06-09-12--DETROIT VS CINCINNATI--4:10 PM

[Gehringer_2]

Thank you, Valverde, for a stress-free inning. A nice change-of-pace.

Valverde definitely not causing at much panic recently.

[Antrat]

[sabretooth]

With the exception of the bad play by DY, a really well-executed game by the Tigers today...maybe just maybe we can start to string a few of these together.

[Yoda]

I'm telling you people the revamped bullpen will make a difference when/if the team gets healthy again.

[sabretooth]

That's what I call a white-outing!

[Gehringer_2]

I'm telling you people the revamped bullpen will make a difference when/if the team gets healthy again.

And still, you can't be all that happy when they continue to gave up runs unnecessarily. Should have been a shutout.

[sabretooth]

I'm telling you people the revamped bullpen will make a difference when/if the team gets healthy again.

I've believed for the last week that with the exception of Valverde we have a 90+ win worthy bullpen...Valverde is still a question mark but the last couple of games will hopefully be a trend of him throwing strikes and spotting the splitter effectively.

[sabretooth]

And still, you can't be all that happy when they continue to gave up runs unnecessarily. Should have been a shutout.

The thing is that this is so EASILY managed by keeping DY strictly as the DH...I know JL won't do this, but he should. Kelly or Berry should be playing in the OF over DY until Dirks comes back...no exceptions.

[sabretooth]

BTW, a big fat "I told you so" to the folks who said that DY wouldn't hurt us with the glove this year b/c he'd be used as a DH. I said over and over that Smokes would use him in at least 25 games in LF, maybe as many as 50, and he's trending right into that range....and yes, his glove has hurt us.

[toadhunter911]

good win.

[ToledoTigerFan]

I'm telling you people the revamped bullpen will make a difference when/if the team gets healthy again.

Brayan Villarreal--Closer-in-waiting. As soon as Valverde is gone(November, 2012), Villarreal will be the closer.

[PuNk42AE]

Brayan Villarreal--Closer-in-waiting. As soon as Valverde is gone(November, 2012), Villarreal will be the closer.

I think of the current Bullpen, both Villarreal and Marte have a good shot to end up being our closer

[tigers84roar06]

Great win today by the Tigers. And a big kudos to Tigers fans, they REALLY support their team. Despite the struggles, they are 4th in the AL in attendance, and they always score decent road fans too, but today was absolutely ridiculous. Cheering for Detroit was so loud you would have thought the Tigers were the home team (reds fans have been commenting on such on their board too). Lets get a series win tomorrow! Go Tigers!!!

[catswithbats]

Brayan Villarreal--Closer-in-waiting. As soon as Valverde is gone(November, 2012), Villarreal will be the closer.

Not Benoit?

[Hart]

Best thing that could happen the to the Tigers the next month is that Valverde gets hot and then the Tigers trade him at the deadline for a low level prospect.

[Hart]

I think of the current Bullpen, both Villarreal and Marte have a good shot to end up being our closer

Maybe the Tigers will be innovative and just start using the pitcher that gives you the best chance for outs at any given time. Oh wait...I forgot Dombrowski and Leyland are running the team.

[sagnam]

Maybe the Tigers will be innovative and just start using the pitcher that gives you the best chance for outs at any given time. Oh wait...I forgot Dombrowski and Leyland are running the team.

Seriously? Name the teams that don't have a specific closer.

[slim pickens]

Seriously? Name the teams that don't have a specific closer.

Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin to use closer-by-committee approach - San Jose Mercury News

Cubs go with closer-by-committee ? just not Marmol or Cashner

[john doe]

Just watched the DVR'd version of the game, loved the win, but when are these guys gonna a hit a home run with at least one runner on base. Good win though!

[sagnam]

Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin to use closer-by-committee approach - San Jose Mercury News

Cubs go with closer-by-committee ? just not Marmol or Cashner

That's 2 of 30, and a not so successful 2 at that.

The implication was that Leyland and Dombrowski are bad because they don't take this approach. Apparently there are 27 other horrible GM/manager combinations, almost all of which are more successful than those 2.

[pyrotigers]

Modern bullpen management is bad, it's just widely accepted. The same way bunting is bad and pitching to contact is bad and every other dumb thing people in baseball like to believe in. A closer by committee approach isn't really any better because it still has the word 'closer' in it. Screw closers.

[Tim Mitchell]

I'm telling you people the revamped bullpen will make a difference when/if the team gets healthy again.

Villereal,Benoit, and Valverde threw the ball well.
Dotel is OK and We get AL Al back, this bullpen could be the best around. Might have some trade chips here should we stay healthy. I really like Villereals stuff.

[john doe]

Modern bullpen management is bad, it's just widely accepted. The same way bunting is bad and pitching to contact is bad and every other dumb thing people in baseball like to believe in. A closer by committee approach isn't really any better because it still has the word 'closer' in it. Screw closers.

100% agreed. The "7th inning guy", "set up man", "closer" mentality, if anything, has "dumbed down" in-game strategy In addition, the whole specialist nomenclature has affected the financial side of baseball in a very negative way. In other words, overpaying one dimensional, one inning, participants.

[tiger337]

When a closer loses his job, managers frequently say they are going to use a committee to replace him. It never lasts long though. They always go back to having one closer. I wouldn't expect the Tigers to be any different.

I do not like the modern way managers use bullpens. Specialized roles may make everyone feel more comfortable, but there is no evidence that it is more beneficial to winning games than the old way.

[DaYooperASBDT]

Modern bullpen management is bad, it's just widely accepted. The same way bunting is bad and pitching to contact is bad and every other dumb thing people in baseball like to believe in. A closer by committee approach isn't really any better because it still has the word 'closer' in it. Screw closers.

This. The one inning wonders strategy has always ground my gears.

[ToledoTigerFan]

Not Benoit?

Nah. I think he's been tried as a closer elsewhere, but seems to do better in the set-up role. Plus, Villarreal is younger and, for awhile, cheaper.

[alwaysthrowheat]

Nah. I think he's been tried as a closer elsewhere, but seems to do better in the set-up role. Plus, Villarreal is younger and, for awhile, cheaper.

What's the difference if he's cheaper next year? They're both on the payroll.

[Yoda]

Villereal,Benoit, and Valverde threw the ball well.
Dotel is OK and We get AL Al back, this bullpen could be the best around. Might have some trade chips here should we stay healthy. I really like Villereals stuff.

Don't forget Marte, Below, and Coke.

[Yoda]

I avoid ESPN like the plague... do the games really start at "8 p.m." or is it more like 8:15 or 8:30?

[PuNk42AE]

You're probably good about 8:10. Luckily they have Francona in the Booth so it isn't as bad as other ESPN things.

[ToledoTigerFan]

What's the difference if he's cheaper next year? They're both on the payroll.

I said "for awhile" he's cheaper. I did qualify it, but you ignored it.

[tiger337]

I avoid ESPN like the plague... do the games really start at "8 p.m." or is it more like 8:15 or 8:30?

They are going to have 20 minute special prior to the game explaining how the Tigers can not win without a leader like Derek Jeter.

[Yoda]

You're probably good about 8:10. Luckily they have Francona in the Booth so it isn't as bad as other ESPN things.

Good. I really enjoy listening to him.

[Yoda]

And I'm definitely in the wrong thread.