MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Mr. Ypsi]

Tigers lost again.

I haven't completely thrown in the towel just yet, but I don't see how 'Miguel and the Mud Hens' are gonna stay in contention, unless the pitchers can go crazy.

I'm largely changing my focus to individual awards.  While I don't think Verlander has a snowball's chance in hell of winning the Cy Young, may he do well enough to at least get consideration.  Cabrera hit another homer today; IF he wins the triple crown (doubtful) he's a shoe-in for AL MVP - may the Tigers at least stay close enough that he has a decent chance at the MVP even if he doesn't get the triple crown.  (If current stats continue, I figure he's in with 2nd place or a close third; falling to fourth probably won't cut it.)

[Mr. Ypsi]

And the Rays finished the sweep today.

If Boesch doesn't start hitting again soon, he may as well be a Mud Hen.  (How quickly he has fallen from lock for Rookie-of-the-Year to should he still be in the line-up.  For the third consecutive day, with two on and two out in the seventh, Miguel was intentionally walked to get to Brennan.  For the third consecutive day, it worked.  Today was the nadir - Price had already struck out Cabrera three times and they did it anyway!  What a tribute to Cabrera, but what a slap in the face to Boesch!

The revival (or replacement) of Boesch may be even more key to survival than the pitching (which has been adequate, though not great).  If the 5-slot doesn't start hitting soon, Miguel may not see a good pitch the rest of the year!

[gohope]

Mr. Ypsi -

My heart goes out to you today.  I left the house with the Tigers leading in the 9th inning, only to come home to the very sad news that they lost. 

The Tigers play of late has kinda reminded me of the Peanuts cartoon with Charlie Brown pitching. 

Hang in there Mr. Ypsi, there's always HOPE!   

[Mr. Ypsi]

This one hurt more than most.  Cabrera got 'em started with yet another 2-run homer in the first, Scherzer pitched very well, and STILL they lost.

While I'm still HOPEful ( ), realistically I just want them to stay close enough that Cabrera has a shot at a well-deserved MVP - not likely to happen if they finish with a losing record.

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Tiggers are just toying with my emotions now.   Verlander pitched quite adequately (3 runs in 7 innings), but left down 3-0.  The Tigers entered the ninth still down 3-0.  A Cabrera 2-run double (that's 32 RBIs in the last 31 games!) and a Peralta run-scoring single tied the game, before a DP ended what could have been a BIG inning.  The Tigers proceeded to lose on an infield single, a walk, and a bunt/error, without getting a single out.

Starting with a day/night DH on Tuesday, the Tigers get the division leading White Sox for 4 games.  Anything less than a split, and I officially throw in the towel (so there is hope for anyone who hates these Tiger updates - the board didn't seem particularly busy otherwise ).  But if the Tigers win 3 or 4, the race is on (especially if the Twins stumble at least once or twice)!

[Pat Coleman]

Hey, I am just glad to see you eating some crow about the Tigers again. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Hey, I am just glad to see you eating some crow about the Tigers again. 

You are BRUTAL - kicking a man when he's down!

That easily could have been a sweep of the Red Sox; alas, it wasn't.

[Pat Coleman]

Hey, I am just glad to see you eating some crow about the Tigers again. 

You are BRUTAL - kicking a man when he's down!

Cuz you never kicked when you were up.

[Hugenerd]

Go Red Sox! Go Reds! (I went to the same high school as Youk, in Cincinnati)

By the way, It could have been a sweep for the Red Sox as well (that is, if Mike Cameron could do anything besides strike out, if you havent read Bill Simmons most recent article, the part about Cameron is quite humurous).

[oldknight]

Starting with a day/night DH on Tuesday, the Tigers get the division leading White Sox for 4 games.  Anything less than a split, and I officially throw in the towel (so there is hope for anyone who hates these Tiger updates - the board didn't seem particularly busy otherwise ).  But if the Tigers win 3 or 4, the race is on (especially if the Twins stumble at least once or twice)!

Sadly, I don't see either a Tiger turnaround or a Twins stumble of any magnitude. The Tigers are toast and the Central is a two horse race now so make your pick between Chicago and Minnesota. After being in Minneapolis last week and taking in Saturday night's game against Seattle, I came away mighty impressed with Ron Gardenhire's club. Target Field is a gorgeous park and the night was perfect for baseball. I was treated to the amazing feat of Twins' pitching striking out Ichiro Suzuki three times in one game. That was about as amazing as wandering through the Mall of America. I promised my wife that I would never again complain that Rivertown Mall is too big.

[hoopdreams]

WOTS is that Hope's team defeated GVSU in overtime last Thursday.  GVSU and Cornerstone???  Looks like Hope's headed to the dome!!!!!!!!(lame GR Press reference to hs football teams back in the day).

[hoopdreams]

Hope beats Calvin, both teams hit the century mark and no one comments about the game?  Does one think they may leak top secret info, or possibly aide in the scouting of teams by discussing or breakdown what occurred?  Someone throw me a bone on this!  I know there were plenty in attendance, come on... pretty please?   You don't even have to give names, general themes, teamwork, hot shooting, tough D, no D, coaches in attendance, etc.... I need a fix.....bad.

I do know that a couple incoming frosh have been coming to open gyms and pickup games, and things haven't been pretty.  If a program can escape with a down recruiting year, this may be it, because there aren't many places to fill (3 or 4) and Overway and Corey Williams will take 2.  Nothing concrete obviously, just a hunch, similar to when i gave my thoughts about Boersma making varsity a couple summers back.  That rubbed a few the wrong way too.

[hoopdreams]

completely off the summer league and recruiting horse on this one.....

To those familiar with the RDV tourney in Orlando.  It won't have a "championship" game will it?  Pre-scheduled round robin format?  I cannot imagine Hope and trine would want to play each other down there, then come back and play right away. 

A potential Hope/Calvin 4th game is appealing, a potential Hope/Trine 4th match-up, no so much although I believe they are definitely headed in the right direction.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

The format of the RDV has always been pre-scheduled games for the teams - no true tournament, and no league match-ups.

[Civic Minded]

Alright, alright, I'll cough up a little about the Hope/Calvin game...   

Not keeping anything hidden, just many other things besides posting to be done.  Calvin led by a few for a couple of minutes, and then, IMHO, Hope really shined for a while.  Hugely up-tempo game, lots of great passes for a fan to enjoy, some terrific moves by a host of players (Krombeen, Overway, Bowser, and Bunn come to mind, but I'm sure there were others), and Williams and Tanis and Bowser were pretty hot from 3.

Snuggerud and Holwerda are going to be forces to be reckoned with, although perhaps in different ways.  I think at one point they were on the floor together, which was much fun to watch.

At the 14:14 mark in the second half, Hope was up by 14.     (No, really, they were!)  Things got a little sloppy a few minutes after that, and the up-tempo pace seemed to be taking it's toll on the Dutchmen.  As we've come to expect, the game got very close at the end, and Calvin could have tied it up with seconds to go.  A couple of fouls and some hot free throw shooting by Tanis fishished things off.  I think Hope finished ahead by 2 points.  The final score was something like 107-105.  Not boring in the least.   

Now, for the other posters who were there, I beg forgiveness for any details that have escaped me or that have been remembered incorrectly.  No harm intended!