Rangers VS Tigers

[icehog3]

Congrats to the Rangers and their fans, they were the better team in this series and deserve to move on. Their offensive line-up is like Murderer's Row.

Much better than expected season for the Tigers, they gave us some excitement.

Regardless of Leyland's managing, the team (pitchers and defense) gave up 15 runs, so I think there is plenty of blame to go around. Jackson, Avila, and others left their bats in the regular season, and the pitching didn't live up to the regular season either, with the exception of Fister. Don't make Leyland the scapegoat for a team failure.

[RRocket]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Regardless of Leyland's managing, the team (pitchers and defense) gave up 15 runs, so I think there is plenty of blame to go around. Jackson, Avila, and others left their bats in the regular season, and the pitching didn't live up to the regular season either, with the exception of Fister. Don't make Leyland the scapegoat for a team failure.

It's Leyland's job to keep the game close with good management. Had he pulled Max early, the long relief could have started throwing with a LEAD instead of being behind and with the bases loaded. That's a HUGE difference, and is precisely what led to a 9 run 3rd inning.

Sure, not all the bats showed up (they still scored 5), but that's precisely why Leyland can't let the game get out of control.

Leyland blew it and in the process let a game that could have been close turn into a embarrassment.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by RRocket

It's Leyland's job to keep the game close with good management. Had he pulled Max early, the long relief could have started throwing with a LEAD instead of being behind and with the bases loaded. That's a HUGE difference, and is precisely what led to a 9 run 3rd inning. Sure, not all the bats showed up (they still scored 5), but that's precisely why Leyland can't let the game get out of control.

Leyland blew it and in the process let a game that could have been close turn into a embarrassment.

No, all the Ranger hits turned it into a 9 run inning.

We can agree to disagree, because I think more than managerial mistakes cost the Tigers the game.

[RRocket]

Originally Posted by icehog3

No, all the Ranger hits turned it into a 9 run inning.

Because a struggling pitcher was left in too long and a huge mess was left for the relief pitchers. That's the manager's doing. This was a "do or die" game and it was not managed that way.

[GreekGodX]

Originally Posted by RRocket

Because a struggling pitcher was left in too long and a huge mess was left for the relief pitchers. That's the manager's doing. This was a "do or die" game and it was not managed that way.

It is definitely not fair to blame this all on Leyland. Scherzer pitched two shut out innings before the terrible 3rd inning. Did you want to pull him after 2 runs scored that tied the game? You have to give your pitcher a chance to work through it especially when you don't have the luxury of a bullpen that can go 6 innings.

Originally Posted by RRocket

I was hollering for him to be pulled in the 2nd and bring Porcello in. Remember, this is the season on the line here and not a time to hope that Max would somehow, someway figure it out and turn it around. As usual, there was no sense of urgency from Leyland at all. It's a fatal Leyland flaw that he's way too generous and way too loyal to certain players.

Leyland blew this game. His questionable pitching decisions not only took them out of the game, but allowed the Tigers to be embarrassed.

In the 2nd Scherzer struck out the first batter, next batter grounded out, Nelson Cruz doubled, walked David Murphy, then Chavez grounded a ball that led to a fielders choice out to end the inning. You think because of that sequence he should have been taken out? If you were the manager and you're taking out a pitcher in the 2nd with a lead you are going to lose the confidence of your players. Porcello didn't really have it either, he also walked a batter and only got ahead in the count against one player (Andrus).

Leyland managed a good game, unfortunately Texas was just the better team. Are you going to blame him for the 2 fielding errors that we had as well? or like others said the cold bats?