Can’t Stay Out of the Doldrums

Well here we are 133 games into the season with a 71-62 record. The Tigers are now 4 1/2 games back of the Tribe. If the Tigers would have had this record by this time in 2004 with the same position in the standings, we would have loved it. The problem is that now we are in a season after the Tigers made it to the World Series, and our expectations are much higher.

The quest to get consistent starting pitching this second half of the season is coming up short. Two days after Justin Verlander gives an outstanding effort, Andrew Miller can’t get out of the first inning. He lasted only 2/3 of an inning, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits which is all the Royals needed to get their second straight win over the Tigers. It doesn’t help that Kenny Rogers is not yet ready to take the ball every fifth day or so and give this team a much needed win.

The Tiger bats again went silent tonight, although it was nice to see Timo Perez get two doubles. They were the only two extra base hits of the evening by Tiger hitters. The team is just beaten psychologically, and it is affecting their approach to the game. I have found myself turning away from these past two games because it is difficult to see the Tigers strand so many runners. 22 so far in this series.

It does not help that the Indians are on a mini roll, and don’t look now, but the St. Louis Cardinals are closer to a playoff spot right now than the Tigers.

I still support this team, but its hard when you believe going into a game that there is a better chance they will lose.