Francisco Rodriguez (L,1-3; BS,3) after yesterday's action. It is that Brad Ausmus doesn't have a clue or he doesn't have a reliable alternative?
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL TEAM W L PCT. GB Cleveland 16 13 .552 - Minnesota 15 13 .536 ? Chi. White Sox 15 14 .517 1 Detroit 15 14 .517 1 Kansas City 10 19 .345 6
In my opinion its a case of both, but what gets me is the praising of K-Rod instead of looking for a viable option. That's where I put the blame square on Ausmus. I hope Brad and K-Rod both prove me wrong, but games are just as important now as the are in September and October.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL TEAM W L PCT. GB Cleveland 17 13 .567 - Minnesota 15 14 .517 1? Chi. White Sox 15 15 .500 2 Detroit 15 15 .500 2 Kansas City 10 20 .333 7
OAKLAND, Calif. -- At some point before the Detroit Tigers next take the field on Tuesday in Arizona, it seems likely that manager Brad Ausmus will sit down with Francisco Rodriguez and break the news that he is no longer the team's closer. Ausmus didn't say as much after Sunday's loss to the Oakland Athletics, but he didn't have to.? The decision is easy. That should be apparent to everyone, even K-Rod himself. It's the conversation that will be hard. "He certainly has earned a degree of respect with his performance over the years, even with what he did last year," Ausmus said. "So it's not cut-and-dry.? Francisco Rodriguez could lose closer's job after blowing 2nd save in a row "He's not closing out games, which is something he's done for a decade. I think it's pretty obvious that it's not the same Frankie," Ausmus said. Ausmus has defended Rodriguez resolutely during his struggles this year, because that's what managers do. But after back-to-back blown saves this weekend in Oakland, the loyalty can only go so far. Unlike early in the season, the Tigers have better options available. They don't currently have a bullpen problem; they have a K-Rod problem. Justin Wilson can slot into the ninth inning role, with Alex Wilson and Shane Greene working as set-up men. Blaine Hardy has earned the right to get late-inning work as well. There are other options (Bruce Rondon, Joe Jimenez, Arcenio Leon) in Toledo who could contribute at some point in 2017. When Ausmus announces this move, there's a good chance Rodriguez's demotion will be described as temporary, simply a chance for him to sort things out. Diplomatic, face-saving language will be used.? Rodriguez will be disappointed, but respond professionally, even though he made clear he wants to keep the job.? "Obviously the numbers I've ?put up the last six weeks have been horrible," Rodriguez said Sunday night. "At the end of the day, I just hope they don't give up, because I don't want to be judged on the last 10 outings of my career for what I have done for 15 years. I'm confident that I'm going to bounce back." (Mlive)
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL TEAM W L PCT. GB Cleveland 17 14 .548 - Minnesota 15 14 .517 1 Chi. White Sox 15 15 .500 1? Detroit 15 15 .500 1? Kansas City 11 20 .355 6
Tigers Justin Verlander (R) @ Diamondbacks Robbie Ray (L) __________________9:40pm et start 1. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B 2. Jose Iglesias (R) SS 3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 1B 4. Nicholas Castellanos (R) 3B 5. Justin Upton (R) LF 6. Mikie Mahtook (R) RF 7. James McCann (R) C 8. Andrew Romine (S) CF 9. Justin Verlander (R) P _____________________________ 1. A.J. Pollock (R) CF 2. David Peralta (L) RF 3. Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B 4. Jake Lamb (L) 3B 5. Yasmany Tomas (R) LF 6. Brandon Drury (R) 2B 7. Chris Owings (R) SS 8. Jeff Mathis (R) C 9. Robbie Ray (L) P
Tigers Matthew Boyd (L) @ Diamondbacks Zack Godley (R) _____________________9:40pm et start 1. Andrew Romine (S) 2B 2. Tyler Collins (L) CF 3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 1B 4. Nicholas Castellanos (R) 3B 5. Justin Upton (R) LF 6. Jim Adduci (L) RF 7. James McCann (R) C 8. Jose Iglesias (R) SS 9. Matthew Boyd (L) P ________________________________ 1. A.J. Pollock (R) CF 2. Chris Owings (R) RF 3. Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B 4. Jake Lamb (L) 3B 5. Yasmany Tomas (R) LF 6. Brandon Drury (R) 2B 7. Chris Iannetta (R) C 8. Nick Ahmed (R) SS 9. Zack Godley (R) P
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL TEAM W L PCT. GB Cleveland 18 14 .562 - Minnesota 16 14 .533 1 Detroit 16 15 .516 1? Chi. White Sox 15 16 .484 2? Kansas City 12 20 .375 6
Tigers Michael Fulmer (R) @ Angels JC Ramirez (R) ______________________10:07pm et start 1. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B 2. Nicholas Castellanos (R) 3B 3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 1B 4. Victor Martinez (S) DH 5. Justin Upton (R) LF 6. Jim Adduci (L) RF 7. Tyler Collins (L) CF 8. James McCann (R) C 9. Jose Iglesias (R) SS _______________________ 1. Yunel Escobar (R) 3B 2. Kole Calhoun (L) RF 3. Mike Trout (R) DH 4. Albert Pujols (R) 1B 5. Cameron Maybin (R) CF 6. Ben Revere (L) LF 7. Martin Maldonado (R) C 8. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS 9. Cliff Pennington (S) 2B
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL TEAM W L PCT. GB Cleveland 18 15 .545 - Minnesota 16 14 .533 ? Detroit 16 16 .500 1? Chi. White Sox 15 16 .484 2 Kansas City 13 21 .382 5?
Tigers Jordan Zimmermann (R) @ Angels Matt Shoemaker (R) __________________________10:07pm et start 1. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B 2. Nicholas Castellanos (R) 3B 3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 1B 4. Victor Martinez (S) DH 5. Justin Upton (R) LF 6. J.D. Martinez (R) RF 7. Alex Avila (L) C 8. Andrew Romine (S) CF 9. Jose Iglesias (R) SS
Tigers take it on the chin - losing to the Angels by a final score of 7-0. This pattern of win one - lose one needs to be replaced by a nice winning streak.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL TEAM W L PCT. GB Minnesota 18 14 .562 - Cleveland 18 16 .529 1 Detroit 17 17 .500 2 Chi. White Sox 15 18 .455 3? Kansas City 14 21 .400 5?
