Brandon Inge came down with a case of mononucleosis this week. He should know that sharing drinks with those around him is taboo. It’s either that or he is putting his face too close to sickly people.
Jhonny Peralta has been carrying his weight offensively on the right side of the infield for some time. Inge does however possess a cannon for an arm over at third, and he also has very quick reflexes over at the hot corner. That is traditionally a position that needs to produce power for the team’s long term success. Inge has the potential to provide that, but his batting average was so low that it was becoming a drain on the rest of the Detroit Tigers who were left stranded on base after his plate appearances.
It appears manager Jim Leyland is going to head with Don Kelly in the near future at third.
He is a journeyman who had over two hundred at bats last year with the Tigers. This will be the opportunity of a lifetime for him to prove what he’s made of in real game experience, instead of merely in spring training. The continued excellence of Miguel Cabrera will propel the team to the top of the division while Cleveland comes back down to earth. Not all superstars have this ability, but it would behoove him to take Kelly under his wing and provide some hitting insight without stepping on the coaching staff’s toes. He has some character work to do after his repeated public bouts with alcohol. It is harder to explain success, rather than simply attaining it for the great ones.
The needed patience for this activity is rare in the sports world. This is why you don’t see Michael Jordan or Nolan Ryan coaching.
Austin Jackson had a couple of hits on Saturday night, so that seems to be a promising sign at the top of Detroit’s line-up. This obviously provides more RBI chances for the likes of Brennan Boesch and designated hitter Victor Martinez. The fifty million dollar man no longer has to focus on duties behind the plate.
He simply concentrates on being a professional hitter-what he does best. The protection that he offers Cabrera necessitates that pitchers not walk Cabrera in key situations. If they still choose to, then they risk the likelihood of a big inning when Martinez and Perralta come up.
The Tigers seem to be a team of haves and have-nots. They are very strong offensively at the designated hitter position, right field, catcher, and first base. You could also add another outfield spot when Magglio Ordonez inserts himself in the batting order. The problem lies with the positions that weren’t previously mentioned. Second baseman Ryan Raburn looks overwhelmed at the plate. The team doesn’t need the rest of the roster to stand on its head for a chance to make the postseason, but it does require them not to be a liability. Anemic power and low averages are a lethal combination.
It helps that one of the teams right behind them in the AL Central division, the Chicago White Sox has serious issues beating them. With the series win at U.S. Cellular Field this past weekend, the Tigers are now 11-1 in their last 12 vs. the ChiSox.
–Patrick Herbert