Do The Tigers Win One For The Fans?
We waited and hoped through the past weekend to celebrate something more monumental in regards to our baseball heroes, and that was winning the Central Division. The disaster that followed isn't worthy of mention, as it is now totally irrelevant, but NOBODY had any hopes or expectations of having any kind of title this year; I'm sorry, but "Wild Card" under the circumstances, just didn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy, and it isn't a title. Most Tiger fans were already pleased to be following a contender again, and making the playoffs, after so many dismal years. Many of us wanted more, like the division title, while others wanted much more, like a berth in the ALCS, with a few believing that going to the World Series wasn't out of reach, and if we got there, who wouldn't believe that the Detroit Tigers couldn't pull off the 2006 World Championship?
Today is the moment of truth for Tiger starting pitcher, Jeremy Bonderman. His season has had peaks and valleys, and lately, he hasn't met the expectations that so many have held for him, to step up and claim that "ace of the staff" status. It's ironic that he takes the same stage as last weekend, when a win over the hapless Kansas City Royals would have given Tiger fans a title and failed, and today, he is entrusted with delivering a win over a team that many call the best lineup ever assembled. He has the talent to seal the deal, but does he have the killer instinct yet? He has tremendous pressure on him, while having to keep a cool head, in order to take the mound, and keep the Yankee bats cold for a few innings, while the Tigers put some runs up on the board, and keep New York frustrated. The fans at The Copa will never be so high, and he'll have to shut that out, to keep his focus, and that might be the hardest battle for him. He must sense that he is at the crossroads now, as far as his future as a Detroit Tiger. How bad does he want to stay in Detroit? Who could want to deliver keeping baseball alive, and hosting the Oakland A's next week more than Jeremy Bonderman, while becoming a hero to the hometown fans? He doesn't need the best game of his live, like Kenny Rogers' game Friday night. He just needs to shut the Yankees down for awhile, while the Tiger bats go to work on Jaret Wright. I don't think there's any question that the Tiger bullpen can finish the job, if the Yankees are battling from behind early today. As valuable as Rogers was last night, he'll be more valuable in Game 4, and I expect him to be at Bonderman's side in the dugout, helping him to keep his focus.
I like the Tigers chances to close this series out today. I really think it's a must win, as I don't like their chances back in New York. I think Jim Leyland will pull out all the stops in this game, and in no way is saving anything for tomorrow. Should Bonderman start out shaky, and the Tigers get down a few runs, we have a few well rested long relievers, like Ledezma and Miner, and Fernando Rodney doesn't get roughed up by the Yankees either. I expect to see Rodney at some point today, and he'll probably need to be sharp. The Tiger bats will dictate who will be called upon to work towards those 27 outs today, and hopefully, they have the poise and demeanor to rid the baseball world of the hated Yankees. It would be nice to see Brandon Inge, who is having an "A-Rod-like" series, to contribute at the plate in this one. He doesn't seem to be pressing, and perhaps things will fall his way today.
Yes, we are all proud of what they accomplished this season thus far, with most content if our post-season ends Sunday, but today, there are few Tiger fans who believe that that will be the case; this Tiger team wants Saturday's game BAD for themselves, for it's hungry fans, and for Detroit period! I sense there will be dancing in the streets, downtown tonight at The Copa, and all round the metropolitan area.
garold
Today is the moment of truth for Tiger starting pitcher, Jeremy Bonderman. His season has had peaks and valleys, and lately, he hasn't met the expectations that so many have held for him, to step up and claim that "ace of the staff" status. It's ironic that he takes the same stage as last weekend, when a win over the hapless Kansas City Royals would have given Tiger fans a title and failed, and today, he is entrusted with delivering a win over a team that many call the best lineup ever assembled. He has the talent to seal the deal, but does he have the killer instinct yet? He has tremendous pressure on him, while having to keep a cool head, in order to take the mound, and keep the Yankee bats cold for a few innings, while the Tigers put some runs up on the board, and keep New York frustrated. The fans at The Copa will never be so high, and he'll have to shut that out, to keep his focus, and that might be the hardest battle for him. He must sense that he is at the crossroads now, as far as his future as a Detroit Tiger. How bad does he want to stay in Detroit? Who could want to deliver keeping baseball alive, and hosting the Oakland A's next week more than Jeremy Bonderman, while becoming a hero to the hometown fans? He doesn't need the best game of his live, like Kenny Rogers' game Friday night. He just needs to shut the Yankees down for awhile, while the Tiger bats go to work on Jaret Wright. I don't think there's any question that the Tiger bullpen can finish the job, if the Yankees are battling from behind early today. As valuable as Rogers was last night, he'll be more valuable in Game 4, and I expect him to be at Bonderman's side in the dugout, helping him to keep his focus.
I like the Tigers chances to close this series out today. I really think it's a must win, as I don't like their chances back in New York. I think Jim Leyland will pull out all the stops in this game, and in no way is saving anything for tomorrow. Should Bonderman start out shaky, and the Tigers get down a few runs, we have a few well rested long relievers, like Ledezma and Miner, and Fernando Rodney doesn't get roughed up by the Yankees either. I expect to see Rodney at some point today, and he'll probably need to be sharp. The Tiger bats will dictate who will be called upon to work towards those 27 outs today, and hopefully, they have the poise and demeanor to rid the baseball world of the hated Yankees. It would be nice to see Brandon Inge, who is having an "A-Rod-like" series, to contribute at the plate in this one. He doesn't seem to be pressing, and perhaps things will fall his way today.
Yes, we are all proud of what they accomplished this season thus far, with most content if our post-season ends Sunday, but today, there are few Tiger fans who believe that that will be the case; this Tiger team wants Saturday's game BAD for themselves, for it's hungry fans, and for Detroit period! I sense there will be dancing in the streets, downtown tonight at The Copa, and all round the metropolitan area.
garold
posted by garold at 1:31 PM
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