Game 32, Tigers at Mariners
Millwood vs Verlander, 7:10 pm.
When people talk about potential rotation changes, inevitably we end up hearing someone talk about how Millwood should be the first guy to go. After all, he’s 37-years-old, so he’s not any kind of long term solution, and his 5.34 ERA shows that he’s washed up. Really, though, only the first part of that sentence is true.
Millwood’s relevant stats to date: 7.9% BB%, 15.0% K%, 45.4% GB%. AL averages for starting pitchers in 2012: 7.9% BB%, 17.6% K%, 43.9% GB%. Millwood’s stuff has declined to the point where his strikeout rate is just south of league average, but he’s right in line with the norms in both walk rate and ground ball rate. Look at his career line, and this is what Millwood is – an average BB/GB guy and a slightly below average K guy. He is essentially the classic #5 starter.
His ERA is bloated by a .344 BABIP and a 59.2% strand rate, neither of which are going to continue. There’s nothing wrong with Kevin Millwood, and he’s a decent enough guy to have as an innings eater at the back of the rotation to let the kids develop down in the minors so the organization doesn’t have to rush them before they’re ready. He’s better than Blake Beavan, and at this point, he’s better than Hector Noesi, though at least Noesi has the upside to become something more than what he is now. Don’t be so quick to throw Millwood to the curb – he’s still a useful piece for this team.
Ackley, 2B
Ryan, SS
Ichiro, RF
Montero, C
Seager, 3B
Jaso, DH
Smoak, 1B
Carp, LF
Saunders, CF
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134 Responses to “Game 32, Tigers at Mariners”
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It’s deja vu all over again.
We need TWO runs, Wedge.
This is the ideal role for Figgy. Claudell Washington impersonator.
Come on Ackley!
Hey let’s bunt our best hitter so that our 9th best hitter can be up with men in scoring position…
Oh, Figgins is running for Carp.
Straight from the Wedge Book of Logic
No dp’s Ryan. Give Ichiro a chance to win this game.
I was referring to Ackley attempting to bunt
Wow, what a break.
Geez Mike, were you trying to jinx him?!
Yes, that was why we wanted Ackley to bunt – so Ryan could GIDP.
Thank you Prince!
Fielder-Glove of Stone
Detroit will be regretting that deal after year #3, mark my words.
Well THIS is interesting..
I had wondered the same thing, Steve … But types it anyway.
Come on Eech!
Okay, come on Jesus!
I really want Montero to come through here. This would cement him as a savior with the casual fans.
I think Prince’s “core” got in the way of catching that ball.
Really hope Montero makes them pay
Not a fan of this move, given Valverde’s trouble finding the zone. But crap.
We caught a break on that call.
Yeah, clearly a strike
That was a nice catch, I’ll give him that.
Geez … Great catch, Kelly
Geez, give him credit…. great catch
Wow, had to do a double-take Mike. Thought I double posted.
Really wish Ackley wasn’t bunting. Just didn’t make sense with Ryan on deck. At least the game was interesting.
Wedge sucks.
Ugh. I’m tired of complaining about Wedge, but it’s hard not to.
Is there any way that Liddi does not start at 1B tomorrow? Never mind, I know there is a way. Carp is better over there than Liddi, but Liddi can’t play left. I would have Liddi in the lineup tomorrow. He needs some AB’s and we need a Smoak break.
There’s no way a bunt there isn’t stupid. That’s not even counting the fact it completely DIDN’T work.
Ackley BUNTING!!!! to bring Ryan up? Ryan who is hitting UNDER .200?!?!?
Not PH for Ryan also equally wedgie wizard like.
-And Ryan is a right-handed hitter, so the odds were not in his favor.
Let’s continue this ranting in the new thread Dave just posted… hehehe