Let's talk about...

As the previous post mentioned, all anyone can talk about is Miggy's quest for the triple crown.  Sometimes, the commentators will mix it up and talk about how many combine hits or RBIs Miggy and the Prince have.  Here's two people that should get more talk time:

1. Dirty Dirks- Sure, he missed two months of the season, but he is hitting .320 in 86 games with 18 doubles and 35 RBIs.  How are we not talking about this guy?  If those were his numbers have way through the season (about what 86 games would be) he'd be up for an All Star team.  Instead, Smokes has him batting 6th or 7th most games and sometimes plays BBoesch over him.  Wake up folks, coming off his heroic efforts in winter ball (see here), Dirty Dirks has put together a great season.  Consider he played 78 games with the big club last year after being bumped around between Toledo and DTown and only batted .251.  Take notice world, I think Dirty Dirks is playoff ready.

2. Drew Smyly- Rario made some comment about how surprised they were with Guy's performance on Friday.  No one here at the Tigress (either myself or Magglio, the kitty) was surprised at all!  Smyly won the coveted 5th starter spot out of spring training and was dazzling in his first few starts.  In fact, I'm going to direct you to a past Tigress post.  Just know Guy, I've been in your corner since April and I'm pretty sure Cousin Tigress was with you way back on St. Patty's Day.

One more game to clinch.  Let's hope it's tomorrow.  Scratch that, it WILL be tomorrow.

Stress

The Tigress has been under a little stress lately.  Everyone has those periods of their life.  What's not helping, is watching El Diablo (Benoit) and Papa Potato in the 8th and 9th, trying to give up a 6 run lead the Tigers have built.  I felt JV's pain when he walked into the clubhouse.  He was pitching a shut out into the 8th, and an error was the only reason someone got on base!  Suddenly, the game was slipping away before his eyes.  I'd be stressed too.
 

Someone else feeling stress is Cabby.  All any announcer, especially my good friends at Fox, can do is talk about the Triple Crown. The pressure to perform... soon-to-be Mr. Tiger says Miggy needs to pop a Viagra and get over it.  Miggy has resorted to wearing his eye black all crazy to try and break the tension he is feeling.  In fact, his eye black is similar to Bryce Harper's.  In honor of Bryce Harper, the Tigers have the following headline on their webpage:
"Tigers pad cushion?  Crown question, bro."

Get it?  If not, click here.  Also, if you don't get that, you need to get out more, bro.

So with all the pressure, I was elated to walk into a gin joint just in time to see Miggy send number 43 into the stands.  I immediately started clapping, knowing the implications, knowing the gravity of the situation.  As I was standing there, doing my best Tigerberry impression, I had two dudes at the bar looking at me, baffled. 

So here's my plea to the tens of Tigress blog readers, start dealing with the stress of the postseason push by spreading the excitement.  More people need to jump on the Tigers' bandwagon.  What the world needs now is not love, it's more crazy Tiger fans so I don't look like a goof clapping in a sports bar, or yelling at the TV when El Diablo gives up a grand slam.

Only four games left Tigers and Tigerettes.  Don't get stressed, get pumped.

MY Tiger

Can we talk about MY Tiger?  I was leery of choosing a pitcher as My Tiger.  Then he went on the DL.  He had a couple shaky starts.  Then, today...nine strikeouts in a row.  That's right, he struck out the entire Royals batting order, consecutively.  That's bananas.  I didn't even know that was possible.  That's My Tiger folks.  So fresh and so clean.

Oh and by the way...the Tigers are in 1st place!  By themselves!  Two days in a row!  Woah, I'm excited.  Sister Tigress even scored us some playoff tickets today.  Now, just the final push and I'm sitting pretty at Comerica cheering for My boys.

Don't breathe

A tie is like kissing your sister or brother.  Well pucker up Sister Tigress!  Put on the chap stick Brother Tiger, because we are in a tie for first place in the Central!!!!

Now it's time for us, the fans (all you little Tigers and Tigerettes out there) to do your part.  Whatever you did yesterday to ensure a win, make sure it happens today too.  You know what I'm talking about, superstitions.  Hold your breath past graveyards.  Don't change your socks.  Jump over cracks.  Avoid those black cats.  Personally, Tiger Dog will be wearing his Tiger bandanna today and I'll have my rally cap close.

One thing is for sure, I won't miss a game!

I'm not mad...

I feel like Danny Tanner or Tim Taylor, or some other self righteous parent on some 90s sitcom.  I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.  Although really, in those shows, the kids never do anything that is really disappointing.  I mean, DJ wears makeup to school and gets a lecture.  In this situation, the Sox get swept by the Angels and leave the door wide open and the Tigers can't even get their foot in.  That's true disappointment. 

Here's what I really don't understand Smokes, why put in G$ to pinch hit as the last out?  I'm not anti-G$, in fact, he's been clutch with Avila's concussion (lesson here kids, never run into a wall.  The wall always wins).  However, he had already played earlier in the day, then he sat for HOURS, and then he's expected to perform.  G$ is no spring chicken anymore.  Same reason he should never be used to pinch run.

I'm not even mad at Papa Potato, although I think I swore at him.  If the Tigers had actually got some runs, then the bullpen wouldn't have to deal with all this pressure.  It seems like it's either a drought or a flash flood when it comes to hits and runs.  Maybe just sprinkle some here and there boys.

Now I want you to stay in your room today and think about what you've done.  I'll see you tonight at 7 for dinner.  I expect hits and runs to be on the menu.

Fall fever

It's inevitable, with the change of seasons comes illness.  I've wiped runny noses, been coughed on, and seen the remnants of vomit this week.  Lovely, right?  There is one illness that I'm dying to catch though (I'd even drink out of the same glass as an infected person to get it), and that's "fall fever!"  It's the mysterious illness that makes normal, active folk virtual couch potatoes for entire weekends. 

The fact is, I've caught it.  I've watched Central upset Iowa, Wisconsin beat UTEP, Tigers CRUSH the Twinkies, and am in the process of watching MSU and Oregon State finish off their opponents.  And the evening games haven't even started!!!  There's still the epic Michigan versus Notre Dame rivalry, Clemson versus Florida State, and LSU and Auburn.  It's been a very busy day.  I don't mean that I've been busy, but that sports teams have been busy today.  I'm only happy to oblige them with my laziness.

Besties.  Side note: How big are JV's teeth?

Part of "fall fever" involves sitting alone in a room, yet having enough excitement about a game to equal the buzz created when watching a game live.  I actually clapped with Tigerberry-like glee when Cabby hit his 42nd homer.  Be still my Tigress heart!  I'm with Verdiggity, keep the MVP in the D.

Tomorrow will be another busy day (and by now you know what "busy" means).  The Lions and Tigers both play at one, so the multiple TVs are a necessity tomorrow.  Also nothing better than a Tiger double header.  Let's play two tomorrow, boys.

Name game

I'm not giving up on the Tigers yet.  I'm in it for the long haul.  In truth, I'll watch them on their last game even if they're down by three games and have no chance of any playoff action.

Here is a small public service announcement:

Number 26, the right fielder (most days)...his name is Brennan.  No 'd' in his name.  No 'a' in the first syllable.  In fact, here are some names that are NOT his:

Brandon
Brendan
Brannon
Bradford
Brady
Brenner

Let's try and get it right people!