The Tigers are very lucky. The Tigers are fortunate tonight because Michigan basketball had probably the most important game of all time, and I spent most of my night emotionally focused on it. If not for that, I’d be spending a lot of time here being extremely critical of what I saw on Monday night from this ball club.
Look, we’re only 10 games in. I’m not hitting the panic button. They have the greatest pitcher in the world on the mound tomorrow. There are still things to like. Before the season, I predicted 93 wins, and I’m sticking with it. Here’s the problem: losing games is inevitable. Last I checked, there’s not a single Major League Baseball team that’s ever gone 162-0. What I’m tired of is the sloppiness.
This is another game where Detroit dropped fly balls, made fundamental mistakes, couldn’t finish innings, and while it wasn’t necessarily their fault, they had a huge out on the base pads when it seemed like they were on the verge of potentially making a comeback. These are things that can’t happen against bad teams, and they sure as hell aren’t things that can happen against good teams. You’re lucky that Minnesota is the former, or Detroit would’ve gotten blown out tonight.
The positives that I’ve talked about to begin this season were there tonight. Colt Keith looks really good. Kevin McGonigle is putting together excellent at-bats. I wish someone would let Riley Greene know the season has started. I’m not ready to go on this rant, but the more I watch this team, the more I think to myself that Al Avila left Scott Harris with some talent; he didn’t leave him with any stars. Riley Greene doesn’t look like he knows there’s a baseball game going on half the time. When I’m feeling better in high-leverage situations about Zach McKinstry, I think it’s a sign that you’re supposed “stars,” simply aren’t delivering.
Detroit is back at it tomorrow in the second game of the series against the Twins. Tarik Skubal will once again be asked to save the Tigers going up against Taj Bradley.