Well That Sucked

I really debated even putting up a post tonight after this game. What a stinker!! At least I was able to catch the season premiere of Dexter at midnight, so the downright terribleness of that game washed away quickly.

There isn’t much else to say about a game like that other than, move on to the next one. At least it wasn’t a game that would rip your heart out with a blown lead in the 9th or something. In fact, the only thing that would rip your heart out in this game, is if you’re a Curtis Granderson fan and still upset he is playing for the Yankees. Dude was sticking it to his ex-teammates tonight.

Here is the good thing. There is a next one for the Tigers on Thursday when Doug Fister takes on Ivan Nova in Yankee Stadium. Nova has probably been the most impressive starter of the series, however, so the Tigers are going to have their work cut out for them. All hands will be on deck for both clubs, since there is no point saving anybody for a tomorrow that won’t be there if they lose. Given that, I don’t see an advantage anywhere for either team.

Well, that is kind of a lie.

The Yankees offense is clearly clicking better than the Tigers right now. There are guys struggling all over the Tigers lineup, the most noticeable being Tigers All-Star catcher Alex Avila. Avila is 0-12 in the series, and other guys like Austin Jackson, Wilson Betemit, and Victor Martinez are struggling a little bit as well. Even Miguel Cabrera is hitting just .250 in the series.

After taking a beating in game 4, I think it is going to be important for the Tigers to get out to an early lead in game 5. It’s not that the Tigers can’t come from behind, but it is extremely difficult considering the back end of their bullpen is dominant, and extremely well rested. Essentially, Thursday becomes a 6 or 7 inning game from Nova if the Yankees have the lead.

The Tigers have one game left against the Yankees this year no matter what. One game that decides if they go on to Texas, or if there season is over. Given how this team has responded this year, I like the Tigers chances to figure out a way to get a win.