2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.154: Tigers at KC

21 Comments

Good thing the Tigers’ announcers aren’t playing the Royals’ announcers, as Frank White would likely smoke us, according to an article in today’s WSJ.  In fact, Rod and Mario have the unfortunate distinction as being the worst TV announcer’s WAR-wise.  I see you WSJ.

Anyway, the ballplayers determine the outcome, and some think that our recent pitching has been good enough to propel the Tigers to the World Series.  Speaking of playoffs, JL announced today that both Scherzer and Fister would pitch tomorrow to get things lined up for the playoffs. Not sure how this works since one of them will still not get normal rest, but I’ll trust Leyland here.

With the division under wraps, the remaining week and a half will be spent focusing on seeding in the AL.  The Tigers start tonight 3.5 games behind the Yankees for the top overall spot, and 1 game ahead of the Rangers for the 2nd spot.  The Yankees are opening a 4 game set in three days against a hard-charging Rays team only 2 games out of the wild card, and then follow that up with a weekend match against the Red Sox.  So the opportunity may be there.

On the other hand, the Rangers are in Oakland for 3, and then host Seattle for 3, so now is not the time to get complacent.

Tonight’s Series W Opening Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Don Kelly, 3B
3. Delmon Young, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Andy Dirks, RF
9. Ramon Santiago, 2B

21 thoughts on “Game 2011.154: Tigers at KC”

  1. Penny is off to his typically bad start…at least it’s only a bad start of the nighttime version.

  2. Not sure what Leyland is going to do to get Jackson on track. We need baserunners and to win close games it will start at the top. Will see what happens tonight. One hit so far but way too many SO’s as of late.

  3. Jackson surely must be setting some sort of record for leadoff strikeouts. Not that he is the only Tiger having problems with Cy Mendoza (who wisely chose a career as a pitcher over a career as a .200 hitter).

  6. I hope Leyland has a more productive game plan than starting the BAD PENNY. He may have screwed up Betemit up for production from him this season by setting him so much,amazing. Leyland better get his act together and stop playing favorites.

  7. Looks like JV gets an extra day of rest going into the playoffs. I hope the Tigers remain sharp going into the playoffs. Looking forward to it.

  9. A show of hands by all those surprised by Penny’s performance tonight………… anybody? Anybody?

  10. Penny is awful. He’s our John Lacky. He will likely get another regular season start. After that, I hope I never see him on the hill in a Tiger uniform again.

  11. I think tonight seals Porcello’s spot as the 4th starter in the playoffs. Is Penny a candidate for middle or long relief?

    1. Penny is (or should be) a candidtate for the DFA list. Smokey will likely stick with him out of loyalty, but in reality he should have been gone a long time ago.

  12. Below is another one that has been pitching his way off the playoff roster lately. To be fair, he was a starter all season at Toledo, and then after a couple of starts for the Tigers, he has been limited to mostly infrequent mop up relief duties. The role change may be a difficult adjustment.

  14. I am not sure that I like Leyland telling the world that Scherzer will pitch 5 innings tomorrow, followed by Fister. What if he pulls a “Penny” and gives up a 5 spot in the 1st inning? Will Leyland leave him hanging in the wind?

    1. Leyland is “thinking”, always a dangerous prospect. That is, he is fiddling, culminating in odd pitching assignments, strange lineups, etc., which means the Tigers burn while Texas races to the 2nd-best record and home-field advantage. It’s never too late for a collapse – beware.

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