This is actually a good thing, folks. Expose your issues before the trade deadline, but still with enough time to see what you can actually fix or work with - plus the All Star Break is coming at a great time. If guys like Mize and McKinstry are in a bit of an All Star Daze right now, I'm cool with that. It's got to be exciting.
I'm not worried at all. I've been expecting a 6 or 7 game losing streak and they still haven't lost 4 in a row and that's pretty incredible. If they lose tomorrow, it'll be the first 4-game losing streak....on July 13th. That's insanely consistent. In fact, have they had any 10 game stretch at all where they went worse than 4-6? I am going to rely on the first 94 games as an indicator of what this team is and not on the last two.
I am thrilled that AJ Hinch and Chris Fetter are not going to the All Star game this year. I know all the players and coaches are supposed to take a break, but those two guys are going to be breaking down a lot of video next week to see if they can spot what's going wrong with the bullpen guys and to see their trade targets and minor league guys.
I am sure they've been on the phone with the Toledo staff telling them who NOT to pitch tonight. If I had a guess, they're going to make a couple of moves before tomorrow's game two of PJ Poulin, Drew Sommers, Dylan Smith and Matt Seelinger are going to be on the first morning flight from Omaha to Detroit tomorrow.
I think the team is in a bit of a mid-season funk right now, and that doesn't bother me. Can't have that game-day intensity for 162 games. I know we think of Kirk Gibson and say he never took a day off, he never lapsed in his intensity, but that's just not true.
With this trade deadline coming up I am expecting us to lose a player or two that we like. We could lose Colt Keith, Kerry Carpenter or Parker Meadows. They are going to have to trade a really good prospect (just not Max or McGonigle, please).
As far as our guys, outside of the bullpen, I would like Jack Flaherty to get it sorted out. And Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling have had enough time back now, it's time to get going for both of those guys.
Just - a great time for an All Star break, just please, nobody get hurt there.