2014 Preseason Report: The Detroit Tigers posted by Lions Fan

The Detroit Tigers went through another disappointing season last year with a 6-10 record. Many of their fans thought they would be able to reach the playoffs after a hot 6-3 start but tapered off in the end with a 1-6 finish.

Much of the blame for the late season collapse has to be placed on the Lions offense. The team sputtered in offense in their final eight contests, being limited to 21 points or fewer. Former top pick Matthew Stafford was a picture of inconsistency last year, looking unstoppable in October but becoming error-prone later in the season.

To address their inconsistencies in offense, the team drafted Eric Ebron out of North Carolina. The tight end should be able to receive passes from Stafford and other quarterbacks. They also signed another tight end, veteran Golden Tate from the reigning champions Seattle Seahawks.

One thing that the Lions did well last year was protecting Stafford as the offensive line surrendered just 23 sacks. This is expected to become even better as two key players, left tackle Riley Reiff and LaAdrian Waddle, are still young and should improve this season.

On defense, the team will again rely on former No. 2 overall pick Ndamukong Suh to lead the way. While he was also inconsistent last year, Suh was able to disrupt opponents on the interior.  But Suh and his partner Nick Fairley were heavily penalized, thus the team would like to see their 20 infractions go down this year.

The Lions have high hopes for Ziggy Ansah, the best rookie in terms of sacks last year. He’ll be joined by former college teammate Kyle Van Noy on the defensive line as well as Jason Jones who is coming off an injury.

Continue reading "2014 Preseason Report: The Detroit Tigers"

Miguel Cabrera posted by Tigers Fan

Born April 18, 1983 in Venezuela, Miguel Cabrera is playing MLB for Detroit Tigers since 2008. He is a batter and a right-handed pitcher as well. Currently he is mainly playing at first base, but in his career, he has mainly played at third base, and in right and left field. Cabrera has been selected for American League and National League All-Star teams.

In 1999, Cabrera was taken by the Florida Marlins as an amateur free agent, and in 2000, he started his professional career with the Gulf Coast League (GCL) as a shortstop. Promotion was given to play Class-A ball, when he managed .250 ERI and six RBIs in the last eight games with NYPL Blue Sox. By 2003, Cabrera was promoted to play with Carolina Mudcats, a Double-A team.

In June 2003, Cabrera made his MLB debut, and in his very first game managed a walk-off home run. In the postseason, he played exceptionally well, which helped the Florida Marlins reach the World Series championship against the New York Yankees. In February 2007, Cabrera was the first player of the offseason to win arbitration hearing, which netted him $7.4 million contract.

In December 2007, Florida Marlins traded Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers, and by March 2008 he had signed a eight-year contract for $152.3 million, which was the largest contract in Tigers' history, and fourth-largest in MLB history. He started playing for the Tigers at third base against the Kansas City Royals, and finished with two strikeouts, where the team lost 5-4. In April Cabrera was moved to first base by Jim Leyland the team manager. In July, heContinue reading "Miguel Cabrera"

Sox Can't Drive In Runs, Division Lead Slipping posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago White Sox can't score a runner from third base and that might be a significant reason why this team appears to have lost whatever offense it had, and as games dwindle, so does their division lead.  The Sox only lead by 3 games with 15 to play...now it's just a matter of time as the Tigers claw their way into a tight race. 

It says here that once the Tigers catch and pass the Sox, the Tigers will pull away and win by three or 4 games.  That means, in a stretch where things can go right or wrong. the Sox might be playing .250 baseball.  That just doens't cut it in crunch time.

Continue reading "Sox Can't Drive In Runs, Division Lead Slipping"

White Sox Road Woes Continue posted by Richard Kagan

The Sox had won 5 in a row to get them 3 games up on Detroit with the season winding down.  Now, after losing to the lowly Royals, who own the Sox this year.  Chicago is trailing the CA. Angels, one of the better teams in the AL.  It's not looking good for Chicago.  Suddenly, they lost their mojo.  When they go on the road they do all the things that good teams don't do.  They run themselves out of innings, they fail to drive in runners on 2nd or 3rd base.    Just one run would make a difference, yet the Sox can't push that run across.  The Sox have a tenous two game lead over the Tigers.  Good thing that Detroit got rained out tonight.  The lead is in jeopardy now.  Soon, the Tigers will waltz by.  And, I am not a Tigers fan.  I'm being realistic.

Continue reading "White Sox Road Woes Continue"

Say Good-bye To Sox posted by Richard Kagan

It's a stark reality.  Detroit is better than Chicago and should win the AL Central.  The Tigers get key hits, have smart at-bats, rarely beat themselves in the field, and their pitching is solid to very good.  Justin Verlander can be lights out and often is, and he may well be in the mix for the AL Cy Young Award again.  He already won it.  He's locked in.  He starts out at 92 mph on the gun and gets faster as the game goes on.  By the 7th inning, he's throwing bullets to off-balance hitters.  They don't know what to expect. 

The Tigers may tie up the Sox before their series is done.  And, then, it looks like Detroit by 3-4 games.

Continue reading "Say Good-bye To Sox"

Sox lose to Tigers, 5-3 posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago White Sox had their chances but came up short against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday night and fell 5-3.  The Sox had only 6 hits, 4 in the last two innings, but could only push across one run and that was the game.  Chicago hit 2 hR's off Doug Fister, including Gordon Beckham's 15th HR of the season but came up short when Miguel Cabera hit a blast that put the Tigers up 3-2.  Chicago could not muster a hit off Fister until he was removed and Benoit came in the 8th.  The Sox had a great shot to get back in the game with 3 straight singles, Alexei Ramirez driving in the third run.  So, with runners on first and 2nd and no outs, the Sox failed to capitilize and the top of the order could not get on base.  Rally over and essentially, the game over.  Detroit now trails Chicago by 2 games with 21 to play, and the noose just got a little tighter.

Continue reading "Sox lose to Tigers, 5-3"

Konerko leaves bases loaded in 2nd vs. Twins posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago White Sox already had 2 runs courtesy of a Gordon Beckham two run blast and were mounting a big to score more.  The Sox had the bases loaded with two outs and Paul Konerko, their all-star power guy, grounded into a force out to end the inning.  The Sox could have scored more.  It's nice to score some runs at home.  Especially after the grueling road trip that didn't seem to end.  The Sox came back to U.S. Cellular Field tied with the Detroit Tigers who swept the Sox at Comerica Park.  The White Sox play the Tigers 4 more games in Chicago.  If Chicago wants to make it post-season, they best start hitting the ball with regularity.  Leaving runners in scoring position doesn't win games.  It will catch up with you. 

Hopefully, the Sox their turn around their mojo.

Continue reading "Konerko leaves bases loaded in 2nd vs. Twins"

Sox trail Tigers early 3-1, at Detriot posted by Richard Kagan

Well, the disembowelment is beginning early in the Motor City.  Jake Peavy looks eminately hittable, and Miquel Cabrera already has a 2run HR.  The Tigers has 5 hits in 2+ innings and it looks like other games that the Sox played in.  A veritable meltdown in progress.  A.J. Pierzynski clouted a HR for the Sox who come in here and play moribound.  If they lose these 3 games, that will mean a disastrous road trip of 1-6 against good teams in the Orioles and the Tigers.  In this series, as it looks like games in recent past, in fact, earlier this season, The Tigers ambushed the White Sox and demolished them.  Made them look in a minor league team had wandered in to the stadium, a kind of field of Dreams gone hay-wire.  I hope the Sox can be competitive here, can win a game or two.  They will play again.  I don't know the Sox can't play well on the road against good teams.  But they need to now.  This is the time to become road warriors, or at least, road players.  Play the game, Peavy is throwing pitches that say "Hit Me" and Cabrera, a great hitter, is obliging him. Continue reading "Sox trail Tigers early 3-1, at Detriot"

ChiSox have Slim Lead in AL Central posted by Richard Kagan

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera is amazing.  He powered his 29th HR of the year and Detroit held off the Yanks for a 6-5 win to pull a half game behind Chicago, which lost to KC 5-2 tonight.  This is shaping up to be a close race, at least till Chicago puts some win together.  The Tigers have Justin Verlander and a great hitter, and a good number starter in Rick Porcello.

The Soz have a very good lineup that can score runs.  The issue is can the team keep hitting, and can the starters go a deep 7 innings?  Can the BP close the door if gvien a lead.  These are the questions, and the answers will come in the remaining weeks.  Let's hope it is a good race.  I am sure Detriot and Chicago will play each other and let's hope Chicago plays better than the last visit to Detroit where they were simply manhandled.

Continue reading "ChiSox have Slim Lead in AL Central"

Tigers vs Rays recap posted by aj wilbur

On a cool April day with snow in the air the Tigers again railed in late innings to beat the Rays and improve to 4-0 on the season. Rick Porcello gave a strong quality start of 7 innings with 2 earned runs, 7 hits, and a walk. The sinker was working well for Porcello when he saw the rays lineup for the second and third time. The only mishap in Porcello's day was a bases loaded walk in the 3rd inning but was able to limit any more damage when he got Matt Joyce to ground out. Matt Moore went 6 2/3 innings with 2 earned runs, 4 hits, and 5 walks. Moore pitched strong with a solid fastball but was a little erratic.

The Tigers big 2 of Cabrera and Fielder once again came through in the clutch. Cabrera led off the 8th inning with a long double of the right field wall and Fielder did what he is paid to do and hit a sharp line drive single up the center to drive in Cabrera standing up for what would be the game winning run. Austin Jackson again looked strong going 1 for 2 with two walks, two runs scored and a clutch home run in the 7th inning.

The Tigers play the Rays again tomorrow at 1.05 with Justin Verlander facing James Shields

Continue reading "Tigers vs Rays recap"

Twins homer twice off Rodriguez, beat Tigers 4-1 (The Associated Press)

Eddie Rosario raced over to the gap in left-center field and made the catch before bouncing off the wall, keeping the game tied through eight innings. The Minnesota left fielder was just getting started. Rosario hit a two-run homer in the ninth, capping a three-run inning that gave the Twins a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Indians-Twins preview (The Associated Press)

The Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins open the second half of the Major League Baseball season with a three-game series beginning Friday night at Target Field. Despite a 4-6 finish to the first half, the Indians will begin play 6 1/2 games clear of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League Central andseven games ahead of the Chicago White Sox and defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals. It's the first time since Terry Francona took over as manager of the Indians in 2013 that the club begins the second half atop the division standings. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Baseball-Highlights of Wednesday's MLB games (Reuters)

Highlights from Major League Baseball games on Wednesday: Tigers 12, Indians 2 Nick Castellanos homered among his three hits and had five RBIs as the Detroit Tigers cruised to a 12-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. With the win, Detroit snapped its 11-game losing streak to Cleveland -- with all 11 setbacks coming in 2016. Cleveland also saw its 14-game home winning streak end as Wednesday's loss was the Indians' first at Progressive Field since a 7-3 setback to Texas on May 31. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Yankees-Indians preview (The Associated Press)

The Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees will meet for the first time this season Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Progressive Field. Cleveland fell 12-2 at home to the Detroit Tigers, while the Yankees were shut out by the White Sox 5-0 in Chicago. For the Yankees, the series in Cleveland will conclude a 10-game road trip leading into the All-Star break. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Tigers-Blue Jays preview (The Associated Press)

TORONTO -- There will be a game within the game Thursday when the Detroit Tigers play the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a four-game series at Rogers Centre. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports