After the Tigers clinched a postseason spot, I kept telling myself it didn’t matter whether they won the division or not. They were playing with house money, I figured.
I also figured the players would relax after weathering the storm and play loose, and play well down the stretch.
Now, after watching Detroit drop its final five games, including the last three to KC, I feel differently. I feel deflated. One win, that’s all that was needed to win the division and stay home against Oakland in the playoffs. Now, it’s off to NY.
The offense wasn’t bad – the Tigers averaged 6 runs per game over their final six games. The pitching, though, went south, and that’s very troubling.
Kenny Rogers finally tailed off, although since he carried the team in August and September, I figure he deserves a pass. But he’s definitely got to step it up now. Justin Verlander was rested, so hopefully that pans out.
Nate Robertson will start Game 1 in NY. He’s either the Tigers’ third or fourth best starter, so that’s a bit of a concern. Where you rank Robertson depends on whether you rate Jeremy Bonderman on his stuff and potential, or on his performance.
Bonderman again came up small on Sunday, failing to hold a 6-0 lead. Your ace, or future ace, whatever the talking heads want to call him, needs to preserve that kind of advantage with the division on the line. Bonderman is a stand-up guy and always takes the blame for his failures, but we could do with less standing up and more stepping up.
Hopefully, Jim Leyland can get the team to put its disappointment – and losing streak – behind it and be revved up for the playoffs. He’s pushed the right buttons so far, but I fear this will be a challenge.
The house never lets you enjoy that money.
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