MLB 09: Restoring the Roar, a Detroit Tigers dynasty

[DeToxRox]

A Look Around the MLB: July Edition

In the AL East, the Yanks are up 4.5 on the Rays, with the Red Sox 6.5 back. The Yanks are not going to slow down scoring runs and at this point should be a playoff lock with their potent offense.

In the AL Central Detroit is 1 game up on Cleveland as the Indians have won 5 in a row making the rest of their series to start August that much more crucial.

Anaheim is 6 games under .500 and somehow they are 3 games up on Seattle for first in the AL West. Texas is just 3.5 back and Oakland at 18 games under .500 is still only 6 games back. This is one sad sack division.

Grady Sizemore leads the AL with a .356 average. Denard Spand is shockingly in 2nd hitting .346 and Derek Jeter is third hitting .339.

Chris Davis and Justin Morneau share the HR lead with 30 apiece, though Travis Hafner is closing with 29. Davis however is on the for two more weeks with an MCL Sprain so expect him to lose the homer race, at least for now.

Davis also leads the AL with 87 RBI, but Matt Holliday is right there with 86, and Mark Teixeira and Justin Morneau are not far behind that with 85.

Juan Pierre leads the MLB with 52 SB and no one is close. His speed has been a nice edition in Detroit.

Justin Verlander still leads the AL, now with 14 wins. Behind him is CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee with 12 wins each.

Verlander's 1 loss is also tops in the AL.

Mariano Rivera and Kerry Wood share the Saves lead with 33 each, though Brian Fuentes is still in the hunt with 31.

Francisco Liriano has a 2.62 ERA to lead the AL, though Roy Halladay at 2.72 is till in the mix. In third is the surprising Mark Hendrickson at 2.86.

In the NL East, the Braves are 9 gmaes up on the Phillies and are all but assured the NL East crown barring a massive collapse.

The Cubs are now up 6 on the Cards and 7.5 on the Brewers and look good to win the NL Central barring a big collapse the final two months.

The Giants and D'Backs are just 0.5 games apart in the NL West and this one will go down to the wire. SF does it with pitching and Arizona with hitting. This could be a great finish to the season in the NL.

Albert Pujols still leads the NL in hitting at .371. Ryan Braun is second at .351 and Manny Ramirez is in third at .343.

Pujols still leads the NL in HR with 33, but Ryan Howard and Dan Uggla are gaining ground with both tied at 31.

Ryan Braun has overtaken the RBI lead at 88, with Ryan Howard at 86 and Pujols at 84. Can Albert regain the RBI lead and win the Triple Crown? Only time will tell but those three sluggers are on teams battling for the Wildcard so it'll be huge to see who can do the most damage.

Adam Wainwright is tied with Verlander atop the MLB with 14 wins. Cole Hamels and Wainwright's teammate Todd Wellemeyer each are 1 behind at 13.

Mike Gonzalez has an impressive 40 saves, 6 ahead of Brian Wilson at 34 and 8 ahead of Chad Qualls' 32.

Carlos Zambrano has the best ERA in baseball at 2.03, with Dan Harren at 2.34 and Cole Hamels at 2.40.

[DeToxRox]

Game 101: CLE 3 - DET 0

I played this one and just couldn't score. It's been a problem in games I play lately. I know it's because I am being impatient but I need to remedy the situation or else it could be a tough postseason if I even make it that far.

Game 102: DET 8 - CLE 5

Juan Pierre has 5 hits and steals 6 bases, and Grandy drives in 3 to be the offensive standouts, while Jackson goes 7 strong, allowing 4 runs and allowing the pen to close it out for a must win game.

Game 103: DET 6 - BAL 3

In a game that went 13 innings following a blown save from Matt Capps, Miguel Cabrera hits a walk off grand slam to give us a 6-3 win. Porcello went 6 innings of shutout ball, but Capps blew it in the 9th on a 2 run HR to Markakis. Thankfully Miggy provided the fireworks in the bottom of 13 for another big win.

Game 104: BAL 4 - DET 3

Bondo gets the loss despire a decent outing going 6 innings and allowing 3 runs. Our offense just didn't get it done for him. Adam Everett was our offensive standout with a 2 run triple but outside of him we were held to 4 hits and left for dead.

Game 105: BAL 2 - DET 0

Verlander gets his second loss of the year only allowing 2 ER in 7 innings, but the offense only could manage 5 hits, 3 of which were from Miguel Cabrera. A tough one for Verlander but a good outing as he had been shaky in a few of his prior games.

Game 106: DET 9 - BAL 4

We get 13 hits this time, with 2 RBI from Polanco, Cabrera and Hall, a 3 run HR from Inge to provide the offense. Galarraga was solid again and the pen did their job when called upon for the series split.

[DeToxRox]

Game 107: MIN 11 - DET 0

I played this one (looking at the 0 runs scored does this shock anyone?) and had an actual writeup done and my net goes out. Regardless, we were shut down pretty easily and just couldn't get consistent pitching.

Game 108: DET 6 - MIN 3

Brandon Inge hits a 3 run walk off HR in the 10th, and we win a tight one 6-3. Miggy also had a 3 run bomb to make up our offense, which only managed 4 hits. Porcello was decent, but Ryan Perry was the star with 4 innings of 1 hit relief for his 2nd win.

Game 109: MIN 10 - DET 7

Morneau has 2 HR and 4 RBI to power the Twins past us 10-7. Our pitching faltered this time around, even after a 12 hit effort, including a HR and 4 RBI from Bill Hall. We have to get more consistent because we're in a nail biting race with the Indians.

Game 110: BOS 8 - DET 7

We score 4 in the top of the 9th to tie it, only to watch Turnbow give up a HR in the bottom of the 9th to Youklis to lose it for us. Verlander didn't pitch well but we still should've won this one, no doubt about it.

Game 111: DET 3 - BOS 2

Galaragga pitches 7 innings allowing just 2 runs and the pen holds on despite a lackluster offensive effort to give us a big 3-2 rebound win after a tough loss the night before.

Game 112: DET 7 - BOS 4

Edwin Jackson pitches 7 innings of 3 run ball, fanning 9, then turnin git over to the pen who come again for the second night. Magglio had a grand slam and Granderson added a 2 run HR to make up most of our offense. It was a solid effort that could help us get a big series win vs Boston with a win tomorrow.

[DeToxRox]

Game 113: Detroit Tigers (64-49) @ Boston Red Sox (63-50)
Rick Porcello (7-5, 3.88) vs Brad Penny (9-6, 4.32)

DET 5 - BOS 4

An exciting end to a four game set in Fenway sees the Tigs prevail 5-4 thanks to a big day from Magglio Ordonez.

Maggs started the scoring with a solo HR in the top of the 2nd, but in the bottom of the 4th Jason Bay would hit a two run HR and Youklis would hit a solo bomb to put Boston up 3-1.

In the top of the 5th Laird would double to leadoff the inning but Everett K'd and Pierre popped out to the catcher. With two out and two strikes Polanco would score Laird on a single up the middle, and then take second on a Granderson walk. Miggy would drive in Polanco with a single and then Granderson scored on a wild pitch to Maggs to make it 4-3.

In the bottom of the 6th however, Papi doubled and was driven in by Youklis to tie it up.

It'd stayed tied until the 9th when a two out rally started with Polanco getting a single, Granderson getting a single, Miggy walking and Maggs hitting an RBI single.

Ryan Perry would continue into the 9th as Capps warmed up K'ing Lugo. Capps would come in and give up a triple to Ellsbury but strand him with a pop out and ground out to end it and preserve a big 5-4 win.

W: Perry (3-3)
L: Lopez (2-2)
S: Capps (28)

[DeToxRox]

Game 114: KC 11 - DET 2

Bonderman is back to struggling, allowing 6 ER in just 3 innings. Add in 4 ER from Lopez in 1.1 IP and it was over before it even started. Hell, our offense only had 5 hits so it never was a game, period.

Game 115: DET 5 - KC 1

Verlander picks up win #15 with 6.1 IP of 1 ER ball, and Magglio had a 2 run HR as part of a 3 hit night to give us a nice 5-1 win. This was one of Verlanders better starts lately and we need him to be nails down the stretch.

Game 116: KC 7 - DET 5

Zuamaya blows the game in the 8th and we lose a series that is just unacceptable. Miggy had a 2 run HR and our offense had 14 hits but only played 5. Part of the problem was also 3 errors by us today. Just sloppy, sloppy stuff.

Game 117: SEA 12 - DET 8

Miggy has another HR and 3 RBI tonigt, but the pen imploded to give up 4 in the 9th and we lose another game we just have to win at this point in the season. We know we cannot win them all but we had a favorable pitching matchup and still blew it.

Game 118: DET 4 - SEA 2

Miggy does it again with another HR and 2 RBI, and Porcello comes in for 6 strong innings before paving the way for Zumaya and Capps to close out the final 3 innings. This was a much better game after the last two disasters

[DeToxRox]

Game 119: Detroit Tigers (67-52) vs Seattle Mariners (56-64)
Jerey Bonderman (9-10, 5.43) vs Felix Hernandez (10-8, 4.13)

DET 6 - SEA 3

Another good game I play out. I am finally back to being patient and it worked as Felix had some erratic command at times and it made it much easier at the dish.

Seattle went up early with a 2 run second, but in the bottom half of the inning Bill Hall hit a bases loaded triple to make it 3-2.

In the third we'd make it 4-2 on an RBI single from Ramon Santiago who filled in for Polanco today.

In the 5th we'd basically put it away with another RBI triple from Hall, and an RBI single from Laird to seal the deal.

Bondo would let up one more in the 8th to make it 6-3, but Capps closed it out for save #30 and we celebrate a nice series win.

W: Bonderman (10-11)
L: Hernandez (10-9)
S: Capps (30)

[DeToxRox]

Game 120: OAK 7 - DET 0

Verlander struggles giving up 5 runs in the first two innings, and we only muster 5 hits to drop a game we should've won vs Oakland.

Game 121: DET 7 - OAK 1

Inge homers twice and drives in four runs, and Galarraga pitches a CG, 1 H, 1 ER gem. This is a game we had to have. Like I said, we cannot drop these kind of series vs bad teams.

Game 122: DET 7 - OAK 4

Inge has 4 hits, with a HR and 4 more RBI, and Grandy, Miggy and Hall also drive in runs to give us another big win. Juan Pierre was also notable with 4 SB's today. Meanwhile Edwin Jackson picks up win 12 with 6 solid innings.

Game 123: ANA 5 - DET 2

Porcello only gives up 3 ER in 5 innings, but Perry and Seay also give up runs and we cannot muster any offense. This loss and a Cleveland win have put them in a first place tie with us. This is going to be tight.

Game 124: DET 4- ANA 3

We get 6.2 solid innings from Bonderman for his 11th win, and Capps picks up his 32nd save in a big win vs Anaheim. With Cleveland keeping pace we have to just keep playing that much better every game. No more time for on again, off again play.

[DeToxRox]

Game 125: Detroit Tigers (71-54) @ Anaheim Angels (59-67)
Justin Verlander (15-3, 3.27) vs Joe Saunders (11-8, 4.61)

DET 2 - ANA 1

Not much to recap here, Verlander and Saunders had an old fashioned duel that Verlander prevailed in.

We scored first with an RBI single from Miggy.

In the bottom of the 7th Vlad hit a solo bomb to tie it up.

In the top of the 8th Polanco hit an RBI double that turned out to be the game winner.

Verlander through a CG, 7 H.

W: Verlander (16-3)
L: Saunders (11-9)

[DeToxRox]

Game 126: TB 5 - DET 1

Shields throws a CG, 7 H, 1 ER game for the Rays., and Upton and Longoria go yard to give Tampa enough cushion to beat us today. A tough game where we just were shut down totally offensively. Galarraga had a nice game but still took the L.

Game 127: DET 13 - TB 6

We pound out 13 runs on 15 hits, with HR fron Polanco, Granderson, Cabrera and Inge, with all those guys have multiple RBI, plus 3 RBI from Pierre, to give us a 13-6 win. Edwin Jackson only went 4.2 IP as he was hit hard but the pen picked him up and got us a much needed W.

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: August Edition

In the AL East, the Rays have turned it on to get within 3 games of the Yankees. Boston is now 8 games back and will fight for their lives to win the Wildcard.

In the AL Central, Detroit is still up by 0.5 games on Cleveland. Both teams are 7-3 in their last 10 and are scratching and clawing every time they take the field.

In the AL West Seattle is now just 0.5 games behind Anaheim. It should be noted that Anaheim is in first 9 games under .500. Oakland and Texas are still in contention though with both teams just 4 games back.

The Rays have a 4 game lead on the AL Wildcard, 4 up on Cleveland and 5 up on the Red Sox. For the loser of the AL Central, chances are they won't be headed to the playoffs.

A couple of Indians lead the league in hitting, with Grady Sizemore at .347, Shin-Soo Choo at .327 and then the Royals Billy Butler at .326.

Justin Morneau has the HR lead with 37 bombs, but a healthy Chris Davis is just two 2 back at 35, and two Rays, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria are each at 34.

Josh Hamilton and Justin Morneau share the RBI lead with 107 apiece, and the Tigers Miguel Cabrera is in third with 102.

Juan Pierre has a remarkable 71 SB to lead the league.

Justin Verlander still has the league lead in wins with 16, but CC Sabathia is right there with 15, and AJ Burnett, James Shields and Cliff Lee are all tied with 14.

Mariano Rivera currently has the lead in saves with 41, with Kerry Wood one back at 40 and Brian Fuenters two back at 39.

Roy Halladay has the ERA lead at 2.95, with Mark Hendrickson at 3.14, and Justin Verlander and James Shields at 3.15.

Roy Halladay has an absurd 5 shutouts and 7 complete games. He is only 12-8 though, even with his 2.98 ERA.

In the NL East, Atlanta has basically won the division, 13.5 on the Phillies.

The NL Central is a close battle though with Chicago 1 game up on St. Louis. Milwaukee has fallen down the stretch and now sits 11 games back. The other three teams in the division are at least 30 games out.

The Giants have a 3 game lead in the NL West over Arizona as their pitching staff has yet to allow 500 runs on the year.

Whoever loses the NL Central will be the Wildcard this year. The Cards currently sit 8.5 up on Arizona for the WC.

Albert Pujols leads the NL with a .381 average. Chipper Jones is in second with a .348 and Manny Ramirez sits in third at .331.

Pujols has also exploded from the pack in the HR chase as he is up to 49, 10 ahead of Ryan Howard's 39. Dan Uggla and Lance Berkman follow after with 37. Just to note: Pujols had 16 HR in August.

Pujols 16 HR August also paved the way for 35 RBI's to give him an absurd 123 on the season. Ryan Howard is in second with 106 and Ryan Braun is in third with 103. Pujols has already won the Triple Crown basically.

Adam Wainwright leads the MLB with 19 wins. Rich Harden has 16, and Cole Hamels and Kenshin Kawakami have 15.

Mike Gonzalez is now at 47 saves. Brian Wilson is at 44 and Chad Qualls is at 40.

Tin Lincecum has the ERA lead at 2.11. Then it's Zambrano at 2.43 and Harden at 2.55.

Tim Lincecum has 5 shutouts and 6 complete games.

[DeToxRox]

Game 128: TB 4 - DET 3

Porcello gives up 4 runs in 5 innings and though the bullpen holds the fort down we just cannot put anything else across and we lose a tough one 4-3.

Game 129: DET 6 - TB 3

Bonderman rights the ship for his 12th win with 7 strong, and we chase Matt Garza after 3 innings with HR from Miggy and a returning Marcus Thames to give us a big series split heading into a home series with Cleveland.

Game 130: CLE 3 - DET 2

We lose this one in 13 even after holding them to just 6 hits. Thames had both RBI on a 2 run HR but Miggy went down with a day to day injury and we couldn't reproduce his fire power. Verlander was great, allowing just 3 hits and 1 ER in 7.1 IP but we couldn't hold Cleveland down and now sit tied for first with them again.

[DeToxRox]

Game 131: Detroit Tigers (74-57) vs Cleveland Indians (74-57)
Armando Galarraga (11-8, 3.80) vs Cliff Lee (14-7, 3.33)

CLE 3 - DET 2

We go up 2-1 early with a HR from Thames and an RBI single from Matt Treanor, but Hafner would make it 2-1 with a solo HR, and then in the top of the 7th Kelly Shoppach would hit a 2 run bomb off of Zumaya to give Cleveland a 3-2 lead and they didn't look back.

W: Lee (15-7)
L: Zumaya (5-7)
S: Wood (41)

[DeToxRox]

Game 132: DET 5 - CLE 3

Gerald Laird hits a walk off 3 run HR in the bottom of the 9th to give us an absolutely huge win vs Cleveland to put us back in a tie for first. Edwin Jackson allowed 2 runs in 5 innings, and Bobby Seay pitched 4 strong, allowing just one run to pick up the win.

Game 133: DET 11 - TB 5

We pound out 17 hits, and get 3 RBI nights from Magglio and Ramon Santiago, plus another HR from Thames to get a huge win over the Rays in Tampa. Cleveland lost their game and we're back in first.

Game 134: TB 4 - DET 2

We have 12 hits, including a HR from Magglio, but Bondo gives up 4 runs in 5.2 IP and we can't score plate any base runners to put us down 4-2. Cleveland would win today as well to put them back in a tie for first.

Game 135: TB 7 - DET 3

Verlander drops to 16-4 giving up 6 runs (5 earned) in just 3 innings. The pen would be decent after that but we didn't do much damage with the bats despite 11 hits and now we're a game out as Cleveland beat Anaheim.

Game 136: KC 5 - DET 1

Another game where our pen blows a decent start and our offense falls flat. We're now 1.5 games out as Cleveland had an off day so they have one game in hand.

[DeToxRox]

Game 137: Detroit Tigers (76-61) @ Kansas City Royals (64-74)
Edwin Jackson (12-7, 4.32) vs Kyle Davies (10-10, 4.33)

DET 8 - KC 5

The offense pounds out 14 hits and gets 2 RBI from Granderson, Magglio and Everett, plus RBI from Miggy and Thames to give us a massive 8-5 win despite a bad start from Jackson who only went 4.2 IP allowing 12 hits and 5 ER. Lopez, Seay and Capps shut it down for the rest of the game to keep us out in front.

W: Lopez (4-2)
L: Davies (10-11)
S: Capps (34)

[DeToxRox]

Game 138: DET 8 - KC 3

We pound out 16 hits, and get HR from Granderson and Thames, with 2 and 3 RBI respectively, plus 2 RBI from Magglio to power us to an 8-3 win. Porcello went 6 innings of 3 ER ball before turning it to Seay who pitched the final 3 innings allowing just 1 hit to earn his 4th save.

Game 139: DET 4 - TOR 3

A grand slam from Miguel Cabrera in the bottom of the 8th off of BJ Ryan puts us up 4-3 after an unreal start from Roy Halladay who pitched 7 strong, and we get a crucial win over Toronto. Turnbow gets the W and Capps picks up his 35th save.

Game 140: DET 7 - TOR 6

Despite 17 Blue Jay hits, we pull out a 7-6 win thanks to a 5 run 8th in which Cabrera hit a HR and Inge his a grand slam. Verlander was roughed up again, going just 4.2 IP but once again the bullpen was huge, as Ryan Perry and Matt Capps closed the door for the win. We are tied with Cleveland for first yet again.

Game 141: TOR 1 - DET 0

Toronto gets just one GD hit, which was a solo HR from Overbay, and we are held to 5 hits and lose 1-0. This is a tough one to swallow as Galarraga pitched 7 strong and has to take the loss. Cleveland would win and we are again a game back.

Game 142: DET 13 - TOR 0

We score 13 runs on 18 hits, including 5 HR from Magglio, including a HR. Thames and Inge also go yard to add to the 13 runs, and Edwin Jackson pitches 8 innings of shutout ball before turning it over to Zumaya to finish it off. The only bad news today is Juan Pierre is out for the year most likely with a forearm injury. Marcus Thames will slide into LF and Hall to DH.

[DeToxRox]

Game 143: Detroit Tigers (81-62) vs Kansas City Royals (64-79)
Rick Porcello (10-7, 4.09) vs Kyle Davies (10-11, 4.50)

KC 8 - DET 6

A grand slam for Mike Jacobs set the tone for KC who would also get a 3 run HR from Alex Gordon and take his on 8-6 despite our best efforts to get back into the game. We had a few guys with 3 hits but none when it counted most and we lose a game we needed to win.

W: Bale (5-1)
L: Porcello (10-8)
S: Soria (31)

[DeToxRox]

Game 144: KC 3 - DET 1

KC gets 3 solo HR and we, despite 8 hits including a few doubles, cannot manage to score anyone but the run we got in the third and we fall to KC 3-1. This is a series we can't lose. Just bad.

Game 145: DET 6 - KC 5

Verlander only goes 2 innings, once again shelled, but the pen picks him up and our offense, including 4 RBI from Magglio, come up big for the huge 6-5 win. This is one we needed but now we need Verlander to not be so bad.

Game 146: DET 5 - MIN 1

Galarraga allows just 4 hits, and Ordonez and Thames go yard. Armando had another CG effort including 9 K's and has been on fire lately. He is quite possibly our Ace at this point considering JV's struggles.

Game 147: MIN 4 - DET 3

Jackson goes 5, allows 3 ER, and then Rapada gives up the go ahead run in the 8th as we fall 4-3 to the Twins. We just aren't producing in pitching and hitting at the same times, as tonight we manage only 6 hits and it bites us in the ass.

Game 148: DET 6 - MIN 4

We take the series thanks to 3 hits and 3 RBI from Miggy, plus 3 doubles from Granderson. Porcello collects win #11 with 5.2 strong innings, and four pitchers come in to close to the door. We now enter a huge series in Cleveland down 1 game.

[DeToxRox]

Game 149: DET 9 - CLE 7

Despite 3 errors, Bondo pitches 5.2 strong, and a 5 man effort holds the Indians the rest of the way for the 9-7 win. Magglio was huge with 4 RBI while Miguel Cabrera is scorching hot with an average now at .330. This is a huge win for us.

Game 150: CLE 4 - DET 3

Verlander pitches very well but we just couldn't put runs across the board tonight and one bad pitch to Choo gave Cleveland a 2 run HR and the lead they'd never look back on. We need to win this third game.

Game 151: DET 4 - CLE 1

Ask and you shall receive. Miggy drives in 3 while Galarraga pitches 7.1 of 1 run ball, fanning 11 in the process to give another tie in first. This was a huge, huge win for us.

[DeToxRox]

Game 152: DET 4 - CHW 3

We get a good effort from Rick Porcello and we manage to hold off Chicago despite 3 runs in the 8th.

Game 153: DET 11 - 2

Miggy homers twice and drives in 6 runs and we pull off an incredible 11-2 win. This was a good effort from Edwin who despite being hit around didn't let runs across.

Game 154: CHW 2 - DET 0

Buerhle and Bondo both had a helluva game but in the end Chicago wins with 2 runs in the 8th, 1 off of Bondo and 1 off of Turnbow.

Game 155: MIN 3 - DET 1

Verlander loses again but once again he pitches great only to find no run support thrown his way. He K's 12 and has really settled down but cannot buy a win now.

Game 156: MIN 3 - DET 2

Another great game wasted by a Tiger pitcher, as Galarraga goes 8 strong but the bats don't heat up and we're back tied with Cleveland for first.

Game 157: DET 6 - MIN 5

Grandy and Cabrera hit HR and Capps blows a save, but calms down allowing the walk off single from Magglio in the 9th for a huge win to keep us tied for first.

Game 158: MIN 4 - DET 0

The offense goes AWOL and we lose 4-0 thanks to a great Nick Blackburn start. We have to be careful from here on out as Cleveland won and is a game up.

Game 159: CHW 9 - DET 8

Capps blows a save at the worst possible time. The only good news from this game is Cleveland loses so with 2 games left we're just a game down.

[DeToxRox]

The AL Central is coming down to the final two games. If we win both and Cleveland loses both we win the Central, if we win both and Cleveland splits, we have a playoff. If we split and Cleveland loses both it's still a playoff. If we lose both obviously we're cooked.

[DeToxRox]

Game 161: DET 3 - CHW 2

In a 12 inning game that saw Verlander pitch 8.1 innings of 2 run ball, it is Ramon Santiago hitting a walk off single to give us a much needed win. Clay Rapada of all people picks up the W with 0.2 IP of work. Meanwhile Boston beats Cleveland 5-0 and shockingly clinches the AL Wildcard thanks to an absolutely massive collapse by the Rays.

Game 162: DET 6 - CHW 3

Woohoo! Armando Galarraga proves to be our second half Ace with 7.2 IP of 5 hit ball, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) and getting HR from Miggy and Thames is enough to give us a 6-3 win. Meanwhile Boston eliminates Cleveland from playoff contention with an 11th inning 2 run walkoff bomb from my new hero Big Papi and the Tigs are headed to the Postseason!

[Sun Tzu]

w00t!

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: End of Regular Season Edition

In the AL East, the Yankees pulled away at the end to win 99 games and take the East by 7 games over the Red Sox. Tampa would finish the end of the season 3-7 and lose out on the Wildcard because of it.

In the AL Central it came down to the final game of the year but a Detroit win over Chicago and Cleveland lost to Boston put the Central crown in Detroit.

In the AL West it came down to a playoff as Anaheim and Seattle both finished 76-86 but Anaheim would win the one game playoff 8-1 and march to the playoffs.

The AL Wildcard went to Boston who finished 2 games up on Tampa, who were just too inconsistent in September.

The AL Batting Title goes to Grady Sizemore, who at .340 barely beat out Miguel Cabrera who just caught absolute fire to finish at .336. Billy Butler finished third at .335.

A-Rod came out of nowhere to win the HR race with 46. Carlos Pena was second with 43 and Evan Longoria, Justin Morneau and Matt Holliday would all hit 42.

Matt Holliday would win the RBI crown with 130 driven in. He finished ahead of A-Rod and Miguel Cabrera's 129, and 128 from Josh Hamilton and Justin Morneau.

CC Sabathia set the AL win mark at 19. Cliff Lee would win 18 while Jon Lester and AJ Burnett each won 17.

Mariano Rivera won the Save title with 49. He beat out Kerry Wood, Brian Fuentes and Troy Percival, all of which had 48.

Roy Halladay won the ERA crown a 2.91, with Carmona at 3.06 and Lester at 3.26 to round out the top 3.

In the NL East Atlanta won 101 games and easily took the East by 9 games over the Phils.

In the NL Central the Cards would win 103 games, barely squeaking by Chicago who finished just 1 back with 102 wins.

The Giants would end up destroying the rest of the West en route to the West title. They won 96 games and took the West by 8 games.

The Cubs won the Wildcard, 10 games better then the Phils.

Albert Pujols would go on to win the Triple Crown, and do it by dominating. He hit .361, had 58 HR and 155 RBI and had no one close in any of the categories.

Pitching wise, Adam Wainwright was the MLB's only 20 game winner, winning an insane 23 games while Hamels and Harden both won 19.

Mike Gonzalez would go on to save 56 games, 1 better then Brian Wilson's 55.

Tim Lincecum won the ERA title at 2.42, with Hamels at 2.49 and Harden at 2.62.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Sun Tzu

w00t!

God I hate Cleveland.

I think we get crushed by Boston but who knows. I didn't think we'd win the Central and I got lazy playing games so I simmed out the end to get to the playoffs.

[DeToxRox]

2009 MLB Playoff Brackets

New York Yankees vs Anaheim Angels

Prediction: Yankees in 3.

Detroit Tigers vs Boston Red Sox

Prediction: Boston in 5.

St. Louis Cardinals vs San Francisco Giants

Prediction: Cardinals in 4.

Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs

Prediction: Cubs in 5.

[DeToxRox]

Game 1: DET 6 - BOS 4

Not our best effort but we squeak out a 6-4 win thanks to an unlikely hero in Ramon Santiago. Adam Everett was injured and is out several weeks but Santiago came in and hit a 2 run HR to kick start a 6 run 5th, and our bullpen pitches 4 scoreless innings to get the win.

Detroit leads the series 1-0

[DeToxRox]

Game 2: DET 14 - 3

This was a simmed game that saw us down 3-2 going into the 6th, when we scored 4 runs, then added 8 runs in the 7th for our third huge inning of the series. Granderson tripled twice, and Miggy hit a grand slam. Add in a Thames 2 run HR and a slew of others joining the hit parade and we take a big time 2-0 series lead. Also of note was Bobby Seay getting the win with 4 innings of 2 hit relief.

Detroit leads the series 2-0

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: Mid Divisional Series Report

In what has to be a monumental shock, Anaheim is currently up 2 games to 1 on the Yankees. No idea how this has happened. Anaheim's pitchers are just getting it done.

In the NL the two series are both 2-0 with St. Louis and Chicago up. Expect a battle of NL Central titans for the NLCS.

[DeToxRox]

Game 3: BOS 3 - DET 1

Jackson only goes 5 innings, allowing all 3 runs, 2 of which came from an Ellsbury HR, and Dice-K was on with 7 innings of 6 hit ball, allowing just 1 run before turning it over to Delcarmen and Papelbon for the save.

Detroit leads the series 2-1

[DeToxRox]

Game 4: DET 11 - BOS 3

The rookie Rick Porcello goes into fenway and struggles early, but rebounds to go into the 6th down 3-1. He can't get out of the inning so Seay comes in to bail him out. Then as is the story all series, we score 7 runs in the 8th, and add 3 more in the 9th to win the ALDS series and head on to the ALCS! Polanco hit 2 HR and drove in 4 runs, plus we added in HR from Thames and Laird to give us the cushion we needed, albeit late in the game.

Detroit wins the series 3-1

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: ALCS & NLCS Previews

In the AL the Yankees turned on the switch and scored double digits in the final three games to dispatch of Anaheim in 5 where they will face the Tigers. The Yankees are loaded up and down the lineup so it'll take a great pitching effort from the Tigers to head to the World Series.

Prediction: Yankees in 6

In the NLCS it was a sweep by both the Cubs and Cards to give us an epic match up between the MLB's two 100 win teams. With Pujols straight up destroying the ball the Cards are the favorite but the Cubs have the pitching to pull off the win.

Prediction: Cardinals in 7

[DeToxRox]

Game 1: NYY 6 - DET 5

Thames and Inge hit HR, and although we had 11 hits, we didn't get guys in when we had the chance and we drop game one 6-5. Chris Davis did the damage for the Yanks with 2 HR and 4 RBI and both Verlander and Sabathia struggled today turning it into a hitters game.

Yankees lead the series 1-0

[DeToxRox]

Game 2: DET 3 - NYY 1

Armando Galarraga holds the Yanks to 4 hits, 1 of which was a solo HR by Dye, but the pen continues their good pitching with 2.2 innings of hitless ball. Magglio went yard for us, and Laird and Thames also drove in runs, but Galarraga was the story as he stymied the Yanks all day and gutted out a big win to tie it up and send us back to Detroit.

Series tied at 1-1

[DeToxRox]

Game 3: NYY 9 - DET 3

The Yanks pound out 17 hits, including 4 from Chris Davis, and they get a 3 run HR from Damon who had been hitting just .125 this post season to take a 2-1 lead. We didn't have many good performances outside of Miggy who had 2 hits including a 2 run HR. Time to bear down.

Yankees lead the series 2-1

[DeToxRox]

Game 4: NYY 5 - DET 4

A-Rod homers in the top of 11 off Brandon Lyon and we drop a heart breaker 5-4 that could spell the end of our season. Inge hit a HR and Laird continued to be hot at the dish with another RBI but we just couldn't close the deal and now must play mistake free ball to have a shot at the World Series.

Yankees lead the series 3-1

[DeToxRox]

Game 5: DET 2 - NYY 1

In a game what was a battle all night long, with only a 1st inning HR from Cano holding up through the first 8 innings, it was going to come down to just one pitch and in the bottom of the 8th with one on Miggy Cabrera hit a 2 run bomb to right center to make it 2-1 and Matt Capps put down Tex, A-Rod and Davis in order for the save. A huge, huge win and a classic for sure.

Yankees lead the series 3-2

[DeToxRox]

Game 6: DET 5 - NYY 3

Another nail biter. This time vs CC Sabathia no less. With the game 2-2 in the 8th, Ramon Santiago doubled and Granderson singled him home. Sadly the lead didn't last as in the bottom of the 9th Matsui tied it up with a HR off Capps to for it to extras. Then in the 10th Santiago singles. Granderson singles sending him to third. Polanco then singles on a hit and run and then Raburn skies out for a sac fly to make it 5-3. Zumaya comes in and closes the door and we're tied up going to game 7!

Series tied at 3

[DeToxRox]

Game 7: NYY 4 - DET 1

AJ Burnett pitched a CG, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 11 K gem and Matsui and Dye go deep back to back in the 2nd to basically give the Yankees the game. Burnett was nails and sadly for us, the hitting was not. Still we did far better then I ever imagined this season and I think we can be just as good next season with a few solid moves.

Yankees win the series in 7

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: World Series Preview

The World Series matches up the Yankees and the Cardinals. St. Louis beat Chicago in five and Pujols is just raking. That said the Yanks will prove to be too much and should take the series.

Prediction: Yankees in 6

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: Yankees win World Series

In took 7 games for the Yankees, the third time this playoffs they went the distance in a series, but Andy Pettite pitched a gem and A-Rod of all people came up with 3 hits, an RBI and 2 runs scored to bolster the Yankees to their first World Series this decade.

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: Award Winners

World Series MVP: Robinson Cano (NYY) - .400/1 HR/5 RBI

AL MVP : Matt Holliday (OAK)- .325/42 HR/130 RBI
NL MVP: Albert Pujols (STL) - .361/58 HR/158 RBI

AL Cy Young: AJ Burnett (NYY) - 17 - 3, 3.78 ERA
NL Cy Young: Adam Wainwright (STL) - 23 - 3, 2.73 ERA

AL Rookie of the Year: Travis Snider (TOR) - .271/16 HR/61 RBI
NL Rookie of the Year: Chris Dickerson (CIN) - .267/21 HR/64 RBI

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: Retiree Edition

BOS John Smoltz
BOS Tim Wakefield
NYY Hideki Matsui
TB Troy Percival
OAK Jason Giambi
SEA Ken Griffey Jr
TEX Omar Vizquel
ATL Derek Lowe
PHI Jamie Moyer
PHI Matt Stairs
ARZ Tom Gordon
SD Brian Giles
SF Randy Johnson

[DeToxRox]

Detroit Tigers Offseason Notes

- We get an 8% budget increase because of our season.

- We need a Hitting and 1st Base Coach.

- We have 96 million bucks available but a lot of young guys to resign so we have to be smart. It is a lot but there are guys I plan on locking up long term now while I can.

[DeToxRox]

Offseason: Initial contract offers to our own players

- We offer salary arbitration to Polanco and Ordonez. We make somewhat low ball offers in hopes they decline it and test the market. Polanco is 34 and wants nearly 12 mil a season, while Ordonez wants 15 mil a year at 36. Not happening.

- We offer long term deals to a bunch of pitchers, including Zumaya, Capps, Porcello and Galarraga. We also offer a lot of minor league guys deals just to keep them in the fray for our numbers to be up.

[DeToxRox]

Week 1: Resignings

- Matt Treanor signs to a 2.4 million dollar deal over 4 years. Chances are he ends up in the minors but he is a good option for a second backup catcher.

- Matt Capps signs to a 40.3 million dollar deal over 5 years. He is officially our Closer for the long term and I couldn't be happier.

- Gerald Laird signs to a 10.2 million dollar deal over 5 years. He is a great defensive catcher and can swing it a little bit. We drafted a catcher #9 overall this past year but he needs some time. Laird is a nice guy to fill the time till he is ready.

- Derrick Turnbow signs to a 4.1 million dollar deal over 2 years. Turnbow was good for us and signs a decent deal for both parties.

- Ramon Santiago signs a 7.7 million dollar deal over 5 years. He is our utility infielder and he played great in the postseason. We're letting Everett and possibly Polanco walk though so we need some Middle Infielders bad still.

- Joel Zumaya signs a 19.5 million dollar deal over 4 years. With he and Capps in the fold our back end of the pen is officially set.

- Bobby Seay and Brandon Lyon agree to deals that lock them up 3 and 4 years respectively. Both deals pay them about 2 million a year.

- Marcus Thames signs an 8.5 mil over 2 year deal. He hit 30 HR and was hurt for a month. He's our DH and can play LF and 1B.

- Magglio has declined arbitration and is now a Type A FA.

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: A look at the top 10 FA

#1 - Vlad Guerrero
#2 - Magglio Ordonez
#3 - Rich Harden
#4 - Orlando Cabrera
#5 - Erik Bedard
#6 - Billy Wagner
#7 - Coco Crisp
#8 - Mark Grudzielanek
#9 - Orlando Hernandez
#10 - Chris Capuano

[Sun Tzu]

Hell of a run Dex. I'll be following next season.

[DeToxRox]

Detroit Signings

- Armando Galarraga signs a 4 year, 35.3 million dollar deal locking him into our rotation for the future.

- Rickie Weeks signs a 3 year, 8.5 million dollar deal. He will be our second basemen for the time being though Polanco accepted arbitration so we may end up dealing one of them.

- We cave and bring back Adam Everett to 17.2 million over 3 years. Orlando Cabrera was our main target and he spurned us. Not the best option and considering we lost some big boppers this is not good for our offense.

- Elijah Dukes signs a 5.2 mil over 2 year deal. He will be our replacement for Magglio at this point. I hope for him to be our 4th OF though if we can score a bat in a trade.

- We finish off signing our own guys and Polanco gets 10 mil for the year.

[DeToxRox]

Around the MLB: Top FA Signings

- Atlanta signed Magglio Ordonez to a 3 year, 33.3 million dollar deal.

- Boston signed Orlando Cabrera to a 3 years, 32.2 million dollar deal.

- Cardinals signed Chris Capuano to a 2 years, 11.2 million dollar deal.

- White Sox signed Mike Cameron to a 3 year, 15.6 million dollar deal.

- Yankees signed Erik Bedard to a 3 year, 24 million dollar deal.

- Cubs resigned Rich Harden to a 5 year, 54.1 million dollar deal.

- Rays signed Mark Gruzielanek to a 3 year, 12.3 million dollar deal.

- Atlanta signed Coco Crisp to a 4 year, 24.3 million dollar deal.

- Giants signed Billy Wagner to a 3 year, 16.9 million dollar year.

- Yankees signed Vlad Guerrero to a 3 year, 33.6 million dollar deal.

- Rockies sign Placido Polanco to a 7 year, 71.8 million dollar deal (no idea how I missed that)

[DeToxRox]

Tigers - Yankees Trade

Detroit trades: 3B Bill Hall, C Dusty Ryan and SP Casey Crosby
New York trades: RF Xavier Nady

Nady now comes in to play RF, Dukes moves to LF and Thames can go back to DH.

Somehow the Yanks also got Matt Holliday. I apparently missed a few signings in my haste which sucks as I would've made a move, but it happened when they turned down arbitration earlier in the off season.

The Yankees now have Tex, A-Rod, Vlad, Holliday, Jeter, Dye, Davis and a slew of others. Just sick.