1,000 Does Not a Pennant Buy

Sweet dreams are made of this. Yeah, the season was supposed to be a disappointment if the Tigers didn't win the World Series. Now, the playoffs are out of site. What does it mean if they don't finish .500?

Remember when the Tigers were supposed to score over 1,000 runs this season?

They've scored 738 so far. That's about 819 for a 162 game season. Only 181 runs shy of their expectations. They should have scored another 1.11 runs per game to get their 1,000. Of course, the pitchers are on a pace to give up 840 runs. So, as long as their pitching gives up more than their hitting provides ...

What's that you say? Sure, if the batters had knocked in 1,000+ ... But, let's get realistic. The hitting (besides the shut outs and low scoring affairs) has been decent. The Miguel Cabrera trade was okay, except for the Willis part of it. None of the players we sent to Florida in the trade had an impact this season.

The Tigers are on pace to win 77 games and lost 85. That is a terrible, terrible season (considering the expectations). Do you realize the team will still finish with 34 more wins than 2003. But, somehow, that 43—119 season is no where nearly as disappointing as this potential 77—85 season.

$138 million for 77 wins. I feel like a Mets fan. There's always next season. (And the Mets might be on their way to the post season).

[Today's Aflac quiz: what season did the Tigers win 77 games and lose 77 games?]

What would Rod Allen's hint be for this one ...