Friday, June 19, 2009
By Roz Juarbe
The first-place Detroit Tigers are trying to hang on to first by somehow jumpstarting the offense. This week Manager Jim Leyland shifted Miguel Cabrera from cleanup to the No. 3 spot to make sure he batted in the first inning. Four of the Tigers five runs in the two games of the Cardinals series at Busch Stadium came on solo home runs, including two by Curtis Granderson. On-base percentage is so important, and often overlooked by fans and even general managers.
Toronto can kiss any pennant hopes goodbye. Not only is the AL East such a tough division, the Blue Jays have been snake bitten by bad luck. Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay and closer Scott Downs are on the DL. Halladay won't be eligible to return June 28, a huge blow. Toronto had an 8-3 win in Philly, but it was extra innings, they stranded 16 runners, and ended a four-game skid. They have been hit hard with injuries to the pitching staff, so the bullpen depth has been shredded.
Speaking of pitching, NY Yankee erighty Chien-Ming Wang (0-5) lasted five innings this week, easily his best start. He allowed 3 earned runs on 6 hits with two walks. Getting him turned around will be a huge boost to stablize the NY staff and bullpen, though his ERA is still in double digits. Notice that his wife gave birth on Tuesday to their first child, perhaps that has been on his mind. All is well on that front, which is a huge plus.
The Angels have been overachievers, as usual, under manager Mike Scioscia. The offense is getting healthy and the pitching has been able to overcome even more injuries. With Scott Shields injured and Jose Arredondo demoted, Justin Speier, Jason Bulger and Darren Oliver have helped shore up a potential weak spot. That has left the later innings to the trio of right-handers Speier and Bulger and left-hander Oliver, who have had mixed results getting the ball and a lead to closer Brian Fuentes. Remember that this is the first season in many years that K-Rod is not there as the lights-out closer.
Oliver has slipped since his first two months, when he had a 1.99 ERA; he has given up six earned runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings of his last six games and now has a 3.49 ERA. Bulger has the best stuff of the three, a 94-mph fastball with a big curve, but control problems and inconsistency have prevented him from gaining a foothold in the big leagues. I will be at the World Series of poker at the Rio, the 2000 Event, in Las Vegas. Looking forward to another high stakes challenge!
By Roz Juarbe
The first-place Detroit Tigers are trying to hang on to first by somehow jumpstarting the offense. This week Manager Jim Leyland shifted Miguel Cabrera from cleanup to the No. 3 spot to make sure he batted in the first inning. Four of the Tigers five runs in the two games of the Cardinals series at Busch Stadium came on solo home runs, including two by Curtis Granderson. On-base percentage is so important, and often overlooked by fans and even general managers.
Toronto can kiss any pennant hopes goodbye. Not only is the AL East such a tough division, the Blue Jays have been snake bitten by bad luck. Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay and closer Scott Downs are on the DL. Halladay won't be eligible to return June 28, a huge blow. Toronto had an 8-3 win in Philly, but it was extra innings, they stranded 16 runners, and ended a four-game skid. They have been hit hard with injuries to the pitching staff, so the bullpen depth has been shredded.
Speaking of pitching, NY Yankee erighty Chien-Ming Wang (0-5) lasted five innings this week, easily his best start. He allowed 3 earned runs on 6 hits with two walks. Getting him turned around will be a huge boost to stablize the NY staff and bullpen, though his ERA is still in double digits. Notice that his wife gave birth on Tuesday to their first child, perhaps that has been on his mind. All is well on that front, which is a huge plus.
The Angels have been overachievers, as usual, under manager Mike Scioscia. The offense is getting healthy and the pitching has been able to overcome even more injuries. With Scott Shields injured and Jose Arredondo demoted, Justin Speier, Jason Bulger and Darren Oliver have helped shore up a potential weak spot. That has left the later innings to the trio of right-handers Speier and Bulger and left-hander Oliver, who have had mixed results getting the ball and a lead to closer Brian Fuentes. Remember that this is the first season in many years that K-Rod is not there as the lights-out closer.
Oliver has slipped since his first two months, when he had a 1.99 ERA; he has given up six earned runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings of his last six games and now has a 3.49 ERA. Bulger has the best stuff of the three, a 94-mph fastball with a big curve, but control problems and inconsistency have prevented him from gaining a foothold in the big leagues. I will be at the World Series of poker at the Rio, the 2000 Event, in Las Vegas. Looking forward to another high stakes challenge!
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