Time for Detroit Tigers to make some changes to their hitting and pitching combinations – MLB Update
Manager Jim Leyland is hiding himself from reporters these days. Detroit Tigers may have a large number of big hitters in their hitting line-up but they have failed to live up to the fans’ expectations.
A few days ago the Tigers honoured Magglio Ordoñez in memory of their recent past but their terrifying present continued off the field with no immediate end in sight. Against Yankees’ starter Phil Hughes, the Tigers managed to get just one hit. With the exception of Fielder, none of the left handers were able to cope with Hughes dipping fastballs.
In some ways, Tigers’ unforced errors on the field have also contributed significantly towards their poor win-loss record. Even Justin Verlander looked short of answers on Sunday evening at Comerica Park. The ace gave up a home run to the very first batter he faced.
In a post game interview, he admitted that he was struggling to find success with his usually-effective fastballs and curveballs. Even from a defensive prospective, the Tigers have struggled throughout the season. After losing to New York, they are now six games behind the first place Chicago White Sox.
"He just pounds the ball inside, and we didn't look in there to turn on the ball at all," Leyland said of Hughes. "We just kept letting him pound it in there, and he kept jamming us. It was pretty disappointing. You have make adjustments in the game. ..."
"You could see what he was doing, but we made no adjustments whatsoever. We kept letting him beat us and fighting off (pitches) the other way. That was not a good day of hitting. That upsets me a little bit. It was a disappointing."
Owner Mike Ilitch will be an extremely disappointed man these days. Prince Fielder, who was signed on for the fourth largest contract in history of the game, has also been unable to turn things around for the Tigers. Sooner rather than later, Ilitch will have to give an ultimatum to General Manager and President Dave Dombrowski.
With DH list already containing several big names, the Tigers have very limited options to work with and it will be interesting to see if they can change the course of their destiny before the All Star Break.
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