Tue May 13, 2008 1:23 pm EDT
Using the best technology available to us today, The SlumpBot
.200 identifies five players each week (this time it spits out a bonus sixth slumper) who are having a bit of trouble and
then offers solutions for performance recovery. It is powered by BLS
contributor Nick Friedell does its work every Tuesday.
Justin Verlander, Tigers
Data: 1-6, 6.43 ERA
Malfunction: Has lost his last three starts in a row, and six of his last seven. The right-hander has given up at least four earned runs in every one of his starts, except for his lone win on April 22nd against the Rangers, in which he gave up just 1.
Diagnosis: Verlander insists that physically, he is fine. The tall right-hander believes that his mechanics need to be fixed. "I know what I need to work on. My front side is flying (open). When that happens, everything kind of flattens out on me. I've had a tendency to do that my whole career." (Free Press)
Reboot Directions: Verlander is scheduled to take the mound tonight in Kansas City. He has owned the Royals in his career, going 6-0 against them, with a 2.65 ERA, in nine career starts. He already faced them once this season, earning a no decision, after going six innings and giving up four runs. Look for him to bounce back tonight and help the Tigers crawl out of the AL Central basement.
***
Jeff Kent, Dodgers
Data: .250 average, 3 HR, 18 RBI
Malfunction: The veteran second baseman is 4-for-30 over the last week and a half, with 0 HR and 3 RBI.
Diagnosis: With Rafael Furcal having to go on the DL, and the Dodgers in the midst of a four-game losing streak, the team needs Kent to step up, and lead by example, especially when perpetual Slumpbot nominee Andruw Jones continues to struggle.
Reboot Directions: Torre probably needs to mix in more days off for the 40-year-old, like he did on Sunday, using him only as a pinch hitter. The career .290 hitter should bounce back to form soon though, he hasn't hit below .250 for an entire season since 1992.
***
Alex Rios, Blue Jays
Data: .270 average, 3 HR, 15 RBI
Malfunction: Rios is 8-for-46 over his last 10 games with 0 HR, and 0 RBI.
Diagnosis: Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, still believes that Rios and company will be able to turn it around. "Everybody's frustrated," Gibbons said. "But it's not for a lack of effort. The odds are in our favor to explode, really. I like this team and I'll stick by that. I really believe [it will] come together." (MLB.com)
Reboot Directions: Rios and the Jays open up a three game series against the Twins, which should be a welcome sight for the right-fielder. Rios has a .341 average against Minnesota in his career with 4 HR, and 11 RBI. Also something to consider, is that Gibbons has shifted Rios back into the third spot in the lineup, because of an injury to Vernon Wells. In 23 games batting third, Rios has a .289 average with 1 HR, and 11 RBI. In 13 games in the lead-off spot, Rios has a .246 average, with 1 HR, and 2 RBI.
***
Edgar Renteria, Tigers
Data: .266 average, 3 HR, 18 RBI
Malfunction: Renteria is 4-for-37 over his last 10 games with 0 HR and 2 RBI
Diagnosis: Renteria has been too good over his career not to snap out of this slump, but how badly do you think the Tigers would like to see Jair Jurrjens in their struggling rotation. Jurrjens was sent to the Braves, along with OF Gorkys Hernandez, to get Renteria. "At this point, Atlanta has won that deal," said one scout. "Jurrjens [4-2, 2.84] has been their most consistent starter." (ESPN.com)
Reboot Directions: Renteria should get a boost starting tonight, considering the Tigers start a three-game set against the Royals tonight. The shortstop has owned Kansas City over his career, compiling a .388 average, with 3 HR, and 26 RBI.
***
Clay Buchholz, Red Sox
Data: 2-3, 5.53 ERA
Malfunction: Buchholz has given up 18 hits, and 12 earned runs, over 8 1/3 innings over his last two starts. The right-hander earned the loss in last night's 7-3 loss to the Twins.
Diagnosis: "I don't know what anybody can tell me," Buchholz said. "It's sort of in my hands right now. I'm going out there and leaving pitches up and they get hit. That's what happens. You've got to take it as they come. I feel strong. I just have to fine-tune some things and go back out there and hope it's a different story and get outs." (Hartford Courant)
Reboot Directions: Don't start Buchholz when the Red Sox are on the road. In three home starts this season, Buchholz is 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA. In five road starts, the right-hander is 0-3 with a 8.64 ERA.
***
Bill Hall, Brewers
Data: .199 average, 8 HR, 20 RBI
Malfunction: Hall came into last night's game in a 2-for-31 funk.
Diagnosis: After knocking out his 8th homer of the season, in last night's 8-3 win over the Cardinals, Hall might be ready to get back on track, but his struggles against right-handers have some people in Milwaukee concerned. His manager, Ned Yost, believes Hall can get it together. "When he's not going well, he does (pull off pitches from righties). When he's going well, he doesn't. It's just a matter of consistency in his offensive game." "Billy's not like any other player we have. Billy can hit a home run in any part of this field. We don't have a lot of other hitters that can do that. The consistency has been an issue, especially against right-handed pitchers." (JS Online)
Reboot Directions: Keep Hall away from most right-handed pitchers. He is hitting .157 against them this season with 5 HR, and 32 K's. Against lefties, Hall is hitting .333 with 3 HR, and just 7 K's. Having said that, take a chance on Hall tonight against the Dodgers. He is 4-for-12 in his career against Dodgers starter Brad Penny.
Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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16 Comments
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Go Blue.
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whoa
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virtually nonexsistant. The whole team is in a slump, changing 1 or 2 guys wont make that much of a difference right now. The Tigers are team, they have the talent to turn it around and a manager that knows how, i just hope they figure it out in time.
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