detroit tigers

I can't help but read the message boards on Freep.com at the end of articles, and it seems like we Tiger fans are falling into one of two camps:

1) It's two games, chill out.

2) We're screwed and only going to win 82 games.

Here's how I feel: It's true that there are still 160 games left in the season and, in the grand scheme, dropping two in a row doesn't mean a whole lot. Nor does only scoring four runs in 20 innings. Nor does giving up nine runs in 20 innings. It happens. I'm sure it happened to the '27 Yankees, though probably only once.

Anyway, there are things to be legitimately worried about, and some reasons for optimism. First, what I'm worried about:

1) Since 2006 this team has scored a lot of runs. 5.1 per game in '06 and 5.5 last year, and how often did we see this team very susceptible to good pitching? "But Will," you'll say, "isn't every team susceptible to good pitching?" Yes, of course, that's true. But, on the other hand, we've seen the Tigers overswing a lot and make just okay pitchers look like Walter Johnson, like this Bannister kid yesterday. Granted, Bannister is a fine young pitcher, and frankly Gil Meche could be #1 for a lot of teams, but with our lineup we've got to see more timely hitting.

2) The bullpen (duh). Personally, I think Todd Jones gets to be our closer until he proves he can't do it anymore. The man's saved 115 games the last three seasons, lay off. So yeah, Gas Can Jones is okay by me. The rest of the guys scare me, although Bautista did look pretty okay on Opening Day all told, and could be a good option in the 7th if Rodney comes back like his old self. And hey, maybe Crucerta will get his visa, who knows? Otherwise, these guys do not inspire confidence. I have to believe they make a deal by the deadline.

What I'm optimistic about:

1) The starting pitching. Verlander looked good and probably would have won that game had we hit better. Kenny looked damn good. If he pitches like that all year and makes at least 26 starts we'll be in good shape.

2) Carlos Guillen. This guy can play ball, and he's going to have a monster year. Mark it down.

3) This Clete Thomas kid. Looks pretty good. Maybe he'll make Inge trade bait sooner than we think, get us another arm in the pen.

In short, things aren't as dire as they seem. And hey, maybe it's good that these Mighty Tigers have been humbled by little 'ol KC to start the season. Just so they don't get to full of themselves.