A bit of post-celebration malaise perhaps? At any rate, the Tigers are in danger of losing their first series since approximately the invention of styrofoam.
Magglio Ordonez continued his September surge with 3 more hits, raising his September batting average to .464. Seriously.
Taking the mound today at the absurdly named O.co Coliseum (shouldn’t Bud Selig be doing something about that?) is Justin Verlander, looking for win 24, and his 12th consecutive start, which no Tiger has ever done. He will also be competing against the Sports Illustrated jinx–this is his first start since appearing on the cover.
Best Record Standings:
NY Yankees 91 59 —
Detroit Tigers 88 64 4
Boston Red Sox 87 64 4 1/2
Texas Rangers 87 65 5
Player of the Pre-Game: Justin Verlander
Verlander is Justin Time with a good outing to save his #1 spot in the rotation (relax, just playing here).
Today’s Verlander’s-Pitching-So-It-Doesn’t-Matter Lineup:
- Austin Jackson, CF
- Don Kelly, 3B
- Delmon Young, LF
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Alex Avila, C
- Carlos Guillen, 2B
- Andy Dirks, RF
- Ramon Santiago, SS
Jackson! And I was thinking he should bunt for base hit…
This is fun.
Verlander is THE MAN!
Cabrera is only one hit behind Gonzalez in the batting title race (.333 vs .331) and trails only Bautista in OPS. It’s silly that nobody’s really talking about him for MVP at all.
Good observations Andrew. Perhaps Cabrera can make his mark in the playoffs? (I know, I know, MVP is not supposed to be judged during post season. However ask Austin Jackson about last year’s Rookie of the Year votes!).