Sunday, June 14, 2009

Will Galarraga, Willis remain in starting rotation?

        How much longer can Jim Leyland keep Armando Galarraga and Dontrelle Willis in the starting rotation?
        The bigger question is, whom does Leyland start in their place?
        In the Tigers’ last two games, both losses, in Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday, Galarraga and Willis combined to pitch a total of just 5 2/3 innings, together allowing 10 runs on 14 hits and nine walks.
        That would be a bad outing for any one pitcher. For two it is terrible.
        Clearly, that cannot continue.
        Galarraga breezed through the  first month of the season undefeated at 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA. Since then, he is 0-7 with a 7.54.
        On Saturday, Leyland told reporters Galarraga “seemed confused.
        “His stuff wasn’t very good and his location was terrible -- that’s a bad combination,” the Tigers manager admitted.
        On Sunday, the comical, baggy, turn-of-the-century uniforms the Tigers were wearing only made Willis look worse as he loaded the bases with Pirates before he could get anybody out and fell behind 3-0 in the first inning.
        Jeremy Bonderman is no longer the answer. He isn’t even available at the moment after returning to the 15-day disabled list on Friday. Nate Robertson obviously is not the answer.
        That leaves Zach Miner, unless the Tigers summon someone from Toledo.
        Galarraga is scheduled to make his next start at Comerica Park on Friday. It will be Willis’ turn on Saturday.
        Does Leyland dare send them out there again?

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