Results tagged ‘ Chris Shelton ’
Quick Notes (4/25)
John Donovan: MLB Power Rankings (SI.com)
Sports Illustrated writer John Donovan has Detroit ranked #6, ChiSox #1.
Rule 5 Comes Out of the Shadows
Shelton isn’t the first to excel after being dropped by his team; other players have too, much to the dismay of the abandoning clubs.
DH changes Leyland’s Strategy with Pitchers
Leyland on differences in managing in the AL and strategy he may use in the future.
Tigers’ Win Streak Stalls with Offense
Detroit Tigers 0, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3
Great pitching carried the Tigers through at least a few of the games on their now-defunct winning streak, but it was not enough to roll Detroit to a sixth-straight win. Kenny Rogers pitched 7 strong innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits. Jordan Tata turned in another solid inning of work, allowing no earned runs.
Angels pitcher Ervin Santana was simply dominant, pitching 6 scoreless innings and recording 10 strikeouts. Further, the bullpen of the so-called Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim maintained its well-respected reputation by completing the shut-out Santana had started.
Tim Salmon led the way for the so-called Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with a solo homerun and an RBI single; the only runs allowed by Tigers’ starter Kenny Rogers.
Though the Tigers have won four of their last five, the offense has struggled to produce runs; averaging just 2.8 runs per game and stranding 78 runners (Team LOB of 37) over the same span. In order to maintain the pace that Detroit has set in this young season, they must find a way to get more of those runners across the plate. For starters, I think a shake-up in the line-up and a day off for slumping first-baseman Chris Shelton are in order.
OTHER NOTES
Craig Monroe went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Monday night; his average has now sunk to .205.
The Detroit Free Press contacted me this week about MLBlogs. By this time next week, I could be famous.
If you haven’t checked out MLB.com’s Gameday feature, it is a great way to experience the game when you’re unable to watch or listen to it; in fact, I will often keep Gameday on my screen when I’m watching or listening to the game. Featuring pitch-location, hit-location and an in-game box score, Gameday brings you all of the action live: play by play and pitch by pitch. I know this sounds like a commercial, but seriously, it’s probably better than any other site that you might be using and it’s offered free by MLB.com.
(click thumbnail on left for more detail)
COMING UP
Jeremy Bonderman (1-2, 5.55 ERA) will attempt to bounce back from a rough start as the Tigers take on the so-called Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the second game of this three game series. Bonderman is poised to bounce back with a good outing and with the rest of the rotation around him performing as well as they are, I think his chances are pretty good. Hector Carrasco (0-0, 4.38 ERA) will pitch for the Angels. This game will not be televised; gametime is 10:05 PM EDT.
Detroit Takes Series from Oakland in the Ninth
Detroit Tigers 4, Oakland Athletics 3
The Detroit Tigers clinched a series win in Oakland on Thursday, coming from behind in the 9th inning for the win. The Tigers entered the ninth inning down by 2 runs in a game that had been scoreless since the first inning. Back-to-back RBI singles from Chris Shelton and Carlos Guillen tied the game 3-3 before Justin Duchscherer, in for injured A’s closer Huston Street, would eventually walk home the winning run.
Brandon Inge kept the threat alive in the 9th taking a walk after a marathon 15-pitch at-bat; a truly impressive feat which, though bizarre, I would call the play of the game.
The offense finally came through for Detroit in the ninth inning, but not without failing to score on multiple opportunities in the middle innings. For example, Detroit had the middle of the lineup at the plate with 2 runners on base and no outs in the sixth, but came away empty-handed. So far, clutch/situational hitting has not been a strong point for the Tigers.
Jeremy Bonderman gave up three runs in the first inning but recovered to turn in a quality start. Over 7 innings, Bonderman allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Though Bonderman was able to hold the A’s to three runs, he still struggled at times with control. In his last two starts, Bonderman has not shown the command and dominance he displayed throughout the first half of last season. Fortunately, his outing on Thursday was good enough.
Fernando Rodney entered the game in the bottom of the eighth and pitched a perfect inning prior to the Tigers’ 9th inning rally. He returned to the mound in the bottom of the 9th, gave up 1 hit and 2 walks on his way to load the bases. The last 2 outs of the game came with the bases loaded; a force out at home followed by a game-ending strikeout. Rodney, who has been filling in at the closer role during Todd Jones’ stint on the disabled list, was brought into the 8th inning with the Tigers’ trailing. I have to question this coaching decision as it is obvious that this was done with no plan, other than leaving Rodney in the game, in the event that the Tigers were able to tie or take the lead.
OTHER NOTES
Pudge Rodriguez Flexible
Pudge will DH tonight and Vance Wilson will start behind the plate. Pudge is also interested in helping out at first base.
Ramon Santiago pinch-ran for Chris Shelton in the 9th inning of Thursday’s game, and later moved to shortstop. Carlos Guillen, who played first base for Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, moved over to play first base in the bottom of the ninth. Two good moves by manager Jim Leyland as Shelton is not too quick on the basepaths, nor the most experienced at first base; a potentially dangerous liability during a tight game in Oakland, which has no shortage of foul territory behind first base.
SERIES WRAP
4/18: Detroit Tigers 3, Oakland Athletics 4
4/19: Detroit Tigers 11, Oakland Athletics 4
4/20: Detroit Tigers 4, Oakland Athletics 3
COMING UP
Mike Maroth (2-0, 0.73 ERA) will attempt to lead Detroit to a third straight victory as the Tigers open a three game series with the Seattle Mariners. Jarrod Washburn (1-2, 5.00 ERA) will pitch for the Seattle Mariners, who are currently last place in the AL West. The game will be televised on FSN Detroit and is scheduled to start at 10:05 PM EDT.
Detroit Splits for the West Coast
Cleveland Indians 10, Detroit Tigers 2
Nate Robertson‘s struggles continued on Monday as he gave up 6 earned runs before being lifted in the third inning. Robertson (1-2) has given up 12 earned runs in 14.2 innings (14 runs if you count 2 unearned runs) and only looked sharp, ironically, in the 4/12 loss to Chicago (his only quality start).
I’m a fan of Nate’s, but he is giving up a lot of runs. I have to wonder how long before Leyland/Dombrowski decide to give someone else a shot? I imagine that he’ll get at least a few more starts before needing to worry, but his performances (or reaction to them) on this West Coast road trip may give us an idea.
Solo homeruns from both Chris Shelton and Carlos Guillen accounted for all of Detroit’s runs in Monday’s loss to the Indians. Batting sixth and seventh, these guys are accounting for a bulk of the runs for the Tigers in this young season. Further, I bet that both Shelton (who has been quoted to this effect) and Guillen would tell you that they’re not trying to hit homeruns. Whether this is strictly true does not really matter to me, since they’re hitting them, but I wonder if Dmitri Young and Magglio Ordonez would say the same thing? Lackluster production from the middle of the lineup so far this season could be a symptom of hitters swinging for the fences too often instead of the grass.
LEYLAND LESS THAN PLEASED
Following Monday’s loss, Jim Leyland was upset with his team (and his post-game locker room tirade was widely reported), and rightfully so. In each of the losses on this homestand, the Tigers failed to execute at the plate when even a single would’ve meant runners scored. The team showed the all-too-familiar lack of urgency which was so noticeable last season.
While the lack of concentration and production at the plate is clearly an issue, I begin to question some of the decisions to leave the pitchers in when they’re taking a beating. Maybe it’s because it is early in the season, but if you ask me, Robertson should’ve been yanked out when the score was 4-1 instead of when it was 7-1 in the 3rd.
Leyland on drubbing: `We stunk. We weren’t ready’
Shelton hits No. 9, but Tigers fall
HOMESICK
Detroit finished their opening homestand 2-5 after splitting the four game series with the Cleveland Indians. The Tigers, now 7-6, have a losing record only against the White Sox (0-3). Though swept by Chicago, the games were reasonably close; the ugliest losses of this homestand were against the Indians. In the losses to Cleveland, the offense was absent and impotent, scoring just 4 runs in the contests combined; a sum insufficient to win either of them. Despite several opportunities with runners on base, the Tigers were unable to take advantage at the plate.
SERIES WRAP
4/14: Cleveland Indians 1, Detroit Tigers 5
4/15: Cleveland Indians 7, Detroit Tigers 2
4/16: Cleveland Indians 0, Detroit Tigers 1
4/17: Cleveland Indians 10, Detroit Tigers 2
OTHER NOTES
If you haven’t been hibernating up to this point, then you don’t need me to tell you that Chris Shelton is off to an amazing start. He has hit 9 homeruns in 13 games this season; an AL record.
Joel Zumaya is off to a great start and looked especially good following staff finesse lefties Kenny Rogers and Mike Maroth.
COMING UP
The Tigers begin a three game series in Oakland with the A’s on Tuesday night. Justin Verlander should get the start, looking to come back from his rough outing on Saturday. After faltering at home, the Tigers need to continue their stellar play on the road (where they are currently 5-1). It will be interesting to see how players react to their first noteable tongue-lashing from Leyland.
Don’t Spend It All in One Place!
Detroit Tigers 14, Kansas City Royals 3
How to silence the Detroit bats on Wednesday? At least 5 of 6 of the Kansas City pitchers couldn’t really tell you and I don’t know who would approve of Mike Wood’s answer anyway.
The Tigers were focused and aggressive at the plate. Here are 2 BIG things that I noticed:
- Whether a strike or a ball, Tigers batters took the first pitch in vast majority of the at-bat’s (except when there were 2 outs).
- Tigers batters were obviously being told to swing away when there were 2 outs.
Curtis Granderson (3-for-6; 2B, HR) showed up on Wednesday, with power. How about that? I expect that his production will be intermittent early on, but this should not be the last time we see him have a day like this.
WELCOME BACK PUDGE
(How long will you be staying with us?)
Ivan Rodriguez turned in a stellar set of at-bat’s in Wednesday’s game, going 5-for-5 with 3 doubles, a homerun and 5 RBI’s. Pudge explained himself, saying:
"This is my 16th year in baseball, and I always play this game like it’s my first. I love this game. Last year I didn’t have that. This year, I have it."
From Pudge, that’s 1 solid outing.
Right out of the gate, Chris Shelton is on. This season at the plate, his struggles will be:
- Adjusting to the scouts; meaning pitchers approaching him differently. Shelton struggled with this last August, as the advance scouts became all-too-aware of who he was. All he needs to do to overcome that is to do what he does so well; be patient and adjust.
- Situational hitting; pressure from Leyland to do different things at the plate, based upon the situation, even as he adjusts as described above.
Chris Shelton is poised to have a full break-out season. I can’t wait to watch.
WHERE’D-YA-GO MAGGLIO?
In the second game of the season, Magglio Ordonez went hitless in Wednesday’s victory, though he did turn in a sacrifice-fly in the first inning; scoring Placido Polanco and advancing Ivan Rodriguez. I think Maggs’ line on Wednesday had something to do with when his AB’s came, however, I would have felt much better if he’d had a hit or two to go with the SF.
Take a look at this summary of his plate appearances and maybe you’ll feel a little squeamish about the clean-up hitter too:
- 1st Inning – 0 outs, sacrifice fly on the first pitch.
- 3rd Inning – 2 outs, ground-out with a runner on first.
- 5th Inning – 1 out, strikes out as the first batter faced by RP Luke Hudson.
- 7th Inning – 0 outs, ground-out with a runner on second.
- 8th Inning – 2 outs, ground-out with a runner on second.
OTHER NOTES
What’s up with referring to taking both of the games in a two-game series as a sweep? I realize that, technically, that IS a sweep. But after a hitter goes 3-for-3 in the first game of the season, no one is raving about how he’s batting a thousand! Technically, the Detroit Tigers are first place in the AL Central; but this writer isn’t making any post-season predictions. It just seems kind-of lame to me. But if you check out some of the detroittigers.com articles or watch the FSN pre-game tonight, I’m betting you’ll come across at least a few instances of the S-word.
I’m going to be out of town starting Thursday thru Monday; expect comments on the Texas series and the Home Opener on Monday night.
THE BIG PICTURE
People will look at the Detroit/Kansas City series and say, "Well, someone has got to win."
They’re right.
However, I’m glad to see that it’s the Tigers who are winning so far, because in recent history, KC has been pesky for the Tigers.
Reflecting upon this opening series with KC, I was going to say that we’ll have a better idea of what to expect this year after these upcoming games with the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox. After giving it some thought, nothing will really surprise me after those games, regardless of the outcomes.
Detroit started its last 2 seasons with a strong April and a continuation of that pattern this year is entirely possible. I don’t think I’ll start forming a real opinion or getting excited about this season for the Detroit Tigers until mid-May.
Opening Day 2006
Detroit Tigers 3, Kansas City Royals 1
SOLID PITCHING
In his debut with the Tigers, Kenny Rogers looked great, if a little under the weather. His pitches were well-located and he showed admirable discipline on the mound. In a word, Kenny Rogers was effective. His departure after the sixth inning could probably be chalked up to his recent illness; I think we can expect a longer outing from Rogers in his next start.
No one could have expected a better outing from Joel Zumaya in his first Major League appearance. Though he walked Mike Sweeney, his first batter, Zumaya recovered with back to back strikeouts. Zumaya then gave up a single to Doug Mientkiewicz before working out of a 2-out & 2-on jam by inducing a ground ball from Angel Berroa. Though I am sure Zumaya will see his fair share of rough outings in his rookie season with Detroit, he was lights out on Monday; his fastball touched 100 mph and his off-speed pitches were just sick, when he was able to locate them. In his first Major League appearance, Zumaya showed the ability to recover, which is vital in a relief pitcher.
Rodney earned the save with a solid outing in the 9th. No real surprise there. This should become the pattern so long as Rodney’s role in the bullpen doesn’t fluctuate as often as it did last season. Obviously, changes are expected as we wait for Todd Jones to return, but if Rodney is given the opportunity to become comfortable with his role in this bullpen, his appearance on the mound should continue to be an unwelcome sight for opposing hitters.
OFFENSE
Chris Shelton (2 HR, 3-for-4) and Carolos Guillen (1 HR) composed the offense in Monday’s game with 3 solo home runs. Chris Shelton was the obvious player of the game in his first opening-day start with a homerun just inside each of the foul poles. As for Guillen, who looked good on the field, that’s 1 solid start. His homerun was a line-shot to left-center on pure strength. I’d even say that it was pure lower-body strength; a good sign from a player who limped through last season recovering from knee-surgery.
Other writers have made much of Pudge’s walk yesterday, but I see things differently. Sure, wow, Pudge reached first base on a walk. Unfortunately, everything else I saw from his at-bat’s reminded me only of 2005. Especially familiar was his 7th-inning stirkeout, which featured at least 2 terrible swings. Though it is early, still absent is any sign of poise or patience at the plate.
Too big a deal has been made of third-baseman Brandon Inge’s base-running mistake as he attempted to steal second in the 5th. The miscue occurred, ironically, as a result of a poor throw from KC catcher John Buck. The throw arrived well on the first-base side of second-base, where Inge stopped short, probably on instinct, to avoid colliding with second-baseman Mark Grudzielanek. I’m sure that Inge will react differently next time he finds himeself in that situation, but I think it had more to do with his level of experience on the basepaths than skill. Inge produced 2 of Detroit’s hits in the game and looked comfortable in the field.
Curtis Granderson looked uncomfortable in his opening-day debut at the top of the order. Though he went hitless, he did reach first base on a fielder’s choice in the 3rd, where he later went on to steal his first base of the season. I fully expect a slow start from Granderson, but I believe he will show up with power before long.
OTHER NOTES
Though they did not make appearances, Chris Spurling, Jamie Walker and Bobby Seay were seen warming up in the bullpen at different points after the 7th inning.
Zumaya’s heat touched 100 mph both on the Kansas City telecast and on the stadium monitors, but it never showed 100 on the FSN broadcast; what’s up with that FSN? I watched for it diligently yesterday, as I did any time Kyle Farnsworth was pitching last season, but I have never seen a 100mph pitch on an FSN Detroit broadcast. Is there no room for that third digit?! It’s like the second coming of Y2K! Get with times, guys!
THE BIG PICTURE
While the Tigers certainly looked decent in their Opening Day win over over the Kansas City Royals yesterday, there was definitely room for some polish. This is to be expected from any team at the start of the season, but it probably has just as much to do with a team adapting to a new manager.
Overall, in what I’d say was the first noticeable difference in the team under new manager Jim Leyland, the Tigers looked focused. We’ve heard focus and concentration preached all throughout Spring Training, and they were present and noticeable in the Detroit’s tight win over the Royals yesterday.
I was nervous as players got frighteningly close to each other on multiple pop-up plays. I think this is a visible sign of Leyland’s pressure on this team defensively; players are nervous about making mistakes on the easy plays. Leyland’s comments on defense show that he can forgive mistakes on the tough plays but may not be so quick to forgive mistakes made on the routine plays; Tigers fans saw their fair share of both last season.
Leyland was seen pacing the dugout. Pudge was looking to him for signs from behind home plate. You could sense Leyland’s nerves, but it was also clear that Leyland was in the game. Leyland was calling the shots in ways that I would bet Trammel never did. On Monday in Kansas City, this was Jim Leyland’s team.
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