September 1, 2011.
That is the day the Tigers look to finish the 3-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals, since Sunday they were thwarted by weather. By then, the Indians should be in the rear-view mirror. Breaking news: Grady Sizemore back on the DL (sighs from Grady’s Ladies).
Today, May 16, 2001, is the clash of the unbeaten streak teams–Detroit with a 7-game winning streak, and Toronto with a 5-game winning streak, the 2 longest current streaks in the league. Something has to give. Or does it? This could also be the 2nd of a 2-game rainout streak. Weathermen are standing by.
Today’s game features Max Scherzer, who looks to become MLB’s first 7-game winner, as he continues on pace to a 28-0 season. About that Blue Jays winning streak: their last loss? To Max Scherzer and the Tigers. The Blue Jays counter with, Kyle Drabek (2-2, 4.81), son of Doug. Jim Leyland coached his dad. Advantage: Tigers.
And also: Jose Bautista. For the love of Paws, pitch around him this time, do you hear what I’m telling you? For Detroit, Victor Martinez is cruising along with a 13-game hitting streak, and was named AL player of the week. Advantage: even
Ingetangibles:
Two weeks ago in these very pages, looking for some bright spot after a demoralizing sweep by Cleveland, we noted that Brandon Inge called a team “unifying” meeting, and proclaimed “we are going to be a winning team.”
Tiger record since that meeting: 10-2.
Sure, the winning can mostly be attributed to pitching, starting with Justin No-Hit Verlander. But why has the starting pitching been so good? Clearly something has inspired them. Brandon “Team Chemistry” Inge should certainly be the Player of the Pre-Game. Advantage: Tigers
Yesterday was to be the much anticipated unveiling of Andy Dirks, the young LH OF called up to replace Groundouttlio while he rests his ankklio. Normally, when the Tigers call up someone from Toledo Leyland plays him immediately. Unfortunately, in Dirks’ case it appears the team inadvertently called up Andy Dick, who luckily was unavailable because of legal troubles. Management has now sorted out the situation, and Andy Dirks gets the start today.
Today’s Player of the Pre-Game: Ramon Santiago
Yeah, I know I said it would be Inge. But then I found out via Leyland that there is no such thing as team chemistry, so forget everything I said above. But, Ramon Santiago: the most useful backup infielder in the league? Discuss amongst yourselves.
Today’s Lineup:
- Austin Jackson CF
- Andy Dirks LF
- Brennan Boesch RF
- Miguel Cabrera 1B
- Victor Martinez DH
- Jhonny Peralta SS
- Alex Avila C
- Brandon Inge 3B
- Ramon Santiago 2B
It makes everything so much different when AJax gets on base to start the game…hey, and there’s a steal!
Dirks looked like he was having trouble breathing up there. Welcome to the bigs, Andy!
One run was unsatisfying that inning. However, it’s encouraging to see the good guys score first.
Andy Dirks is now batting 1.000! Fox on top of things with the mom-cam.
I guess Boesch thought the play was at the on deck circle.
Uh oh, look who’s Joaquin out to the mound…
Not For Long
Long enough.
Another Benoit fail.
I want a refund. Benoit has been an absolute flop.
Forget what we’re paying him, I’d rather see AlburquerK in the 8th inning right now.
Agreed, We need someone to go up there and get outs.
Al B K is fine with me
Damage is done, now lets get some runs
This is ridiculous. Put in Benoit? LEAVE IN BENOIT?
Take out Dirks? Put in Raburn?
IS ANYONE DRIVING THIS BUS?
Home Rhun! Of course, that just makes the Benoit meltdown even more annoying…
I think the Indians are going to pick up a game on us tonight…unless KC can score 19 runs over the last 4 innings.
I think it’s safe to say Kansas City is back to being Kansas City
AlBk in th 8th. Benoit….well….
From Rosenburg’s article this morning:
“Manager Jim Leyland cut off any questions about replacing Benoit as his eighth-inning guy, which was not surprising.”
Benoit had an ERA below 0.93 just 3 weeks ago. Too bad we just can’t erase the last 3 weeks. I’ll give him a free because most pitchers have a bad stretch like this every year. It just looks 1000x worse on paper when it happens this early in the season as compared to later the season. Like last July-Auguest when Valverd’s ERA went from 0.92 to 2.81 after a rough 3 week stretch. His ERA was 8.25 for the month of July and 7.00 for the month of August.