Detroit Tigers: 3 Concerns Heading into the ALDS

Yogi Berra could have been referring to the 2011 ALDS when he said, "It's like deja vu all over again!" The Detroit Tigers faced the New York Yankees in the ALDS in 2006 also.  Things were a little different then.  The Tigers were underdogs facing a stacked Yankee lineup featuring A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu and Gary Sheffield. 

The upstart Tigers won that series in dramatic fashion and surprised a lot of people.  However, in 2011 the Detroit Tigers aren't sneaking up on anyone.  Just as many people are picking the Tigers to win as the Yankees.  On paper they are evenly matched.  But there are already red flags being raised in Motown that could end up costing them the series. 

Brad Penny Is on the Roster

Jim Leyland has made some questionable moves this season.  But that's a given.  He tinkers with the lineup almost daily.  He rests players and plays others with no apparent method to his madness.  Many were calling for him to be fired midseason.  But then a funny thing happened.  The Tigers caught fire, and many of those questionable moves worked out.

So we should just trust him, right?  Um, no.  Brad Penny?  Do the Tigers need their fifth starter in a short series?  Well, maybe if he were an effective fifth starter.  But that's not the case.  His season ERA of 5.30 was neither good nor horrible.  But it doesn't tell the whole story.  His ERA in the second half of the season was much worse.  It was over six the last month and almost 10 the last two weeks.  This suggests a pitcher that wore down.  Well, he's not going to miraculously recover during the postseason.  I wouldn't even trust him as a middle reliever. He got absolutely lit up in his last few starts. 

Yes, Penny has been with the team all year and has been a workhorse, pitching over 180 innings.  I understand Leyland's loyalty.  But sometimes you have to be realistic, and the young arms of Duane Below or David Pauley would have been a better choice.

Verlander Won't Pitch on 3 Days Rest

Jim Leyland announced days ago that he wouldn't start Justin Verlander on three-days rest.  You can definitely find an argument to support his decision.  For one, Verlander has never started a game on three- days rest.  And, if you save him, then you have him available for a potential fifth game must-win.

But what if you're down 2-1 in the series, and it's a fourth game-must win?  Don't you want your best pitcher on the mound then?  Sure, you still have to win 2 games.  But it's do or die time.  The pitching alternatives are Max Scherzer or Rick Porcello.  Both pitchers have been consistently inconsistent this year.  I think the soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner would be a better option, don't you? 

The idea of saving Justin Verlander for Game 5 is a good one if everything goes the Tigers' way.  But nobody owns a crystal ball.  Baseball managers have to make decisions on the fly, depending on the game situation.  But Detroit Tiger fans know one thing about Leyland: he's set in his ways.  He won't change his mind.  He will stubbornly cling to this strategy, regardless of the situation, and it could end up costing them the series.

Brandon Inge Is in the Lineup

Look, Brandon Inge is a great all-around guy.  He's a great teammate too.  He lives in Detroit and is very active in that community.  But there comes a time when you have to be realistic.  Despite what many fans think, Brandon Inge does not wear a cape, and he does not have an "S" on his chest.  The fact is, if he can't hit over the Mendoza Line with consistency, he doesn't deserve a regular lineup spot. 

We all thought the Tigers finally realized this when they sent Inge down to the minors midseason.  Then they picked up Wilson Betemit to take over at third base.  Betemit was an immediate upgrade.  He batted .300, provided clutch RBIs and even had some pop in his bat.  However, Betemit had some knee issues, missed some time and guess who reappeared.

The thing with Brandon Inge is this: He will get an RBI in a big spot or hit a huge home run and all is forgiven.  But you can't forget about the day-to-day black hole he is in the lineup.  He doesn't deserve an everyday spot during the regular season.  He certainly doesn't deserve one in the ALDS.  Wilson Betemit's knee is fine, and Leyland needs to keep him in the lineup.