Leyland!

Jim Leyland Has Major Announcement After the Tigers Wallop the Rangers 10-2

Timothy Cousino — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:17:48 -0400

The bats were booming for the Detroit Tigers as they displayed a large amount of power throughout their line-up, as they put an old-fashioned shellacking on the Texas Rangers Tuesday night in Detroit 10-2.

Tiger shortstop Edgar Renteria's bat continues to sizzle as he is proving to be a rising star for this ballclub going 4 for 4 with an RBI.

The third inning was a big one for Detroit, as Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera teed -off for back-to-back home-runs.
Then a triple for Jaque Jones and an RBI single for Renteria kept it alive for a two-run homer from unlikely hero Ramon Santiago, his first of the year.
The Tigers led at this point 7-1.

Justin Verlander cruised for his first win of 2008, bringing sighs of relief to Tiger fans and media alike.
Verlander struck-out three, walked two, and gave up only one earned run, a home-run off the bat of Frank Catalonotto.

Tiger manager Jim Leyland claims Justin is throwing much better but still not 100%, whatever that means.
This gives the Tigers their eighth win of the season, winning six of their last nine games, as the hitting now looks to be getting on track.
After the game, Leyland said he had a major announcement....here it is .

Carlos Guillen will move to third-base and Miguel Cabrera will stay at first-base.
"It makes us a better team," stated Leyland.

A lot of nagging injuries have been plaguing the Tigers,however most of the projected line-up will be back this week.

Placido Polanco should be back in the line-up, and will remain at second-base.

The hot hitting shortstop Edgar Renteria will remain where he is .

Carlos Guillen will move to third.

Miguel Cabrera will move to first.

Curtis Granderson may be back in the line-up tonight as long as he is okayed by doctors ,which puts him in centerfield.

Gary Sheffield will be back in the designated hitter spot.

Magglio Ordonez will remain in right-field, and Ivan Rodriguez will be catching as usual.

Jaque Jones,Marcus Thames,Ryan Raburn,Clete Thomas,Brandon Inge,and Ramon Santiago will be platooned where needed.

This will mark the first time Jim Leyland will be able to field the projected line-up from spring training in a regular season game this year.

Kenny Rogers will get the call tonight as he is looking for his second straight win.

BOTTOM LINE:

As the Tiger bats continue to improve for Detroit and the pitching showing signs of coming around, you will see a much better Tigers' team extended into the oncoming months barring any major injuries.

I look for a sweep in Texas over the weak pitching performances of late within the Rangers' pitching staff.

This could be the momentum the Tigers need to finish out April strong.

As far as Carlos Guillen at third base, it will be interesting to see how he handles it.

Miguel Cabrera at first should be okay, however defense at the corners this year has been shotty at best.
But Jim Leyland is the manager of this team,(last time I checked) and so far I believe he is right on most of his decisions.

Where does that leave Brandon Inge?

Brandon Inge will get plenty of action as a utility player wherever the Tigers need him.

To me I believe he belongs in a Tiger uniform as he has proven it over and over this year.

But if the bullpen or starting pitching starts to falter , you may see Brandon used as trade bait.

Go get'em Tigers!

Detroit Tigers Season Update: Tigers Win Game #4 at Toronto to Split Series

Timothy Cousino — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:30:28 -0400

The Detroit Tigers get a split in the series at Toronto, winning game four 5-1 over the Blue Jays on another good pitching performance by Armando Galarraga for his second win of the season.
The Tigers got it started in the second inning when Miguel Cabrera walked and Jaque Jones was safe on an error by Jays' shortstop David Eckstein.

With still no one out,an RBI single by Edgar Renteria got the Tigers on the scoreboard 1-0. And then a two-run double by Ryan Raburn and later
a sacrifice fly by Brandon Inge put the score at 4-0 in favor of the Tigers.

In the sixth inning, Edgar Renteria walloped his third homer of the year to make the score 5-0 Detroit.
The Blue Jays added their only run when Greg Zaun connected for a solo home run off of Tiger closer Todd Jones in the ninth.

It was Zaun's first of the year. The Tigers went on to win 5-1. Jays' starter Shawn Marcum took the loss.

The Tigers now head back to Detroit for a three game match-up with the Rangers.

Tigers forecast: With injuries still plaguing the Tigers,the season thus far has been a tough one.
Curtis Granderson will be coming off of the disabled list sometime this week.

I look for him to be back with the club for the home stand against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Placido Polanco remains to be day-to-day with a lower back strain which has noticeably put a damper on his hitting so far.

Gary Sheffield is also day-to-day with his right shoulder enflamed. Tiger skipper Jim Leyland has kept him out of the line-up for the last two games.

Carlos Guillen has also been bothered by a hamstring which has Jim Leyland busy with an eraser in hand pencilling Guillen in at designated hitter,while Sheffield rests his shoulder.

With the bullpen still ailing without Fernando Rodney and fireballer Joel Zumaya,Leyland has been struggling to come up with a formula for victory with the remaining staff.
Lately, I believe the bullpen has been doing much better with newcomers Aquilino Lopez,Clay Rapada and set-up man Denny Bautista.

The hitting still continues to struggle at times with Guillen,Renteria,and Cabrera being the most consistent on the club.
In the first three games at Toronto,out of twelve walks given up by Blue Jays pitching,the Tigers only managed to score one run with twenty-four men left on base.

That's not going to win you very many ball games.

Their inability to score with runners in scoring position continues to be a major factor in this seasons losing record.

With a .311 RISP in 2007, the Tigers were scoring early and often compared to this seasons lowly .170 RISP. (runners in scoring position average)

With the Detroit Tigers record at 7 wins and 13 losses, it has left many analysts,sportswriters,fans, and myself wondering just what is going on in Detroit.

Closer look:

Is the problem the bullpen? I think not.
With the new additions the bullpen has actually been okay and is not the problem everyone thought it was going to be .
Most analysts make the mistake of not knowing how deep the Tigers are in this category.
Sure ,they have been dipping in to the farm system a bit ,but only because they can. Clay Rapada since being called up has been very good out of the bullpen. Aquilino Lopez has also showed promise. Todd Jones, although still very scary at times will continue to record saves for this team as long as they can have a lead going into the ninth.

Let's face it, the real problem this team has is starting pitching. The ace of the staff Justin Verlander is still struggling to find his first win of the season. Jeremy Bonderman has had a couple of good starts,but can't seem to control his slider ,let alone trying to mix in a change-up effectively.

Kenny Rogers still can pitch well, but it seems to be on the day the hitting is non- existent.
Dontrelle Willis is on the DL now ,but he has never really shown us anything to begin with.
The trade for him was a bust ,but we did get Miguel Cabrera out of the deal,which I believe is going to turn out great.
Nate Robertson is struggling the worst out of all . He continues to be fine ,until the fourth inning where he usually gives up a ton of walks or a ton of hits.
No consistency. Ya gotta pitch thru six innings in the Major Leagues to get a quality start. So far for Nate ,it ain't really happenin.

Armando Galarraga has been the bright spot for the rotation ,getting two wins in his first two appearances,after taking the fifth spot in the rotation from the ailing Dontrelle Willis.

The scouting reports have been out on these guys for quite awhile. Is it catching up to them? Do the opposing hitters know what Bonderman ,Robertson,and Verlander are throwing? Of course they do.

It's up to the coaches and the pitchers to develop continually. What has pitching coach Chuck Hernandez done? Does he even work with these guys? Of course he does.

It is really up to these Major League pitchers to step it up and know who they are facing and get it done.

The Bottom Line:
The Tigers hitting will come around and really has been this week. The starting pitching will keep failing until somebody makes a move. Whether a trade, release or just sitting someone down for awhile.

Injuries will continue to be a factor while Leyland has been unable to field the projected powerhouse line-up we saw in spring training.

With Curtis Granderson back, we should see a lot more run production,however he will not be the savior for this team.
The key word here is TEAM. These players have to step it up a notch or two if they even think they will contend in the American League Central Division.

The bullpen will be better as they get more settled in with their roles.

The Tigers may turn it around but it will take a little time for them to get on track.
If they are not playing .500 ball by the All Star break ,stick a fork in them.
Maybe next year.
But as of today, I can see the Tigers possibly turning it around in a week or two as long as the pitching holds out.

I have been to or watched every single game this year and I can see the Tigers starting to gel . But without pitching its going to be a tough hall. At this point in the season though,The question mark still looms. The next couple of weeks should give us a better outlook on where GM Dave Dombrowski is headed.

Tigers-Twins: Miguel Cabrera's Blast Gives Detroit Another Win

Timothy Cousino — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:23:42 -0400

Home runs proved to be too much for the Minnesota Twins as the Detroit Tigers went deep four times to get another hard fought,come-from-behind victory,their second straight at Comerica Park on Tuesday night.

It was Jackie Robinson Day as a few players from both teams donned jerseys with the number fourty -two to honor the breaking of the color barrier sixty one years ago.

Carlos Gomez got things started for the Twins when he doubled,stole third,and scored on a fielders choice off the bat of Joe Mauer in the first inning. 1-0 Twins.

Gary Sheffield then connected for his first homer of 2008 to tie the game at one in the Tiger's half of the first inning.

In the third inning Twins' catcher Joe Mauer singled in a run. 2-1 Twins.

A two-run home run for Twins' first baseman Justin Morneau brought the score to 4-1 Minnesota in the sixth.

Solo homers by Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen got the Tigers within one run,making it 4-3 in the favor of the Twins going into the bottom of the eighth inning.
A walk and an error enabled Tigers' second baseman Placido Polanco to reach third before he was driven in on a clutch double off the bat of Magglio Ordonez to tie the game at 4.

That set the table for a dramatic two-run home run from Miguel Cabrera, giving the Tigers a 6-4 lead going into the ninth.

The Twins managed a run when former Tiger Craig Monroe singled in Delmon Young to bring about the score to 6-5 Detroit.
Todd Jones closed it out in his usual heart attack fashion for the Tiger victory.

Tigers' starting pitcher Nate Robertson struck out four,walked one, and gave up four runs in his no-decision appearance through 6 and 1/3 innings.
He was relieved by Aquilino Lopez because of shoulder tightness.

Clay Rapada got his first win after he relieved Lopez in the seventh.

Todd Jones roller-coasted his way to his third save of 2008 in as many chances.

This marks the second win at home for the Tigers , as their bats are beginning to heat up of late.
Their record is at 4 and 10 on the season, not exactly anything to scream at yet, but I can see them starting to improve.
The Tigers now head to Cleveland for a two-game set with the Indians.

Go Get'Em Tigers!

Late Inning Heroics Gives Detroit Tigers Their First Home Win

Timothy Cousino — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:58:57 -0400

The Detroit Tigers won their third game of the season after a hard-fought, come-from-behind victory over the Minnesota Twins, 11-9. This was the Tiger's first win at home this year.

Jeremy Bonderman got the start for the Tigers against Nick Blackburn for the Twins.

Hits by Brendan Harris and Mike Lamb gave the Twins a 2-0 lead after a two-out error by Tiger's catcher Ivan Rodriguez extended the second inning.

The Twins scored three more runs in the sixth inning. An error by rookie outfielder Clete Thomas brought in two, and a sacrifice fly by Brendan Harris gave the Twins a 5-0 lead.

Then it was the Tigers turn. An RBI single by Miguel Cabrera (I've been waiting all year to say that) and a two run double in the left corner brought the score to 5-3. An RBI single for Tigers' shortstop Edgar Renteria got Detroit within one run, 5-4.

Bonderman got into a jam and was relieved by Bobby Seay who gave up four runs after a barrage of hits by the Twins, seemingly putting the game out of reach 9-4.

But not today J.J..

In the sixth inning Ivan Rodriguez added a home run that tipped off the glove of Twins' right-fielder Denard Span making the score 9-5.

Twp innings later, the Tigers came from behind to score six runs on a medley of hits, including a two-run triple by Rodriguez to tie the game at 9. The Tigers scored two more runs to bring the score to 11-9.

Todd Jones came on to close for the Tiger victory after a great running catch by Ryan Raburn for the final out.

Rookie Clete Thomas hit the first triple of his career in the game, and Francis Beltran got his first victory in relief.

Delmon Young was the standout offensive player for the Twins with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored.

Bonderman pitched pretty well through 6 and1/3 innings, striking out five and only walking two before giving up four earned runs.

This type of dramatic win could be the spark the Tigers are looking for. A momentum shift like this could mark a turning point on the season if the Tigers can keep winning.

There were a lot of standouts for Detroit as their bats really came alive.

Gary Sheffield: two hits, two runs scored
Magglio Ordonez: three hits, one RBI, two runs scored
Miguel Cabrera: two hits, one RBI, two runs scored
Carlos Guillen: three hits, three RBI, one run scored (still obviously hobbled by a hamstring injury)
Edgar Renteria: two hits, one RBI, one run scored
Ivan Rodriguez: two hits (including his first home run of the season), three RBI, one run scored

This marks a great win for the Tigers and one they really needed to snap their drought this season.

Sweet music to my Detroit Tiger lovin' ears! Go Get 'Em Tigers!

Speaking Comically: Top Reasons Why the Detroit Tigers Can't Win

Timothy Cousino — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:53:07 -0400

Here we go baseball fans! The top reasons the Detroit Tigers are losing ball games!

1. Jim Leyland smokes too many Marlboros in the dugout.

2. The coaches have to wear batting helmets now.

3. It's too cold at U.S. Cellular Field to play.

4. Pitching coach Chuck Hernandez's warm-up jacket is way too tight.

5. Major League pitchers throw the ball really, really hard and the balls move too!

6. Half the team is still at Triple-A Toledo.

7. Millionaire ballplayer Miguel Cabrera said his leg hurt, so other millionaire ballplayers decided their legs hurt too.

8. Coaches have to stand with at least one foot in the coaches’ box now.

9. It's too cold to play baseball at Comerica Park.

10. Former Hall of Fame Detroit Tiger announcer Ernie Harwell does commercials for insurance companies now.

11. The Detroit Lions suck!

12. The Pistons are going to the playoffs.

13. Tiger announcer Dan Dickerson doesn't have to wear a batting helmet when he does his broadcasts causing fear in the Tiger organization.

14. Since the ban on steroids, Jim Leyland's managing skills have diminished.

15. Brandon Inge doesn't want to catch anymore.

16. Dontrelle Willis thought he was going to play third base this year.

17. Jeremy Bonderman doesn't want to catch either.

18. Beer prices went up at the ballpark

19. It's too hot to play baseball

20. Joel Zumaya can't get past the first level of Guitar Hero.

21. Jose Canseco put out a new book sending fear through the Tiger organization

22. Tiger Woods lost the Masters tournament, jinxing all sports teams with the nickname "Tiger.”

23. Brandon Inge doesn't want to pitch either.

There are many more, but I won't give them to you yet until I find out for sure the Tigers’ losing ways will continue.

I knew something was wrong when I asked a player if he understood they were 2-12 on the season and he said I know we got them right where we want them!

Chicago-Detroit: White Sox Pitching Dominates Again As Tigers Drop Another

Timothy Cousino — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:02:41 -0400

Pitcher Xavier Vasquez hurled a gem for the Chicago White Sox as the struggling Detroit Tigers offense was shutout 11-0 for the fourth time in 12 games.

Grand slam homeruns by veteran sluggers Paul Konerko and Joe Crede proved to be the deciding blows in the game for both teams.

Good pitching has been dominating the poor hitting of the Tigers of late. Saturday, the Tigers were shutout by an awesome performance from White Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd.

Also, injuries continue to plague any kind of cohesion for this team.With rising star Curtis Granderson on the DL to start the season,the Tigers have been struggling in all aspects of the game. Is he the main reason? He is a big part of this line-up ,but the Tigers have other nagging and day to day injuries as well.

Placido Polanco is having back problems and blames most of it on the cold weather. Gary Sheffield is still having shoulder soreness as well as a finger injury that keeps him out from time to time. No one has a clue when Fernando Rodney or Joel Zumaya will be ready to boost the team's bullpen. Dontrelle Willis is on the 15 day disabled list with leg problems. And Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera both have quadriceps issues hampering their everyday starts.

Injuries aside, Detroit is just not playing very well at all.
Management is already dipping into the AAA Toledo farm team desperately trying to put together some kind of effective bullpen.

The starting pitching has been okay at times ,but it seems to be on a day when the team doesn't hit.

And if someone told me that the Detroit Tigers would lose ten of their first twelve games, I would have given them directions to the nearest funny farm.

I believe the Tigers' hitting will come around as long as someone steps up and takes charge of this offense.

As of late this team has put question marks over fans ,media and Manager Jim Leyland's heads. All they can really do is ride it out and keep playing as hard as they can.

The Tigers head home to Comerica Park to meet with the Minnesota Twins on Monday and Tuesday. Let's hope they bring their bats with them. Go get'em Tigers!

The Detroit Tigers: When Will They Get Their Turn?

Timothy Cousino — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:02:41 -0400

Pitcher Javier Vasquez hurled a gem for the Chicago White Sox as the Detroit Tigers are shutout for the fourth time in twelve games 11-0.

Grand Slam homeruns by veteran sluggers Paul Konerko and Joe Crede proved to be the deciding blows in the game for the White Sox.

Good pitching has been dominating the poor hitting of the Tigers of late , getting shutout in the previous meeting by an awesome performance by Sox' right-hander Gavin Floyd.
Injuries continue to plague any kind of cohesion for this team. With rising star Curtis Granderson on the DL to start the season, the Tigers have been struggling on all aspects of the game.

Is he the main reason?

He is a big part of this line-up, but The Tigers have other nagging and day to day injuries as well. Placido Polanco is having back problems and blames most of it on the cold weather. Gary Sheffield is still having shoulder soreness as well as a finger injury that keeps him out from time to time. No one has a clue when Fernando Rodney or Joel Zumaya will be ready.

Dontrelle Willis is on the 15 day disabled list with a hyper extended knee. Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera both have quadriceps issues hampering their everyday starts.

Injuries aside though the Tigers for their part, just are not playing very well at all.
They are already dipping into the AAA Toledo farm team desperately trying to put together some kind of effective bullpen.

The starting pitching has been okay at times, but it seems to be on a day when the team doesn't hit. And if someone told me that the Detroit Tigers would lose ten of their first twelve games, I would have given them directions to the nearest funny farm. I believe the Tigers' hitting will come around eventually as long as someone steps up and takes charge of this offense.

As of late this team has put question marks over fans ,media as well as Manager Jim Leyland's head. All we can really do is ride it out and keep playing as hard as we can.

The Tigers head home to Comerica Park to meet with the Minnesota Twins on Monday and Tuesday. Let’s hope they bring their bats with them.

Go Get'em Tiger!

Detroit Tigers Update: Tigers Are North...but Hitting Stays South

Timothy Cousino — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:13:46 -0400

The Detroit Tigers are still slumping with the bats, despite a great pitching effort by ace Justin Verlander. Chicago White Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd showed his mastery over the Tigers once again as he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning.

Tiger shortstop Edgar Renteria slapped a single to end the bid. The soggy,rainsoaked fans gave a standing ovation to Floyd, a 2001 draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies, when he left the game in the eighth as the Tigers went on to be shut out 7-0 in the cold and wet conditions at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on Saturday.

The Tigers now have a record of 2-9 on the season, the worst in the majors.
Chicago led 1-0 after Orlando Cabrera hit his first home run of the year off Verlander.

Verlander later beaned Cabrera in the head in the eighth inning. Cabrera was examined and given a clean bill of health.

The Tigers try again today for another elusive win as the three-game set continues (weather permitting) with the series tied at one game apiece.

It is still too early to tell if the Tigers can turn this bad start around. Right now they are just not clicking on all cylinders.

Keep looking for the Tigers to get it going. They can't be as bad as they look right now. And they look bad.

In other news, Dontrelle Willis went on the 15-day DL after pulling a leg muscle. So far, his acquisition has been a bust (which I did predict at the beginning of the season).

Go get 'em Tigers!

Detroit Tigers Season Update: Bonderman Gets First Win As Tiger Bats Wake Up

Timothy Cousino — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:27:15 -0400

Some timely hitting and a good showing by the bullpen gave the Detroit Tigers thier first win of 2008, as they defeated the world champion Boston Red Sox 7-2 at Fenway Park. Jeremy Bonderman had a strong start through six innings for his first win.

The Red Sox led 2-0 before Tiger shortstop Edgar Renteria delivered a two run double, tying the game at two.

Marcus Thames added a two-run homer to break the tie, giving Detroit a 4-2 lead in the fifth.

Brandon Inge continues to hit, as he had a two-run single to bring the game to 6-2.
Carlos Guillen slammed a solo homer of his own to bring the scoring to rest at 7-2 in favor of Detroit.

Bobby Seay was virtually unhittable through two innings before giving way to Francis Beltran, Denny Bautista and then closer Todd Jones. Seay looked in command as his superb breaking-ball kept the Boston sluggers off-balance. Denny Bautista, for his part, looks more and more like the set-up man the Tigers so desperately need with Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya on the disabled list.

Todd Jones, the human rollercoaster, loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth before getting a lazy fly ball to left to end the game, preserving the Tigers' win.

Tiger manager Jim Leyland was very pleased with the performance of the bullpen.

Tiger rookie outfielder Clete Thomas continues to be a bright spot as he added a perfect sacrifice bunt to move runners up and set the table for Brandon Inge's two-run single. Thomas also laced a single down the third-base line later in the game. It will be tough to send this kid down, as he is now 8-for-16; a batting average of .500. We'll have to see what happens when centerfielder Curtis Granderson rejoins the line-up.

Ivan Rodriguez claimed his 2500th career hit with a sharp single to right. Congratulations are in order for the all-star catcher.

Former Tiger Sean Casey greeted his old friends with two hits for the Red Sox. He also had some tips for former teammate Carlos Guillen at first-base, mainly on footwork and the proper glove to use. Thank you, Sean, as you are still dearly loved in Detroit and we wish you all the best.

The Tigers will try to put a winning streak together tonight at Boston in the final game of a three game set. Nate Robertson gets the call as the starter for Detroit, as he looks for his first win.

Let's hope the Tigers can get it turned around. Go get 'em, Tigers!

White Sox-Tigers: Chicago Drops Detroit to 0-5 Start

Timothy Cousino — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:02:32 -0400

Hearts are breaking in Detroit as the Chicago White Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers on Saturday 5-3.
Dontrelle Willis got the start on a beautiful , sunny afternoon in the Motor City.Gavin Floyd got the nod for the Sox.
Willis had a no-hitter through five plus innings until he walked two batters and served up a double off the wall to Jim Thome, scoring two runners.

With the game at 3-2 , Zach Miner came on in relief and promptly walked Jermaine Dye and gave up a single to Sox slugger Carlos Quentin to tie the game at 3. The next batter was Joe Crede, who sacrificed flied to score Dye from third for the go ahead run making the score 4-3.

Jermaine Dye added a solo shot in the eighth off of Tiger reliever Francis Beltran to bring the final score to 5-3.

Brandon Inge had a great day at the plate for the Tigers, doubling in a run in the second and slamming a two run homer in the fourth. He gets credit for all the Tiger runs in the game.

The Tigers now fall to 0-5 for the season , thier worst start since 2003 when they dropped nine straight at the beginning of that season.

Fans were shaking thier heads in disbelief, as the Tigers' powerhouse line-up failed to hit again and the first win of 2008 remains elusive.

Gavin Floyd pitched well for Chicago showing good control and an effective curve-ball as the Tiger hitters remain flat.

Dontrelle Willis walked seven batters a career high for him as his control is still in question.

Sox' closer Bobby Jenks came on in the ninth and gave up a single to Jaque Jones and walked Brandon Inge with two outs before getting rookie Clete Thomas to ground out for the save.

TC's TIGER Analysis:

Regardless of what Tiger manager Jim Leyland claims, I believe the Tigers are pressing. The hitters are swinging at too many bad pitches and not being patient at the plate.( with exception to Brandon Inge and Clete Thomas)

The pitchers are lacking confidence and control.
This team needs to get back to having fun and relaxing and showing thier love for the game by studying thier opponents and playing with proper intensity instead of the laziness that I see going on.

They need to quit reading about how great they are going to be in the papers and start acting like a team instead of a bunch of individuals caught up in thier own hype.

This is a good team in a bad slump. Someone has to break them out of it and if Jim Leyland can't do it we are in for a long and disastrous over-hyped losing season.

Let's hope they turn it around soon before they find themselves ten or twelve games back with little hope of recovery, becoming one of baseballs' largest paid underachievers and the biggest disappointment of 2008.

With injuries beginning to plague them and the pitching rearing it's ugly head, this could be a recipe for disaster.

THE BREAKDOWN:

Rookie Clete Thomas continues to hit but can't score when the 2,3,4,5 hitters aren't producing.

Placido Polanco is still slumping and unable to get his rythym back from 2007.I have noticed him swinging under the ball which is uncharacteristic of him.

Carlos Guillen is streaky at best so far, unable to connect with the good pitches. Even though his defense at first base is excellent.

Magglio Ordonez is impatient at the plate ,often swinging at the first pitch and grounding into double plays. A rally killer.

Miguel Cabrera is obviously playing with an injured quadricep causing late un-powered swings.

Edgar Renteria has been pretty consistent , although he tends to make poor base-running decisions.

Ivan Rodriguez is making defensive errors behind the plate and is not showing the power at the plate that he had this Spring.

Jaque Jones has had one good game this year and that is it.

Brandon Inge continues to prove that he belongs in the starting line-up and is probably the best third baseman in the game defensively.The way he is playing right now ,I would keep him at third and let Miguel Cabrera keep the designated hitter spot until Gary Sheffield comes back, then I would put him in left field.

The starting pitching has been okay as of late but the bullpen still continues to be a major factor in whether or not this team can win or lose with dignity.

I think they will bounce back, but not any time soon. The hitting has to come around to help this poor bullpen. GO TIGERS!

Opening Day in Detroit Brings Fans and Team Together

Timothy Cousino — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:27:52 -0400

The Opening Day festivities in Detroit were in full swing as the fans and the team prepared for another baseball season in Comerica Park. High hopes and expectations were in the very air that surrounded the stadium as the full house of fans erupted to the announcement of their favorite Tiger players.

Justin Verlander took the hill for Detroit in his first ever Opening Day start.

Gil Meche was the starter for the Kansas City Royals, looking to spoil the debut of the Tigers star studded lineup.

They did just that.

A 5-4 loss in eleven innings put the first game of the season in the loss column for Detroit. "I don't think we'll win most of time just because our payroll is big, "Claimed Tiger manager Jim Leyland."We just left some guys on base and we left a couple pitches up."

You cannot leave ten runners on base and win a baseball game, bottom line.

Miguel Cabrera smacked a homer and aided the Tigers to a 3-0 lead after five innings, but that wasn't enough to hold off the bats of the Royals. Alex Gordon crushed a two run homer off of Verlander to bring the Royals within one run 3-2. Both managers raved about Gordon's improvements.

Verlander was taken out of the game after giving up a leadoff walk and a single in the seventh inning. He was replaced by Tiger reliever Jason Grilli who immediately gave up an RBI single to Royals catcher John Buck tying the game at three. He then was replaced by right-hander Aquilino Lopez who gave up the go ahead run to Mark Grudzielanek with two outs.

Carlos Guillen connected for his first homer of the year tying the game at four.

Todd Jones pitched a perfect inning in the ninth giving way to Denny Bautista in the tenth.

Bautista took the loss for Detroit when he gave up a bloop single to Tony Peña Jr, scoring John Buck. The Tigers were unable to score in the eleventh, despite the efforts of rookie Clete Thomas who doubled off the wall to start the inning.

All in all, I thought it was a well played, exciting baseball game and the Tigers just came up short.

With 161 games left I wouldn't be too disappointed Tiger fans, this truly is a lineup to be reckoned with this year...Go Tigers!

Detroit Tigers Spring Update and Analysis for 2008

Timothy Cousino — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:11:02 -0400

The Detroit Tigers will rap up thier Grapefruit League games this week in Florida as anxious fans await the arrival of thier improved baseball team to return to Comerica Park for the season opener.

On Easter Sunday the Tigers battled the Cleveland Indians to a 3-3 tie in ten innings as Tiger manager Jim Leyland sent out some new prospects and some on the bubble roster wanna-bes.

Yorman Bazardo showed a lot of poise on the mound as he continues to fight for a spot on the club. With a solid outing like he had on Sunday, I think the management needs to find a spot for him as he can help the already ailing bullpen and could also be used as a starter when the rotation needs an extra day of rest.

Bazardo retired all nine batters he faced in three innings of work against the strong lineup of the Indians. This spring he has a 3.75 E.R.A. in six games with the Tigers.

Bazardo is battling for the spot with teammate Aquilino Lopez. Lopez has a 1.64 E.R.A. in eleven innings of work giving him a strong chance to take the spot also.

Fausto Carmona gave up a two run homer to Gary Sheffield, then scattered six hits over six innings for his longest start this spring for the Cleveland Indians.

Detroit smacked nine hits in Sunday's match-up, with Magglio Ordonez and Placido Polanco leading the way with two hits apiece.

Curtis Granderson was placed on the 15 day DL, when he broke his finger on his right hand Saturday after being hit by a fastball thrown by Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher Travis Blackley.

Brandon Inge will be the starting centerfielder for the Tigers until Curtis Granderson can return.

Miguel Cabrera the star third -baseman for the Tigers was signed to a 152.3 million dollar contract over eight years ensuring the slugger will be in Detroit for the future.

Tiger designated hitter Gary Sheffield said "It's a testament to what this organization is trying to do." "It says we are trying to win right now,but in the future also." "He's a future- type player." "Anytime you can get a player for that amount of years on this team, you're looking at multiple championships."

LET"S MEET THE 2008 DETROIT TIGERS!

Thirdbaseman:Miguel Cabrera

He has been to the All Star game four times and he's not even 25 Years old. Look for this guy to have 200 hits , 36 homers and an average around .330. Even if Dontrelle Willis doesn't pan out , the trade was well worth it , as the Tigers can keep rebuilding around this slugger.

Firstbaseman: Carlos Guillen

The move from shortstop to third didn't hamper Carlos in the least as he will remain a positive force in the clubhouse this year.The two -time Allstar should see his average climb this year as pitchers will take him forgranted in this powerhouse line-up. Look for Guillen to hit around .320 with around 20 homers and over 100 RBI.

Secondbaseman:Placido Polanco

Placido can flat out hit. Coming off a career year at the plate and in the field, look for Placido to bat around .330, close in on 200 hits and around 80 to 90 RBI. Last year Placido Polanco became the first second baseman in history to play a full season without committing an error.He earned his first All Star selection in 2007.

Shortstop:Edgar Rentaria

A welcome addition to the Tigers this season as Edgar is coming off of a career high .332 batting AVG. in 2007.This 5 time All Star and two-time gold glove winner has replaced the ailing knees of Carlos Guillen. Look for him to get adjusted in the American League and bat around .300.

Shortstop:Ramon Santiago

Ramon will be a much needed utility man when the starters look to rest.Capable of playing second base as well. A switch-hitter with good speed on the basepaths.

Infielder/outfielder:Brandon Inge

Brandon will start in centerfield this year until Curtis Granderson comes off the DL. Another superb defensive player at third-base , Brandon will be utilized in many situations as he is capable of playing any position.His hitting needs to improve over last year. Look for him to rebound and get some key hits as the Tigers begin thier journey back to the top of the American League Central.

Centerfielder:Curtis Granderson

One triple short of breaking Ty Cobbs' record as a Tiger, Curtis looks to get even better than 2007.Now in his third full year as a Tiger, Curtis has a work ethic like no other .Look for Curtis to hit around .300 and improve his on base percentage in 2008. Curtis Granderson will start in mid April due to an injury to his hand.

Leftfielder:Jaque Jones

A nice aquisition to this already potent line-up. Look for Jaque to improve his numbers over last year as he should bat around .270 with 25 homers and 80 RBI. A much needed left-handed hitter in the Detroit line-up.

Rightfielder:Magglio Ordonez

With his best season ever in 2007, look for Maggs to pave the way to a championship for Detroit. Magglio was the American League batting champ for 2007 when he batted a whopping .363. Magglio is a mainstay in Detroit for years to come as he continues to set the standard for hitting in the major leagues.Look for him to bat around .340 with 30 homers and 130 RBI.

Outfielder:Marcus Thames

Marcus will be platooned in the outfield again this year and probably will DH from time to time. Marcus hit .310 against left-handed pitching in 2007.Look for more of the same as he will be utilized in that role. Everytime I look at Marcus I am reminded of the former Tiger Larry Herndon. Marcus is well-liked and respected in the clubhouse as his batting skills trickle down thru the team.I wouldn't be surprised to see Marcus Thames as a batting coach when his playing days are over.

Designated Hitter:Gary Sheffield

With his shoulder problems behind him, we should see a vast improvement over 2007. Gary should raise his average up to around .300 and smash 40 homers and 100 RBI, thats the the least we should expect from this Hall of Fame caliber player.

Infielder/Outfielder/Catcher:Ryan Raburn

Another great utility player as Ryan can play any position . He hit .302 while playing all outfield positions as well as second and third-base in 2007. Ryan Raburn will also back up Ivan Rodriguez at the catcher position in 2008. Look for Ryan to spray some key hits for the Tigers' contending team.

Catcher:Ivan"Pudge"Rodriguez

Looks like Pudge has his swing back as he continues to clout homers in spring training leading the Grapefruit League with 8 this year. Look for this Hall of Fame catcher to hit around .280 with 30 or more homers and over 100 RBI as he looks as strong as ever for the 2008 season. Batting eighth in the line-up should give him a lot more run production as the bases should be full of Tigers this year .

Pitchers:

RHP:Justin Verlander

The ace of the Tigers' pitching staff, Justin Verlander will have another stellar season for Detroit. Justin pitched his first career no-hitter on June 12 of last year. Look for Justin to have another great season, winning 18 to 20 games for the Tigers and keeping his ERA under 3.00. Can you say Cy Young?

LHP:Kenny Rogers

We will need Kenny to bounce back from injuries this year if the Tigers are to make a run for the pennant in the AL Central. This crafty veteran showed good form throughout spring training this year. At 44 years old I really do not know what to expect from Kenny in 2008. As long as he stays healthy we can hope he has flashes of the brilliance he had in 2006. Look to have him scratch out at least 10 wins this year, if not the Tigers championship season could be in jeopardy.

LHP:Nate Robertson

I can really see Nate winning 15 to 17 games for the Detroit Tigers this year, mainly because whenever he pitched , the run production was down and he would lose games 2 -1 or 3-2 having pitched great games. His ERA should remain under 4.00 as the powerhouse line-up should produce enough runs for him to win. This workhorse is a tough competitor and this year will prove to be one of his finest seasons in his career.

RHP:Jeremy Bonderman

Bondo is one pitcher I can't wait to see pitch this year. We all hope for a nice comeback for Jeremy this year. Although struggling through spring , Jeremy with the help of pitching coach Chuck Hernandez, have been working on new pitches and mechanics, developing a nasty sinker ball to compliment an already wicked slider as well as a change-up. Thats a lot for a young 23 year old to sponge in. If Jeremy continues to harness these new pitches you will see a 20 game winner in no time. I expect Bondo to have 12 -15 wins this year as long as the control is there. We know the run support will be there. Lotsa luck Bondo.

LHP:Dontrelle Willis

Dontrelle Willis is another pitcher who struggled through spring, getting shelled in almost every outing this year. His problem? CONTROL! This guy has a fantastic movement on his fastball, but he is throwing it so it breaks right over the heart of the plate. I hope Coach Hernandez can get this guy straightened out for this season or it could spell doom for Detroit. Okay,calm down and take your blood pressure meds. Look for Dontrelle to get much of his old form back with 8-10 wins for 2008. But not really the quality starter the Tigers were looking for.

RHP:Yorman Bazardo

A nice surprise for the Tigers in 2007 having an ERA of 2.28 in 11 games. He will have a spot in the bullpen to start the season , but I expect Tiger Manager Jim Leyland to put him in the starting rotation as soon as one of the questionables falls flat. At 22 years old this kid can throw with the best of them. Keep your eye on this kid in 2008.

RHP:Denny Bautista

Had a really great spring at Tigertown, and will be used primarily in middle relief this year. I am hoping that he can put up the numbers like he did this spring. He has never had an ERA under 5.00 in his career , lets hope he can change that. I think he is going to be great out of the bullpen while we wait for Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya to come off of the disabled list.

LHP:Tim Byrdak

Had a good year in 2007 when used in long relief, But I think coach Leyland will go back to using him as a one out spot reliever, as Leyland showed a lot of disappointment in him this spring. Look for him to be just that in 2008.

RHP:Jason Grilli

The second half of 2007 was nothing short of brilliant for this Tiger reliever as he went 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA. He will be the workhorse for the bullpen in 2008. You could also see him start a game or two when the rotation needs a breather. Look for him to be solid for 2008.

RHP:Zach Miner

Miner shows a lot of poise in tough situations.He will primarily be used as a middle reliever and could also be used as a spot starter if needed.He also was great in the second half of 2007 posting a 1.45 ERA in his last 10 appearances.

LHP:Bobby Seay

A very promising arm out of the bullpen for the Tigers. Had a nice season in 2007 posting a 2.33 ERA. He will mainly be used in middle to late relief depending on situations.Don't be surprised to see him setting up for Todd Jones until Fernando Rodney comes back.

RHP:Todd Jones

The closer for the Tigers for 2008. Was shelled in the first half of spring training but seemed to have snapped out of it as of late. Nicknamed "The Rollercoaster" by fans and teammates because of his ability to bring out are emotions as he seems to put men on base right before he shuts them down for the save. I expect more of the same from the all time Detroit Tiger save leader. With the powerful hitters the Tigers have he may not be needed as much.

Your 2008 Detroit Tigers:OUTLOOK

The Tigers are going for a World title this year as the GM Dave Dombrowski has brought together an All Star line-up to Comerica Park. There are still a few questions about the pitching staff, but all in all I expect nothing short of a great season and a championship that is long overdue in Detroit. Next stop the Copa.

Detroit Tigers Spring Update: Dontrelle Willis Humbled by Toronto

Timothy Cousino — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 05:09:52 -0400

Dontrelle Willis of the Detroit Tigers had another rough outing as he was lit up for five runs and seven hits with four walks in three and one third innings as the Tigers lose to the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Friday.

The newly acquired lefty is still having control problems against right-handed hitters. His fastball will tail in on the hands of right-handers if thrown in the right location. If he throws it outside it will tail into the heart of the plate where batters can get the barrel of their bats on it.

It’s all about control.

Willis claims he was working too fast on the mound and not setting up properly. Tiger fans are hoping he gets it together before his debut as the Tigers number five starter.

I believe he will.

Gary Sheffield looks like he has his swing back as he slammed a line drive into the left field stands for a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning of Friday's game at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida.

Gary has a very positive attitude as he spoke about players’ roles in the Tigers powerhouse lineup. He said with this caliber of players its easy to think that if you don't get the job done someone else will, so you have to take it upon yourself to get the job done.

Ivan "Pudge "Rodriguez slammed a solo shot home run in the sixth inning to lead the Grapefruit league in dingers with eight. Pudge continues to impress as he looks a lot stronger and has gotten that sweet stroke back from earlier years.

The Tiger bullpen looked pretty solid as Zach Miner, Bobby Seay, Aquilino Lopez and Francis Beltran allowed only four hits in five and two thirds scoreless innings.

Brandon Inge was at shortstop for the first time this spring, as he will be a crucial utility player for the Tigers with the ability to relieve starting players at nearly every position.

Ryan Raburn will have a similar role as he has been learning new positions as well, playing at second base and catcher in Friday's game.

Justin Verlander has officially been given the nod to be the starting pitcher in the Detroit Tigers Opening Day game. He was quite honored to be given the task.

The Detroit Tigers are shaping up to be contenders in the American League Central Division. Don't let spring training fool you.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Detroit Tigers Spring Update: Guillen Finds More Comfort at First Base

Timothy Cousino — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:20:21 -0400

The Detroit Tigers lost to the Cincinnati Reds Monday. Johnny Cueto had a solid outing, overcoming a rough first inning with four solid ones to give the Reds a 5-3 victory in Sarasota, Fla.

Texas league singles by Placido Polanco and Edgar Renteria gave the Tigers an early 2-0 lead, but Cueto shut them down in the next three innings. Both Jim Leyland and Dusty Baker were impressed with the outing by the rookie Reds pitcher.

Crafty veteran Kenny Rogers went five innings for the Tigers, giving up two runs on six hits, striking out one. Denny Bautista continues to impact the bullpen with another scoreless appearance, giving him 10 and 1/3 shutout innings in seven outings this spring. We will definitely need his 95 plus fastball in the bullpen this year.

Starting first baseman Carlos Guillen seems to be getting more comfortable at his now everyday position. His bat hasn't been affected at all, as he busted out two hits, and his defense was superb, as he made some dazzling plays at on the right side of the infield. Guillen continues to be a great leader in the clubhouse—that's why we call him the Captain.

Should we be worried about Jeremy Bonderman? Right now no.

The Tiger hurler is still working on his mechanics and new pitches. Bonderman still has one of the best sliders in the game and is learning a changeup to improve his arsenal of pitches. After coming off the arm injury he has to learn his mechanics all over again, which is why coach Chuck Hernandez is working him so hard.

Spring Training is what it is: a place to look at new prospects while the everyday players stretch their legs and try new things to help their ball club be a contender. Don't put your Easter eggs in the Grapefruit League basket. Save the worrying for when it counts ...Opening Day.

Tiger manager Jim Leyland was thrilled with the perfomance of Bonderman's sinker, saying it was the best he has seen in a long time even though Bondo's overall performance was sub-stellar. He gave up two runs on five hits and three walks in four and 2/3 innings.

Leyland, however, was unhappy with lefty Tim Byrdak's outing. He gave up six runs, six hits, and one walk in the sixth inning of the 9-1 rout between the Washington Nationals and the Tigers on Tuesday. Byrdak seems to still be making rookie mistakes, leaving the ball up for hitters to blast out of the area code.

I say bring in someone to keep the ball down and in the park.

Marcus Thames will be platooned in left field, right field, and at first base to become one of the Tigers' utility men.

I am predicting Jaque Jones will become a powerful threat against right-handers, getting his home run stroke back from two years ago.

Fernando Rodney will officially start the 2008 on the DL.

Stay tuned for more updates as Spring Training continue. Go get 'em Tigers!

Detroit Tigers Spring Training Update

Timothy Cousino — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:04:25 -0400

The Detroit Tigers had split squads on Sunday—one against the New York Mets and the other against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Pedro Martinez pitched well for the Mets, avoiding the dangerous bats of the Tigers as he threw four scoreless innings in his first game of the spring. The Mets defeated Detroit 7-4.

Carlos Delgado suffered a bizarre injury, needing four stitches to close a gash in his right forearm after the shattered barrel of teammate Brady Clark 's bat struck him. Delgado later said he did not see it coming as he was watching the infield pop-fly.

James Shields took the mound for the D-Rays and hurled four and 2/3 scoreless innings in a 7-2 victory over the Tigers.

It looks like Denny Bautista could make the squad as he continues to dazzle opposing hitters with his live fastball. Bautista has not allowed an earned run this spring. He will definitely come in handy early on with the absence of Rodney and Zumaya.

Right now the bullpen looks like this: Tim Byrdak and Bobby Seay as the left-handed middle relievers; Jason Grilli, Denny Bautista, and Zach Miner as the right-handed middle relievers; and Todd Jones as the closer.

Jim Leyland has been using a lot of prospects this spring as he takes it easy on his set starters. He believes he has fielded one of the best teams of his career...if not in history!

Only time will tell as the 2008 Detroit Tigers continue to get ready for Opening Day. It's still only Spring Training, but after watching the spring games and seeing the power house in action, I believe we are in for a fantastic season in Detroit.

Polanco, Renteria, Cabrera, Guillen, Jones, Granderson, Ordonez, and Rodriguez...Wow!

Jones Finds Fountain of Youth

Timothy Cousino — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:37:26 -0400

Todd Jones looked on top of his game Thursday as he pitched a perfect inning for the first time this spring.

Jones never seems to be worried, as he already knows he will be the closer for the Detroit Tigers for 2008. His game film from his last outing was brokedown by pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and it seems to have payed off as the Tiger closer had great control showing signs of an earlier time.

Together Jones and Hernandez had worked on his mechanics and it showed in the 6-6, ten inning tie with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.Now lets move on to some real worries, Jeremy Bonderman. Bondo continues to struggle with location and is not throwing well at all, giving up four runs, three of them earned and moving his E.R.A to 5.54 in four innings of work.

Braves pitcher Chuck James pitched well in his spring debut, alowing one hit in two innings against the Bengals solid offensive lineup. Gary Sheffield connected for his first homer of the spring,he now has a grand total of two hits out of 18 at bats for a .100 avg.,no worries right? Yep, it's only spring training.

That seems to be the motto around Lakeland right now.Ryan Raburn the Tiger utility man is donning the catchers mask lately as we still wait for Vance Wilson to come off the dl as their is no real backup catcher for Pudge since Inge is still whimpering about wanting to be traded and won"t play catcher because he can't concentrate on hitting.

I don't think he could concentrate on hitting at third base either. You just can't bat .236 and be a starting third baseman in this league. Will someone please trade this guy before he infects the locker room !My advice to him would be, play catcher, outfield, waterboy anything they give you for six million and be part of a winning team, possibly a championship team, but mostly just shut up! We are all a little tired of the attitude! Tigers play tonight at 7:05.

Detroit Tigers Roundup: Ivan Rodriguez Showing No Signs of Slowing

Timothy Cousino — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:28:44 -0400

Ivan "Pudge"Rodriguez is showing no signs of slowing down in his twilight years. The baseball continues to scream off his bat at Lakeland, Florida, the Tigers spring training facility.

Pudge slammed two homers off of Houston Astros starter Woody Williams as they routed them 11 to 4 on Wednesday.

"I'm not even trying to hit homers," Rodriguez said. "All I am trying to do is make contact.I feel great right now.I hope I can keep this stroke all year."

Rodriguez seems to be settled in at the 8th spot in the lineup. The Tigers scored 9 runs in the first 4 innings, and 8 of those were off of Woody Williams. Tiger manager Jim Leyland used the projected Opening Day lineup with effective results, however he still claims "It's just spring training."

Gary Sheffield came around with a base hit to lift his average to a measley .056...it's just spring training. Gary is one I would not be to worried about, after coming off of the shoulder injury it's good to have him swinging the bat with no pain. Kenny Rogers had a nice outing only giving up 1 run and 3 hits in 5 innings of work. It was his best outing and the longest this spring.

Brandon Inge did not play and still wants to be traded. Carlos Guillen is still doing well with his spring average at .343. The Tigers also skimmed 12 players, leaving the roster at 46. One of those players was lefthanded reliever Macay Mcbride who was assigned to Triple A Toledo.