Is The Season Already Lost??

Rob Sanford

I'm no genius..but my calendar says we're heading into June not September. The Boston Red Sox and the St Louis Cardinals proved last season that you can both win or lose a playoff berth in the span of a few weeks. The Tigers offense was supposed to carry them and overcome what most felt was a leaky defense. But I don't think anyone could have predicted how badly the defense would play. It's not so much the team is missing the spectacular plays but rather it's the routine stuff that keeps tripping them up. The failure to catch throws at first by Prince Fielder...the inability at times to turn the double play....or misjudging line drives. These are all things that have come back to bite the Tigers at times.

I really don't have any facts to back this up, but I believe the club is on the verge of becoming the team that can score runs. Over the past week or so I'm seeing better swings on the ball, and more patience at the plate. Of course , on any given day or night that can change depending on who is on the mound but it looks like the confidence is returning. But then again, I still believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.

The play of Quintin Berry has been a surprise. His speed makes a lot of difference and seems to be able to get on base  regularly. Yes, it will be interesting to see what the team will do when Austin Jackson comes back...but in my mind there is no question. Jackson was having a good season and his glove is oh so valuable in centerfield..so it's a no-brainer that he should regain his spot.

Ok, ok...I have some patience but it's not unlimited. The time has come to stop believing that some how the light will go on for Ryan Raburn and he'll start hitting like he did in the 2nd half of the year last season. Oh, and am I the only one on the planet that can see him as a defensive liability at any position he plays? Obviously, he's not the only reason the team has struggled, but you have to start somewhere.