Friday, July 24, 2009
By Roz Juarbe
When are the Detroit Tigers going to hit? Detroit is on a 15-4 run under the total, so bettors who play totals would prefer the team does not turn around its offense. The offense did get some good news this week as the Tigers recalled outfielder Carlos Guillen to the active roster Friday and designated outfielder Josh Anderson for assignment in a bid to pump life into the slumping offense.
Guillen, 33, has been on the disabled list since April with a sore shoulder but will be manager Jim Leyland's DH in both games of Friday's day-night doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. When healthy, he is a fine, veteran hitter.
Another team not hitting of late is Boston. Coming out of the All Star break, the Red Sox hit as a team .192 (37-for-193) in the six games since the break. The slide coincided with a 5-game losing streak that saw them drop into second place behind the surging Yankees. Overpaid J.D. Drew in particular has been in a horrible funk, 1-for-his-last-33. The good news is a road trip is finally over with and the Red Sox bats hit much better at Fenway Park. Do not be stunned to see the slump end, as the Sox begin a 7-game home stand against the Orioles and Athletics.
The Angels are an astounding 10-1 since Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero went on the DL. They had an improbable comeback against the Twins, rallying from 5-3 down in the 9th against one of the best closers in the game in Joe Nathan. It was the Angels major-league-leading 31st comeback victory of the season. As Jerry Reed sang, "When you're hot, you're hot!"
The Cubs have a recent history of adding players before the trading deadline, such as Nomar Garciaparra in 2004 and Rich Harden a year ago. The Cubs dealt for Rich Harden from Oakland on July 8 and he produced a 5-1 record. It was interesting that Lou Piniella practically pleaded for a "couple more hitters at this trading deadline" this week, more out of irritability than any kind of salvo at his general manager. Still, the Cubs have underachieved and could use a shot in the arm (like a productive bat).
On the other side of town in Chicago, the big story was lefty Mark Buehrle's perfect game in the 5-0 victory over the Rays. He was magnificent (his SECOND no-hitter), but it was also a great example of how luck is so essential to no-nos and perfect games. Dewayne Wise's great catch preserved the Buehrle perfect game in the 9th innings, a spectacular grab that saved the no-no and shutout.
Wise found it funny that the first play came to him after he was inserted and Scott Podsednik was moved from center to left field in place of Carlos Quentin. "I told myself, 'As soon as a guy goes out late for defense, that ball always finds you,' and I knew it would come down to me making a play," Wise said. "I didn't know it would be the first batter!" Congratulations to Buehrle for his perfect gem, only the 18th in baseball history.
By Roz Juarbe
When are the Detroit Tigers going to hit? Detroit is on a 15-4 run under the total, so bettors who play totals would prefer the team does not turn around its offense. The offense did get some good news this week as the Tigers recalled outfielder Carlos Guillen to the active roster Friday and designated outfielder Josh Anderson for assignment in a bid to pump life into the slumping offense.
Guillen, 33, has been on the disabled list since April with a sore shoulder but will be manager Jim Leyland's DH in both games of Friday's day-night doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. When healthy, he is a fine, veteran hitter.
Another team not hitting of late is Boston. Coming out of the All Star break, the Red Sox hit as a team .192 (37-for-193) in the six games since the break. The slide coincided with a 5-game losing streak that saw them drop into second place behind the surging Yankees. Overpaid J.D. Drew in particular has been in a horrible funk, 1-for-his-last-33. The good news is a road trip is finally over with and the Red Sox bats hit much better at Fenway Park. Do not be stunned to see the slump end, as the Sox begin a 7-game home stand against the Orioles and Athletics.
The Angels are an astounding 10-1 since Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero went on the DL. They had an improbable comeback against the Twins, rallying from 5-3 down in the 9th against one of the best closers in the game in Joe Nathan. It was the Angels major-league-leading 31st comeback victory of the season. As Jerry Reed sang, "When you're hot, you're hot!"
The Cubs have a recent history of adding players before the trading deadline, such as Nomar Garciaparra in 2004 and Rich Harden a year ago. The Cubs dealt for Rich Harden from Oakland on July 8 and he produced a 5-1 record. It was interesting that Lou Piniella practically pleaded for a "couple more hitters at this trading deadline" this week, more out of irritability than any kind of salvo at his general manager. Still, the Cubs have underachieved and could use a shot in the arm (like a productive bat).
On the other side of town in Chicago, the big story was lefty Mark Buehrle's perfect game in the 5-0 victory over the Rays. He was magnificent (his SECOND no-hitter), but it was also a great example of how luck is so essential to no-nos and perfect games. Dewayne Wise's great catch preserved the Buehrle perfect game in the 9th innings, a spectacular grab that saved the no-no and shutout.
Wise found it funny that the first play came to him after he was inserted and Scott Podsednik was moved from center to left field in place of Carlos Quentin. "I told myself, 'As soon as a guy goes out late for defense, that ball always finds you,' and I knew it would come down to me making a play," Wise said. "I didn't know it would be the first batter!" Congratulations to Buehrle for his perfect gem, only the 18th in baseball history.
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