Detroit Tigers: James McCann Tries Hand at Motivating the Team
After an exciting win against their nemesis team, the Detroit Tigers get to enjoy a day off before they face the mediocre Minnesota Twins.
The day off gives the Detroit Tigers time to re-evaluate where they are and where they want to be. There is still time to get into the playoffs, one way or another – through a Wild Card berth or by repeating a few more wins against their AL Central opponents.
If James McCann has anything to say about it, the Tigers are ready to earn a few more wins. The young leader clearly wants to get to the post-season and he’s not afraid to say it.
Currently, the Tigers are on the outside looking in. They are seven games behind the Indians – where it seems like they’ve been all season. They are also two games out of the Wild Card spot and tied with the Mariners. All eyes are on the Blue Jays who occupy the enviable last AL Wild Card spot.Jays who occupy the enviable last AL Wild Card spot.
Getting the Necessary Wins
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) scores a run past Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) in the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
In an article by George Sipple with the Detroit Free Press, McCann was quoted saying: “Where we’re at, obviously, in a perfect world, we would’ve come in and gotten three wins here. That didn’t happen. Moving forward, it’s win at all costs. Find a way to win and let the chips fall as they may. If we start worrying about what other teams are going to do, we’re going to forget what we have to do as a team.”
These words could not ring more true. The Tigers were expected to win all four games against the Minnesota Twins in their previous homestand at Comerica Park. Instead, the teams split the series as the Tigers’ pitching fell apart and the offense was practically absent. Then, they lost two out of three against the division-leading Cleveland Indians.
McCann (the fans, the rest of the Detroit Tigers, and the manager) knows that the team has what it takes to come through at the end. This is why the losses have been so frustrating. When a team is loaded with the talent that the Tigers have, the wins should be significantly easier to attain.
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) scores a run past Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) in the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
No More Tomorrows
There are only 13 games left, but they are all against division rivals. The Tigers have performed well against the Twins at Target Field. This season, the Tigers have won all six games they have played in Minneapolis. At Comerica Park, the Twins have won four out of ten. The odds are in the Tigers’ favor for this next series.
McCann seems to understand how important these last few games are. Hopefully, the team shares them, too. McCann said: “Regardless who’s in the other dugout, we have to find a way to win ballgames. That’s the bottom line. That’s the easiest way to put it. Regardless who’s in that other dugout from here on out, we have to find a way to win.”
After the win on Sunday against the Indians, the old cliche about “hitting being contagious” hopefully applies to wins, too. The Tigers need to win. The tomorrows are almost gone.
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