I Can See The Tape

Rob Sanford

If you had the power to pick when a team should get hot....it would be right now.  With the end of the season in sight...the Tigers have gotten better instead of folding. I've heard some people saying they're worried about "peaking" too soon.  Like the great baseball gods have decided a team is allowed to win only so many games. Please....I bet you don't step on sidewalk cracks 'cause you don't want to break your mother's back.

As we near the playoffs...the question of who makes the post season roster becomes a topic of conversation. I don't think there's a question that pitcher Brad Penny has thrown his way out of consideration. He has shown he can't be reliable..although he's still able to throw in the mid-90's. I'm cool with the starting staff being Verlander, Scherzer and Fister. As for position players....I don't see a role for Carlos Guillen..who has played a little or no part of the stretch run.

Finally...I know it's "fashionable" to be critical of Jim Leyland...but I have to say his unorthodox line up changes have proven to be a big factor in the Tigers late charge. While other teams have driven their "horses" into the ground....the Bengals have a strong team with rested players and every one contributing. It's no accident.