The drivel I am reading about how the Tigers suck, have no bull pen, have just average starting pitching and have an offensive team which is overated,...is just that, plain drivel.
So, they have started 0-5 this year. I think Jim Leyland is a bit disappointed with the way they have played thus far, and yes it is unfortunate that they have already suffered a few minor injury setbacks but, I do not believe for a minute that this team is going to tank the season in week 1.
It may be that they have been pushing just a bit too hard under the mantle that has been placed on them since the beginning of spring training of the "best team in baseball" and "the team to beat". I see a lot of nervous energy on the Tiger team which is not being utilized properly. The guys do not seem to be focused on playing as a team but, instead they are trying hard not to look bad as individuals on the playing field. They are not working together very well. I have every confidence in Jim Leyland to harness that energy and tune the baseball machine. It will take that first solid victory and game performance to turn things in the right direction.
Had this 5 game losing streak happened in the middle of the season, no one would have taken notice...much. Because it is at the beginning of the season, it seems to be much more than it really is, an abberation of Tiger confidence, or lack there of.
I for one would not like to be on the receiving end of the team's frustration and angst when they finally do come out of this funk and turn up the rpm's. I am also sure there are other managers of their future opponents who are thinking the same thing.
Go Tigers! No hope lost, that is why we play 162 regular season games.
