German Closing For Tigers?

[tmaniar]

German closed today? I'm well aware this could be because of rest. But just curious due to trade rumors surrounding Urbina.

[NZF]

It wasn't because of rest, Urbina hasn't pitched the past 2 days.

Must be another good reason. Urbina is still the closer.

[cafe_58]

German gave up 2 runs, so he looks pretty shaky as a closer. Urbina will be back tomorrow.

[thehat]

Urbina had to travel to Venezuela to attend to family matter. He's expected back for tomorrow's game.

[NZF]

German gave up 2 runs, so he looks pretty shaky as a closer. Urbina will be back tomorrow.

to say German closed today is a contradiction of terms. He attempted to but it all turned to crap.

[thehat]

BTW, German's array of pitches was fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball. Seven of them were wide of the zone, and one of them went over the wall.

This guy may be able to blow away AAA hitters with one pitch, but that isn't going to cut it at the next level.

[warrick95]

He's got a nasty splitter. I don't know why he didn't use it...probably was trying to establish the fastball first before doing so...didn't get much of a chance to do that, I see.

[thehat]

He's got a nasty splitter. I don't know why he didn't use it...probably was trying to establish the fastball first before doing so...didn't get much of a chance to do that, I see.

He may have been throwing the splitter, but it sure wasn't splitting.

[LBJackal]

He has a slider too, doesn't he? In MVP 2004 I have him and all he throws in a hard fastball and a decent slider

[d18Mike]

This guy may be able to blow away AAA hitters with one pitch, but that isn't going to cut it at the next level.

You are right. The rap against German according to scouts is that he lacks fine command. He can get away with it in AAA where the hitters have less plate discipline. But ML hitters will wait him out. He's always pitching from behind and that's where he gets into trouble. He's the ultimate fire, fire, aim pitcher.

Frankly, I think the Tigers are insane if they think he'll be closing anytime in the next 1-2 years. As a Tiger fan, I like to se it happen eventually. But I'm skeptical.