WEBVTT 1 00:00:12.199 --> 00:00:16.440 Get some facts and come back and seating. Get some facts and come back 2 00:00:16.440 --> 00:00:20.679 and seating. Don't throw up salaries or other things. Get some facts and 3 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:25.239 come back and seev you can't handle the true I told our players you need 4 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:27.879 a bit more like a dog. We don't need a bunch of cats in 5 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:31.760 here. Looking in the mirror, I look good. I got my extra 6 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:35.560 bands on, I got my other shoes. Be a doll. We don't 7 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:38.960 need no meals. We don't need no cats. We need more dolls. 8 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:44.159 Why you're not a detain Oh you're not. At the time, we weren't 9 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:46.679 good. There's no sense of asking me things about the game. I'm telling 10 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:49.119 you we laid an egg. So I'm not gonna break it down for you. 11 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:54.119 He sucks. He sucked. He laid an egg. That's all I 12 00:00:54.119 --> 00:00:56.079 have to say. Guys, I'm sorry. I'm not going to break it 13 00:00:56.119 --> 00:00:59.159 down for you. Nothing went well for us. It's on us. We 14 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:03.959 have to figure it out every way. Show it is showtime on a Thursday. 15 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:08.319 Welcome on the ninth of May. Myer hotline eight sixty six eight three, 16 00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:11.719 eight forty eight forty three had some good calls so far. Here this 17 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:15.159 morning really appreciate it. You add to the show man and you really do. 18 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:21.200 I like it when we get calls, Ben, don't you love it 19 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:23.280 when you get calls that make you think, oh, yeah, you know 20 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:29.239 it's it really is the beauty of what the show can bring. And same 21 00:01:29.239 --> 00:01:33.400 with tax in text Sports Radio to twenty one thousand. This is Exies and 22 00:01:33.400 --> 00:01:36.640 Bros. We're with you Monday through Friday, six until nine. Jason Beck 23 00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:38.120 will join us to the bottom of the hour. My good friend Dennis Fithian 24 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:44.599 will be in this cheer tomorrow morning and you'll be able to hear them throughout 25 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:49.120 the great state of Michigan and Grand Rapids WMAX ninety six point one FM, 26 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:53.840 the game in Cadillac and Flint and Grayling and Gaylord and Midland, Saganaw, 27 00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:59.079 Bay City, Potoski, Charlavoid, Traverse City. We're honored to be on 28 00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:04.719 all those beautiful and great cities throughout this state. If you missed it yesterday, 29 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:07.719 and we'll talk with Jason Beck about this coming up. Tigers lose in 30 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:10.919 ten innings to the Guardians five to four. I said earlier in the six 31 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:15.240 o'clock hour, but we get different listeners all the time. This is very 32 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:19.800 similar to guarding an inbound pass. I believe, what do you do in 33 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:23.599 the tenth inning? Do you play for the run and take the lead like 34 00:02:23.639 --> 00:02:30.400 the Tigers did not do in the tenth inning last night. They wanted to 35 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:37.599 play for a big inning. Javier bayaz On a ground ball to short gets 36 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:43.759 makes the out, the first out of the inning, second third, whatever, 37 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:46.879 okay, tagged by Jose Ramirez, whatever, All right, So there's 38 00:02:46.919 --> 00:02:52.319 one out and that just diffuses everything. And then that allows Cleveland, knowing 39 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:55.000 that all they need is to run, They're going to bunt their man over. 40 00:02:55.560 --> 00:03:01.840 Loreano's bunted to third and then driven in by Brian Rokio with a single 41 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:07.000 dissenter. It's more than just what took place in the tenth inning. It's 42 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:09.319 what took place in the eighth inning, the throwing air by Jake Rogers, 43 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:14.840 the ninth inning, the bad pitch by Andrew Chaffin, and instead of a 44 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:16.919 four to win, it's four three, it's four to four, and then 45 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:23.319 it's a five to four walk off win for Cleveland Detroit seven to eight. 46 00:03:23.319 --> 00:03:27.080 In one run games, the fifteen to one run games the most played in 47 00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:31.120 Major League Baseball. They're a game under five hundred and they host Houston. 48 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:39.240 They host Houston in the first of a three game weekend set tomorrow. Immediately 49 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:44.960 when you think Houston, at least I do. Anyway, you think hose 50 00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:52.520 L Tuove, Alex Brigman, Jordan Alvarez. Scary team. They're twelve and 51 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:59.319 twenty four, they've lost four in a row. They are off to a 52 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:03.080 horridzon start. It has to be one of the biggest surprises in all of 53 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:05.919 baseball. We'll talk to Jason Beck of MLB dot Com at the bottom of 54 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:10.919 the hour about that. Jeremy Paine is a really good player, right, 55 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:13.080 Ricky of the Year and so on and so forth. It's having a good 56 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:23.480 season so far. Kyle Tucker love him, hell of a player. When 57 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:27.560 you have jose L Tuve, your Don Olivaaz, Jeremy Panya, Kyle Tucker, 58 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:31.279 Alex Bregman, just to name a few, you would expect to be 59 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:33.959 better than with They are right now, last place in the Al West. 60 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:46.199 Doesn't help that they had to designate Josel Joseo Breu because of his struggles. 61 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:50.560 But whatever, that's uh. That's this weekend down a k America Park, 62 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:55.319 Okay, New York beats. Indiana won thirty to one twenty one. Jalen 63 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:59.519 Brunson had twenty nine points and thirty two minutes. He missed the entire second 64 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.560 quarter injured. Oj Ananobi missed the fourth quarter injured, but he had a 65 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:09.480 career playoff high twenty eight. New York's up two games to none. Nikola 66 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:13.720 Jokic wins his third MVP in the last four years in the NHL. Florida 67 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:18.079 blows out Boston six to one. Boston's defense so good against Toronto. They 68 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:23.079 allowed just twelve goals in seven games. The reason they beat the Maple Leafs. 69 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:27.319 Remember we sett in game six, we said that Toronto, even though 70 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:32.360 they're high scoring and really love their talent of Taveres and Marner and Matthews and 71 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:35.319 the like. He said, Okay, you're gonna have to win a more 72 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:42.399 of a defensive game against Boston, and Boston allowed his twelve goals in the 73 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:46.480 seven games, they gave up six. The Bruins gave up six to Florida 74 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:49.279 in Game two alone. It was six to one, fight filled third, 75 00:05:50.279 --> 00:05:56.720 really good game until the third when Florida just blew him out. Vancouver comes 76 00:05:56.720 --> 00:05:59.279 to three goals down to beat Edmonton five to four. They scored three goals 77 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:04.920 in five and a half minute Connor Garland, that's the game winner. Those 78 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:09.879 are your headlines in sports. Let's go to the Meyer hotline. Who do 79 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:13.480 we got waiting? Ben? We got Maury and Grand Rapids? Maury, 80 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:15.560 how are you? Thanks for listening on the Max ninety six point ONEFM the 81 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:19.399 game. What's going on? Shep? I'm doing great man, Thank you. 82 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:24.360 I hope you're doing good as well, you know, listening to the 83 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:29.120 Tiger Shep and you're talking. I found myself thinking yesterday. I think it 84 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:33.079 was I think the subject was brought up in an article. Maybe I read 85 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:38.519 about the possibility or you know, tour Wiklson going down, And I asked 86 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:41.480 myself, you know, how do these guys, how do these managers and 87 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:46.160 organizations? And I get it veries, okay, from organization to organization, 88 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:50.040 but in this case, how are they looking at a guy who, you 89 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:55.920 know, man last year when you have thirty one bombs and you know he 90 00:06:56.120 --> 00:07:00.120 was he had a good year and he know he's not a rookie. I 91 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:02.360 mean, I know he's a so young guy, but I mean, what 92 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:06.879 are your thoughts on that? Chev? Because they're such a poor hitting offensive 93 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:11.480 team, and which befuddles me. By the way, they didn't go for 94 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:15.000 the run, you know, funt and sacrifice and all that. You know, 95 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:18.000 it seems like so tiger to do that right now, but and by 96 00:07:18.040 --> 00:07:20.680 the way, the right thing. But anyways, back to my question, 97 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:24.160 do you what do you think about that? What do they do with the 98 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:28.319 guy like Torque? So first things first, do you believe it was the 99 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:30.439 right thing? Top of the tenth, you're on the road, you play 100 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:34.040 for one run? Or do you do you understand why they didn't? Okay, 101 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:38.680 now, I play for the run every time. You play for the 102 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:42.000 run? Okay, all right, So it's a difficult octically with our offense, 103 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:44.959 man, especially with our offense, and our pitching has been good. 104 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:47.759 So anyways, yeah, that's for sure. That's that's what I do. 105 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:51.199 Yeah, no, I get it. I respect the opinion. I suppose 106 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:54.920 one could argue, if your pitching is that good, you wouldn't have to 107 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:58.399 worry about that, you could go for the multiple runs. What I do 108 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:01.680 is, you know, I probably for the multiple runs too, but I 109 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:09.279 don't expect a veteran laden guy on second base to get to make an out, 110 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:13.279 you know. I mean, yeah, so that's a problem. What 111 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:16.439 do you do with Spencer Torkels? You do I think with what the Tigers 112 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:20.319 are doing right now, and that's moved him down in the order to take 113 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:24.680 a little pressure off him. I think what surprises me? And you're right, 114 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:26.000 he had a really good year last year, thirty one bombs, ninety 115 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:31.680 four stakes. I'm not looking at average. The on base is a little 116 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:33.600 worrisome, There's no doubt about it. When you're on base just thirty one 117 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:37.399 percent last year, that's a problem. I think what concerns me more than 118 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:43.679 anything else is first of all, the lack of power, so he doesn't 119 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:48.919 have a homer yet. And second of all the fastballs. He's not on 120 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:52.679 the fastball and that's a problem. And I don't know if he's up there 121 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:54.759 guessing. I haven't talked to him about it, so I don't know. 122 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:00.639 Last year or the years before I would have a better clearer understanding. But 123 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:03.440 it's a serious issue right now. And this team, as I said earlier 124 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:09.200 in the show, the margin for error is so slight with this team. 125 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:15.720 You can't have him going through elongated slumps. They just can't afford it. 126 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:20.879 No question. So you move him, you move him down in the order, 127 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:24.480 do you do? You send him down to Toledo and put Mark Kennet 128 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:31.399 at first base and bring up who justin Henry molloy. I don't think that 129 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:33.879 should be out of the realm of possibility. I wouldn't do it after thirty 130 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:39.279 five games. He's only played thirty five. I would, but I think 131 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:41.360 you're getting to the point now at the end of this month. If it 132 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:46.120 continues, absolutely you do it. Thanks for the phone call. Awesome stuff. 133 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:52.519 Appreciate it. Always respect the perspective. Eight six six eight three eight 134 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:56.480 forty eight forty three. But I don't know. Twenty minutes away, half 135 00:09:56.480 --> 00:10:00.799 hour away from Jason BECKMLB dot Com. We'll ask him the same question that 136 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:05.960 you just asked me when we come back. Stay with us in the dam 137 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:09.759 step up to the play with Eagle Casino in Sports, the mobile sportsbook app 138 00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:13.320 that you can bet on all your favorites all year round, including of course 139 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:18.080 our national passed time. So download the app and start winning today at Eagle 140 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:22.080 Casino in Sports Made in Michigan, Made for Michigan. Must be twenty one 141 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:24.840 years or older and in Michigan to play This is Matt Sheppard after a series 142 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:28.720 loss in Cleveland. The Tigers have the day off and we'll ready themselves for 143 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:31.559 a six game homestand starting Friday with a three game weekend series against Houston. 144 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:35.600 You can't argue with the pitching Detroit has received so far. Except for one 145 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:37.759 starter, kent To Maida, signed to a two year deal in the offseason. 146 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:41.360 Maeida has struggled so far and seven stars. He's allowed a league high 147 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:46.720 nine home runs, one just once and possesses an ERA of just under seven. 148 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:50.480 Seven starts isn't a big sample size unless you look at his history. 149 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:54.440 Last year, Maeta started just twenty games. He hasn't started more than twenty 150 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:56.919 six since his rookie season. In other words, he's close to thirty three 151 00:10:56.960 --> 00:11:01.320 percent of his starts so far. The numbers have to improve or it'll be 152 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:07.000 time to make a change. We're teeing off our tenth year at the Meyer 153 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:11.639 LPGA Classic for simply gives Get ready for the best who are yet to help 154 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:16.480 neighbors in need while enjoying golf, food and family fun. Join us June 155 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:22.879 thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country Club for fabulous food, Discoveryland for kids, 156 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:26.080 and of course, elite women golfers from around the world competing to help 157 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:33.720 feed our neighbors. Get your tickets now at Meyer LPGA Classic dot Com. 158 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:37.720 Attention Tigers fans, you can now get fifteen percent off every ticket for select 159 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:43.759 games through May by going to Tigers dot com Forward Slash Huge Show. That's 160 00:11:43.799 --> 00:12:01.200 Tigers dot Com Forward Slash Huge Show. A really good call from Maury. 161 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:05.960 I really appreciate that too. We've had some really good calls this morning. 162 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:09.840 I can't tell you how much it means to us. I love the interaction 163 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:13.000 first and foremost, but second of all, you just bring up really good 164 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:18.200 conversation and you bring up really good topics, So I thank you for that. 165 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.840 You can call anything that might be on your mind in the Meyer Hotline 166 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:24.159 eight sixty six eight three eight forty eight forty three. The only thing I 167 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:28.759 would say is this, and I understand where Morey's coming from. At A 168 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:35.519 one, we're going to go back to certain guys. You're going to fall 169 00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:41.919 back on it. Maybe just maybe people now feel like, all right, 170 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:46.559 I'm tired of beating up bias because I've done it for two years now. 171 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:50.360 You know, he has not been what you expected when you signed him as 172 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:56.679 a free agent, and he's been one to seventy six. So I think 173 00:12:56.200 --> 00:13:00.440 I don't want to speak for moriy there, but a lot of Tigers were 174 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:05.320 like, Okay, it's a given. He's not a favorite. He's not 175 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:11.159 going to be a favorite. He's underperformed, he's been a disappointment. Now 176 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:18.519 let's get to the next victim. Torkulsen is that guy. And he's that 177 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:24.679 guy because he's a one one and because he's not a high average guy. 178 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:31.320 The thirty one homers in ninety four RBIs last year didn't convince you. I'm 179 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.440 not saying you should be convinced. I'm just telling you this is my thought. 180 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:41.080 This is how I view it. You don't view him as the next 181 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:46.039 fill in the blank, whoever, whoever is that really good first baseman who 182 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:48.039 brings you power in the middle of the lineupyard Don Alvarez. It's not Paul 183 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:52.679 Goldschman. He's not Freddie Freeman, he's not Matt Olsen. He's not that 184 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:56.360 first baseman. Right, he's not Bryce Harper. He's not going to be 185 00:13:56.200 --> 00:14:01.200 in your mind. Thirty one homers is a lot of homers. I think 186 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:07.720 it's pretty damn good. However, he doesn't have any yet, and I 187 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:09.080 think people look at the at bats and say, you know what, he 188 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:13.559 seems to be guessing a lot. He seems to have a prevention to go 189 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:18.559 through long slumps. You give Look, Riley Green doesn't have a high average 190 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:22.759 either. He's been two fifty four, but he's got eight or nine homers. 191 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:28.159 Right, You're not expecting Andy A. Bonnez to carry your team. 192 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:31.480 It's a problem. He's got more homers in a game than Torklosen does on 193 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:43.440 the year. You've been pleasantly surprised with Lensil Perez carry Carpenter. He's come 194 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:48.240 up with some big, big knocks over the last two years. Cole Keith, 195 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:52.440 you give a free pass because he's just starting his career. Zach McKinstry 196 00:14:52.799 --> 00:15:00.600 is a utility guy. I don't mean to use that in an negative term, 197 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:05.519 but he's not an everyday guy. Mark Canna is not the future of 198 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:09.399 the franchise. Parker Metals has been sent down. Jake Drake Rodgers, you 199 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:13.519 believe is a defensive guy, but he's not an offensive guy. Spencer Torkosen 200 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:18.279 was billed as an offensive guy who's going to be a difference maker in the 201 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:24.639 middle of your lineup, and he hasn't been this year. I understand where 202 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:31.559 you're coming from. I like him. I like him as an individual, 203 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:35.120 I like him as a person, I like him as a first baseman. 204 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:41.000 I would keep trotting him out there, but even I have a limit, 205 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:50.919 and it's getting dangerously close. Meyer hotline eight sixty six eight three eight forty 206 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:52.600 eight forty three. I know we got a Tiger's text, don't we been? 207 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:56.799 Yeah, that's right. What's going on says you know, the old 208 00:15:56.840 --> 00:16:00.320 saying you can't fire the players. I would like to see Scott Harris finally 209 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:04.799 make a big splash right or wrong. Fire aj Hinch and bring in new 210 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:10.480 blood. I'm tired of watching old, stale baseball. Win one, lose 211 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:14.720 three, win two, lose five, promote fetter to manager or bring in 212 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:22.879 somebody else. Wow. Uh, that's that's really drastic. Aj Hinch signed 213 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:29.159 an extension. I just want you to know. Aj Hinch signed an extension 214 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:37.039 in the offseason. The previous deal he had ran through next year. He 215 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:45.360 signed an extension. So what that extension is I can't completely recall, but 216 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:51.000 he's going to be there at least at least through twenty twenty six. Okay, 217 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:57.159 so at least two more years you want. I like Chris Fetter. 218 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:03.480 Chris Fetter has never been a bench coach. Being a pitching coach and being 219 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:10.559 a bench coach and being a manager three drastically different things. And I mean 220 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:18.240 drastically different. It's like being a guy on the assembly line, a guy 221 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:23.720 driving the truck and the guy making out the schedule, three completely different responsibilities. 222 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:30.559 Chris Feedder works on his pitching staff and his pitching staff alone. The 223 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:36.519 bench coaches next to George Lombard is next to aj Hinch all game. Aj 224 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:40.519 Hinch is telling him what you're supposed to be looking for. Who you have 225 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:42.960 to get ready in the bullpen, Who needs to start getting ready warming up 226 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:48.119 for a possible pinch hit situation. Who you think is going to be up 227 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:52.559 in this situation? On why you got to go to this pitcher? There 228 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:57.759 are I can't begin to tell you how many decisions a manager is making per 229 00:17:57.839 --> 00:18:03.400 inning and per that Chris Fetter is not used to that, even George Lombard 230 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:12.079 is not quite comfortable with for an entire season. That is a very drastic 231 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:22.559 tact, right there one that I would not subscribe to. However, I 232 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:30.279 understand your frustration because this team is underperforming. Right now to the Meyer hotline, 233 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:32.680 we go, who's up next? Yeah, we got Paul and g 234 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:36.440 R Paul. Good to hear from you again. Thanks for listening right there 235 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:41.119 on WAX ninety six point ONEFM, The game. What's going on? Shut 236 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:45.359 my friend? How are you great? What's going on? So, first 237 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:51.279 of all, before I get into my air and my grievances here because I'm 238 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:55.160 very upset right now, age, you look very blessed to have a J. 239 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:59.200 Hinch. He's top free manager in all of baseball, and he fell 240 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:02.680 into our lab. You know, he really is the reason why we like 241 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:06.799 overperformed last year and it's twenty twenty one. So, I mean, that's 242 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:10.799 just astonin. I'm sorry. Like, we're very lucky to have Aja as 243 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:12.440 our manager, and I signed him to a lifetime extension of I did. 244 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:19.160 I love it. So I think he's I think he's a very good manager. 245 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:23.200 Absolutely. I wouldn't go so far as to say a lifetime extension, 246 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:26.799 but I think he's one of the better managers in the game. Is he 247 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:32.839 top three? That's a really good question. A really good debate because you've 248 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:36.440 got some really good managers out there, but even really good managers, Bob 249 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:41.119 Melvin's a hell of a manager, but he has but his teams at times 250 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:44.680 have struggled, Right, I mean, you could be manager of the Year 251 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:48.440 and still get fired. You can be coach of the Year Dwayne Casey and 252 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:53.200 get fired. It happens, it does, But I just think that's crazy 253 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:57.720 because I really do think Ada is really good. So I'm going right after 254 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:04.039 guy one, after Scott Harris and Chris Villich, especially Chris Ilich. Does 255 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:07.480 he care like, does he even want to win? Does he care about 256 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:11.640 winning? And then Scott Harris, I mean, yeah, he wanted time 257 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:15.119 to evaluate this team. Blah blah blah blah blah. You know what, 258 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:19.240 I'm sick of it. I'm sick and tired of it. It has been 259 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:23.920 a decade. We haven't won a World Series since nineteen eighty four. Like 260 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:29.759 you said, that is unacceptable, Chest and I am so sick of Oh 261 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:36.200 well, our offseason consists of signing ice cream truck drivers and to a bush 262 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:41.079 Gardens tour guides that have been DA made a million times and just hopefully find 263 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:44.519 a diamond in the up like we can't. We have not made any serious 264 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:51.599 moves, and we had such an opportunity this offseason to set ourselves apart from 265 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:55.319 everybody else, and we didn't. We did it. And you know what 266 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:57.359 I'm putting, I don't care if it's her two. I'm putting Scott Harris 267 00:20:57.400 --> 00:21:02.279 on the hot seat and I'm out. Kurtz Illach. I do not think 268 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:04.559 he cares about the Red Wings or the Tigers. I don't think he cares 269 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:08.359 about winning. I think he cares more about like parking lot revenues than he 270 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:11.799 does anything. And I am I'm just so sick of it. Yeah, 271 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:17.599 but listen, Paul, I completely understand where you're coming from because they haven't 272 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:22.240 given you any indication to think otherwise. So it's hard to disagree with that. 273 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.920 It really is. I mean, when your payroll is what the Tiger's 274 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:26.599 pay roll is, especially after saving thirty two million on mc guell Cobra, 275 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:32.039 I completely understand where you're coming from. I do Scott Harris. I'm going 276 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:36.000 to wait one more year, but I was disappointed he didn't get the big 277 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.799 bat for the middle of the lineup, so I think he failed in that 278 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:41.119 regard. Jason Beck will talk about that and more when we come back. 279 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:44.920 You have MLB dot com. Stay with us exes and bros. Right around 280 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:48.599 the corner with Jason Beck. He and chair for my good friends from Flying 281 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:53.160 As Whiskey. Now it's an American made whiskey bottled right here in our great 282 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:56.960 state of Michigan, and Flying a S Whiskey as partnering with the Folds of 283 00:21:57.000 --> 00:22:03.039 Honor Michigan Chapter Michigan children of men and women injured or killed in combat and 284 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:08.440 also the children of our first responders who are injured or die and making the 285 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:14.400 ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting. And there's a simple easy way for you 286 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:18.039 to donate with that money going to the Folds of Honor Michigan Chapter. 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Sign up now and get up to fifteen hundred 296 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:07.640 dollars. That's right, We'll match your deposit for up to fifteen hundred dollars 297 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:12.400 and you'll get one hundred free spins. Eagle Casingo in Sports, made in 298 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:15.839 Michigan, made for Michigan. Must be twenty win er over in Michigan to 299 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:32.640 play. Okay, Welcome back to EXUS and Bros. Throughout the state of 300 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:37.319 Michigan. Glad you're with us in Flint and Cadillac and Grayling and Gaylord. 301 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:41.119 Glad you've joined us in Midland, Saginaw, Bay City, in Petoskey and 302 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:47.839 Charlevoy and Traverse City, and of course in Grand Rapids as well. Jason 303 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:51.920 Beck's a good friend of mine. As good as it gets in baseball writing, 304 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:56.799 as good as it gets in conducting interviews. I've witnessed it firsthand numerous 305 00:23:56.839 --> 00:24:00.519 times. You can fall im on x at Beck Jason and he joins us 306 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:03.480 now to talk Tigers and Major League Baseball. Jason, hope you and your 307 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:07.400 family are well. Good to visit with you as always. Really appreciate the 308 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:11.839 time because I know you're busy. What's your take on this team? Thirty 309 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:17.799 seven games in, knowing full well that it's too small of a sample size 310 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:22.599 to come to a complete judgment. Yeah, you know, looking in now 311 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:29.480 from where we were in string training to you know, nearly the quarter point, 312 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:32.759 I suppose that, you know, it kind of looks like how we 313 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:37.759 suspect it. You know, the pitching is better than I think we expected 314 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:41.039 coming in, and yeah, I think we expected a lot there. You 315 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:48.000 know, Schoogle looks like the ing candidate that there was some buzz about. 316 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:55.039 Flaherty looks like he's figured some things out and looked like a frontline starter again. 317 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:57.599 You know, you've got a very good or Jason going your resource and 318 00:24:57.640 --> 00:25:03.799 has been fantastic even though he hasn't really been rewarded for it, aside from 319 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:06.279 my eight of struggles. You know, there's a lot to like there. 320 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:08.920 The bullpen, you know, it's been a little bit more up and down 321 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:15.039 lately after a good start. But the question really is the offense, and 322 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:22.759 you see signs of breakthroughs, but it's up and down. You know, 323 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:27.400 the eleven run performance the other night was, you know, match the total 324 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:32.960 runs they had scored in the previous five games combined, and in the game 325 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:37.079 before that, before that five game eleven run stretch, you know, they 326 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:41.960 had also scored eleven. So you know, there there's jackal and high there. 327 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:45.680 You know, there's a capability to really work pitchers. Even yesterday you 328 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:51.119 saw it where you know, they were Canter Biby for forty four pitches in 329 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:53.400 that four r and in and inning, and then they couldn't get anything else 330 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:59.039 going once Cleveland went to the bullpen. So it's you know, it's an 331 00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:03.039 up and down. It's a young squad with clear holes that is trying to 332 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:08.440 win with their strengths while trying to you know, kind of do what they 333 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:15.279 can with these growth areas. Why wasn't the offense You and I talked about 334 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:19.160 this at the end of last season. Why wasn't the offense addressed in the 335 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:25.079 off season? Besides or Shell on a one year deal and Canna on a 336 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:27.640 one year deal. What should have been done there? Or are you satisfied 337 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:33.480 with those two moves to increase an offense that needed I think more punch. 338 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:38.880 I think they wanted to try to figure out some things with some of the 339 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:42.880 younger hitters, and they felt like this was the year to do it. 340 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:48.240 Rather than having those guys getting either part time playing time, we're spending more 341 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:53.599 time in the minor leagues. I also think that it wasn't a great free 342 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:59.599 agent market, and I think that kind of boards up out with some of 343 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:03.000 the guys who ended up lingering out there. Now, could they have done 344 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:07.519 something you know, later on in the off season or during sprint training, 345 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:11.039 Well, they kind of did with Urgella, you know, once he was 346 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:15.160 out there for you know, relatively easy one year deals, they took the 347 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:21.000 shots. Could they have done something similar with the JD. Martinez? Yeah, 348 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:23.599 they could have that. You know, you can debate where that would 349 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:29.279 have been a good option. But I think also too, once you get 350 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:34.519 to that point in the off season with those guys to where they're available on 351 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:40.240 one year deals, I think it, you know, their choices become a 352 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:44.759 lot more you know, plentiful as far as you know where they can go, 353 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:47.400 but also where they want to go. It's like, Okay, if 354 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:51.559 JD's going to a one year deal, does he want to come here where 355 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:55.920 the playing time might not be quite so guaranteed, or would he rather go 356 00:27:56.039 --> 00:28:00.319 to, you know, the Mets or some other clubs that might be closer 357 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:07.519 or might be closer to a playoff spot even in a tougher division, but 358 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:11.200 also might be able to guarantee more playing time where he could use that as 359 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:15.200 a platform year. So yeah, I wasn't even thinking. I wasn't even 360 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:18.200 thinking JD Martinez just because he's a designated hitter, you don't necessarily need that. 361 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:22.279 I was thinking more along the lines of a Matt Chapman like Detroit couldn't 362 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:26.640 have done three years fifty four million dollars like he got in San Francisco, 363 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:30.960 but perhaps Detroit would have had to overpay for something like that. And let's 364 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:33.960 face that these guys want to go to a winning team. I still think 365 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:37.720 Detroit could be that winning team in this division. Jason Beck joins us here 366 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:41.240 on x'es and bros. He of MLB dot Com. You can fall him 367 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:45.440 on x at Beck Jason Matt Manning was a little bit of a surprise to 368 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:49.279 me to be sent to Toledo. I think I know the reason why when 369 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:53.680 you signed Jack Flaherty and Ken to Maida. It's going to squeeze somebody. 370 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:57.759 So it came down to Casey Miz, it came down to Reese Olsen, 371 00:28:57.799 --> 00:29:02.559 and it came down to Matt Manning. He has handled it rather professionally. 372 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:06.440 At what point, Bill, do you think he gets the call and kent 373 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:11.680 to ma Ata suddenly gets injured with uh, you know, a sore shoulder, 374 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:15.720 some type of blister or whatever the case may be. Because my ATA 375 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:21.119 through seven games has not been very good. I mean, I don't think 376 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:26.319 anything like that imminent. For one thing, MLB has been ringing cracking down 377 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:30.359 on those phantom injury type things. Uh you know, you know we saw 378 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:36.839 we saw that in New York where you know it's that call somebody their job 379 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:42.319 and costumer suspension. So you know something I got to get creative. That's 380 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:45.839 that's not going to happen. So I think we're waiting for you know, 381 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:51.480 well they do something performance wise. That's tricky because like you know, for 382 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:55.920 one thing, Kantis track record shows you kind of have to wait it out 383 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:59.200 with him for him to figure things out. You know, he's not a 384 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:04.119 guy who's had strong starts to seasons, so once you sign him, you're 385 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:08.519 you're pretty much committed to kind of waiting for him to may things and to 386 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:14.839 look like he was on that path until the other night were just really just 387 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:21.400 look arguably his worst start this season, so you know, you wait to 388 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:25.519 see what happens there, and he also figured that somewhere along the line, 389 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:29.599 you know there's going to be an opening. Honestly, it's kind of surprising 390 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:34.240 that they haven't had some sort of opening aside from double headers already this season, 391 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:40.000 given you know, in previous years they were already on starter seven or 392 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:44.119 eight or something like that by now, and they've generally been able to roll 393 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:47.599 with the current five, you know, plus one for double headers. So 394 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:52.640 you know, the the odds and the injury hittories, histories with pitchers. 395 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:59.079 You're not specific pictures like these guys, but just the way baseball roles would 396 00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:03.759 tell you something's going to come up where they're going to need somebody, and 397 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:07.000 he's in line right now, and you know these things tend to come in 398 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:11.279 bunches, So I think you waited out and see what happened. But you're 399 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:15.960 also going to have innings to watch with some of these guys. You know, 400 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:18.799 Reese Olsen did not have a full use last year, even though he 401 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:22.680 did get a pretty good innings total under his belt. Yo, Casey Mies 402 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:26.039 hadn't bitched in two years until out. You know, it would shuck me 403 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:30.160 if at some point you've got to either give him a break or maybe stretch 404 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:34.880 authorization, you know, to give mad a starter to and give him a 405 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:37.920 little bit extra rest. There different ways you could do it. Yeah, 406 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:41.039 that's an excellent point. Excellent point. It's a big reason why Jason Beck 407 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:45.119 is so well respected throughout the game of baseball. He's with us here on 408 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:48.759 ex'es and bros. Bear with me on this because you interact with fans a 409 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:52.200 great deal on social media, and when you're at the ballpark, you understand 410 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:56.680 the mindset, even though you don't always agree with it. Riley Green, 411 00:31:56.039 --> 00:32:00.359 he's got homers. People don't care about the average. They shouldn't. Andy 412 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:05.319 Banya is not seen as an everyday guy when so Perez brand new, so 413 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:07.319 they're not even sure. Carrie Carpenter has come up with some big hits over 414 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:10.240 the last couple of years, they're okay with that. Cole Keith is a 415 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:14.880 young guy, they're letting him grow into it. Zach McKinstry's kind of a 416 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:19.160 you know, a jack of all trades, hobby or bias people have given 417 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:22.480 up on for the most part. So where does the eyre go to. 418 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:28.119 It goes to Spencer Torkolsen, fair or unfair. People forget about the thirty 419 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:30.759 one bombs in ninety four stakes a year ago. They worry about the lack 420 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:35.039 of power this year. And of course the average, which I think is 421 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:38.599 overrated. What do you think is the level of concern for the Tigers on 422 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:45.880 Spencer Torkolsen And what is the length of leash you give him before you do 423 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:51.480 anything drastic about him. I mean, I think there's a good deal of 424 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:58.880 concern. That's one thing. If it was like previous years where there's a 425 00:32:58.920 --> 00:33:04.000 ton of hard times tag not getting rewarded for it, but we're not seeing 426 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:07.440 that to the same degree this year. It's a lot of pop ups. 427 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:13.319 It's a lot of you know, low percentage hit by low percentage. I 428 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:16.240 mean like they expected batting average or they hit probability. Whatever you want to 429 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:20.759 call. It is not as high, so, you know, but he's 430 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:24.039 still making contact. It's not as they're the same strike a rate that he's 431 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:30.440 had in years past. So you know, would you rather have it previous 432 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:36.039 ways? Maybe to some degree, but it also suggests that he's at least 433 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:39.440 seeing balls. He's just not you know, with that swim, with the 434 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:45.880 timing, he's just not making the same quality of contact he's been able to 435 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:50.240 make it. And yeah, that's worrisome. Is it a reason to do 436 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:53.759 him for his career? No, he's shown the ability to make adjustments, 437 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:59.799 he's shown the potential, and he's shown the ability to heat up rather quickly 438 00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:06.079 once he figures things out. You know, what they say is that they 439 00:34:06.119 --> 00:34:12.320 don't think he can That triple A would necessarily make a huge amount of difference 440 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:15.719 with him, because he's shown he can get there. I think if you 441 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:21.039 were to send him, it would have to be with specific targets that you 442 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:24.360 want him to work on to figure things out to where like if he if 443 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:29.960 when he does that, you bring him back up, you know, and 444 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:37.880 then you know, you you go back and see what works. They're not 445 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:39.880 at that point yet, you know, they've said they haven't talked about it, 446 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:45.079 although you know, you kind of say that you know all the time 447 00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:46.480 until you actually do it. At the time you talk about it is the 448 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:52.039 time you actually do it. But right now they're willing to give him, 449 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:58.760 you know, more leash. I don't think it's forever, but I think 450 00:34:58.840 --> 00:35:02.239 at this point you keep letting him go along. Remember like a couple of 451 00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:06.119 years ago, they let him go all the way through you know, up 452 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:09.320 to you know, basically the All Star Break to try to figure things out. 453 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:15.199 So they've shown, you know, of willingness to be as abundantly patient 454 00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:19.800 here to let him work things out. But you know, it's been a 455 00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:25.079 grind and I think if he showed it was really wearing on him mentally, 456 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:30.320 you know that leash might be quicker. He is not so far. So 457 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:35.159 you know, if he keeps not just his spirits up, because that's what 458 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:39.440 you know, he's naturally a pretty optimistic guy, but also the determination that 459 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:45.159 he's an adjustment a way that he really feels like there's progress there and that 460 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:51.400 it's within reach, that it's not helpless. I think you want to keep 461 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:57.440 rewarding for that, for that willingness to keep working, to keep giving him 462 00:35:57.440 --> 00:36:01.079 the shot to to see if this works. Yeah, and to his credit, 463 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:05.280 I mean, he's such a he really is a great young man. 464 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:09.760 To his credit, he's handled this adverse time with great class and dignity. 465 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:13.800 Let me ask you, this is kind of a broad question. I think 466 00:36:13.840 --> 00:36:16.719 you've already partly addressed it with the offense, but this is kind of what 467 00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:21.760 I've said. Look, they're pitching. It's hard to argue with the starting 468 00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:23.679 pitching like you've brought up. And I still truly believe in the bullpen. 469 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:28.159 Shelby Miller has had some blow ups, but overall, you believe in the 470 00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:32.320 bullpen. Their defense is an elite there's no really no elite defender now that 471 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:37.480 Parker Medos is down in Toledo. There's some guys who make some spectacular plays, 472 00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:42.400 but it's not an elite defense. It's a substandard offense right now. 473 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:46.679 And their speed on the base pass is for the most part lacking. You 474 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:51.199 know, they don't you don't fear them. Let's say, like you would 475 00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:55.000 a Kansas city of the past. What do you think this team's biggest detriment 476 00:36:55.199 --> 00:37:01.920 is overall? And how do they fix it? The biggest detriment I think 477 00:37:01.960 --> 00:37:10.679 the most fixable detriment, honestly me is probably defense. I think they're a 478 00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:17.119 better defensive team than they've shown so far. I think there are ways to 479 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:22.239 fix it. I think he've seen progress from at first base, and I 480 00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:28.000 think first base is critical, you know, for a lot of defenses, 481 00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:34.280 but particularly this one, because a good first baseman, what he can do 482 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:37.039 on throws or off target, can make an entire endfield better. You know, 483 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:43.440 Jim Leelant talks about that for years, and while Hobby's throws have not 484 00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:47.440 been as wild, he's a lot more on target throws. I think you 485 00:37:47.480 --> 00:37:54.679 know, Ork can do when he's right defensively, can help out a cold 486 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:59.599 teeth, can help out what they're trying to do. A third before Geo 487 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:01.760 comes back, you know, can help out in a lot of areas, 488 00:38:01.800 --> 00:38:06.880 can help out on double plays, and I think we've seen that a little 489 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:09.840 bit more in recent days to where you know, Torque reading balls right and 490 00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:15.760 stretching. It's kind of made a difference on some plays to where you know, 491 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:19.239 early in the year maybe those don't get made. Okay, all right, 492 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:24.679 it's fixable with positioning. I think third base becomes better once comes back. 493 00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:31.360 I think center field without post Parker has become a little bit better in 494 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:35.800 recent days, is once sol has gotten settled in there, although I still 495 00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:40.360 think Fearling is a more solid, reliable option there on days players. Yeah, 496 00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:45.920 I think rightfield becomes better as as Carpenter makes better reads. Yeah, 497 00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:49.920 and you could actually move Riley Green to center and they've I know you guys 498 00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:52.800 have talked to the Tigers about that a little bit. One final thing before 499 00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:59.679 we let you go. This division has surprised me. I mean Cleveland Stephen 500 00:38:59.760 --> 00:39:02.199 vote his first year, that surprised me a little bit. I still think 501 00:39:02.239 --> 00:39:08.000 Detroit should win this division. I think that should be the expectation. I've 502 00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:12.840 said that for more than just this year. I said it a year ago. 503 00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:16.599 That should be the expectation for Detroit fans and should be for the Tigers. 504 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:22.239 Who's the biggest surprise to you so far as we reached the quarter pole 505 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:28.079 in Major League Baseball? Me personally, the biggest surprises Cleveland. Oh, 506 00:39:28.199 --> 00:39:32.039 you know, they've won recently, they've won in the past, But having 507 00:39:32.280 --> 00:39:37.440 watched the challenges that the Tigers went through when they went from Jim Leland to 508 00:39:37.559 --> 00:39:43.679 Brad Austinas, what they've been able to do in year one underceives both is 509 00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:49.360 really impressive, and especially with a younger roster than they get credits for. 510 00:39:49.880 --> 00:39:53.239 You know, they don't defeat themselves, and they've shown that, you know, 511 00:39:53.400 --> 00:40:00.039 they they played good fundamental baseball. You know, they win at the 512 00:40:00.079 --> 00:40:04.480 margins as as some baseball people like to say, you know, and they 513 00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:08.079 put pressure on you, and you know, the Tigers they they felt that, 514 00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:12.880 you know, that that was a very winnable series they had this week, 515 00:40:13.760 --> 00:40:17.159 but the Indians pressured them and they took advantage of mistakes and I think 516 00:40:17.559 --> 00:40:21.960 the Tigers were a little bit surprised by that. And you know, this 517 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:24.360 is a division to where it's like, you know, even though the Tigers 518 00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:28.840 weren't in the race last year, they had their way with the division and 519 00:40:28.920 --> 00:40:30.760 had to have match up. That's right. And I think Cleveland made a 520 00:40:30.760 --> 00:40:35.320 statement, you know, this week to where you know, you can't just 521 00:40:35.360 --> 00:40:38.280 assume it's going to be that way again. You know, that was very 522 00:40:38.280 --> 00:40:45.360 impressive and I think it's you know, that goes along way towards establishing Cleveland 523 00:40:45.840 --> 00:40:49.199 as the team to be if they weren't already. I agree with you, 524 00:40:49.239 --> 00:40:52.519 Jason. The other the other surprise to me be Houston and their struggles at 525 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:55.880 the bottom, and of course you'll be there front and center for the Tigers 526 00:40:55.920 --> 00:41:00.599 and the Astros starting tonight. Thanks for your time, Hi, my friend. 527 00:41:00.639 --> 00:41:02.239 I appreciate it as always. Have a great weekend, all the best 528 00:41:02.280 --> 00:41:06.719 this season. Hope to talk to you again soon. Thanks Chef. Always 529 00:41:06.719 --> 00:41:09.000 good talking ball with you. I miss fent so good to talk with you. 530 00:41:09.320 --> 00:41:13.599 Yeah, likewise, I'm missing a great deal too. Jason Beck joining 531 00:41:13.679 --> 00:41:17.119 us from MLB dot com. You can fill him on Twitter at beck Jason. 532 00:41:17.480 --> 00:41:22.159 Really good follow great information. Always enjoy the perspective that he brings. 533 00:41:22.360 --> 00:41:25.760 Always enjoy your perspective as well. Thanks for the phone calls, Thanks for 534 00:41:25.800 --> 00:41:30.280 the texts. It's been an honor this morning. Please join my friend Dennis 535 00:41:30.280 --> 00:41:35.079 Fifthyan tomorrow. He's got you tomorrow morning six until nine. You can call 536 00:41:35.159 --> 00:41:37.920 him on the Meyer hotline. You could text him Sports Radio to twenty one 537 00:41:37.960 --> 00:41:42.280 thousand and enjoy the sports conversation. Our appreciation to Ben, our producer as 538 00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:45.440 well. We'll be back with you Monday morning, six till nine here on 539 00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:47.440 x'es and bros. Across the great State of Michigan. Thanks for listening. 540 00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:53.480 Everybody have a great Thursday. We're teaming off our tent here at the Meyer 541 00:41:53.679 --> 00:41:58.880 LPGA Classic for simply gives. Get ready for the best who are yet to 542 00:41:58.960 --> 00:42:02.679 help neighbors and me well enjoying golf, food and family fun. Join us 543 00:42:02.760 --> 00:42:07.920 June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country Club for fabulous food, discoveryland for 544 00:42:08.039 --> 00:42:13.280 kids, and of course, elite women golfers from around the world competing to 545 00:42:13.360 --> 00:42:20.239 help feed our neighbors. Get your tickets now at Meyer LPGA Classics dot com. 546 00:42:20.559 --> 00:42:23.599 Huge here for the Michigan High School Athletic Association. You can stay up 547 00:42:23.639 --> 00:42:30.639 to date on the latest from Lansing twenty four to seven at MHSAA dot com, 548 00:42:30.679 --> 00:42:38.760 at MHSA on Twitter and MHSAA on Facebook. The latest news, press 549 00:42:38.800 --> 00:42:45.199 releases and stories connected to every high school in the state of Michigan available for 550 00:42:45.280 --> 00:42:51.559 you twenty four to seven from the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Log on 551 00:42:51.639 --> 00:43:00.280 to MHSAA dot com, at MHSAA on Twitter and MHSAA on Facebook. And 552 00:43:00.400 --> 00:43:07.519 if you're looking for archive boys and Girls high school Sports m hsa A dot 553 00:43:07.719 --> 00:43:14.079 tv, that's MHSAA dot tv. Twenty four to seven everything you need to 554 00:43:14.119 --> 00:43:20.840 know about high school sports in Michigan. Log on to MHSAA dot com. 555 00:43:21.000 --> 00:43:23.880 Friday, July twenty six. That's Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, The off 556 00:43:23.920 --> 00:43:30.840 Spring, Brudy Fly for What same show, same night, Simple planj plus 557 00:43:30.880 --> 00:43:35.079 special guest Huba Stang part of the Soaring Eagle Summer Out or Concert series. 558 00:43:35.239 --> 00:43:38.400 Tickets as lowest twenty six dollars and on Salem now at the Soaring Eagle Box 559 00:43:38.440 --> 00:43:44.880 office or online at etix dot com. Party Hart Rockharder The Offspring, Simple 560 00:43:44.920 --> 00:43:50.360 Plan in Hubusdang July twenty six, showtime seven pm. Details at Sooringeaglecasino dot 561 00:43:50.400 --> 00:43:52.239 com. What's Up, Michigan. I want to give some love to Ben 562 00:43:52.280 --> 00:44:00.239 Glaze producing another great SHEP broadcast Superflies producer My show later today at three Old 563 00:44:00.239 --> 00:44:00.639 Show on the Michigan Sports Network