A Little Too Familiar
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by Detroit07
What is happening? Don’t answer; it’s rhetorical. It has been 2 weeks since we thought we were on a roll and looking toward a second straight postseason. In the meantime, we’ve lost 3 key players ( Thames, Rogers, and Miller) and lost 11 of 15 games. And I’m beginning to get troubled. And yesterday I developed a theory: the Tigers are similar to the White Sox of last year. Following is my evidence:
The Previous Year: Chicago 2005 – Won the World Series with a team focused around strong pitching. The team ERA that year was 3.61, and the batting average was 2.62.
Detroit 2006 – Lost in the World Series with a team focused around their young pitching staff. The team ERA was 3.84, and the batting average was 2.74.
Bottom Line – Obviously the numbers are slightly different, but close. The teams were similar, not the same, and that’s what I’m trying to show: similarity.
The Off Season: Chicago – Added a big bat ( Jim Thome) to help the offense in an attempt to repeat the teams success.
Detroit – Added a big bat ( Gary Sheffield) to help the offense in an attempt to win the World Series.
Bottom Line – Both bats helped/are helping the offense tremendously.
Starting Rotation Changes: Chicago – Added Javier Vasquez to the starting rotation for Orlando Hernandez.
Detroit – Traded Mike Maroth and moved Zach Miner and Chad Durbin to the bullpen in favor of young Andrew Miller. (I’m not comparing Miller to Vasquez or Maroth, Durbin or Miner to El Duque, just stating that changes were made.)
Bottom Line – By the All-Star break both teams had a starting rotation that included exactly one different pitcher.
Bullpen Blows: Chicago – Declined option on closer Dustin Hermanson. Trade Damaso Marte and Luis Vizcaino.
Detroit – Lost Jamie Walker to free agency. Lost Zumaya and Rodney to injuries.
Bottom Line – Both teams lost 3 main contributors from their bullpen though through different circumstances. The Tigers do have the luxury of hoping Rodney and Zumaya return to their prior excellence by September, but they are hopes.
When Things Fall Apart: Chicago 2006 – From July 14th through 26th the team went 2 and 10, a stretch when the team ERA was 5.59 and the batting average was .246.
Detroit 2007 – From July 24th through August 4th the team went 2 and 10, a stretch when the team ERA was 6.84 and the batting average was .279.
Bottom Line – The numbers aren’t identical and the stretch isn’t the same. Regardless, the record is the same and the pitching is worse. A .279 average isn’t bad, but they were hitting .289 heading into that stretch.
Conclusion: The teams look similar. Not identical. The results may be similar at the end of the year though, and that is what I don’t like. I’m worried where our team is heading. I think the following from over at the Mack Avenue Tigers blog sums it up:
“I know that all teams go through slumps. I told myself I wouldn’t worry.
But after the past three series and given the injury problems and the way
the pitching staff has been throwing lately, I am at least moving in the
direction of the panic button. I think this is a real crisis, not a made-
up one.”
I guess we will have to wait it out and see what our Tigers are made of. I’m praying that Leyland gives the team a “ pep-talk ” like he did in early April last year. The team needs it, and the fans need it to ensure the Tigers aren’t going out without a fight.
Check out detroit07's Detroit Tigers blog Go Get 'Em Tigers.
