Tiggers looking UP at the Royals

[RevLimiter]

If only for a day, but I'll take it at this point....looks like Trey Hillman's instilled some fight in these fellas, and they NEVER quit today. Did a lot of bunting and running as well, which we haven't seen out of this team in some time. Shoalzie, your thoughts? :twisted:

[Shoalzie]

I knew I'd see a thread about this...

Way too many LOBs, the bullpen was a letdown as feared and how often is Polanco going to go 0-for-6? Props on the opening day win...you guys are going to be pesky as always.

[RevLimiter]

Like I said, NO WAY IN HELL we'll stay in 1st place in this damn division, but I really liked what I saw today out of them and I'll be very interested to see how our starting pitching performs on this opening road trip.

[Shoalzie]

In early hopefully to spark a late inning rally...friggin' Bannister is dealing right now.

[Shoalzie]

Let the irrational early season TigerFan panic attacks to begin in the 'D'...

I want to thank the Royals for the wake up call...talent on paper doesn't win you games. KC has gotten strong starting pitching, timely hitting and near flawless relief pitching...the Tigers have gotten solid starts out of Rogers and Verlander but they couldn't wiggle out of trouble enough to hang around and the pen hasn't exactly been stellar.

O-for's out of Polanco, Sheffield and Jones...I'd say at least one of those guys need to be on the pine for tomorrow's game. I think Clete Thomas might be due for his first MLB start in left and why not throw Raburn in at 2nd.

[Adelpiero]

detroit fans are going to have many disappointed nights.

they better hope martinez is gone for a long spell in Cleveland.


Starting pitching will be Detroits undoing. Willis isn't the answer



Added more offense, left 2 borderline .500 pitchers to be #2-4 on staff.


detroit can't match up with Cleveland pitching wise.

[War Wagon]

Let the irrational early season TigerFan panic attacks to begin in the 'D'...

Likewise, let irrational exuberance rule in KC for just a bit longer. The call in shows are hilarious right about now.

I want to thank the Royals for the wake up call...talent on paper doesn't win you games. KC has gotten strong starting pitching, timely hitting and near flawless relief pitching...

And tomorrow you get Zack "The Spaceman" Grienke. He'll either pitch a gem or get hammered. No in between with this guy.

Needless to say, I'm geeked about the nice start...

[Shoalzie]

detroit fans are going to have many disappointed nights.

they better hope martinez is gone for a long spell in Cleveland.


Starting pitching will be Detroits undoing. Willis isn't the answer



Added more offense, left 2 borderline .500 pitchers to be #2-4 on staff.


detroit can't match up with Cleveland pitching wise.

For the most part, you're right. The biggest edge I give the Indians is in the bullpen. The Tigers don't have a Betancourt. Sabathia-Verlander is close to a push...they have the edge with having a #2 like Carmona though. The rest of the rotation is decent. I don't know what Willis we'll see in Detroit. Bonderman needs to make strides this year and you saw today with Rogers, he's probably only a 6-inning/85-90 pitch guy.

[Screw_Michigan]

robertson is going to make 4.5 million and rogers is cashing in at 8. that's a lot of wasted money right there.

[Shoalzie]

robertson is going to make 4.5 million and rogers is cashing in at 8. that's a lot of wasted money right there.

Rogers had a great '06...just don't know if he's going to be back to that form after last year.

Robertson...well, we had that discussion earlier. He's a decent pitcher as a #5. He's been the king of bad luck...will pitch a great game but get no run support. The days the Tigers hit for him, he decides to help out the other team.

[WolverineSteve]

Two games, 2 quality starts for tigers pitchers. Nothing to worry about there yet.

If Granderson is in there the Tigs win game one. No answer for Bannister though, dude was dealing. KC always plays us tough.

Latino laced lineup will hit when the weather warms up.

Tigers are spenders, second highest payroll in MLB. 3.5 mil. plus attendance allows such luxuries. All teams are thin in the bullpen. For the most part the guys in the middle are unknown entities. In 06 it was thought to be a weakness, it wasn't. Last year it was thought to be a strength, it wasn't. This year, who knows? But the Tigs ought to be able to outscore most teams and that'll keep them in the race at worst.

[Shoalzie]

Bagging on Detroit...real original. In related news, the sky is blue and there's 24 hours in a day.

As for the product on the field...a great opportunity today for Bonderman to show where he's at in his progression. This team needs a win and for a few years, he's been looked upon as "the stopper" until Verlander and Rogers came along. The Tigers need him to really make a big step forward in '08...I want no less 15 wins from him. Anything less and I'd consider him on the same level as Robertson...a nice pitcher but not a front line guy.

Lineup changes for today...Thames in, Jones out...Inge back to his familiar 3B, Cabrera out, and Clete Thomas gets the start in CF. Sheffield and Polanco stay in the lineup in spite of the 0-for's.

[RevLimiter]

Alex Gordon hit a 2-run BOMB off Bonderman in the 4th...it's the bottom of the 5th right now with 1 out and the Good Guys leading 2-0.

[Shoalzie]

The scoreless drought is over...Inge saves the day with a solo shot, he's had a very solid series. They hadn't scored a run since the 8th inning on Wednesday's game. Still way too many LOB's by the key run producers and Sheffield is hitless for the season and Pudge and Polanco are both below .100.

[Shoalzie]

Fuckin-a, RoyalFan...props on sweeping my overrated, overhyped team.

[RevLimiter]

[Shoalzie]

Every team will lose 3 in a row or get swept in a series...just looks uglier when you start the season 0-3. No need to panic on our end but I think the Royals can feel very good about how they played. The Royals didn't put up gaudy numbers offensively...the most impressive thing was making the Tigers lineup look stupid. I can't go away from this too upset considering the Tigers pitching was decent. I'm more ticked off that this team left guys on base when you've got a handful of guys capable of driving in 100 runs a year. Oh well...move on and bring on the Chi-Sox.

[Truman]

No smack here, Sholz...

Day 3 of the season, and you still have a hunnerd wins to look forward to...

RoyalsFan prays for another 79. Funny how cities measure success.

[Screw_Michigan]

^^^ exactly. that's why it's ok to pile on the tigers right now, it might be one of your few chances this season once shit gets rolling.

[War Wagon]

RoyalsFan prays for another 79.

Damnit Tru!

How fucking dare you pierce the aura of comfortable invincibility right now after a 3 game sweep. To start the season. On the road, no less.

Did you know the last time that happened was 1977 and that it was against the Tiggers? I knew that, 'cause my trusty KC Star sports page always informs me of these salient facts.

That's right, you non-believer... we're on a mission from God and GOD!

Dare to Dream, GODDAMNIT!

The Audacity of Fucking HOPE!

The Miasma of Myopia!

If the Royals lose tomorrow I'm blaming YOU... you fucking jinxed them.

[RevLimiter]

Hey, we all know that it's a VERY long season and that starting 3-0 basically doesn't mean a damn thing in the Big Picture, but for a team and fan base that generally doesn't see this kind of a start to a season very much around here it's HUGE. The Twinkies might blow us away 15-2 tonight for all we know, but for right now we're gonna bask in the glow and hopefully what we've seen out of this Royals team so far isn't just an abberation.

[SunCoastSooner]

Let the irrational early season TigerFan panic attacks to begin in the 'D'...

Likewise, let irrational exuberance rule in KC for just a bit longer. The call in shows are hilarious right about now.

I want to thank the Royals for the wake up call...talent on paper doesn't win you games. KC has gotten strong starting pitching, timely hitting and near flawless relief pitching...

And tomorrow you get Zack "The Spaceman" Grienke. He'll either pitch a gem or get hammered. No in between with this guy.

Needless to say, I'm geeked about the nice start...

The first time in 3 years you have said something I agree with!

Fuckin' A were at the top of the division again if only for a day! Wore my Royals cap (first time I have put a hat on my head since getting my hair back after 9 months of radiation) just to piss oiff the three Tigger homers who go to the same watering hole as I do!

I was dissappointed I didn't get to catch the final freaking at bat in the extra innings game on Monday but I was already running late for dropping off my daughter with her mom

[War Wagon]

Wore my Royals cap (first time I have put a hat on my head since getting my hair back after 9 months of radiation)

Wear that Royals lid with pride and in good health, my friend.

[Prototype]

i'm still pissed at WHB for not retaining the rights to the games. they're the only AM station i can pick up at work.

Yep, me too. Though it seems that 610 has roided up their signal, it is much better than it used to be, not 810 quality, but better.

[Nixhex]

So far Royals pitching has been stellar. Dayton Moore continues to stockpile arms in the organization. I love that he understands that great pitching is how the Royals can win in the current MLB.

Dejesus is about to come back. I like David and he should get plenty of playing time. However, I think Gathright is doing a great job in the leadoff spot and in centerfield. Not to mention he can steal bases. Something Dejesus isn't so good at. It will be interesting to see how Hillman uses these two in the future.

[TheJON]

I don't think Gathright is a permanent leadoff hitter. I see him as a 4th outfielder and nothing more. I know he's got great speed but the guy can't hit the ball out of the infield. Even with his speed it's going to be hard to hit much better than .270 just because everything he hits he's going to have to beat out. DeJesus may not have his stolen base ability, but he will hit a decent amount of extra bases and hit for a higher average to make up for it. If Gathright singles and steals second it's the same as if DeJesus doubles. If Gathright plays everyday, how fresh are his legs going to be in August and September?

But I love what Hillman is doing. Such a breath of fresh air after that retard Buddy Bell. This team looks a lot more focused and we're actually attempting to manufacture runs. Still not as patient at the plate as I'd like to see, but it's more improved than last year even in that department. Was Buddy Bell even aware the stolen base is legal?? Good to see Trey putting a lot of pressure on the opposing defenses.

5-2 start ain't too shabby. Zack on the bump tonight against the Yanks, so let's go take the series!

[SunCoastSooner]

Wore my Royals cap (first time I have put a hat on my head since getting my hair back after 9 months of radiation)

Wear that Royals lid with pride and in good health, my friend.

Thanks, and always. Like I said first time my hard ass noggin has donned a cap in a very long time.

[RevLimiter]

But I love what Hillman is doing. Such a breath of fresh air after that retard Buddy Bell. This team looks a lot more focused and we're actually attempting to manufacture runs. Still not as patient at the plate as I'd like to see, but it's more improved than last year even in that department. Was Buddy Bell even aware the stolen base is legal?? Good to see Trey putting a lot of pressure on the opposing defenses.

JON, I think Buddy Bell just came here to collect a few more big-league manager paychecks before he ejected. Funny how his "retirement" turned into a scouting job for the White Sox.

As for Trey Hillman, he came in here knowing that this team possessed players with good base-stealing abilities but no "big bats" so he's using his roster to the best of their abilities and it's showing immediate results. "Small-ball" works...just ask the '05 White Sox.