06-19-12--DETROIT VS ST. LOUIS--7:05 PM

[IdahoBert]

That couldn't be on purpose. No one throws at Laird.

[sabretooth]

Now if you would have predicted the bullpen was going to be this good and Valverde this bad you'd be on to something.

Well, I'd like to claim that I was confident about the bullpen, but I wasn't. On May 8th I stated that "This offense will get better. I think by June we'll all be more concerned about the bullpen, and possibly the defense, then about the offense." On May 22nd I stated that "I'm confident that the offense will give us the 775+ runs (800 still seems like a strong potential)...frankly I'd like to see a glove added somewhere versus a bat....the rotation frankly is likely to be even better than it has been so far, even after Smyly regresses....but the bullpen is a worry for me. This is where DD and JL need to earn their $$ for 2012; piece together whatever they can from wherever they can and preserve leads at a contender rate."

The strong pitching from the bullpen in June is why I'm optimistic now. The SP'ing and hitting is doing pretty well and there's real room for improvement...the BP is doing well, and even Valverde gives some signs of being decent. Only the defense remains a sore spot, but even that seems to be improving.

[JustinCylander]

I'm getting really annoyed with JV just pumping 100 MPH fastballs when he gets in trouble and/or mad. He just needs to pitch. The opposing team knows they're coming and JV subsequently overthrows his breaking ball if he ever gets back around to it.

and strikes people out to end the inning! damn him!

[Gehringer_2]

I'm getting really annoyed with JV just pumping 100 MPH fastballs when he gets in trouble and/or mad. He just needs to pitch. The opposing team knows they're coming and JV subsequently overthrows his breaking ball if he ever gets back around to it.

Really easy solution to that. Put some guys behind him that can catch the damn ball when he lets them put it in play. At least three missed outs in this game by the Tigs. We lose this game on the bad D with a number 3 or 4 starter out there.

[HighHeat]

Please hurry back Alex, Lard is killing me!

[Juck Verllo]

DP

3-6 TIGERS

[BornOnThe4th]

Benoit has been money for us for so long now.

Keep it up!!

[jonjd]

Quite the rug on that fella.

Boy am I harsh with the paying customers tonight.

[pyrotigers]

Valverde this bad you'd be on to something.

I've been on to something pretty much from Valverde's first day with the club

[Sting]

Atta boy Jhonny

[HighHeat]

Nice play Jhonny!!!!

[Gehringer_2]

Jhonny Peralta and the 'Med-Alert' Defense - "Help I've fallen and I can't get up!"

[BornOnThe4th]

That couldn't be on purpose. No one throws at Laird.

No one throws at the OLD Laird. This new version is hitting just about at the Carew line, not the Mendosa line.

[Juck Verllo]

Great inning from Benoit.

MOAR RUNS

[Vonlenska]

and strikes people out to end the inning! damn him!

Really easy solution to that. Put some guys behind him that can catch the damn ball when he lets them put it in play. At least three missed outs in this game by the Tigs. We lose this game on the bad D with a number 3 or 4 starter out there.

I know it seems like a silly thing to complain about when he's just so damn good, but he's gotten hit hard when he does that.

[robgrave]

I'm getting really annoyed with JV just pumping 100 MPH fastballs when he gets in trouble and/or mad. He just needs to pitch. The opposing team knows they're coming and JV subsequently overthrows his breaking ball if he ever gets back around to it.

Agreed. Been thinking the same thing for the last few starts. He isn't all that successful at overpowering hitters.

[sagnam]

Well, I'd like to claim that I was confident about the bullpen, but I wasn't. On May 8th I stated that "This offense will get better. I think by June we'll all be more concerned about the bullpen, and possibly the defense, then about the offense." On May 22nd I stated that "I'm confident that the offense will give us the 775+ runs (800 still seems like a strong potential)...frankly I'd like to see a glove added somewhere versus a bat....the rotation frankly is likely to be even better than it has been so far, even after Smyly regresses....but the bullpen is a worry for me. This is where DD and JL need to earn their $$ for 2012; piece together whatever they can from wherever they can and preserve leads at a contender rate."

The strong pitching from the bullpen in June is why I'm optimistic now. The SP'ing and hitting is doing pretty well and there's real room for improvement...the BP is doing well, and even Valverde gives some signs of being decent. Only the defense remains a sore spot, but even that seems to be improving.

Have to say I agree with everything you said on those dates. I am really surprised by the bullpen.

[hail2mich]

Valverde not looking good in the bullpen. Injured something

Coke is warming up

[MIguy]

Valverde is hurt.

I told you I had a good feeling about this game.

[sagnam]

I've been on to something pretty much from Valverde's first day with the club

It's not predicting Valverde would be this bad, it's predicting the bullpen would be this good in spite of him being this bad.

[Juck Verllo]

Uh Oh POTATO looks like he hurt himself warming up.

[Hart]

Valverde is hurt.

I told you I had a good feeling about this game.

Tigers fans everywhere are cheering. The fielders probably are too considering they don't have to wait forever in between pitches to close out this game.

[HighHeat]

Well, here we go. Please have an uneventful 9th Valverde.

Edit: Same for you Coke.

[Gehringer_2]

I know it seems like a silly thing to complain about when he's just so damn good, but he's gotten hit hard when he does that.

I agree it's not his best response, but it is a totally understandable and predictable response from an intense competitor who is making the pitches to get outs and DPs and whose fielders are not executing.

[ToledoTigerFan]

Buckle up!!

[MIguy]

Well, here we go. Please have an uneventful 9th Valverde.

He hurt himself warming up. Coke is coming in.

[Juck Verllo]

Valverde is hurt.

I told you I had a good feeling about this game.

Your a good Tiger fan.

[MIguy]

Your a good Tiger fan.

Of course I don't want to see anybody get hurt, I just don't want Valverde closing games.

[HighHeat]

Man Robinson was swinging for the fences LOL

[Gehringer_2]

He hurt himself warming up. Coke is coming in.

After the way he been pitching recently, he probably had an anxiety attack worrying about what JV would do to him if he blew his lead after the team had already given up 2 unearned runs (all three really)

[Juck Verllo]

HELLS YEAH! TIGERS WIN!!

FINAL
3-6

[sabretooth]

A first-game win! Woo-hoo!

[TigersSlappy]

Game over - could be 1.5 out later tonight.

[hail2mich]

Tigers win! Good game, and nice job by Coke to fill in

[ToledoTigerFan]

How about that? A quiet inning from a Tiger closer.

[HighHeat]

Wow, nice play Miggy!!! 1 game under .500 boys! Less than a week until first place.

[hail2mich]

Let's go Cubs! Let's go Reds!

[ToledoTigerFan]

Out of all the Tigers front line players, an injury to Valverde concerns me the least.

[Charles Liston]

Die Cardinals die.

[MIguy]

Coke for closer!!!