I have decided to take a different approach to this post. Instead of writing the most recent frustrations of how this season has started, I am going to try something different. Somewhat of a glass half full/glass half empty atttitude in breaking down their play and all around happenings, so as not to only focus on the negatives, but put a positive spin on a similar situation.
Glass half full: Tigers have been able to pull at least a split in their last three series (2-0 versus the Twins, 1-1 against the Tribe and a 2-2 split with the Jays) taking that first step to respectability en route to playing plus .500 ball the rest of the way.
Glass half empty: The Tigers can’t put a long enough streak together to get them out of the cellar of the Central, as they are still 6 games under the .500 mark 20 games into the season.
Glass half full: Big ups to Armando Galarraga (the surprise starter when the D-Train went on the DL) on his first two impressive starts with the Big Club, boasting a record of 2-0 to go along with an ERA of 1.50, 10 K’s and only 4 BB’s.
Glass half empty: Big downs to the rest of the rotation. They should be ashamed of what they have ”achieved” to this point, by going a combined 2-10, 6.48 ERA, 54 K’s and a whopping 53 BB’s! YIKES!
Glass half full: The bats are starting to wake up, as you see certain things that you didn’t see in that first week and a half. A string of 8-12 hit games, rallies, and improved patience at the plate when it matters putting players in scoring position and cashing them in to put up important runs on the board.
Glass half empty: Regulars such as the usually dependable Placido Polanco, Jacque Jones and Gary Sheffield are all struggling to shake off the rust, all hitting well below their career averages and battling the dreaded Mendoza line. While Polanco and Sheff can be argued that they have been grinding out through injuries, it has been a big disappointment to the start of the season.
Glass half full: Edgar Renteria looks to be a solid defensive anchor at short. While his range isn’t anything like Carlos Guillen’s, he has a much more confident approach that allows him to read a play much better and has yet to boot a ball where Carlos may have had four or five already at this stage.
Glass half empty: With the exception of the jack of all trades Brandon Inge (who has yet to make an error while playing three positions) the rest of the defense has been shaky at best. The always reliable Polanco had back to back games with an error, while Miguel Cabrera has been scary at times duffing routine ground balls all the while racking up five errors in a meek 50 opportunities for a .900 fielding percentage.
Glass half full: What I feel will be a big boost and potential catalyst to this teams turnaround, Curtis Granderson is set to return sometime this week after starting the season on the DL. His 30/20/20/20 ability at the top of the order will change the way the Tigers play. (another left-handed bat won’t hurt either) The spark that Granderson has by kicking off a game with an extra base hit, will give the Tigers a huge boost in their turnaround.
Glass half empty: With Sheff’s shoulder acting up, Polanco and his aching back, Willis struggling with command as well as the issue with his knee, Rodney not having a clue as to when he can return and Zumaya still a long ways away, will this teams injury concerns constantly hinder their ascending abilities?
This is a lot to absorb I’m sure, but at least things aren’t all negative. Needless to say, Leyland’s got himself quite a job ahead of him and how the Tigers respond to his challenges to play better will definitely determine how much liquor is in his glass…..and whether his glass is indeed half full, or half empty.
