With the Detroit Tigers in deep trouble in the first inning of Game 1 of the ALDS game on Saturday, TBS analyst Jeff Francoeur said what many fans were probably thinking.
He was wrong.
The Cleveland Guardians scored two quick runs against Detroit starter Tyler Holton, and had runners on first and third with no outs when the lefty got pulled.
In came reliever Reese Olson, a starter making his first relief appearance of the year.
Francoeur set the stage, and as noted, said what the Tigers and many fans probably thought.
“If you think about it, this couldn’t have gone any worse, [this] start for the Tigers,” Francoeur said.
Of course, many Tigers fans probably winced hearing that, thinking things could get worse. And they did.
About five seconds later, Guardians slugger Lane Thomas crushed Olson’s first pitch into the bleachers for a three-run home run.
“This couldn’t have gone any worse, [this] start for the Tigers…” – Jeff Francoeur, right before it gets much worse for the Tigers ⚾️💣🎙️ #MLB pic.twitter.com/PNUT5zA9SD
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 5, 2024
“Five-to-nothing Cleveland before there is an out recorded in this game,” play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson said.
“Wow,” Francoeur responded.
Of course, many fans will try to shoehorn Francoeur’s “couldn’t get any worse” observation into the announcer jinx category. We’ve already seen that phenomenon in the MLB postseason. Let’s not overlook the fact Olson served up a center-cut, off-speed pitch to Thomas, which he smacked into the seats. That kind of pitch selection will overcome the negative energy of an announcer jinx any day.
[Photo Credit: TBS]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.