I'm pretty sure we're winning the World Series

OK, that might be a little bit over the top but I find it impossible not to over-react to anything the Tigers do. Four days ago, I was certain that we'd be swept by the Twins and we probably came one Denard Span error from that happening. I was typing a long post about how the Tigers should surrender now to the mighty Twins as any resistance would be futile, given their superiority in every aspect of the game. Just prior to uploading, a funny thing happened. The Twins melted down and we won the game in a laugher. Now, I'm debating how many World Series titles we'll win in this decade. My father and grandpa have the same uncanny ability to flip-flop violently based on the previous night's game. Actually, I only call home on days after a Tigers win in fear of losing an entire day's productivity to self-loathing and darkness. What I can say is that this team is worth the price of admission and today's walk-off from Damon is just another ridiculous example of why Tiger fans can't afford to miss these guys in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdpkeS7Myl8

In almost every series we've played in this year, the Tigers have at least one game in which they have come from behind in late innings and five 9th inning comebacks. Last night, they hung eight on the Angels in the 4th after falling behind 4-2. Against the Twins, we fell behind 6-1 before posting ten runs in the next three innings. Tied at six in Arlington, Cabrera and Inge went back-to-back in the 9th the night after falling behind to the Rangers 4-0 before running off 8 runs in the next two innings. On our last trip to Anaheim, the Angels made the intelligent move of pitching to Cabrera in the 9th inning with a one-run lead and that pitch landed 440 feet away in left field. Down 5-0 in the 7th against KC, the Tigers opened a can on the Royals pen with six runs in one inning. Down 7-1 against Cleveland in the 6th inning, the Tigers donkey-punched the Tribe's pen for eight runs including two in the 9th to win 9-8. Even in the season opener, the Tigers fought back from a 4-1 hole to beat the Royals and then did it again two days later.


"Damn, can't I even get a reach-around from these guys?"

That would be nine of our fifteen wins in the come-from-behind variety. Our lineup, led by MVP favorite Cabrera, has destroyed bullpens and plays until the last out. Our pen on the other hand, is leading MLB with a 2.12 ERA and has been lights out the last two weeks with an ERA under 1.0. We have three right handed fireballers in Zumaya, Perry and Valverde. We have solid left handers in Coke, Ni and Thomas and Eddie Bonine for long relief which has been a great role for him.


All of this leads me to start projecting my enthusiasm to areas most likely undeserving but I can't help myself. Bondo is back! My favorite pitcher for the past five years for no good reason is having an OK year and that makes me happy. Bonderman is the most interesting Tiger because of his ridiculous potential and ability to pitch six innings of shutout ball routinely (the problem is that they always come after giving up 5 runs in the 1st inning). He was awesome Saturday and has flashes of greatness all year. He's featuring a sinker this year to go with his usual nasty slider and a toned down fastball from previous years. Bondo's issue is always mental and he still fights demons every time a call goes against him and rarely picks up a teammate who makes a costly error. He's a surly, spoiled, ego-maniac with more potential than production and I don't care. Bondo is my Tiger and he's on track for a Cy Young or at least 8 wins which is just the same to me.

A 4-game win streak is equivalent to a 30-minute roll of the dice in craps. The high is outlandish though you know deep down it won't end well and your enthusiasm is probably over-shooting reality by a considerable distance. That's fine, I'm enjoying this while it lasts because every summer is better when the Tigers are winning.