Lynn Henning Exhuberant Column of the Day

**ROMAD1** · 02-28-2011, 05:18 PM

Jim Leyland won't admit it, but Tigers have division's best pitching | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Lynn approves of the Tiger pitching staff.

**Yoda** · 02-28-2011, 05:37 PM

Im not ready to say they absolutely do, but they certainly have the potential for one of the best staff's in the AL. The BP might be nasty! Average production/innings from Penny/Porcello/Coke and look out.

**ROMAD1** · 02-28-2011, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Yoda

Im not ready to say they absolutely do, but they certainly have the potential for one of the best staff's in the AL. The BP might be nasty! Average production/innings from Penny/Porcello/Coke and look out.

Tiger fans should be "the glass is twice as large as it should be" until we see how good Penny and Coke are.

**Yoda** · 02-28-2011, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

Tiger fans should be "the glass is twice as large as it should be" until we see how good Penny and Coke are.

The 4th and 5th starters probably aren't going to make an enormous difference either way. And good they can do will be a bonus, but I'm expecting guys like Oliver will also get a decent chunk of starts. I'm not expecting Coke or Penny to break the team... they could certainly be a nice boost though.

**JayVee** · 02-28-2011, 06:28 PM

As long as that darn Charlie Furbush isn't anywhere near Detroit!

Dang shutout blower...

grr..hufff...phooey!

**IdahoBert** · 02-28-2011, 06:36 PM

In "a game of inches" like Branch Rickey said, the pitching staff may be the few inches we need this year. If the 4th and 5th guys don't just suck up a storm and the pen can usually hold a lead, we may be on to something. Of course, a lot of what we think is pitching is defense. Still we have reason to feel good. If we can't feel good now then when can we?

**Shelton** · 02-28-2011, 07:02 PM

The tigers will allow the fewest runs in the division by a fair amount.

**ROMAD1** · 02-28-2011, 07:04 PM

While Verlander was pitching today I kept thinking...inefficient as always.

**Gehringer_2** · 02-28-2011, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

While Verlander was pitching today I kept thinking...inefficient as always.

still, he was working the curve in the first inning of his first time out. Seeing as how half the time last season he didn't even show the curve till the 2nd time through the order of his starts, maybe we are seeing the first evidence of some change in his approach.

**Walt** · 02-28-2011, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

While Verlander was pitching today I kept thinking...inefficient as always.

I think you are reading too much into a spring training start.

**ROMAD1** · 02-28-2011, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Walt

I think you are reading too much into a spring training start.

don't get me wrong. I was just experiencing the emotion of listening to Verlander work counts to tire out the batters.

**Walt** · 02-28-2011, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

don't get me wrong. I was just experiencing the emotion of listening to Verlander work counts to tire out the batters.

He likes to get his work in, maybe he was just making sure he got more than 2 quick innings.

**Casimir** · 02-28-2011, 08:50 PM

I think the pitching staff will make up for the bottom of the lineup's shortcomings over the course of the season.

**Eric Cioe** · 02-28-2011, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

While Verlander was pitching today I kept thinking...inefficient as always.

And yet he's never been injured and is top 4 in IP the last two years. Shoot, he's 6th in overall IP since 2006. Hard to complain about 18 pitch innings when he's proven to be Iron Horse Verlander.

**ROMAD1** · 02-28-2011, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

And yet he's never been injured and is top 4 in IP the last two years. Shoot, he's 6th in overall IP since 2006. Hard to complain about 18 pitch innings when he's proven to be Iron Horse Verlander.

Put it this way...I prioritize attending his starts over Dontrelle Willis, Armando Gallaraga, or Nate Robertson starts over the last few years.

**DontGotSheed** · 03-01-2011, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

And yet he's never been injured and is top 4 in IP the last two years.

Don't jinx him EC!

**Eric Cioe** · 03-01-2011, 12:53 PM

You can't jinx the Iron Horse.

**Tramfan** · 03-04-2011, 03:36 PM

I agree with him. I think we might have a playoff caliber squad this year, and yes I'm experienced enough to know that preseason fluff is preseason fluff. We were 81-81 team a year ago that got considerably better in the lineup and in the bullpen imo, and added a stable variable in the starting rotation in Brad Penny.

**ballmich** · 03-04-2011, 03:52 PM

Is this thread supposed to be store all Henning written crappy-ganda, or was it just for this one particular piece?

**tater6** · 03-04-2011, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Tramfan

I agree with him. I think we might have a playoff caliber squad this year, and yes I'm experienced enough to know that preseason fluff is preseason fluff. We were 81-81 team a year ago that got considerably better in the lineup and in the bullpen imo, and added a stable variable in the starting rotation in Brad Penny.

IMO they did get better but they didn't get considerably better from the team that finished the season. Martinez is a nice addition but that's not enough for them to unseat the Twins. They need a few guys other than the obvious to have some good years. The guys I'm thinking about are Raburn, Inge, Porcello, Boesch or Peralta. If Avila or Sizemore surprised everyone they could be what they need. I don't expect Guillen or Zumaya to stay healthy and provide much to the team, but a miracle could happen and they could be the ones to put the Tigers over the top. Two or three of these guys need to step up.

I know it's the time of the year to be optimistic, but until the Tigers show they can win on the road, have a winning record in the second and stay healthy, it's going to be just another season like the last few.

**ROMAD1** · 03-04-2011, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by ballmich

Is this thread supposed to be store all Henning written crappy-ganda, or was it just for this one particular piece?

Good question...I think I had an idea to put anything that seemed too happy in here for us to assess.

**Tramfan** · 03-04-2011, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by tater6

IMO they did get better but they didn't get considerably better from the team that finished the season. Martinez is a nice addition but that's not enough for them to unseat the Twins. They need a few guys other than the obvious to have some good years. The guys I'm thinking about are Raburn, Inge, Porcello, Boesch or Peralta. If Avila or Sizemore surprised everyone they could be what they need. I don't expect Guillen or Zumaya to stay healthy and provide much to the team, but a miracle could happen and they could be the ones to put the Tigers over the top. Two or three of these guys need to step up.

I know it's the time of the year to be optimistic, but until the Tigers show they can win on the road, have a winning record in the second and stay healthy, it's going to be just another season like the last few.

You make some good points Tater. I'm basing "considerable" on the fact that a lot of the players coming into this year needed to get experience last year and did. Players like Porcello, BB, Perry, Schlereth, Avila, etc. participated in pressure situations for the first time. This year we don't have to rely on a healthy Zumaya for once and our very health situation would have made a good tragedy a year ago, one that has to improve.

**ROMAD1** · 03-05-2011, 09:15 AM

'Bull Durham' or 'The Natural'? Our Tigers writers debate that and much more | detnews.com | The Detroit News

This is fully of interesting hyperbole

**ROMAD1** · 03-05-2011, 10:14 PM

2011 Tigers, from Avila to Zumaya: One writer's observations | detnews.com | The Detroit News

**cruzer1** · 03-05-2011, 10:18 PM

I think the Tigers have the best bullpen in baseball right now.

**tater6** · 03-05-2011, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I think the Tigers have the best bullpen in baseball right now.

I hope you can say this in Sept.

**jonjd** · 03-05-2011, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I think the Tigers have the best bullpen in baseball right now.

Nope.

Boston.
Oakland.
NYY.
SF.
SD.

Just off the top of my head.

Will it be this way in a few months? Nobody knows. The Tigers are definitely creeping around the Top 10 IMO.

**ROMAD1** · 03-05-2011, 11:39 PM

overall staff?

Our entire staff has got to lead the league in overall velocity. Not that that matters a hoot.

**cruzer1** · 03-06-2011, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by jonjd

Nope.

Boston.- Papelbon coming off down year, not a deep pen. Jenks isn't good.
Oakland.- Great closer, Balfour is good, like Wuertz, not much more...
NYY.- Ramirez (can't do b2b) and Soriano and not much more.
SF.- Not as deep as Tigers
SD.- Love their pen, but Tigers have more talent.
Just off the top of my head.

Will it be this way in a few months? Nobody knows. The Tigers are definitely creeping around the Top 10 IMO.

My opinion is based on talent.

**DrWho17** · 03-06-2011, 07:42 AM

Comeon, I just saw Bonderman is still available, have some respect for the guy Detroit, sign him to a minor league deal. I hate it when these teams out think themselves, it is a low risk high reward type thing, why not do it?

Another thing, I don't know why they didn't try out Zumaya for the 5th starter spot since it is a place holder anyway. Zumaya has proven to not be able to stay healthy coming out of the bullpen, move him back to starting where he doesn't put out max effort on every pitch and has days off between use. Might as well get some innings out of him before he flames out.

**THECATMAC** · 03-06-2011, 08:14 AM

Leyland is the key for this pen to flourish. Unfortunately I feel it has become his weakest talent as a manager. He needs to take a blast into the past and see how the great managers utilize their bullpens to get the platoon advantage you need to win those 1 run games after the 6th inning. He can't walk into this year and play the poker hand everyone knows he uses......or will he just be as predictable as he always has?

**ROMAD1** · 03-06-2011, 09:01 AM

Bonderman would be pitching this season if he wanted to. It might be best for him to go chill and come back next season if his old velocity returns.

**cruzer1** · 03-06-2011, 09:04 AM

I believe Bonderman had a chance to sign a minor league deal with Cleveland, but he wanted a major league deal.

**Yoda** · 03-06-2011, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I believe Bonderman had a chance to sign a minor league deal with Cleveland, but he wanted a major league deal.

Correct.

**tater6** · 03-06-2011, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

2011 Tigers, from Avila to Zumaya: One writer's observations | detnews.com | The Detroit News

I usually support Henning but his writings this year are a total waste of time.

**Gehringer_2** · 03-06-2011, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

Bonderman would be pitching this season if he wanted to. It might be best for him to go chill and come back next season if his old velocity returns.

Not sure what he's thinking. If he can't get a major league deal this year, he for sure won't get a major league offer after sitting 12 months. He should have at least gone to ST somewhere and shown he could get in shape so that he'd have a chance at a mid-yr deal. Prolly the thrill is just gone - in which case he probably wasn't prepared to work hard enough to be any good anyway.......

**diaspora04** · 03-06-2011, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

Bonderman would be pitching this season if he wanted to. It might be best for him to go chill and come back next season if his old velocity returns.

No doubt, he'll be working on his change up.

**ROMAD1** · 03-06-2011, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Gehringer_2

Not sure what he's thinking. If he can't get a major league deal this year, he for sure won't get a major league offer after sitting 12 months. He should have at least gone to ST somewhere and shown he could get in shape so that he'd have a chance at a mid-yr deal. Prolly the thrill is just gone - in which case he probably wasn't prepared to work hard enough to be any good anyway.......

His performance in the ALDS against the Yankees will always endear me him to him [EDIT...reverse that]...but the 1st inning struggles from 2007 on....aye carumba.

I hope he is just recharging his batteries and wants to come back next season. He's a young man. No good will come of him being a layabout with a big bank account. He'll end up in some sort of East Bound and Down situation in Mexico with a diminutive bengali sidekick with a really bad fake mustache.

**ROMAD1** · 03-16-2011, 10:07 AM

Lynn's really putting this team's starting and relief pitching beyond the '68 and '84 teams. I can see the argument. '68 team had Mclain, Lolich and Wilson in an era of great pitching. The '84 team has Morris, Wilcox, Petry, Berenguer, Bair, with Lopez and Hernandez in relief.

Verlander is perhaps on par with the best of those teams. Lets see about the rest of them.

Tigers stocked with top pitchers | detnews.com | The Detroit News