casimir

Marlins' rally in 9th halted by rain as finale vs. Mets suspended Why does this matter? San Diego might be out of it due to all of the tiebreaker rules. But there are 4 teams vying for 2 wildcard spots right now. Everybody looks forward to the playoffs, but the play ins are in well under way.

Francona was hired by Cleveland a season before Leyland retired. I've wondered what might have happened had the timing been lined up to where Leyland retired and Francona was available. Maybe he'd have ended up in Cleveland anyway.

By the way, the Tigers are undefeated on Sundays in September.

Yes. They're 76-83. They'll be at least 10 games better than last season. They've made improvements, and they still need to make more.

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I was ubering a kid to her extracurricular activity and listened to the whole inning to and fro. What good entertainment.

I think there’s some bad luck in that .173. BABIP wasn’t his friend. Fly ball rate went up significantly and line drive rate tanked. Those numbers were trash, and oh by the way, he altered his hands at the plate halfway through the season. Maybe the offense carried over to defense, I think those things happen sometimes. I don’t know what his future holds. We can all agree it was a frustrating season for him. I wouldn’t run him off and I wouldn’t assume he’s an option for next season. Ideally the Tigers add an everyday player or two which reduces the platooning a bit. What are we looking at, probably 2 Cs, 5 OFs, and 6 IFs? And we know some LF those spots will overlap a bit, which is fine. Baez and Torkleson are 2 spots. Hopefully they bring in a legit MLB player for one of 2B or 3B. So, what, 2 or 3 backup/platoon IFs? Short, Ibanez, McKinstry, Maton, Lipcius, and Kreidler are the 40 man incumbents. Do we set up a conference call with Harris and Greenberg or do we have a heal or hurt thread and submit the results to them?

I know I've been critical of pitching decisions, mostly pulling relievers after quick innings. But that's a generic peeve that I have of how the game is played these days. I understand what he's doing with the platooning and trying to play to matchups. I'm sure I've disagreed with some position player moves along the way. But, again, I think he's trying to gain whatever edge he can wherever he can to try to win a ballgame. I'd say the Maton at 3B thing bugs me the most. Hinch has forgotten more baseball than I will ever know, but Maton, in my completely amateur opinion, looks like a guy that has more skill set with range rather than reaction. It just seems like he doesn't have that quick twitch that's needed at 3B. McKinstry appeared to be a better 3B option. And for quite a while, those two were in the lineup together vs RHPs, with Maton at 3B and McKinstry at 2B.

I think for some of the "minutes played by" differences that you bring up, 35 wins seems attainable.

Do fans really hate them for that? I would think Tiger fans hate the fact that there aren't enough everyday players and guys like Ibanez and McKinstry who should be on the bench are forced into more regular duty than their skills merit.

So we're cool if it rains now?

Is this a television/streaming offer? Do the Jazz handle their own broadcasts rather than on a Bally's or Root Sports?

Ibanez has had a good second half and final month in particular (although, BABIP help?). What stands out to me is his BB/SO. Is the "plate discipline" a sign of progression as a hitter or is it merely a mirage? Edit to add: I have been under the assumption that he's a not a returnee, but am growing a bit less solid on that.

How many prospects are at risk of being lost in the rule 5? Have the invites for the party been sent out yet?

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I doubt they will be champions.

I think there was progress as well. Continued successful pitching patchwork. The emergence of 3 everyday position players and a primary catcher. But there is still much work to be done.

Meanwhile, at my alma mater... St. Francis students fired up after Detroit Pistons Xtreme Team’s “smashing” pep rally performance

I think the lefty/righty bats aren't as much of the issue for Baddoo as it is the defensive chops of the other OFs. The Tigers could use a defensive upgrade in RF. I don't think Greene has the arm for it. He and Carpenter are probably everyday players going into next season. Ideally they'd be at LF & DH respectively, but obviously Greene's recovery is a variable there. Meadows' glove gives him CF. Now, whether or not the bat complies probably isn't an issue right now. That's a long term issue. And then there's Vierling who is probably no more than a 4th OF. But as a RHH with some defensive chops, he does have value for this OF. Its just not as an everyday RF. Baddoo just hasn't been able to put the bat together for long enough, and there's no way the arm can play in RF. Circling back to Greene's recovery, if he has to start the season as the DH, the Tigers probably have Carpenter in RF (not ideal) which opens up LF for Baddoo. But all of that just considers players that have an inside track on returning. Let's see what Harris has up his sleeve for this offseason.

Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Watch: Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit, Royals - Bally Sports Kansas City Listen: Tigers - 97.1 The Ticket, Royals - KCSP 610

Even better. He's going to do the 9 positions in 9 innings thing and bat left handed in one of his plate appearances.

Yup. Deal from a strength to address a weakness.

Who broke the mirror?

Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Watch: Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit, Royals - Bally Sports Kansas City Listen: Tigers - 97.1 The Ticket, Royals - KCSP 610