Whats worse then losing the ALCS? Losing to the gross Duck Dynasty Saaaaaaaahwx. Hopefully the equally annoying Cardinals and Wacha-Flacha Flamethrower knock them down in history's lamest world series. Everyone keeps talking about how awesome the ALCS was, but despite the great pitching and exciting games Detroit was really out-classed from the beginning. There were several issues that doomed us in this series 1) big bats swinging small 2) poor defense 3) mediocre bullpen 4) and poor baserunning.
1) Miggy Pop's injury was a killer, his guaransheed RBI per game is the motor that makes the tigers go, and having that disappear really stressed the rest of the lineup. The fact that Miggy showed up and did what he did is a testament to how ridiculously good he is (at hitting). Prince also did not play up to his 20 mill a year price-tag. Luckily both issues: Miggy injury and Prince's presumed divorce-associated slump could be resolved next year.
2) Poor defense, no surprises here. We are a fat team that hits the ball hard. And adding the trade for perenial gold-glover to be Iglesias hardly made up for the slow fielding we had at several positions (1st, 2nd 3rd, and L). Its hard to know what the tigers plan to do about this, Jhonny and Infante will probably not get contracts. Jhonny on account of his cheating, and Infante on account of his presumed pay-rise and the stretched budget. Maybe Castellanos can finally step up and hit well enough to use his D in left. Maybe Illitch sells hella pizzas and we sign Cano? Probably not. But Nick Punto or Chase Utley could be aight? Maybe?
3) The patch-work bullpen went from crap to decent when benoit became the closer and Veras (the truth) was added to the roster. It also went from decent to aiiight when Smyly and Porcello slid over for the playoffs. However the effectiveness of an aiiiight bullpen was evident against the Saaaaaaaahwx (2 grand slams?). Lets face it, their Japanese shut-down comitte showed us what a real pen was like. Tigers will need to seek help here. Benoit is actually a free agent, and would be very hefty to bring back as just a setup man. Veras is restricted but will probably be resigned. No way socks don't lock up Koji. Rodney is a free agent! Or perhaps the Betancourt will be in session.
4) Finally base running...thats right baserunning. The fact that we are talking about this in the ALCS, shows that the Tigres are just not up to professional snuff when it comes to the small things. It's hard to really blame Leyland for it, but the headhunters will be calling for his job again. Maybe the Tigers just tneed to play high school ball again.
Well that was cathartic. Thanks for an awesome season. Some of the best starting pitching ever, and seeing the best hitter of a generation (a generation that includes Pujols) in his prime. Tigers are close...frustratingly close. Next year baby.
"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."
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