Jeremy Bonderman, who looked very sharp when he started his spring season, has stuggled a little as of late. In five innings today, he gave up 7 hits (including a home run to Henry Mateo) and only struck out one batter in five innings, en route to a 3-2 loss to the Expos. With that loss, the Tigers will drop to 11-15 with six spring games left.

The rough skid (5-12 in their last 17) isn’t really encouraging. With the way the Tigers have started the last several years, a good start would be a big boost, both with the players confidence and to fan interest. But their recent struggles along with a tough first week and a half (6 games against Toronto with a three game series with the Twins sandwiched between) might mean more of the same this year.

In fact, I went back the last few years on Retrosheet to see how the Tigers started the season after 10 games, and he’s what I found:

2003 1-9
2002 0-10
2001 3-7
2000 4-6
1999 3-7
1998 3-7
1997 5-5

That’s a cumulative 19-51 record, and you have to go all the way back to 1997 just to get to a .500 start.

The Tiger’s also sent Franklyn German down to the Toledo, which based on how he pitched, wasn’t much of surprise. Last year at this time, I thought he’d have a shot at ROY, but it wasn’t to be.

It also appears that in the last few weeks, there’s been a consolidation for sorts in the baseball blog universe. Several writers have grouped up at All-Baseball, which orginally, and still is, the home of the Cub Reporter, an excellent Cubs blog. And The Hardball Times was started up, which includes Twin’s guru Aaron Gleeman. Both are great one stop sources with a wide range of baseball information.

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