The Non Sequiturs: Weekender Edition

Tigers fans expected the team to be the talk of baseball in 2008. Little did they know it would be in the form of fodder for the late-night talkshow set.

Alas, here we are, watching a team sleepwalking its way to a 1-8 record and heading to Chicago for a series that doesn’t bode well, given the Tigers’ record against the White Sox.

Luckily, we have the non sequiturs to keep us loose:

• ESPN.com released its Power Rankings for the week and the Tigers sit in the bottom half: #18. The good news is the folks in Bristol believe a 1-8 Detroit team is still better than the 4-6 Giants.
• Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One Dept.:
  

  Court officers from Wayne County and Livingston County were at Denny McLain’s Hamburg Township residence this afternoon seizing property under a search warrant issued in Wayne County, police said.

  It’s true what the song says, “There’s never been any like Denny McLain.”

• Yes, yes, I take back what I said about the bullpen in general and Zach Miner specifically. Let’s see if Clay Rapada can avoid the gopher ball this time around.
• I was going to recap what Jayson Stark had to say about the Tigers this morning but Ian, as usual, does it much better. Warning: The Dontrelle Willis rumblings aren’t good.
• Speaking of national correspondents, Ken Rosenthal says the Tigers have “issues, not problems.”
  

  They remain a good bet to reach the postseason despite their 0-6 start. Yet, their weaknesses are not easily dismissed.

  – snip —

  Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya, the executive says, was a candidate for a breakdown because he has a violent delivery and lands on his heel. Verlander also lands on his heel, the exec says, with his front toe turned toward first base. His delivery increases the stress on his shoulder and makes it difficult for him to keep the ball down.

• I’m trying to figure out what Brandon Inge’s half-decent start means in the big scheme o’ things. Does it improve his trade value an iota? Does it mean he’s happier in Detroit with all these unforeseen at bats? Does it mean anything? Discuss.

Finally, be sure to send along birthday wishes today to the following former Tigers: Sean Bergman, John Martin, Sid Monge and Mike Kilkenny.