Tigers news

So Takahiro Arai is leaving Tigers. Basically he does not fit in with Wada's plans which involve non-entities like Imanari. He was offered a ridiculously low salary (but not sacked of course) and he 'made' the decision to reject it. There has been some change in the coaching team - more to follow on this but it looks like Nakanishi is staying. You know the incompetent who completely screwed up the bullpen. That is not good news at all. Wada will be on yearly contracts from now on but taking his team to a Japan Series even though he totally blew it does merit one more year. Tigers are now interested in Naruse and Nakajima - more washed out hasbeens. Toritani is rumoured to be interested in going to MLB and Nohmi is uncommitted to another contract but may still sign. No news on the incompetent Fujii yet but one can always hope he will be kicked out especially after his dismal Japan Series performance.

There's a white elephant in Tiger Tails... Your thoughts on Game 5?

Messenger was basically pitched until he dropped. He should have been switched at the end of the seventh along with Fujii. Settsu was only pitched six innings and one can certainly say that Hawks managed their battery far better than Tigers after the first game. The final call was an interesting one - what people need to remember is that the umpires have been incredibly strict all series. One notes their judgments on swings. However, the decisions were even handed. A mistake perhaps but one can also see the reasoning in it.

Let's simplify. Hanshin's pitching was pretty solid. Hanshin just couldn't hit. Historically embarrassing if you look at the team batting average and especially the average with RISP.

I think we have to assume issues with the pitching over the series. They couldn't stop the Hawks scoring which they needed to do if they couldn't score themselves. Partly it was down to the catcher used and partly the poor pitching coaching. Hawks pitching was the solid thing apart from the first game not the Tigers pitching. Unfortunately one has to say that the pitching wasn't good enough.

"Interesting" thoughts. You'd be the only observer to say Hanshin's hitting wasn't the problem. You don't see 4 runs in 4 games an issue?

Tigers hitting was part of the problem but the fundamental issue was pitching. If your batters can't hit then the pitchers need to hold the line. It all comes back to the question - What do you do if your opponents starter has a quality start? It was always going to be difficult to hit against the Hawks pitchers so the onus was on the Tigers pitchers to keep things tight. Hawks knew this and did exactly that - two of the games were won by only one run but one instantly knew that once Hawks got ahead they would hold that lead.

The final call was a bad one. And the Hawks started celebrating too early so there was no fair way for review. It was a bad way for the Tigers to lose. But it was also a bad way for the Hawks to win. A very disappointing series in many respects.

Given that Tigers decided to use Fujii as the catcher your statement is fully justified. I will remember the battle he had with Iwata for a long time especially as Iwata was correct. I am not convinced though by your interpretation of the final call. Strict yes but according to the rules justified. I am also convinced that even if the call had been reversed it wouldn't have mattered. Tigers didn't play well enough and made too many mistakes especially the rubbish behind the plate.

Looks like Nohmi has re-signed for 3 years, and Fujii is staying around, as well as Andoh and Fukuhara... http://www.sanspo.com/baseball/professional/data/14/fa.html