2008 Woodie Awards
Game On
Where is the bullpen?
Joshua Charles
Issue date: 5/7/07 Section: Sports
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While many fans have been focusing on the Pistons and Red Wings in the midst of another playoff run, there have been some that have been able to keep a watchful eye on the Detroit Tigers as well.
The Tigers have high expectations this year and although there are roughly 140 games left in this young season, the start they have gotten off to is nothing short of a disappointment.
The staple of the Tigers' last season was the high level of play that the bullpen offered in relief of the starting pitchers; this year, not so much.
I don't want to quote Marvin Gaye but, "What's going on?"
The players who were most responsible for the team's miraculous turnaround last year and the players that need to hold it together if they plan on having a say come October have struggled terribly.
As it stands today the Tigers are 16-11 and are two games behind the Cleveland Indians for first place in the central division.
Last year on May 4 the Tigers were 19-10 and one game behind the Chicago White Sox for first, except at that time no one knew what the Tigers were capable of.
Now we do.
By acquiring Gary Sheffield in the off-season via trade with the New York Yankees, the Tigers appeared to be the odds-on favorite to make it back to the World Series.
With Sheffield and the offense garnering all the press, the bullpen wasn't so lucky.
The middle relief for the Tigers took a hard hit when they were unable to resign sure-handed reliever Jamie Walker.
Last season for the Tigers the left handed Walker gave the bullpen the option of bringing in a lefty for certain situations. Now the Tigers typically look to flamethrower Joel Zumaya or change up specialist Fernando Rodney.
The Tigers still have lefties Wilfredo Ledezma and Bobby Seay, but neither gives the bullpen the consistency it had with Walker.
Walker compiled a 0-1 record in 56 appearances of relief with a 2.81 earned run average (ERA).
This year for the Baltimore Orioles, Walker has compiled a record of 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 15 games, but what's most impressive about Walker this season is his batting average against.
The Tigers have high expectations this year and although there are roughly 140 games left in this young season, the start they have gotten off to is nothing short of a disappointment.
The staple of the Tigers' last season was the high level of play that the bullpen offered in relief of the starting pitchers; this year, not so much.
I don't want to quote Marvin Gaye but, "What's going on?"
The players who were most responsible for the team's miraculous turnaround last year and the players that need to hold it together if they plan on having a say come October have struggled terribly.
As it stands today the Tigers are 16-11 and are two games behind the Cleveland Indians for first place in the central division.
Last year on May 4 the Tigers were 19-10 and one game behind the Chicago White Sox for first, except at that time no one knew what the Tigers were capable of.
Now we do.
By acquiring Gary Sheffield in the off-season via trade with the New York Yankees, the Tigers appeared to be the odds-on favorite to make it back to the World Series.
With Sheffield and the offense garnering all the press, the bullpen wasn't so lucky.
The middle relief for the Tigers took a hard hit when they were unable to resign sure-handed reliever Jamie Walker.
Last season for the Tigers the left handed Walker gave the bullpen the option of bringing in a lefty for certain situations. Now the Tigers typically look to flamethrower Joel Zumaya or change up specialist Fernando Rodney.
The Tigers still have lefties Wilfredo Ledezma and Bobby Seay, but neither gives the bullpen the consistency it had with Walker.
Walker compiled a 0-1 record in 56 appearances of relief with a 2.81 earned run average (ERA).
This year for the Baltimore Orioles, Walker has compiled a record of 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 15 games, but what's most impressive about Walker this season is his batting average against.
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