A year ago, we were still stinging from Game 163 and not certain how the Tigers would respond to a crushing end to the 2009 season. Would they regress to 2008′s disappointment or regroup to erase the memory of the ’09 collapse? The answer was: they’d be relevant. And that, ladies in gentlemen, is the extent of the analysis in this post. Instead of a deep dive into 2010, let’s look at the year in the form of randomly selected lists: 2010 At A Glance* Record: 81-81, 3rd in American League Central, 13 games back of Minnesota Days in First: 13, the last on July 10 Biggest Lead: 1, last on July 7 Farthest Behind: 15.5 on Sept. 15 Most Games over .500: 11,…
On Monday, Sports Illustrated‘s Jon Heyman wrote a column in which he highlights the top-20 decisions made by MLB teams in the past year. In Heyman’s view, the Tigers made two of the top decisions: 3. The Tigers’ acquisition of Austin Jackson, Max Scherzer and Phil Coke in the three-team trade with the Yankees and Diamondbacks for Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson. This was the most unpopular of moves at the time in Detroit. It’s way early to say for sure, but as of today it looks boffo, with Granderson starting slowly (.240 average) in New York and Jackson (4-6, 5.05 ERA) doing the same in Arizona. Austin Jackson is a Rookie of the Year candidate, providing Gold Glove-type defense, perhaps the most valuable…
The Tigers welcome the Diamondbacks to town this weekend and it will be a series dripping with irony and plot lines. Some will focus on the return of Dontrelle Willis and Edwin Jackson. Others will welcome back D-backs’ bench coach and Tigers legend (at least in my mind) Kirk Gibson. Still others may peer at Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew and imagine him alongside Carlos Guillen in the Tigers infield. No matter what your perspective this weekend, the Tigers are entering another series that is winnable, if not sweepable. (Hint: The D-backs are 9-25 on the road this season.)
Tigers’ Record: 36-29, 2nd place; 1.5 GB Minnesota Today’s Game Tigers vs. Diamondbacks | 7:05 p.m. ET – Comerica Park | On the air: FSD/AM 1270 and 97.1 FM Pitching Matchup Armando Galarraga (2-1, 2.67 ERA) vs. Dontrelle Willis (1-0, 1.80 ERA) Yesterday’s Results Tigers 8 – Nationals 3 | Fungo Recap W: Jeremy Bonderman (3-4) L: Luis Atilano (5-4) Tigers History Lesson On this Date in Tigers History 1996 — The Tigers acquired RHP Russ Spear, catcher Brad Ausmus and infielder Andujar Cedeno from the Padres for catcher John Flaherty and infielder Chris Gomez 1990 — The Tigers acquired OF Darnell Coles from the Mariners for OF Tracy Jones 1975 — Fred Lynn collects 10 runs batted in with three home runs, a triple and…
Interleague play is back! What’s that? You haven’t missed it? As the Pirates come to town let’s do an interleague reset: Since interleague play started in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 124-108 record, 57-33 in interleague games at Comerica Park. This year they’re 1-2. In a related note, here’s the good news coming into this weekend: The Tigers’ next three series are against teams that are an average of nine games under .500. Then again, their last three series were against teams that are an average of 10 games under so draw whatever conclusions you will.
