casimir

Yes, context and surrounding seasons factor in. Plus, we're considering rewriting history for a franchise that would currently hit a high water mark with a break even record. I think that's why I don't consider 2006 a failure. It was so out of the blue and expected. The World Series stunk, sure. But I prefer it over losing to the Yankees or Athletics in the playoffs. If you were to say, "hey, we have a flux capacitor and a Delorean, let's go back to the beginning of the 2006 playoffs and see what happens", I think I'm cool with just staying here and accepting what happened. I wouldn't chance losing before the World Series.

Both can be right here.

I think I'd take it. I'm a much bigger fan of the Tigers than the Pistons. But I look back at when the Pistons lost to the Spurs in the NBA Finals. They had a lead going late into the 3rd or early in the 4th of game 7, I cannot recall when the Spurs pulled ahead. I didn't sleep much that night, adrenaline and disappointment and all of that. But I got over it eventually. And, really, they won more games that playoffs than they would have had they not gotten to the Finals, so I was able to enjoy those games. I think the same would happen with the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Dodgers Watch: Dodgers - SportsNet LA, Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit Listen: Dodgers - Dodgers Radio AM570, KTNQ 1020, Tigers - 97.1 The Ticket

Sure, it’s baseball. Any team can beat any other team on any given day or in any given series.

It could have been 1983 or even 1973, and it wouldn’t have surprised me.

I guess I'm not sure how the International League does the playoffs. I see on the MILB app (make sure you enunciate that correctly) that they had a first half and second standings in addition to overall. Regardless, the "offense" that was witnessed today was awful. Darn near no hit today. Bigbie drilled a line drive double to CF. Malloy had a few SOs and then took a pitch off of the chest and defensively, missed two right side groundballs that I think he should have had. Granted, I'm no scout and my angle might not have been good enough to judge it well (behind the 3B dugout). Maton just doesn't look like he has a stable enough stance at the plate, looks somewhat wobbly when he releases which cannot help his eyes/head stay on the pitch. Dingler nearly parked one down the LF line, but it didn't clear the wall, so he ended up with a double.

Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Dodgers Watch: Dodgers - SportsNet LA, Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit, National - MLBN (out-of-market only) Listen: Dodgers - Dodgers Radio AM570, KTNQ 1020, Tigers - 97.1 The Ticket

It was either Diaz or Short.

I don’t recall a west coast trip like this so late in a season for the Tigers. I don’t like them to begin with because there’s just now way for me to watch the games with my work schedule. And now when I’m trying to squirrel up some baseball before the season ends, blech, not a good schedule for that. Yeah, I know, first world problems. A lot of us are around the same age or older and recall when not every game was available on TV to begin with.

Going to Mud Hens’ home closer today. I’ll have 2023 Opening Day and 2023 (home) Closing Day on the resume. I’ve never book ended a season like that. Still doesn’t seem like it should be September, but here we are.

Sort of. He didn't walk anyone, so this wasn't his typical meltdown.

Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Angels Watch: Angels - Bally Sports West, Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit Listen: Angels - KLAA 830, Tigers - WWJ 950

Those were fun times, though. Remember when Game Day was there? Ranked Northern Illinois at ranked Bowling Green? Good stuff.

"With regularity" is probably a poor choice of words there, that's fair. But hitters do need to take advantage of the situations given to them. Its probably best to just add that skill to their tool belt and use it when available. If the 3B is back, drop a bunt down the line and beat it out. Once teams see that as a threat, the 3B isn't always back as much, and it opens up a bit more room for a ball to get through. Its the same thing that most folks have complained about the shift for years. The exaggerated shifts are because the data suggests hitters are "gripping and ripping". Show some more ability to go the opposite way, and defenses have to play more straight up. A batter using the whole field has more room to use than a hitter that is pull happy and uses only about half of the field. As far as the exact occasion for bunting is concerned, I'm all about using it to get on base when the situation is available. I understand using it to move a runner when only one run is needed.

When is the last time the Tigers hit against a position player?

Oh, I forgot about that. Yeah, it was probably just a response with a lot of emotion in the heat of the moment shortly after the no hitter. He had what is probably the single most apex moment of his career in the middle of a career season. I'm sure he was extremely grateful for being in that experience.

Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Angels Watch: Angels - Bally Sports West, Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit Listen: Angels - KLAA 830, Tigers - 97.1 The Ticket

I can’t believe the Angels are trying to score. Skubal has a shutout here in the 5th.

That’d be fine, too.

Huh?

The Tigers have one of the worst offenses in the league. I’d be pleased as heck if speedy guys like Baddoo, Vierling, Meadows, etc, figured out how to bunt to get on base with some regularity. And I wouldn’t care when they employed the tactic. Just get on base.

It’s the 4th inning.

I don’t believe this.