Rolling The Dice

Submitted by M Scott Eiland on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 11:43am

With their backs to the wall, the Tigers are not going to start Kenny Rogers--the hottest pitcher around--in Game Five with full rest, with Jim Leyland hoping that Justin Verlander can stop the Cards and send the series back to Detroit for the last two games of the Series. Some are questioning Leyland's choice here, and I tend to agree. A win in Game Five would actually give the Tigers the home field advantage back, and a burst of confidence for them and their fans as they returned to friendly surroundings. Unless Leyland is afraid that Rogers is going to turn back into a pumpkin and get blasted, I can't defend this choice. Of course, if Verlander shuts down the Cards in front of their own fans and Rogers wins Game Six, it's going to set up one whale of a Game Seven, and Leyland will look like a genius if the Tigers win the rubber match of the Series and the all-time confrontation between the Cardinals and the Tigers. History will have to be the judge of Leyland's choice today.
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Wow, Really?

(#4717)

Submitted by Harley on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 12:04pm.

Hey, without all that pine tar...

Seriously. Like him or not (I don't), Rogers has been on an incredible roll. He's the one thing you want most in a playoff series -- a hot pitcher.

Verlander is young and very excitable. And when he gets over-amped, he starts to walk batters and get himself into jams. Anyone who throws that hard can often get out of them. But I'm not sure this is a good move.

On the other hand, has Rogers pitched on the road yet? Maybe Leyland is just going with the home/away splits.

“Two clichés make us laugh but a hundred clichés move us, because we sense dimly that the clichés are talking among themselves, celebrating a reunion." - Umberto Eco

I'm not sure it matters, ya gotta win three games

(#4734)

Submitted by jackson mead on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 12:15pm.

not just one. If he thinks this is thebest way to win three? he knows his team better than I do.

The bigger question is can he get his ptchers to stop throwing away ground balls like they are the love children of Steve Sax.

I'm trying to make the best out of a bad situation. I don't need to hear crap from a bunch of hippie freaks living in denial! Screw you guys, I'm going home!

The Scary Thing Is. . .

(#4744)

Submitted by M Scott Eiland on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 12:21pm.

. . .that a lot of these players *are* old enough to be love children of Steve Sax.

[Scott departs, grumbling about impending old age]

The universe may well have been created without a point--that doesn't imply that we can't give it one.

Okay, All This Talk About

(#4753)

Submitted by Harley on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 12:26pm.

Steve Sax and love children is creeping me out.

“Two clichés make us laugh but a hundred clichés move us, because we sense dimly that the clichés are talking among themselves, celebrating a reunion." - Umberto Eco

Particularly Since. . .

(#4761)

Submitted by M Scott Eiland on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 12:30pm.

. . .that particular metaphor--bad throwing and all--works much better for Steve *Garvey*--and Steve Garvey was old a long time ago: no implications for impending mortality there.

The universe may well have been created without a point--that doesn't imply that we can't give it one.

Leyland has his way of doing things

(#4754)

Submitted by Sulla on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 12:26pm.

and he does them that way without much care for the circumstances. Whatever happens, it’s been a fun ride.

"We should not tie the hands of law enforcement in the effort to bring these terrorists to justice"- Leon E. Panetta

Just a guess, probably a 50-50 chance

(#4840)

Submitted by Jay C on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 1:39pm.

Barring a Verlander meltdown -possible, but how probable?-, it's just as likely he'd get the win as Rogers, and that does give Detroit, as you say, a homefield boost for the (hopefully) final two games. And a pitcher on roll to set up the finale. But then, as we've seen this year, *cough -Mets- cough* tweaking the rotation is usually the make-or-break factor in a postseason series.
Assuming, that is, *cough -Mets- cough* that the manager has a rotation to tweak!

Umm - that Verlander meltdown I mentioned.....

(#5028)

Submitted by Jay C on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 7:59pm.

I just thought I'd jump in and post a retraction about the probabilities a.s.a.p.- First inning: 33 pitches, 3 walks, a WP, and gets out scorelessly by one (short) step.

The game has 8 more innings to go - but young Justin's gotta get it together! And soon!

See Comment #4717

(#5038)

Submitted by Harley on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 8:41pm.

For my first accurate prediction! I'm very excited!!

“Two clichés make us laugh but a hundred clichés move us, because we sense dimly that the clichés are talking among themselves, celebrating a reunion." - Umberto Eco

And check out #4840, too

(#5041)

Submitted by Jay C on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 8:52pm.

Don't gloat your kudos before they're congratulated - or whatever - Verlander may get the W yet. If so, it'll be no thanks to his fielders: Jeez, another throwing error!
Somebody butter the ball tonite?

Gloat Your Kudos

(#5043)

Submitted by Harley on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 8:55pm.

Sounds like a very weird recipe instruction.

“Two clichés make us laugh but a hundred clichés move us, because we sense dimly that the clichés are talking among themselves, celebrating a reunion." - Umberto Eco

BZZZZZT! That does NOT qualify as a prediction!

(#5061)

Submitted by jackson mead on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 9:39pm.

Sorry, but the East German and Soviet Judges gave you a thumbs down.

Just think, you're still looking forward to the joy of being correct...someday! :)

I'm trying to make the best out of a bad situation. I don't need to hear crap from a bunch of hippie freaks living in denial! Screw you guys, I'm going home!

Nope, no W for Justin

(#5065)

Submitted by Jay C on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 9:46pm.

And after reviewing the scores from the Laotians, the Surinamese, and the Nauruvian judges, I think its a "no decision" for Harley, as well - Verlander pitched OK, after all - but literally threw away the game with his error. Not a "Fall Classic" - but at least (bot 7th) there's still a glimmer of hope for Motown.

Redbirds soar!

(#5072)

Submitted by Jay C on Fri, 10/27/2006 - 10:32pm.

Oh well, we'll have all winter to chew this one over: but I guess History will (like the rest of us) be second-guessing Jim Leyland - just like Scott predicted!

[demonstrates lack of surprise at Scott's perspicacity]

Anyway, congrats to the Cards: and at least for now, one hopes, that tired saw about "The NL can't cut it" will be retired - 'til next spring at least!