gehringer_2

Also, you can't compare the projectabiilty of pitchers to hitters that easily. It's relatively easy with today's instrumentation to know exactly what a pitcher throws and how that compares to what a major leaguer needs to have. It's not that simple with hitting. Until a hitters sees the next level of pitching in live competition, you really don't know if he is going to handle it. Hitters max out all along the continuum of the minor leagues. Just because a guy tore up AA isn't nearly as good a predictor he will handle MLB pitching as when a AA pitcher throws 97, has spin and can throws strikes consistently. So better to look at position player models than compare McGonigle to pitchers who have or haven't moved fast.

and even as joke it's a window into a disordered mind.

If he doesn't slow down I can see them sending McGonigle to Toledo the last couple of weeks of the seaso to get his feet wet and be ready to start next season there, and if he starts the season at AAA and keeps it up, he'll see Detroit in '26. Based on the handling of Jobe I don't see the Tigers as being reluctant to see a guy make it quickly - IF he is performing at a high enough level. But that is still a big if. And of course, in '26 if Gleyber is gone and Keith starts playing 3rd regularly there would be nice spot at 2B for someone to fill.

of course in that division whoever last played Colorado picks up a couple of games. The Rockies are so bad you should only get credit for 3/4 of a win when you beat them.

you would have been one of those surviving servants of Job.

so you're committing McGonigle for a 1st ballot Hall of Famer? Go for it!

And Tigers have a depressing 9 pitchers on the 60. 3 of those may be back soon though, so a couple of guys like Heuer may already be as good as gone.

They also miss having at least one disruptive base runner. At various times that has been Baddoo or Meadows but with them both out of the picture our base running - while great 1st to 3rd, isn't putting much pressure on any pitchers.

though the question of whether he is going to play SS at MLB sounds like as much a hope as a certainty so far. We just saw a pretty good generalist IF (McKinstry) not turn a DP that a full time MLB SS probably turns. I tend to think they would only bring up a player for the stretch they expected to get at least MLB average defensive play from. Esp since 2b defense on this team is only average at best. Is McGonigle that guy - yet?

Using SGL for a full pass through the order after a hard thrower is good pitcher change of pace sequencing.

I know if rubs every manager the wrong way to do it, but they could probably keep using Flaherty if Hinch would put him on a really short leash. Of course do that and at some point you might as well make him a long reliever

IDK - he looked great, but aside from the hot streak in July, the WSox aren't exactly murderers row either...

combined 2 hitter. Never in doubt!

Tigers unwilling to make it easy on themselves.

Damn - I figured Jake was due against the lefty

no way to turn that DP unless McK charges that ball - which admittedly would have made it a tougher play - but one Javy and maybe even Sweeney probably makes. EDIT: but nothing comes of it. On to the 9th.

Javy not seeing Perez well at all.

I don't know what the long term is going to be for SGL. He has to pitch backward because the FB is too easy to barrel up - If he can command the off-speed well enough not to be behind all the time (like today so far)..... - but he's got a narrow lane to success.

Robert was really sure SGL wouldn't throw him another one. 🤣

this more or less sums it up...

And Jake misses 2 by a few inches. Not much BaBIP luck for the boys today.

pretty bad AB by Javy.

that would be a hit against a lefty for Carp.

Somewhat better 5th than yesterday.

I'm afraid to say it, but Melton looking pretty good there.