I’m actually not to disappointed with the four losses. Sure, we gave up a lot of runs early today, but at the end of each game we were in contention to possibly win. Considering that these past three losses were against the defending champs I’d say the fact that we at least contended late in each game is a sign that the Tig’s are moving in the right direction.

That fact that Leyland said that should be putting up giant red flags. That’s just stupid. It doesn’t make any sense, and it’s the type of answer you get from a “baseball guy” because he doesn’t know any better. Sure, let’s “test” Infante. You’re also “testing” Thames and Young, seeing how much you have to do to infuriate them. Marcus Thames should have been at the plate. It’s a bullshit answer from Leyland, and he should have to answer for himself. It’s his job to not make mistakes that egregious. Garbage.

“I’m actually not to disappointed with the four losses.” says Phil

Well I am. I have been sitting through one continous 12 year season with this team. Leyland is out of his mind. He clearly conceaded defeat early yesterday when he went to Grilli and Spurling. He wanted guys to just eat up innings. Meanwhile, hitters racked up 21 hits. When you score 9 runs on 21 hits and lose you look directly at the guy running the ship. He is easy to spot. he is the guy in the clubhouse smoking cigarettes. on a side note, I also remeber when Leyland was hired he said he promised his daughter he would stop smoking. He said the pack in his pocket was his last. he lied to daughter. how can we trust him with a pitching staff.

also, leyland better grow some balls and move shelton up in the order. He should be hitting 3rd or 5th. not 6th. You bloggers just watch how many double plays pudge will hit into this year hitting 3rd.

Re: the pinch-hitting thing… Infante had looked awful in that game (pop out to 2B, foul out to 1B, ground out to 3B) before coming up in the 9th. He’s not your regular, and you’re only 1 run down. It shouldn’t bruise his ego much to have him grab some pine.

And, in yesterday’s game… Guillen had brought in a green lefty for the 9th inning, and there they were with the bases loaded, Granderson at the plate. Now, I think Granderson’s gonna do some good things eventually, but…. He was 1-for-5 coming up there, and his one hit was an infield hit. And it was lefty-on-lefty. Now, I don’t remember, maybe Guillen had Bobby Jenks ready in the bullpen, but still… Leyland had Inge and Thames available rather than a rookie lefty facing another rookie lefty… and chose to sit on his hands.

I wasn’t real happy with that, and I’ll be watching…

Agree on the record.It is still a winning pertcentage .555 that extrapolated would give 90 victories.Leyland’s master plan is to rotate the 4 infielders (Inge,Infante,Polanco and Guillen).Spurling and Grilli are not the answer in the pen.Let’s expose them early.

Michael –

First off, let me say I didn’t mean I was happy with the losses, just that things could and have been worse. I still think things are looking up for the Tigers. Also, I disagree with your assessment of the lineup. First off, have you checked out Pudge’s stats so far this year???? While not quite on par with Shelton’s, he’s putting up very respectable numbers. I think that Leyland is doing the right thing keeping him in the 3 spot. Nothing against Shelton, but this early in the year, I think its the right move to put the experienced hitter in the more stressful position. If he doesn’t produce, or Shelton doesn’t cool off, switch it around, otherwise, I see nothing wrong keeping Pudge as the number 3 hitter. Also, about the pitching, who do you expect him to go to, the fact is Verlander needed to come out and he went to who we had available.

Pudge is going to ground into 30 double plays this year, most of them hard grounders ot the second baseman. Factor that in with his pure hatred for walking, and you have a very sub-par 3 hitter. Stress has nothing to do with it. They’re major leaguers. They want to do well and keep their jobs, and they all have stress.

Pudge is hitting .325 right now, but if (rather, when) that average drops to .280 we are in trouble.