The Polanco Magic

Placido Polanco made an incredible and perhaps game-saving catch against the Boston Red Sox on August 15. The Tigers won that game by one run. Polanco was seriously injured on the play and was out for 34 games. During that stretch, the Tigers record was 13-21. By far, their worse stretch of the season. Actually, prior to the Red Sox series, the Tigers had lost five close games in a row to the Twins (those darn Twins) and the White Sox. But they had beaten the Red Sox and things were looking good.

Some information to contemplate: without Polanco during those 34 games, the Tigers were shutout three times, their record in one-run games was 1-7 (and not much better in two-run games). Polanco clearly is an important cog in the Tigers arsenal.

Twenty-one times in that stretch they scored four runs or fewer. Note: their season record when scoring five or more runs: 66-13. Scoring less than five: 28-49. You can do the math to see the importance of this run-producing second baseman!

During the time he was out, the Tigers scored an average of 4.22 runs/game. This includes the 17-run outburst against the Orioles. Without that: 3.85/game. As you can see, the Tigers were seriously hurting for offence without their second-hole hitter.

Polanco is back!

In the one-run win against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night, Polanco had a suicide squeeze that helped the Tigers get their fourth run. At the time, they led 4-1. They ended up winning 4-3. Last night, against those same pesky Jays, the Polanco battled in one at bat, fouling off several pitches, before slamming a home run. The Tigers lost, 6-4, but it may have been one of the best at bats all season ...