Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
As of play today Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers is still gaining in the home run category on his only remaining stumbling block to his second consecutive triple crown. He is only four homers away and though Davis continues to hit big flies, Cabrera has been hitting them at just slightly a higher pace. The last two consecutive games have seen the big man leave early with abdominal pain. On Friday it was after a strikeout. Is this going to hurt his ability to run down Davis and get the first ever MLB consecutive triple crowns?
Honestly I don’t think so. For sure abdominal pain could result in an injury that causes a player to be unable to swing the bat correctly and that could hamper his swing over a few weeks time or even land him on the bench for a while as it rests. Clearly if he misses time to remain healthy enough to play in October, he will have a much tougher time catching Davis. The top priority for Jim Leyland is the health of his players and you can bet Cabrera will be out there if he can go and not out there if he cannot. That’s why I think he’ll still do it.
Let’s say for example that he takes Saturday off and DH’s Sunday. That time with lesser activity would not make a huge difference over the final home run total but would be enough time for him to get healthy. He could take a day off each week and still run down Davis unless Davis hits another hot streak. All things considered, I believe Cabrera’s chances of the triple crown are well intact. He still has a month to play, he’ll do it.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
Related:
Miguel Cabrera Should DH for Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera is the Best Hitter Since Barry Bonds
