Post by Commissioner Erick on May 4, 2020 22:55:40 GMT -5
Detroit Tigers (70-67) @ Chicago White Sox (78-60)
DET: Michael Mader (7-8, 5.12)
CHW: Adalberto Mejia (8-8, 3.65)
Beginning with getting swept by the Tigers in late August, the Detroit Tigers have lost nine of ten to find themselves on the very fringe of the playoff picture. They can still use a strong month to cap off a wildly successful season though, and they can begin with a revenge matchup when they visit the Chicago White Sox for tonight's Game of the Week.
The Tigers made a call to be sellers rather than buyers at the trade deadline, moving on from veteran Ian Happ and not adding talent despite a surplus of funds. Without reinforcements, the club sputtered to 12-18 record after July 31. Nonetheless, Detroit has not had a winning record in the PBA, and only needs seven more victories to achieve the club's best record in franchise history. A winning record and strong performances from their youngsters would provide optimism heading into the offseason.
The position players for the club should form a strong core, particularly the outfield. 2020 2nd Overall Pick Amari Maggette ascended rapidly through Detroit's system and had a strong rookie season in 2021 fueled by speed and defense. Maggette won a Gold Glove, stole 27 of 29 bases, and announced himself as a talented pro. This year, he turned up the volume and announced his presence as a superstar. After a 13 home run rookie campaign, Maggette has belted 39 long balls this year with 105 RBIs to go with it. He's going to finish with over 20 steals, and while his defense has slipped a little, his presence as a complete player has only grown.
While Maggette was destined to be a star as a second overall pick, he's joined in the outfield by a former 5th rounder and a Rule V selection. Raj Anu took the long route to the majors after being drafted in the fifth round back in 2017. A big swinger, Anu's glove earned him a Gold Glove in short-season A ball in 2018, but a lack of plate discipline kept him from breaking through until 2020 in A-Ball when he hit 24 home runs for West Michigan and won a minor league Platinum Stick. After hitting in High-A in 2021, Double-A in 2022, and Triple-A early this year, Anu made the jump to the majors and has combined terrific defense with terrific power. Only 24, Any should be a young, cheap, solid Right Fielder for Detroit for several years.
Finally, Detroit is set in Center Field with Jacob Pearson, who was snatched in the Rule V draft before 2022. Like Maggette, The former Braves First Round pick used his legs and glove to set a good foundation in 2022 before his bat joined him this year. Pearson hasn't been as effective defensively, but he's hit .289 with 15 home runs, 18 steals, and a strong 12.4% walk rate. It's a strong profile for a top-of-the-order hitter who can hit in front of Maggette for years to come.
They'll take on a White Sox team that is happy to see the calendar turn, not for any August problems, but rather for September cupcakes. After dropping a series with the Yankees, and losing two in a Thursday doubleheader against Boston, Chicago kicked off September with three straight wins over the Red Sox. They still have nine more games against bottom feeders in the Angels and Indians, while the Twins team they're trying to catch has a schedule littered with land mines.
Despite being red hot, Chicago will have to deal with a sprained wrist to Andrew Benintendi during this stretch. Benintendi helped do in Detroit during their four game sweep in late August, with an 8-15 series, two homers, and seven runs scored. Impressively, he's only struck out multiple times in a game three times since June 6, so he is locked in. Chicago may not want to risk injuring Benintendi's wrist further, but in a tie for the final Wild Card spot with Kansas City and down 5.5 games to Minnesota, they may not have the luxury of rest.
Questions for the GM's:
For Taylor Bettencourt, Raj Anu has a tired arm. Will he play today?
You have some offensive players that have established themselves the past few seasons. Do you feel you have the rotation to take the next step though?
You traded away Ian Happ, but experiments with Kevin M. Gonzalez at first have not worked as the youngster hasn't homered and has a .197 OBP in 76 Plate Appearances. Is next year's starting Tigers First Baseman on your roster?
For Mike Ball, Benintendi is banged up. Will he play today with his sprained wrist?
Will Benson clubbed nine home runs in August and had a big power-hitting Summer after only smashing six in March, April, and May. How big has his power surge been for you?
Shane Shifflett has been ruled out today with a hand injury. Who will man the middle infield spots, and what do they bring to the table?
TRIVIA: Before this season, who had the most Home Runs as a Rookie in Tigers history?
DET: Michael Mader (7-8, 5.12)
CHW: Adalberto Mejia (8-8, 3.65)
Beginning with getting swept by the Tigers in late August, the Detroit Tigers have lost nine of ten to find themselves on the very fringe of the playoff picture. They can still use a strong month to cap off a wildly successful season though, and they can begin with a revenge matchup when they visit the Chicago White Sox for tonight's Game of the Week.
The Tigers made a call to be sellers rather than buyers at the trade deadline, moving on from veteran Ian Happ and not adding talent despite a surplus of funds. Without reinforcements, the club sputtered to 12-18 record after July 31. Nonetheless, Detroit has not had a winning record in the PBA, and only needs seven more victories to achieve the club's best record in franchise history. A winning record and strong performances from their youngsters would provide optimism heading into the offseason.
The position players for the club should form a strong core, particularly the outfield. 2020 2nd Overall Pick Amari Maggette ascended rapidly through Detroit's system and had a strong rookie season in 2021 fueled by speed and defense. Maggette won a Gold Glove, stole 27 of 29 bases, and announced himself as a talented pro. This year, he turned up the volume and announced his presence as a superstar. After a 13 home run rookie campaign, Maggette has belted 39 long balls this year with 105 RBIs to go with it. He's going to finish with over 20 steals, and while his defense has slipped a little, his presence as a complete player has only grown.
While Maggette was destined to be a star as a second overall pick, he's joined in the outfield by a former 5th rounder and a Rule V selection. Raj Anu took the long route to the majors after being drafted in the fifth round back in 2017. A big swinger, Anu's glove earned him a Gold Glove in short-season A ball in 2018, but a lack of plate discipline kept him from breaking through until 2020 in A-Ball when he hit 24 home runs for West Michigan and won a minor league Platinum Stick. After hitting in High-A in 2021, Double-A in 2022, and Triple-A early this year, Anu made the jump to the majors and has combined terrific defense with terrific power. Only 24, Any should be a young, cheap, solid Right Fielder for Detroit for several years.
Finally, Detroit is set in Center Field with Jacob Pearson, who was snatched in the Rule V draft before 2022. Like Maggette, The former Braves First Round pick used his legs and glove to set a good foundation in 2022 before his bat joined him this year. Pearson hasn't been as effective defensively, but he's hit .289 with 15 home runs, 18 steals, and a strong 12.4% walk rate. It's a strong profile for a top-of-the-order hitter who can hit in front of Maggette for years to come.
They'll take on a White Sox team that is happy to see the calendar turn, not for any August problems, but rather for September cupcakes. After dropping a series with the Yankees, and losing two in a Thursday doubleheader against Boston, Chicago kicked off September with three straight wins over the Red Sox. They still have nine more games against bottom feeders in the Angels and Indians, while the Twins team they're trying to catch has a schedule littered with land mines.
Despite being red hot, Chicago will have to deal with a sprained wrist to Andrew Benintendi during this stretch. Benintendi helped do in Detroit during their four game sweep in late August, with an 8-15 series, two homers, and seven runs scored. Impressively, he's only struck out multiple times in a game three times since June 6, so he is locked in. Chicago may not want to risk injuring Benintendi's wrist further, but in a tie for the final Wild Card spot with Kansas City and down 5.5 games to Minnesota, they may not have the luxury of rest.
Questions for the GM's:
For Taylor Bettencourt, Raj Anu has a tired arm. Will he play today?
You have some offensive players that have established themselves the past few seasons. Do you feel you have the rotation to take the next step though?
You traded away Ian Happ, but experiments with Kevin M. Gonzalez at first have not worked as the youngster hasn't homered and has a .197 OBP in 76 Plate Appearances. Is next year's starting Tigers First Baseman on your roster?
For Mike Ball, Benintendi is banged up. Will he play today with his sprained wrist?
Will Benson clubbed nine home runs in August and had a big power-hitting Summer after only smashing six in March, April, and May. How big has his power surge been for you?
Shane Shifflett has been ruled out today with a hand injury. Who will man the middle infield spots, and what do they bring to the table?
TRIVIA: Before this season, who had the most Home Runs as a Rookie in Tigers history?
