05/22/2026 7:15p EDT Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles

[SoCalTiger]

I am not much in favor of platooning especially young players. I also don't like the constant position changes. I believe in defined roles , consistent positions and making a decision on a player that lasts longer than the next game. I guess I'm out dated but if a player knows when he will be playing and where he will be playing and that he is given some commitment to both I think they will perform better. This team plays very tight and I think it's at least partly due to thinking every at bat or opportunity might be your last. 

[monkeytargets39]

The problem with all of Hinchs platooning and pinch hitting is that it’s become super predictable.  You know Keith will hit for Jones the minute a RHP comes in.  You know McKinstry will PH for Lee in the same scenario.  
 

I have zero data to back up this claim, but I feel like the element of surprise with those sorts of things helps keep the opposing manager from countering as well as they’d like to.  They know now that if the Jones spot in the lineup is coming and the LH starter is nearing the end of the outing that they can take that pitcher out earlier, being in a fresh tough lefty to get the three guys ahead of that spot, and then switch to a righty who is tough on lefties for Keith because it’s telegraphed.

Edited 1 hour ago by monkeytargets39

[gehringer_2]

12 minutes ago, SoCalTiger said:

if a player knows when he will be playing and where he will be playing and that he is given some commitment to both I think they will perform better

I think is certainly true for most players, though I wouldn't say all. There are guys like Javy (maybe to a slightly lesser degree McK) who are just what you'd call natural fielders - they have all the right instincts no matter where you put them and have total confidence in their own gloves. If you have even a couple guys like that a manager like Hinch should be in heaven. Thing is, most players, are not like that. They are the guys you are talking about who have to work to learn positions, need consistent work to stay sharp and need to build confidence in order to play free and easy. I don't believe you can force feed a Colt Keith into being a Javy Baez. I think the Tigers as an org would prefer that not be true, but it is.

Edited 1 hour ago by gehringer_2

[monkeytargets39]

I feel like there’s also something mentally rough about telling a player (especially a younger player) “hey, you suck at these specific things and we don’t expect you to get better, so go sit on the bench until I have a use for you and call your number”

It worked in 2024 because we were way behind in the standings and everyone just bought into trying some different things like pitching chaos and it worked quickly.  Doing that long term and as a primary strategy as opposed to an off-road run I’m sure has a negative impact in some way.  Keith, Lee, Meadows, etc were probably not treated like that at all coming up in the system until they got to Detroit, so now we are asking them to prepare for games in a completely different way than they have all their lives.

Edited 54 minutes ago by monkeytargets39

[SoCalTiger]

12 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

I think is certainly true for most players, though I wouldn't say all. There are guys like Javy (maybe to a slightly lesser degree McK) who are just what you'd call natural fielders - they have all the right instincts no matter where you put them and have total confidence in their own gloves. If you have even a couple guys like that a manager like Hinch should be in heaven. Thing is, most players, are not like that. They are the guys you are talking about who have to work to learn positions, need consistent work to stay sharp and need to build confidence in order to play free and easy. I don't believe you can force feed a Colt Keith into being a Javy Baez. I think the Tigers as an org would prefer that not be true, but it is.

Yes I agree but a 26th man like Mckinstry playing all over is the expected role.

[IdahoBert]

First pitch Homer for Kevin

[monkeytargets39]

MCGONE-A-BALL

[IdahoBert]

Well, we got our run for the game. I’m satisfied… See you in a few hours…

[monkeytargets39]

Baltimore’s city connect jerseys are horrible

[monkeytargets39]

1 minute ago, IdahoBert said:

Well, we got our run for the game. I’m satisfied… See you in a few hours…

Where’s Bert’s 1 run?

[IdahoBert]

1 minute ago, monkeytargets39 said:

Where’s Bert’s 1 run?

I’m an American… I’m used to living under austerity. 

[NorthWoods]

1 hour ago, monkeytargets39 said:

There was clearly enough optimism to extend Keith before his first MLB game….so why has that shifted after age 22/23 of being an above replacement level player?  
 

It’s stupid, but I think it’s where they were drafted.  Riley, Tork and Mize being top 5 picks and not panning out represents top to bottom organizational failures.  A guy like Keith not panning out can be written off easier.

I think Mize is panning out.  Riley will be around MLB for a long time.  Tork im not so sure. 

[SoCalTiger]

91 middle middle ,,,,what could go wrong 

[NorthWoods]

49 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

Thing is, most players, are not like that. They are the guys you are talking about who have to work to learn positions, need consistent work to stay sharp and need to build confidence in order to play free and easy.

I agree with this 100%  

[monkeytargets39]

3 minutes ago, NorthWoods said:

I think Mize is panning out.  Riley will be around MLB for a long time.  Tork im not so sure. 

They are.  I just meant they would get longer leashes if they weren’t panning out compared to others.  Justified or not.

[NorthWoods]

Just now, monkeytargets39 said:

They are.  I just meant they would get longer leashes if they weren’t panning out compared to others.  Justified or not.

Absolutely.   Admitting errors is hard.  I try to do it twice a year so as not to get rusty.  

[monkeytargets39]

2 runs?  What is this witchcraft?

[monkeytargets39]

Uh that clearly hit his foot

[theroundsquare]

Ding needs more polish on his shoe

[GalagaGuy]

It's really stupid that you can't review that.