by Hans on October 1, 2009
Last time he faced Detroit, Chicago’s new ace Jake Peavy threw seven shutout innings, striking out eight, and taking home his second American League W. He was acquired to do so much more, but at this point all he can really offer is the role of spoiler. With Minnesota’s 8-3 win over the Tigers, the Twins are now only 2 games out of the AL Central lead with only Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s games left.
Edwin Jackson and his 94.5 mph fastball take the hill against Peavy Friday night, but Jackson’s only beaten Chicago once in 7 career starts and holds a 5.66 career ERA against them. Moreover, his second half (4.53 ERA) has paled in comparison with his breakout first half (2.52 ERA). Can Detroit rely on him to take down former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy?
On Saturday, Detroit plans to run rookie Alfredo Figaro to the mound with his 15 2/3 innings of major league experience. The last and only time he’s ever faced the White Sox was last Saturday when he held them scoreless, albeit in only 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Will MoTown really feel comfortable trusting a rookie on the last weekend of a playoff run?
So if Chicago fancies itself a solid spoiler and drops the Tigers for two in a row while the Twins down the Royals in similar fashion, Detroit’s hopes fall to one man.
This past Tuesday Justin Verlander, who has shown the American League’s fastest heater at 95.6 mph, proved his ability to perform his role as an ace under intense pressure. He threw 129 pitches over eight hard fought innings to win the second half of the doubleheader against Minnesota, saving a bullpen which had completed a 10 inning game earlier in the day and would need to throw 4 innings and 3 innings the next two nights.
Verlander’s truly blossomed this season. He has returned to throwing first pitch strikes under the tutelage of pitching coach Rick Knapp. His win total (18) is the highest of his career and his ERA (3.45) is the lowest. More importantly, he has shown that when his team needs him, he becomes the ace everyone always expected. If the hopes of Tigers fans come down to the quality of Justin Verlander’s arm, that’s just the way they want it.
Related posts
by Hans on September 21, 2009
“In case you haven’t noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven’t, the Indians have managed to win a few here and there, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar.”
Great Bob Eucker quote from Major League. But in reality, the Indians have lost their last 8 straight games, dropping 12 of their last 13. Cleveland traded away their ace Cliff Lee, handed Boston their only All-Star this year Victor Martinez, and shipped solid pieces Ben Francisco, Carl Pavano and Mark DeRosa to boot. And all this after parting ways with ace C.C. Sabathia and Casey Blake before the 2008 trading deadline. So do Chief Wahoo and his tribesmen have a reason for hope next year?
For one, centerfielder Grady Sizemore (27) should be healthy next year, fully healed after elbow and abdominal surgeries. His value at the top of Cleveland’s lineup is undeniable. From 2005 to 2008, Sizemore amassed 464 Runs - a full season’s worth (107) more than the next highest player (Jhonny Peralta’s 357).
Playing next to Grady, rightfielder Shin-Soo Choo (27) will have progressed another year. Last year, Choo got more than 300 at bats for the first time in his career and delivered, hitting .309 with a .397 OBP and a .946 OPS. This year, Choo got more than 500 at bats for the first time and delivered again, hitting .300 with a .394 OBP and an .870 OPS, throwing in 19 steals for good measure.
Throw in Asdrubal Cabrera (23) at SS and Jhonny Peralta (27) at 3B and you have four experienced, talented players hitting at the top of the lineup.
Some time in 2010, super-prospects LF/1B Matt LaPorta (24) and Catcher Carlos Santana (23) - the returns for the 2008 Sabathia and Blake deals - will be ready to produce at a major league level.
On the pitching front, which usually takes longer to develop, Cleveland is stocked with plenty of talent as well. Left-hander David Huff (25) is finishing up his rookie year. While his yearly stats aren’t that phenomenal (5.98 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP), he’s finishing off September with three straight quality starts and a 2.84 ERA. As recently as 2007, right-hander Fausto Carmona (25) was a 19 game winner with a 3.06 ERA. Aaron Laffey (24) has shown flashes of competence enough to produce a 4.09 ERA. And Jake Westbrook will be returning.
But Cleveland’s also got the likes of Justin Masterson (24) who came over in the 2009 Martinez trade, Carlos Carrasco (23) and Jason Knapp (19) who came over in the Lee deal, Chris Perez (24) the jewel in the DeRosa trade, and home grown talent like Adam Miller (24), Charles Lofgren (23), and Hector Rondon (22).
With a few smart off season moves, General Manager Mark Shapiro might have Cleveland ready for another run like it did in the late 90’s.
That will really give Chief Wahoo and his tribesmen something to get excited about.
Related posts
