Thursday, October 26, 2006

In the Midst of All that Rain

So game four of the World Series was postponed last night due to inclement weather in St. Louis. Major League Baseball officials were hoping to get in the game last night because the next few nights are looking like wash-outs as well. This goes to show you that playing baseball during mid to late October isn't exactly a good idea. If you don't have rain, it can either be snow or too cold. Either start the season earlier when the games don't mean as much (and if there are cancellations, at least you can have more double-headers) or shorten the season. I am sure if a dozen or so games are permanently removed from the schedule, it will help accomodate the post-season and the World Series. Potentially waiting for another World Series game after three days of rain-outs is quite foolish. It's time the World Series gets started in early October when the weather is a little bit better.

I am not sure whether waiting around for dry weather for several days is a good thing for the Tigers. You see what happened after they had to wait a week for the World Series to start. Personally, I think having the one day off after game three would really help the Tigers. However, if it's extended to two or even three days in between games, that could have a negative effect on them. I just hope the Tigers can break out of their offensive slump. Jim Leyland has made a few tweaks to the batting order for game four, so hopefully those changes will be positive for the Tigers. And you have to hope Jeremy Bonderman is lights out on the mound. This is the first time he's had to pitch on the road during the playoffs, so it'll be interesting to see how he handles the crowd on the road (as well as the waiting game to pitch).

But of utmost importance is the Tigers bats. They have to absolutely get going, otherwise this series won't be coming back to Detroit. Placido Polanco hasn't been able to hit in the World Series, nor has Curtis Granderson. And Pudge Rodriguez ... man oh man, no hits since game one of the ALCS! The Tigers were only able to muster three hits in game three against Chris Carpenter (two from Sean Casey and one from Brandon Inge). You certainly aren't going to win any games if you only have three hits. I think what also hurts the Tigers in St. Louis is not having the DH. Their ninth bat is the pitcher. Nate Roberston laid down an impressive bunt to advance a runner in game three. But unfortunatley, that is usually all the American League pitchers are able to do when batting in a National League park. Obviously it would help the Tigers tremendously to have Marcus Thames, Alexis Gomex, or Infante DH and put the bat on the ball. However, that is not possible when playing the NL rules. But when you need a pinch hitter and use him when the pitcher is supposed to bat, that means the end of the pitcher's night. It happened in game three and will likely happen during the next two.

Obviously it's not do or die time for the Tigers yet, but it's getting close. You certainly do not want to be down three games to one when the Cardinals could potentially clinch the series at home in game five. It's absolutely important for the Tigers to get some hits early and put runs on the board. Jeremy Bonderman must pitch well; allowing two runs or less, in order for the Tigers to have a chance. With the way the bats have gone cold lately, the fewer the runs the Cards put up the better. If the Tigers win game four; it's down to a best of three. I know they can do it and soon all of this talk of Kenny Rogers using pine tar, or the Tigers offensive struggles will be behind us. Hopefully we won't have to dwell on the things that went wrong for the Tigers and enjoy a World Series victory in the off-season.

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