Forum: blurb
Page 581
Subject: Daily Blurb - October 3, 2012


  Posted by: Guru - [330592710] Wed, Oct 03, 2012, 11:37

Quote of the day
"I've not made the decision, but I will. I'm going to think about it tonight. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do. If he wants to play, then he'll play." -- Detroit manager Jim Leyland, on whether he’ll start Miguel Cabrera in the final game of the season. Cabrera leads in the triple crown rankings by .007 BA, 1 HR, and 11 RBI

Daily blurb
Detroit plays in the final game of the AL tonight, with the game starting at 8:10 ET. Josh Hamilton’s game starts at 3:35 ET, and Mike Trout starts at 6:40 ET, so it’s likely that Jim Leyland will know before the game starts whether Miguel Cabrera needs any hits or HRs to claim the Triple Crown. And if Cabrera does start, he should know whether an early exit from the game could lock it in. So the decision to start or not to start Cabrera isn’t likely to entail much risk.

The postseason MLB teams are all set. Texas and Oakland will decide who wins the AL West and who gets the wild card, mano a mano. The Yankees and Baltimore could conceivably need one extra game to settle the same issue in the AL East, although Boston seems to be incapable of putting the Yankees away, and the Yankees have a one-game lead. The Nationals and Reds still have to settle the eventual NL home field advantage, although no extra game will be required if they tie, as Washington owns the tiebreaker. And I think those three issues are all that remain to be settled.

 
1Kyle
      Sustainer
      ID: 052753312
      Wed, Oct 03, 2012, 12:19
If Cabrera sits because he knows he has the triple crown locked up it will be disappointing and I think it should be counted against him in the MVP voting.

In 1967 Yas played the entire game. Granted he was tied with Killebrew for HRs and they were playing the Twins that game, but still. He went 4-4 with an RBI during the game. He came into the game 8 points up in batting average and up 7 RBI so I guess that wasn't a fear. I'd compare Cabrera sitting to Ted Williams going for .400 in '41. He was asked when sitting at .400 if he wanted to sit the double header that was coming up, he said no and finished the season at .406

He should play regardless, but I hope Hamilton hits 2 HRs so he has to play.
 
2Perm Dude
      ID: 56832185
      Wed, Oct 03, 2012, 12:27
The Tigers have the playoffs to worry about. I'm guessing he plays a single AB or two and that's it.

Not that the Rangers don't either, but the Tigert are in the playoffs for the second year in a row--the first time since the 1930's believe it or not. I think the Tigers feel the playoff run is as important as whether Cabrera wins the Triple Crown by default.
 
3weykool
      ID: 8657121
      Wed, Oct 03, 2012, 14:11
In order for Trout to catch Cabrera he would have to go 6 for 6.
If Miguel plays and goes 0 for 4 Trout would need to go 4 for 4.
Hamilton trails in RBI's by 11 so the only stat that seems to be in question is if Hamilton hits a pair of HR's.
It would be a stretch to claim he is sitting to secure the triple crown.
Sitting to get ready for the playoffs shouldnt be counted against him in the MVP voting.
 
4Perm Dude
      ID: 3210201915
      Wed, Oct 03, 2012, 23:22
Granderson certainly gave it a try, didn't he? Good finish.