How 'bout them Tigers - Sweep in Nagoya

So the Tigers have reached the .500 barrier. Congratulations.

But I know that I won't be convinced until they're able to stay on the upper side of that barrier for at least a week. Granted, they've found some momentum. But the .500 barrier is the big test for me.

- But the .500 barrier is the big test for me.

Of course you're right, so it'll be an interesting series this weekend. A test for both teams I would imagine. But third place is the minimum target - slightly over .500 or slightly under .500, it doesn't really matter. Third place equals playoffs, and that's the goal.

It's important that they stay hot now, as they still have the August "road of death" coming up. As hot as they have played on the road lately though and a recent cold streak at home, this could be an advantage for once!

I suppose the important thing is that they have found some momentum. Better than not finding any.

But this momentum has been sustained for the entire month of July, so doing it for another week isn't such a tall order.

Ready to give Hanshin their due now as they have been over .500 now for more that a week?

Also they are tied with your BayStars and seem to have the momentum to carry the team into the playoffs.

Yes, I concede. The Tigers are on a role right now, and they're holding their own. The BayStars are not only showing that they can lose blowouts, but also close games as well. (And Miura blowing up like tonight? Who'd have expected that?)

I'd still like Christopher to be right on this one, though. :-P

Well, it looks as if the Tigers are more than holding their own - they've overtaken Yokohama, and now have the other two teams in their sights.

I'm really enjoying this. With the Tigers winning, and Christopher eating humble pie at the same time - it's much too good to be true. Hope it lasts.

And before anybody says shi no rodo, I should point out that this year the dreaded road of death is punctuated by two consecutive home series at Kyocera Dome, so it's just like two ordinary road trips now. Sure, Kyocera Dome is not Koshien, but the crowd will be the same.

It's interesting to note that the Tigers are better than .500 against all teams except currently-last-place Hiroshima, who are thrashing Hanshin 9-2 at this stage of the season. Does that indicate that the Tigers can climb higher in the league standings if only they can string together some wins against the Carp?

〈digression〉
What's up with Kubota these days? He seems to have lost his mojo.
〈/digression〉

What a delightful development. I had just about given up on the Koshien boys, but have watched those standings with glee since the All-Star break. Fingers crossed that they can keep this momentum through the Shin no Road period. Tora tora tora!

I will happily eat humble pie if they end up in the playoffs and admit Mijow had it right.

My concerns though - Yan had a terrible start and so did Shimoyanagi. Kubota and Fujikawa have been used for 4 straight games - can they do more?

As for Kubota - he is annoyed with Okada who he feels does not trust him enough. Sometimes he is right, sometimes he is wrong. Even so Okada is too rigid in this respect.

Anyway I feel the same as Mijow now - very happy.

- Kubota and Fujikawa have been used for 4 straight games - can they do more?

Well they both had their fifth tonight. But I agree that Kubota looks shaky. He seems to have problems with his release - lots of wayward pitches. But it's surprising how resilient some of these guys are. When Jeff Williams was the closer a couple of seasons back he told me he could pitch every night if they needed him to - no worries.

And the Tigers take the first match of the weekend series from the Yokohama BayStars. 5-2. Looks like Kanemoto hit one out to seal the victory. I watched part of the match with my 2 year old son who now has become a Hanshin Tigers fan. Think he got excited by watching the crazy Tiger fans.

So why the turnaround? Credit must go to Okada-san. He didn't hold pat during the losing streak and brought up some new talent to re-energize the team. As I mentioned before he fully owns this team now and gets credit for the results. Last year the Tigers made a go of it in the later part of the season, looks it's becoming a habit for them now.

Regarding Christopher's predictions, I hope he has better outcomes with cricket than he has with baseball. The best you can say regarding his views on baseball is that he is consistent.

Credit goes to Okada? For being forced into changes? Here credit goes to the players and to Miyazaki-san who forced Okada to act.

Yeah, I hate to see credit going to Okada for this re-energized play, as I think they are winning despite him not because of him. Even tonight he made some strange calls but they still played well and won. Putting in Hiyama is always the wrong call, even when he's batting for the pitcher! Of course he didn't get the job done. And then putting in Yano against the righty seemed like the wrong call until Yano got the lucky bounce hit. When they were up 5-0, Okada got complacent and let Darwin hit. Of course Darwin got shaky the next inning and gave up 2 runs.

In any case, I want to stay positive on this because I think they are playing great and I think there's good teamwork and karma happening right now. I just hope people don't start giving Okada credit for the turnaround, as I don't think he deserves it.

Every morning I'm getting happier and happier. Just look at those Tigers climbing in the standings. Their tails are on fire! The next series against Kyojin will be crucial.

Let's go Tigers, tora tora tora!

- The next series against Kyojin will be crucial.

Although we shouldn't overreact (as some of us are wont to do) if they suffer a reversal or two. Surely they can't keep it going at this pace for the rest of the season. Would love to see it happen, though.

Doubt - from Mijow?

I am surprised at the turnaround (which Mijow did predict) but am delighted. The starting lineup is still a problem, though. And the bullpen is being called on to do an enormous amount of work. I hope they can keep it up.

LOL. Christopher, I'm surprised you're even game to show your face after being so wrong all season about the Tigers' chances.

What's the exact problem with the lineup? You're not expecting them to score 10 runs a game are you? Any defensive glitches (I'm thinking of Sheets at third base) appear to be overcome by their good hitting. And the bullpen hasn't been overworked at all, in my opinion, now that a couple of the younger pitchers are lasting longer into the games. There have been more blowouts recently, too, which have been giving the relievers more rest time.

Why not - that's the beauty of sport - we can make predictions and get them wrong. When I wrote about the Tigers they were looking basement material, but they turned things around. So - I'm happy.

By "lineup" I mean the pitching lineup, which is weak - no pitcher is going beyond six innings (most of the time it's five), and this is placing a strain on the bullpen. Only Uezono is lasting, and Iwata has gone back to ni-gun. So far it's OK and I'm hoping that the bullpen can carry the team through. The starters certainly don't look like they can.

- Why not - that's the beauty of sport - we can make predictions and get them wrong.

Oh that's precious. I don't mind that all your predictions were dead wrong. As you say, that's sports. Keep on predicting. The law of averages suggests you'll get a couple right eventually.

No, it's probably your writing style more than anything that annoys people so much. It lacks a certain humility, shall we say. "I know what I'm talking about. I am a member of an oendan." "I used to play a lot of cricket." "I have a contact at NHK." "I know something about sports marketing." Nobody else knows anything." You get the drift.

So although you may be happy seeing the Tigers winning, I'm sure everyone else is happier - just seeing you brought down a peg or two is certainly making my day.

I'm reminded by what Albert Einstein once said: "Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods."

People who live in glass houses as they say. None of us are particularly humble in this respect (and that includes you). Of course I argue my position strongly, and yes I do sometimes come across as arrogant. It's a failing, but I don't have much time for people who don't have the knowledge but somehow feel that all comments are equally valid. I am not a relativist and I do not regard everyone's opinion as having the same weight. It's just a stylistic difference. I have knowledge which I can use to contribute to a debate. I express this - you express your view. That is the way of debate and I cannot see anything wrong in that.

I note this - I at least admit I'm wrong - I have yet to see you do the same.

- I at least admit I'm wrong - I have yet to see you do the same.

Well please point out anything I've said that's wrong and I'll certainly consider it.

- Doubt - from Mijow?

[Sigh] I've never said the Tigers will win every game, or even that they'll definitely make the playoffs. Just that they'll be competitive. And now they are. I've won that argument.

I'm not making any predictions for the rest of the season, except to say that the Tigers are going to be in the thick of things until the bitter end. No doubt about that. There will be successes; but there will also be reversals. I trust that's not too difficult to grasp.

If you are going to blame Okaka-kantoku for the slide of Tiger earlier this season, then it follows that now that the team is doing better he deserves some credit for the changes that have lead to the third place standing. Can't have it both ways boys. It's his team clearly, up or down, after nearly four years of being the manager.

Regarding the predictions of doom for the Tigers followed by them being so hot now, that is the charm of the team. The Giants are about as exciting as a Tokyo Gas bill. The Tigers are an emotional experience.

Good to see that finally Christopher has admitted being wrong, he has had plenty of chances to do so, but this may be his first admission. Of course his friend at NHK (perhaps the bill collector?) cannot explain away the CL standings.

To be honest I think the main driving force behind the improvement is Kanemoto - he is acting as a de facto team captain at the moment. That and Hirosawa is finally finding his feet as a batting coach perhaps.

Okada has always relied on others throughout his tenure at the Tigers. Of course if the Tigers do well one has to give him the credit as well as the opprobrium when they do badly. However, his style is more suited to when they are doing well - it's sadly lacking when they are not.

I'm not sure what you mean by my friend at NHK, but I would be interested to see you admit you're wrong.

- However, his style is more suited to when they are doing well - it's sadly lacking when they are not.

His style is lacking when they are not doing well? Care to explain that? If you mean not ranting or raving after every error, or allowing the players to work their way out of slumps instead of feeling the need to micromanage everything, then that's just a personal difference you have with his style. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let's just wait and see what happens this season before making a solemn pronouncement on whether Okada's style is good or not.

With your track record on the Tigers' chances this year, I think it may be best to ease up on those strongly held opinions for a while.

Mijow, it's not just being wrong all the time, it's the quality of being so wrong. Stating that a coach knows how to coach well if the team is winning is absurd. It's circular logic.

Similar statements earlier by Christopher about teams playing not to lose, rather than to win displays the same absurdity. If the score is 4 to 3, the team with 3 loses. Baseball is simple that way, as opposed to cricket I guess.

Anyway the Tigers lost today sadly. The Dragons just won in dramatic fashion over the Giants, sayonara HR in the bottom of the 12th. Great stuff! Look forward to a three way tie soon for first as the Giants fall, the Dragons are steady, and despite today's result, the Tigers continue their hot play.

- It's circular logic ... displays ... absurdity.

Yeah, you're right, but sometimes it's hard to follow the argument due to the sheer number of words. After a while I think most people just give up and move on to the next thread.

- Anyway the Tigers lost today, sadly.

It was Kanemoto's at-bat in the eighth that sealed it. To have the bases loaded, score tied, and then swing at all those pitches out of the zone, ...

The Tigers don't often lose when they get ahead in the late innings. They certainly let that one get away.

I think both you and zman actually need to read the posts fully and take them in context not in isolation. There is nothing wrong with expressing opinions, and I note both of you express strongly held opinions which later turn out to be very wrong. The comment is a comment in response to zman's previous post, nothing else. To stretch it to where you did is a bit absurd.

Furthermore, the Tigers did not get ahead yesterday - they drew level in the eighth. Perhaps you might care to comment on this as an indication that the bullpen is becoming over-taxed (it was Kubota who failed).

- I think both you and zman actually need to read the posts fully and take them in context not in isolation...

I regret that I just can't help reading most of your posts from start to finish. Maybe it's the masochist in me.

- I note both of you express strongly held opinions which later turn out to be very wrong.

Not very often, though. Usually we're simply disagreeing with you, which doesn't make the opinion wrong at all!

- The comment is a comment in response to zman's previous post, nothing else. To stretch it to where you did is a bit absurd.

My comment was in reply to zman's general observation about your posts. Where exactly have I stretched it? What exactly was absurd about it?

- Furthermore, the Tigers did not get ahead yesterday - they drew level in the eighth.

Indeed. That's what I said. My view is that Kanemoto should have given the Tigers the lead in the eighth. It wasn't a very impressive at-bat. If he had given them the lead, then the complexion of the game would have changed completely. Even if Yokohama had drawn level with that run in the bottom of the inning, then the Tigers would have still been well in the game. Instead they had to face Kroon, who was virtually unhittable yesterday. That one at-bat made the difference. I trust you saw it?

But for the bullpen to give up just one run doesn't indicate anyone is taxed - although I must concede that Kubota is the shakiest of the JFK trio, and it would have been better to have had a fresher arm to utilize. But it wasn't an implosion by any stretch of the imagination - he still got through the inning. But Egusa got the job done in the seventh, and Williams and Fujikawa had the night off, so from yesterday's game, I couldn't detect any overuse of the bullpen.

Yesterday the problem was that the bats didn't do the job. That's what lost it for them. (Apart from superb pitching and defense by Yokohama, that is - gotta give them credit.) It was a close game, well fought, and sometimes you lose the close ones. Let's move on and see how they do tonight.

Same here - neither of us gets things wrong very often. But the point that you do sometimes get things wrong needs to be made as you often seem to forget it. Don't worry, you will get your acknowledgment that you were right (when it happens). However your comment "The Tigers don't often lose when they get ahead in the late innings. They certainly let that one get away." does indicate that you thought they had a lead.

Kubota gave up two successive two base hits which led me to ask the question. Kanemoto - well yes it was a failure, but I also thought Sheets wasn't so good in giving up the second run. However, I could only see from the stands - maybe the television showed something else.

- But the point that you do sometimes get things wrong needs to be made as you often seem to forget it.

I probably forget because they're so rare, or so inconsequential. But please let me know when I make a factual error (other than opinions that you don't agree with - which don't really count). I ignore most of the things you get wrong, but if I know you're going to point out my blunders, I'll be more fastidious about mentioning yours.

- "The Tigers don't often lose when they get ahead in the late innings. They certainly let that one get away." does indicate that you thought they had a lead.

Well no - it was merely an observation that they should have had the lead. I'll plead guilty to clumsy wording. All Kanemoto needed to do was hold up on a couple of pitches in that at-bat and he would have drawn a walk, and hence the go-ahead run. When he came up, I thought to myself, "Right, the pitcher's really struggling - just relax and don't be too keen to swing and you'll be fine." For some reason we weren't on the same wavelength.

Then again, if you were in the stands you probably missed it, as you say - sometimes the TV is the best vantage point. I apologize for confusing you.

No, I wasn't referring to Kanemoto's at bat, but to Sheets' missing a line drive which put in Yokohama's second run. It looked like a mistake from the stands, but maybe it wasn't. My turn to apologize for maybe confusing language.

And tonight the pitching was spot on, with Nohmi, Williams, Fujikawa, and even the supposedly overworked Kubota getting the job done.

- I think both you and zman actually need to read the posts fully and take them in context not in isolation. There is nothing wrong with expressing opinions, and I note both of you express strongly held opinions which later turn out to be very wrong. The comment is a comment in response to zman's previous post, nothing else. To stretch it to where you did is a bit absurd.

Funny. But you are making progress, slowly.

Watched the Giants game in part tonight here in Korea. Every YGs game is broadcast on a major network here. Why? Because of Lee. Just like MLB being broadcast on NHK to show Matsui and others. Ratings must be good to broadcast each game in prime time.

The midgets looked tense. Their starting pitcher was useless, walked in a run. Do not see that often in NPB. Lots of pop ups by the YG batters. Woods blew the game open with a 2 run dinger.

CL and PL are going to be fun to the finish this year. Three teams group tightly till the end is likely. So much better to watch than the dreaded YG monopoly money days.

Kanemoto does seem to be rushing his at bats. I have watched him do it a couple of times. He seems to want to win with one swing. Perhaps he feels he must carry the team. He is usually so disciplined at the plate. If Sheets were not having such an awful year at the plate perhaps Kanemoto could relax.

Regarding volume of words, it's much harder to be simple and correct than verbose and wrong. Reminds me of a quote by Katsuya Nomura about Shigeo Nagashima, he said that when Nagashima talks it's like the Yamanote line - he goes round and round and in the end is where he began (not an exact quote).

Well it's been a while, but I notice nothing's changed! Ha ha ha, "The World vs. Christopher."

Actually in Christopher's defense, I'm not one for Monday morning quarterbacking but for every call you get right, you're probably going to screw one up. That's why it's probably best to avoid the "I told you so" thing.

At the start of today's (August 12) game I was surprised to see Nohmi take the mound. This is a guy I have always thought lacks what it takes to play at this level, so feel free to throw the "I told you so" thing at me. He's the kind of pitcher who doesn't have enough stuff to blow batters away, although he got a surprising number of strike outs tonight. He found his spots tonight, didn't walk any batters, and pitched down in the zone resulting in a lot of ground balls. A huge improvement on previous outings.


I actually think the bullpen is being overused. I couldn't understand why Williams and Fujikawa were used in a non-save situation tonight. I'm a bit of a purist and like to see the set-up guy and closer rested with a 4+ run lead, although they need work every few days regardless of the score.

That happened last week too, can't remember which day. These guys are throwing their arms off, I think that's why you're starting to see more hits off them.

Sheets is showing signs of coming good, but is still disappointing in the clutch. Saturday night with a runner on 3rd and 1 out is a good example. It proved critical. The encouraging thing I've seen from Sheets is he's starting to hit both ways which is something he's always done. Until recently he was was pulling too many balls, getting way out in front of the pitch. Nice to see him sit back on the pitch, use his hands and take the ball the other way. That's a sign of confidence returning to his game.

Anyway how about the bench coming through with some big hits recently? If a team's going all the way, the bench is essential. Our rotation is forever walking the tightrope, but it's working for now.

Lets go Hanshin!

- Actually in Christopher's defense, I'm not one for Monday morning quarterbacking but for every call you get right, you're probably going to screw one up. That's why it's probably best to avoid the "I told you so" thing.

Actually, I do agree with that. The problem I had with Christopher's original viewpoint was that he was calling the season over as early as May. When I said not to panic because it was too early in the season, the response was essentially: "You don't know what you're talking about, the season's over. Wake up to yourself."

I accept that we all get predictions wrong, but this one was a real doozy, so it's hard to let Christopher off the hook.

- I actually think the bullpen is being overused.

You might be right, but these guys are real workhorses. They could throw every game if needed. Notice how Kubota recovered from his "failure" the day before? Today's a rest day, so obviously the use of Williams and Fujikawa took that into account. After Saturday's hard loss, I don't blame Okada for putting his best guys in to make sure.

Regarding Nohmi, yes, it was pleasing to see him hitting the spots. That's one of the beefs I had with Christopher earlier. My view is that there's a lot that happens behind the scenes that we don't see, and obviously somebody has been working with him to improve his mechanics or whatever. His stint in Hawaii in the off-season would have helped, too.

But as I pointed out a while back, their pitching, at least on an ERA basis, was not the real problem for their slump. It was the hitting. Low team batting average, few home runs, etc. Now that they're making the clutch hits, and with more use of Lin, Sakurai, and the others, things have turned around. Better pitching has also helped, but the improved batting has made the big difference.

In fact, that was my main point - don't panic, tweak here and there, find out what's working, and things can and do change.

I don't mind people disagreeing with me, but to effectively say I know nothing, when in fact I do know something about this fine game (more, I would venture, than the detractors) - well, that's a bit hard to take.

Hey Mijow, nice to hear from you! Haven't been able to exchange banter as often as I'd like this season! Had a nice surprise that twins are on their way, so as a result things have been very busy this year. Like you wouldn't believe!

- I don't mind people disagreeing with me, but to effectively say I know nothing, when in fact I do know something about this fine game (more, I would venture, than the detractors) - well, that's a bit hard to take.

Yes, that has frustrated me in the past on this board. I've played and been involved in the game for over 25 years, so I don't like having my opinion rubbished, like I don't know what I'm talking about. Of course I accept a differing opinion, and in fact welcome it, it's a shame in the past others lacked the same humility.

Anyway, agree with your points. We always had a good team, it just took a bit of tweaking and I think patience at the plate has been a big factor in the turn around. The lineup is making opposing pitchers work more now, they're seeing more pitches and it's paying off.

That is what I am talking about!

BayStars lose, Midgets lose, and Tigers win over the Dragons. The Midgets are swooning again. It is becoming a late season habit.

What a ride for Tigers fans so far. Those that predicted so arrogantly their fall into last place have proved they know nothing about the Tiger spirit, or baseball as a whole for that matter. With one more victory over the mighty Dragons, the Tigers can move into second place and be within spitting distance of first.

So the question is, how low will the Midgets sink this year? Down to fifth again? Is that possible?

A bit of a blanket statement. This sort of situation hasn't been common for the Tigers in recent years. If the Tigers have been in a position at the All Star break they have stayed there. If you were a Tigers fan before 2003 you would not be talking about Tigers spirit so blythly. It's a recent development and is very welcome. All this shows is that arguing from history is often dangerous and that those doing so (myself) can end up very wrong (I hope).