Where have I seen this before?

Two words come to mind all the sudden: Maddeningly Inconsistent.
First the Red Wings storm through the regular season, only to get bounced in the first round. Same thing with the Pistons, regular season dominance, poor performance leading to an exit in the playoffs. Now it looks like Tigers are joining Detroit's newest club: The Bedcrappers. Say what you will about the Lions, at least they are considerate enough to suck the entire year, so not to get your hopes up only to have them dashed in just a few months time.
Maybe I'm just bitter about the Tigers blowing a desperately needed opportunity to add some distance between themselves and the Twins by getting spanked by Texas tonight. Maybe, it's the fact that I just received my credit card bill and looked at how much I plunked down for playoff tickets, now knowing that they will probably make it, but I will more than likely be witness to the wild card Tigers struggling in October, and the Yankees winning the ALDS at Comerica.
But the part that really chaps my ass are games like yesterday, where through the literal and figurative rainclouds they was light and hope that the team was beginning to right itself (See game 1 of the last three series), and just 24 hours later we're talking about yet another loss. It's not just the losing, it's the way they are losing. It's like the team from August and September's past have taken over.
Now a day off and Baltimore comes to town. This series must be won, period. This is Baltimore they are out of contention, they should be losing to a playoff team if the Tigers still consider themselves one. I don't give a crap about teams that are out of it playing hard and being "spoilers". If you played that hard throughout the year you'd be in the pennant race not watching others in it. These teams are out of it because of inferior talent and/or coaching, and should lose to teams with superior talent and/or coaching. I guess after this weekend series we will see which one the Tigers have.

BOO CREEPY FOOT DOCTOR: Craig Monroe has as many outfield assists as he does hits in this past week.

HOORAY BEER!: Chris Chelios inadvertently let it out that Nicklas Lidstrom will be the 33rd captain in Detroit Red Wings history.