Summary
Only 1 game behind in the Bill James Division, the Wolverines are still right in the hunt for the postseason.
What’s Gone Right
Power. Five batters have reached double-digits in homeruns, led by Hank Greenberg with 15 (the others are Bob Bailey, Ty Cobb, Oscar Gamble, and Chili Davis).
The Bullpen. Mike Henneman has 15 saves, but the real bullpen strength has been in the trio of Matt Anderson, Buddy Napier, and Gene Conley (who is a remarkable 7-1 out of the pen).
The Outfield. The trio of Gamble, Davis, and Cobb has been excellent, with Gamble leading the team in homeruns and RBIs.
What’s Gone Wrong
Half the Bailey Boys. Bob Bailey has held up his end of the deal, but Ed Bailey has been little more than adequate behind the plate, an issue magnified by Bill Carrigan’s injury.
The Middle Infield. That’s a little unfair: veteran Tony Phillips has been solid, usually at 2B. But the rest–George Davis at SS, Jimmy Collins at 3B, and Sparky Adams all over the place–have struggled.
The Back of the Rotation. Whitey Wilshire–expected to be one of their top starters–has just about pitched his way out of the rotation, and Si Johnson has been only a shade better.
Key Storylines
Can a team this top heavy and without a star pitcher make it to the end?
There are three intriguing questions on the mound for Detroit: two are whether Matt Anderson and Hal Newhouser can continue their success and the third is if Justin Verlander–who has been occasionally brilliant and often quite poor–can turn it around.
Cobb looks like the real deal–or as much as the real deal as a 20 year old can. So the real questions are some of the other contributors–especially Bob Bailey and the surprising–and currently injured–C Carrigan.
Trading Outlook
BUYING.
But there just isn’t a lot to sell. Maybe veteran minor leaguer Cecil Fielder?
AAA Shuttle
They’ve only really used it on the mound, with mixed results. Napier and Anderson have been excellent, but their efforts at finding starting pitchers have been far less successful.
Midseason Changes
Wilshire moves to the bullpen, and Conley gets a chance to see if he can win some more games as a starter.
Awards
All Stars: Bob Bailey (DH); Hank Greenberg (1B); Mike Henneman (P).
Pitcher of the Month: Johnny Marcum (May)
Player of the Week: Hank Greenberg (4/24)
Offensive MVP: Hank Greenberg (1B)
Pitching MVP: Hal Newhouser (SP)
Down on the Farm
AAA: Toronto Maple Leafs
Next to the Show: 1B Cecil Fielder, OF Ron LeFlore, 2B Robby Thompson, RP Jamie Walker.
Prospects: Al Kaline (20). George Mullin (22).
Projects: SP Mickey Lolich (26).
Suspects: OF Wes Covington (32), C Ramón Cabrera (25), IF Rob Picciolo (31), SS Damion Easley (27).
AA: Fort Wayne Daisies
Prospects: 3B Billy Nash (19), 2B Jorge Orta (22). SS Donie Bush (20), SS Ray Chapman (22).
Projects: P Jeremy Sowers (24), OF Johnny Jeter (25), 2B Charlie Gehringer (24), RP Willie Hernández (31), RP Alex Wilson (29).
Suspects: CF Herm Winningham (28), C Johnny Gooch (30), RP Brandon League (22).