How dominating Detroit is [Archive]

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redlegsfan21

08-08-2006, 06:15 AM

I thought this was interesting. As of 8/7/06, the Detroit Tigers are the only team 40 games above .500. They are also the only team 25 games above .500. In the quest for home-field advantage, the Tigers have an 8.0 game lead over the Yankees who are 24 games above .500.

Just a few stats I noticed.

Capitol

08-08-2006, 06:21 AM

Yeah, and here's hoping for a collapse come playoff time ;)

Mattingly

08-08-2006, 06:42 AM

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/standings

Detroit has mostly fattened up on the AL Central. I'm not sure what their Interleague results were, but they're 36-14 against the AL Central, which is >2.5:1. However, they're only 10-10 vs the beasts from the AL East.

The Yanks have a winning record vs all AL divisions, but don't have as many road wins as do the Tigers.

I'll see just how good they are on August 29-31. :D We got 'em 3 out of 4 from May 29-June 1.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/schedule?team=nyy&season=2006&seasonType=2&half=1

Redfoot

08-08-2006, 06:45 AM

Mattingly

08-08-2006, 08:00 AM

I don't see a collapse, since if they play .500 ball from here on out they'll win 101 games. However, it might be somewhat of a red flag that they have a combined record of 5-11 vs. the White Sox, Red Sox, and Yankees.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/schedule?team=det&season=2006&seasonType=2&half=1

In the 1st half, the Tigers stomped all over the NL Central during Interleague:

Swept the Cubs in 3; 2 of 3 from the Brewers; swept the Cards in 3; swept the 'Stros in 3; 2 of 3 from the Pirates.

That nice run must've made up for their dismal performance against top contending AL teams.

Mariano_Rivera

08-08-2006, 08:10 AM

Mattingly

08-08-2006, 08:35 AM

Personally I do not want to go against the Tigers in the playofs because the Yankees tend to have trouble against pitchers they haven`t seen before and they have 3 rookies which should make things more difficult.
I thought that all teams fare poorly against pitchers they haven't seen before.

Look at K-Rod, the Angels' Frankie Rodriguez in 2002. He'd been snuck into the playoffs when one of their players went on the DL after the deadline to put guys on the team. This was an exception, so he was permitted to play.

His first time facing Bonds, he fanned him on 3 pitches. I think it was the next time they'd met up, Barry hit one into the seats. After this, Frankie gave Barry absolutely thing to hit, walking him on about 4 pitches.

If the Yanks face any of those rooks at the end of this month, we'd have seen them. If the Yanks get to the playoffs, I'll let them play whoever's in front of them. Just win 11 games. :)

Captain Cold Nose

08-08-2006, 09:57 AM

Familiarity seems to breed success. Take the recent White Sox series for the Tigers, the defending champs started off playing well against Detroit, while the Tigers turned the tables of late. But the true test will be how they far the second time around against Boston and the rejuvenated Yankees, very much back in the picture, and actually commanding it now.
The Tigers have a good mix, with veteran presence like Pudge, the Mayor and Kenny Rogers, well-behaved and mentoring the young pitchers on top of the younger folks. They caught on fire and have stayed that way. But their Eastern swing is what will tell if we're just looking at another Ilitch built for the season's weak schedule team.

Neilios

08-08-2006, 02:54 PM

The most recent series against the ChiSox proved that they're confident enough to run with the big dogs now (I'll admit it's kind of new for us). The Cleveland series proved their resilience.

Oh, and D-Young has been mashing since coming off the DL, Monroe is hitting everything, Clevlen's call-up adds a bat and an outfield arm, Casey adds a LH bat, Shelton is rehabbing his once beautiful swing in Toledo, and Maroth is coming back from the DL in about a month.

This is all on top of the success they've already had this year. It adds a tremendous boost of confidence that will make for different results next time they meet the Yanks and Sox.

Hopefully.

willie24fan

08-08-2006, 02:59 PM

The Tigers are a great story and I wish them the best. I admired the Tigers in the 70's and 80's and was sad to see them hit rock bottom because of their great history. They've got a nice combination of great young arms and experience from I-Rod and Ordonez.

DodgerBlue8188

08-08-2006, 04:08 PM

I will be rooting for the Tigers for the AL team.

Paulmcall

08-08-2006, 05:25 PM

This has definitely been a magical season for the Tigers. Their pitching staff is stronger than the 1968 or 1984 teams and they are winning games lately like the '68 team did.
I think the only hurdle is playing the Red Sox and Yanks again. They have been mopping the floor with opponents lately.

Chisox73

08-08-2006, 06:40 PM

racosun

08-08-2006, 10:55 PM

One thing to remember about Tigers fans this season is that we are used to a losing culture for the better part of 20 years, so just making the playoffs is huge to us. You won't see many Tiger fans bragging about this season's success, and you won't see many of us predicting a World Series win. We're pretty grounded, and there are some of us who are still wary of the success and expect some sort of deflation.

I believe they'll play much better than .500 baseball for the rest of the year, and I expect they'll break the franchise mark of 104 wins (set by the '84 champs). Like paulmcall said, it is a magical season. How magical is still to be seen. If they do win the whole thing this season, it has to be one of the better franchise turnarounds in league history, with the whole 2003 debacle still fresh on many fans minds. It's hard to believe that after that horrible season, here we are with a nine-game lead on the defending champs.

The head-to-head records against the Red Sox and Yankees are a bit skewed, as we should have taken at least three more games from those teams if it weren't for Todd Jones. He seems to have settled down for now, but I still get really worried if we don't hand him at least a three-run lead. I don't know how far we'll get in the postseason with Jones closing games. He's probably our biggest weakness so far. Any postseason series with either team will be much better than expected. Sure, the Bosox and Yanks have better lineups than the Tigers, but they also have more shakier starting pitchers and weaker bullpens, so that should even things out a bit. I can't say for sure that we'll beat either of them come mid-October, but it'll be a fun series to watch for all baseball fans.

2Chance

08-08-2006, 11:08 PM

Todd Jones....seems to have settled down for now, but I still get really worried if we don't hand him at least a three-run lead.
Raco, I agreed with everything you said, but thought I would emphasize something you said in case anybody missed it. "AT LEAST" is operative, for sure.

I love the guy, but when it's late in the game it is hard to exude confidence in him. Thankfully, the rest of the pitching staff is way above expectations this year, and he is one of the veterans who is willing to share what he knows with the younger guys. He and Kenny Rogers have been awesome in that regard.

As I said when we signed him, "Come to Comerica Park! See our Ferris wheel and our Rollercoaster!"

racosun

08-09-2006, 11:44 AM

Raco, I agreed with everything you said, but thought I would emphasize something you said in case anybody missed it. "AT LEAST" is operative, for sure.

I love the guy, but when it's late in the game it is hard to exude confidence in him. Thankfully, the rest of the pitching staff is way above expectations this year, and he is one of the veterans who is willing to share what he knows with the younger guys. He and Kenny Rogers have been awesome in that regard.

As I said when we signed him, "Come to Comerica Park! See our Ferris wheel and our Rollercoaster!"

I do like Todd Jones, just not as a closer. He'd be a good seventh-inning guy, followed by Rodney then Zumaya. I thought he was a better closer during his last stint with us, but was pushed out of that spot by another young fireballer, Matt Anderson. Anderson never panned out, always injured and then ineffective. Last I heard, he was with the Rockies, but that was last year. Not sure what he's doing this season, or if he's even in the league.

Jones is indeed a rollercoaster. I'm always telling my dad when we're watching the game, "The Tigers need a few more runs to keep Jones in the 'pen." Can you imagine a game 7 in the ALCS, with the heart of the Yankees lineup coming up, the Tigers holding a one-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth at Yankee Stadium? Talk about an alka-seltzer moment. That's when I usually get up and go for a walk around the house, not wanting to watch Jones blow another one. I can usually hear my dad swearing at the TV when Todd screws up. If he nails it down, there's still swearing, but it's more like "Well holy *bleep*, he did it!" I think many fans share that same sentiment.

sturg1dj

08-09-2006, 10:10 PM

you know what, against the top team their record may not be impressive....but do you know the last time I watched a Tiger team that consistantly beat the teams they're supposed to beat?

and I would love a championship, but it is also good to know we have a good foundation layed for the future so maybe there won't be too many seasons like the ones I have grown used to.

Verlander 23 years old
Bonderman 23
Zumaya 21
Granderson 26

Sanchez
Maybin
Clevlen on there way

and fans showing up and management spending money wisely

FINALLY!

redlegsfan21

08-10-2006, 06:21 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/schedule?team=det&season=2006&seasonType=2&half=1

In the 1st half, the Tigers stomped all over the NL Central during Interleague:

Swept the Cubs in 3; 2 of 3 from the Brewers; swept the Cards in 3; swept the 'Stros in 3; 2 of 3 from the Pirates.

That nice run must've made up for their dismal performance against top contending AL teams.
2 of the three from the Reds and 2 of the 3 from the Pirates were 1-run games.

Neilios

08-10-2006, 02:22 PM

2 of the three from the Reds and 2 of the 3 from the Pirates were 1-run games.

1-run games in favor of Detroit. Isn't one's record in 1-run games a key statisctic? Doesn't it measure one's resilience? Haven't the Yankees one like a billion games by 1 run, playoffs included, over the years?

tigers527

08-10-2006, 03:37 PM

One thing to remember about Tigers fans this season is that we are used to a losing culture for the better part of 20 years, so just making the playoffs is huge to us. You won't see many Tiger fans bragging about this season's success, and you won't see many of us predicting a World Series win. We're pretty grounded, and there are some of us who are still wary of the success and expect some sort of deflation.

Hey speak for yourself Raco, I for one am already making parade plans. I mean it makes about as much sense as the last 5 WS winners. Why not the Tigers this year? Besides 4 of the last 7 times the Tigers made it into the post season, they won the WS. How many of the other post season teams in the making out there can say, that they have that good of a winning percentage? Sure, that number goes back to 1935, but hey gotta spin them numbers, cause everyone else is a spinning them numbers out of the Tigers favor. I mean I could care less if the Tigers end up 1-6 vs the Yanks, and the RedSox, just so long as they win 4 when it matters.

GO TIGERS!!!!

Todd Jones hat trick....CYA, MVP and Rolaids reliever! Sunday at the game I got some of the fellows I sit with to begin the Todd Jones MVP chant when he entered the game. 6 strong and counting!!!!lol

Mattingly

08-10-2006, 04:55 PM

2 of the three from the Reds and 2 of the 3 from the Pirates were 1-run games.
So I presume you're saying that this is in Detroit's favor, correct?

Gee Walker

08-10-2006, 09:00 PM

Oh, for sure, the truly historic awesome teams don't win a lot of one-run games because they don't play that many. I'm sure the '98 Yankees and the '76 Reds and such probably didn't have too many one-run victories. And I don't think anyone seriously ranks this year's Tigers team with them.

But one thing is absolutely true. A good team whose strength is in its pitching will win a lot of one-run games. The Dodgers in the 60's, the Orioles in the 70's, and the Braves until recently won lots of one-run games.

And the last time I checked, a 3-2 win was worth exactly the same in the standings as a 14-4 win.

Jose Reyes

08-10-2006, 11:08 PM

. They are also the only team besides the mets 25 games above .500.

Edited :gt

Capitol

08-11-2006, 06:18 AM

Well, with Minny starting to flail, my eyes are firmly on Detriot to see how they handle the pressure of being considered media favourites as the playoffs start, even if nobody fan-wise is taking them seriously.

redlegsfan21

08-11-2006, 06:23 AM

Edited :gt
I said as of 8/7/06

Whitesoxnut

08-11-2006, 11:42 AM

The White Sox have taken 6 out of 9 from the Tigers so far this year. We have 10 games left with them and how they turn out will tell you much about how the Tigers will do in the playoffs. I myself, and while I congratulate them so far, dont think the Tigers will fare well in the playoffs. They will win the ALC, and have earned everything they have gotten so far, but when you look at their record they havent done so well against the playoff bound teams. Actually, and I dont intend to insult Tiger fans, they look like they have had a pretty easy schedule in '06.

We'll be finding out soon if I eat my words. The Tigers will have to play the Sox 10 more times, the Yanks, Boston,Twins.

Mind you if the WhiteSox flub I'll be rooting for the Tigers all the way thru.

tigers527

08-12-2006, 07:13 AM

Since this thread is going into the 1 run game thing, I think it should be mentioned that the Tigers, are as of now 3-7 against the WhiteSox. However, the Tigers are 1-3 in one run games against the Sox. With a small handful of timely hits and the Tigers are 6-4 against the Sox. Ok so it did not work out that way. Since this thread was not giving the Tigers credit for the one run wins against the like of the Pirates, I thought perhaps we could get a tiny amount of credit for the one run losses?

Besides weren't those same WhiteSox like 23-6 in one run games last year? That did not seem to hurt them. I think the Tigers are something like 20-13ish in one run games this year.

redlegsfan21

08-12-2006, 07:33 PM

I would like to apologize to Tiger fans. Ever since this thread came up, they have been like the '03 Tigers (OK, maybe not, but still).

Chisox73

08-13-2006, 12:12 PM

tigers527

08-13-2006, 03:35 PM

So far this year,the Tigers are 21-13(.617 winning %) in 1-run ballgames.That win percentage is 3rd in the AL behind Toronto and Minnesota.

Thier 21 wins is just 1 fewer in the AL than Oakland,whose 23-17 in 1-run games.

But against those "powerhouse" teams, the Tigers aren't so good in 1 run games. For example 1-4 against Chicago, weird stat...all of Chicagos' wins are 4-3 games. Not exactly dominance, however it is getting it done.

BTW- it might be a typo? but 21 is 2 less then 23.

baseball junkie

08-13-2006, 07:14 PM

Remember back in 2001 when Seattle won 116 games in the regular season and ended the season 60 games over .500? Remember how they lost in the ALCS?

Much like this year's Tigers the Mariners had a couple of young pitchers on that staff and a questionable closer.

I wouldn't get too excited about the Tigers just yet. Although I'm sure I-Rod will do a better job handling a young staff than Dan Wilson did.