Thames?

[Chuckd05]

any idea why he has sat all week ?

[urbanbreez]

No, but it's starting to piss me off.

[Motown Blues]

The short answer? Matt Joyce.

It's not a straight platoon - and Leyland plays hunches and historical stats rather righty/lefty - but you are more likely to see Joyce in LF against righties while he hits like he is (.349 / 5 HR over last month). Thames missed the last two games against two right handed Royals' starters. Talking heads on the radio/tv are claiming that you could see him more at DH if Sheffield continues to be less than average (though he has been hitting the ball hard). I basically see right now 3 guys for two spots, and for now, there will not be too much predictability.

[urbanbreez]

Ok, but seriously, Motown, you are from that area. Is Thames not killing the ball? He's been raking... are his splits against lefty and righty that bad? He just hit like 7 bombs in a row! This is stupid. At least wait for him to slump before benching him all week. Do you agree?

[pitcherintherye]

Ok, but seriously, Motown, you are from that area. Is Thames not killing the ball? He's been raking... are his splits against lefty and righty that bad? He just hit like 7 bombs in a row! This is stupid. At least wait for him to slump before benching him all week. Do you agree?

I agree. this is bull.

[Motown Blues]

I certainly agree, gentlemen. He HAS been on a tear. Most Tiger fans want to see what Thames can do day in and day out because he's never really had the chance. Maybe it's because he's streaky, his defense is below average or that his career post-All Star stats are abysmal (something like a .276 OBP). But he has always posted these stats as a part time player. The dude would hit 40 HR if you gave him 500 AB's. He was out of the lineup AGAIN (the righty Danks on the mound), Joyce went 0 for 3 and plenty guys were left on base. Could have used Thames this night.

And of course, just when you think the Tigers might make a run, we manage to figure out a way to start losing again. Jonesy gives up 2 in the ninth and we blow the Chisox opener 6-5 after a great performance from Nate Robertson.

[gatorgreenwell]

"Marcus Thames did not start Friday, the third consecutive game that he was not in the lineup.

Thames leads the team with 19 home runs even though he entered Friday's game with only 199 at-bats.

The return of rightfielder Magglio Ordoñez has meant that one player from the group of Thames, Matt Joyce and Gary Sheffield will be out of the lineup on most days."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 26004/1050

[Motown Blues]

"Marcus Thames did not start Friday, the third consecutive game that he was not in the lineup.

Thames leads the team with 19 home runs even though he entered Friday's game with only 199 at-bats.

The return of rightfielder Magglio Ordoñez has meant that one player from the group of Thames, Matt Joyce and Gary Sheffield will be out of the lineup on most days."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 26004/1050

I read this today in my Free Press, and it's just as I said. Problem is, it doesn't tell you any more of the why. Even the writers can only speculate Leyland's motives (as is often the case).