Sitting here typing while listening to the Indians/Rangers game - a game I cannot watch because of MLB's and ESPN's "exclusive broadcast window" - wishing there was some Tigers baseball tomorrow. But, since the schedule says so, we'll have to live with the night off. But that might be a good thing as we look at Victor Martinez.
Victor went down like a bag of stones after coming home on a grounder to second base, trying to dodge a tag. At first glance, he had needed help off, putting no weight on his knee. During the broadcast, we were informed that it was a sprain, and it would be further evaluated on Sunday. Well, even as early as the post game locker room questioning, Dr. Jim Leyland had convinced all who would listen that he'd probably be fine. I guess we'll see, when that Tuesday lineup comes out.
Here's the issue: Victor never should have put himself in that position, with the play dictating he should have stayed at third base. With a drawn in infield, the ball was hit directly to the second baseman. Even the fastest runner probably gets thrown out. In this case, the ball was there with plenty of time to spare. Unnecessary. Poor baserunning has doomed the Tigers at spots this season (Paging Jhonny Peralta), and in a pennant race, slow and steady wins the race.
Sure, we saw the successful debut of new Tigers acquisition Doug Fister earlier this week, but it may have been a little to close for comfort. Another problem spot for the Tigers has been their defense. Fister had some errors behind him, but held on for the win. Run support has been an issue for Fister with his days in Seattle, but with one of the top (yet inconsistent) offenses that should ultimately change. Ultimately, that's why I'm not worried about the fact that he's now 4-12 on the season. Judging by his body language so far on his new team, he seems to be excited about his new role in a pennant chase.
The Rangers rallied tonight to beat the Indians, and as a result, the Tigers will have a 4 game lead in the standings over their next opponent.... the Indians, and on the road. The Tigers recent history on the road hasn't been great, but this season they've turned a bit of a corner with their efforts. Big wins on the road would be lovely, this week is no exception. The Tigers are poised to finish better on the road this season than last season, and all they have to do is win 2 games (we hope more though). The Tigers were an awful 29-52 on the road last year, and so far this year they are 28-28. Sure, .500 ball isn't anything to write home about, but I'll accept it after what they did last season. Sure, the Tigers lost their game today to the Royals, but they still won 2 out of 3. Keep winning series like that, especially on the road, and the division is theirs to lose.
And it sets up well for the Tigers down the stretch. The common cliche, "controlling your own destiny," is well in play here. The Tigers non-divisional opponents down the stretch include the Orioles on the road next weekend and the Rays on the road later this month. In September, they will have a 4-game series in Oakland in the middle of a 9-game road trip, and a 4-game series at home vs the Orioles before the season finale (vs Cleveland). All teams who don't factor into the playoff chase, but can be dangerously scrappy because of that. In short, all series that need to be won, not lost. Easy, right? And as we do come down the stretch we marvel at the amazement of the schedule maker, bringing Cleveland in for the final series of the year.
Stretch run time: bring on the Indians.
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