Jim Leyland expecting Jose Valverde to bounce back – MLB Detroit Tigers News
According to a leading sports website, Detroit Tigers’ Manager Jim Leyland is expecting his star pitcher Jose Valverde to regroup and bounce back. Closer Valverde had a forgettable time in the playoffs. He blew the save in Tigers’ Game 1 of American League
Championship Series, giving up back-to-back home-runs in the ninth inning.
Earlier in an American League Division Series against the Oakland Athletics, Valverde leaked crucial runs which allowed the A’s an opening to get back into the series. However, the Tigers’ were lucky as they went on to win both playoff series.
Valverde was short of confidence and he was replaced by Phil Coke in Game 4 of ALCS. However, Leyland is convinced that Valverde is capable of putting up a better show. He is backing the youngster and it will be interesting to see if the move pays off.
''Sometimes the biggest out is in the seventh inning or eighth inning, not always in the ninth inning,'' Leyland said during the series against New York. ''That's why when you start going by committee, that's what 'committee' means. You say, 'This is the
most important out I have to get. I will use my bullet now and take my chances later.'''
''To me, you've got to pinch hit in the National League cities, you're going to have to use your pitchers, so if you get behind, that's just the way it is,'' Leyland said.
The source further added that Valverde has already started to take part in training sessions. He threw a few pitches during the workouts on Saturday afternoon. When asked about his current situation, Valverde stated that he is feeling optimistic ahead of
Tigers’ best of seven games World Series clash against the NLCS winner.
In his three years tenure with the Tigers, Valverde has given some impressive results. Showing great mental toughness, Valverde did not blow a single save through all of 2011. He will be looking to learn from his mistakes to put things back on track. By
repairing the weaker link in the pitching rotation, the Tigers will certainly improve their chances of winning the World Series title.
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