The Tigers try to even the series with Baltimore using the time-tested strategy of starting Brad Penny in a day game. In theory, he could even show that he is worth keeping on the playoff roster.
Player of the Pre-Game: Brandon Inge
You wouldn’t think it, but Inge is actually hitting .355 since his return from Toledo.
Today’s Who’s-At-Third Lineup:
- Austin Jackson, CF
- Magglio Ordonez, RF
- Delmon Young, LF
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Alex Avila, C
- Jhonny Peralta, SS
- Brandon Inge, 3B
- Ryan Raburn, 2B
Did Betemit get DFA’d or something? I thought we traded for him.
Betemit is scheduled to play on Monday, 26SEP11. I hope the final three games will be a tune up for him for the playoffs.
I enjoyed hearing Rod and Mario talk about all the scouts at the game. I hope they walked away and told their clubs that the Tigers are a TEAM with everyone stepping up for batting, pitching or fielding. If one goes array, somebody covers. Meanwhile the catayst is set around Carbera with Martinez safely backing him up. Oh….and then their are hitters such as Avila, Peralta, Young, Ordonez, and Betemit along with an added a spark and flash from Kelly and Raburn. Did I also tell you that Jackson can field?
BTW, I was looking at my season journal and noticed that Avila batted 9th on opening day. What a long way he has come on his breakout season!
Cabrera is now hitting .340, and he is one of only two people with OPS over 1.000.
For people who don’t want to vote for a pitcher for MVP, he’s got a pretty good argument over the New York and Boston guys.
Winning the batting title would give him a big boost. He seems to be in the zone right now and is finishing very strong. He leads the Tigers in almost all offensive categories and has only missed 1 game.
Betemit hurt his knee sliding into home a week+ ago. Should be back soon.
I think Kelly + Inge is the new platoon. Besides, Kelly can bat 2nd, and that is a very important considration in the Leyland scheme of things.
Penny gets lit up by the AA part of the Orioles lineup.
By the way, Inge is hitting .254 since his return from Toledo (15 for 59).
Check that, 15 for 51 (before today) = .294
My fact checker is so fired.
Hopefully that’s Brad Penny’s last pitch in a Tiger uniform.
He ate some innings. Some innings ate him. But we can do better next season…
At least he has a chance to go out with a .500 record
Some team will see that 11-11 record and think “he had a pretty good season.” Hopefully it isn’t the Tigers! We need to replace him with a good (mid-rotation at least) lefty and move Porcello down to No. 5.
I have no room on my playoff roster for any pitcher whose last name begins with a P ends in a y.
I’m thinking that one of the Perry, Penny, and Pauley trio would make the playoff roster.
Batting leaders
1. Mi Cabrera .341 (2 for 3 today)
2. A. Gonzalez .338 (0 for 4 today – 1st game)
3. M. Young .338 (not in starting lineup today)
Three games left to gain one on Texas. Hope we can do it!