Yearly Archives: 2011

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.36: Tigers at Blue Jays

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The Tigers look to win their second consecutive asphalt game, as the Tigers look to close out their second straight 3-of-4 series.

Max Scherzer will take the mound for Detroit, fortified with steak, courtesy of Justin Verlander, who took a few of the guys out to celebrate the no-hitter.  Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer, Alex Avila, and Don Kelly all were there.  Don Kelly?  I guess Coke doesn’t go with steak.  And poor Brutus Penny was seen at a local hamburger joint, pestered by some guy who wanted to eat and pay Tuesday.

And while Justin Verlander has the no-hitter, Mad Max is the guy with the perfect record (5-0).  Standing in the way of 6-0:  Brandon Morrow, who is coming off of a 1-run, 5-hit, 6 1/3 inning victory over the Rays.  He also has a nice 1.69 career ERA vs Detroit, and has held Jhonny Peralta to an 0-9.

And of course there’s Jose Bautista–but I know Max wouldn’t make the mistake of pitching to him, like Bad Brad did.  Will you Max?

And then there’s Juan Rivera, who looked out at the mound after his 7th inning AB and said to Verlander, “you’re getting lucky.”

Brandon Inge and Magglio Ordonez will get some rest after a busy weekend of being lucky no-hitter guys–Inge and Ordonez are the only Tigers who were in the lineup for both of Verlander’s no-hitters.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Don Kelly

The Donkey is in the key 6th spot in the lineup, a potential bridge between guys who can hit and other guys who maybe can hit. C’mon, earn your steak Don.

Today’s Where are the lucky no-hitter guys? Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Ramon Santiago 2B
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Don Kelly 3B
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Ryan Raburn LF

 

2011 Season, Players

Verlander’s No-Hitter

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After Verlander’s second start of the year I commented that JV seemed to be throwing his change-up more on crucial counts.  It was not rooted in any scout-like acuity, but just a casual observation from a guy who watches too much Tigers baseball much like you do.  My recollection is that JV primarily has relied on his fastball and curveball, and on nights when his curveball isn’t working, that leaves him susceptible.

Well, his change-up has been working all year, and on Saturday he threw his slider with great frequency.  This could be very, very bad news for AL hitters.  It also represents further maturation by JV (dare I say “the art of pitching?”) an important point not lost on Jack Morris.

According to Fangraphs, JV has been throwing his change-up 19.6% of the time this year, which is the highest percentage since Pitch f/X started tracking theses things in 2007 , and likely the highest of his career.  He’s always used it to setup the fastball, but using it to get outs early, or as a bona fide strikeout pitch, will help him to become an even stronger pitcher.  Another benefit is that the change-up early in the game allows him to throw his less taxing fastball (four seamer at 92-94) in the opening innings but make them look faster because of the change of speed.  We are all well aware of JV’s perpetual early inning troubles and “over-pitching” is as much of a culprit as there is (though I still like blaming the national anthem singer).  If he can use his change-up earlier in the game, or at least pitch to contact with what is still a plus fastball, then he can stay in games longer.

Type
Season FA% CU% CH% SL% FT%
2007 61.80% 16.10% 19.00% 1.90% 1.10%
2008 60.80% 14.10% 15.30% 6.20% 2.90%
2009 67.20% 19.40% 10.00% 2.80% 0.20%
2010 52.00% 19.90% 14.30% 6.80% 7.00%
2011 46.30% 16.70% 19.60% 7.70% 9.60%
Total 59.40% 17.60% 14.20% 5.00% 3.50%
 

Velocity
Season FA-Vel CU-Vel CH-Vel SL-Vel FT-Vel
2007 94.1 79.4 82.3 83.1 83.7
2008 93.7 80.3 83.6 82.4 89.1
2009 95.6 80.1 84.2 86.6 89.2
2010 95.5 79.6 85.7 87.2 93.6
2011 95.1 78.5 86.3 86.2 94.5
Total 94.9 79.8 84.3 85.3 92.4

 

(Fangraphs link here.  FA = four-seamer, FT = two-seamer.)

Now, if you weren’t already convinced that JV has 5 more no-no’s in him, the really exciting stuff is that he’s throwing his slider more and more (including 4 out of 6 pitches against Rajai Davis for the last AB on Saturday, remember that was the pitch for the last K), which means that he could develop a legitimate 5 pitch repertoire (four seamer, two seamer, curve, change, slider).  Unfortunately, we don’t have great Pitch f/x data for Saturday’s game.  But from what we can see, he threw a ton of sliders, and is throwing more sliders this year (7.7%) than ever (compared to 5% for his career).

For the first time since making the bigs, JV is throwing his fastball less than 50% of the time.  (I actually don’t have data on this for 2005 & 2006, but I’m willing to be Coleman’s clown suit that this is the case.)  He’s throwing his slider, two-seamer and change-up more than ever.  JV has always had dominant stuff, arguably the best in the AL.  But he’s been prone to high pitch counts and chasing the strikeout, which have kept him from being the best in the AL.  Let’s see if Saturday’s effort is an indication that JV is ready to move from best in Detroit to best in the AL.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.35: Tigers at Blue Jays

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Justin.

As in Justin case you missed it, Verlander threw his second career no hitter yesterday, and was one excruciating 12-pitch-AB-walk away from a perfect game.

Ian Casselberry has a look at the Pitch F/X of the walk, in which it appears that it was indeed a ball. MLB.com has a video of all 27 outs.

And Justin time, since the Tigers looked like they had lost any momentum they had from the 3 consecutive wins against the Yankees.

The tough-act-to-follow starter for today is Brad “Brutus” Penny, who flirted with a no-hitter himself recently.  And to make things a bit tougher, Bautista returns to the lineup for Toronto.

Toronto sends out lefty Jo-Jo Reyes, which means Alex Avila will get a much-needed rest, and The Ghost will patrol right-field.  Reyes had a good 1-run 6 inning outing against the Rays last time out, but his spot in the rotation has been considered shaky.  Also:  his name is Jo-Jo.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Victor Martinez

Martinez straps on the catcher’s gear for the first time since coming back from the DL.  Here’s hoping his groin withstands the crouching–we need a healthy V-Mart in the lineup.

Today’s Wave-To-Mom Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Scott Sizemore 2B
  3. Magglio Ordonez DH
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez C
  6. Johnny Peralta SS
  7. Ryan Raburn LF
  8. Casper Wells RF
  9. Brandon Inge 3B
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.7.2011

Toledo  0, Charlotte 1 (White Sox)

The Mud Hens wasted a terrific pitching performance from Charlie Furbush (LHP). The young lefty threw 8 innings of 1-hit baseball and allowed only 1 ER but still took the loss. Additionally, he K’ed 8 while walking 2 during a Verlander-esque performance in northern Ohio. On the night, Furbush threw 108 pitches, 75 for strikes in a masterful display of command and elusiveness. It’s a shame the bats didn’t get him a win. Lester Oliveros (RHP) threw a perfect 9th inning of relief.

The entire lineup for the ‘Hens looked anemic; however there was one bright spot. Scott Thorman (RF) went 3-3.

Erie 10, Bowie 2 (Orioles)

The SeaWolves scored in every inning except the 6th and 7th as they led this one wire to wire for the win. LJ Gagnier (RHP) threw 7 innings and posted the following line: 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5K. Garcia and Simons combined to throw 2 innings; Simons gave up an ER in the top half of the 9th on a solo homer.

I hate to single out the negative here but every SeaWolf except for Michael Bertram (1B) recorded a hit in this landslide victory. The nights RBI leader was Francisco Martinez (3B) who picked up 3 RBI and went 2-3 with a homer, a triple, and a walk.

Lakeland 1, Tampa 7 (Yankees)

Victor Larez (RHP) was beat around pretty handily right out of the gate. In a starting role he lasted just 3 2/3 innings and somehow found a way to allow 10 hits and 6 ER. To his credit, an outing this bad has only dropped his record to 3-3 on the year and his ERA remains under 5.  Zach Samuels (LHP) allowed one more ER over 2 1/3 IP. Morrison and Pratt combined for two scoreless innings.

Offensively, Wade Gaynor (3B) had the only night worth mentioning: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI.

West Michigan 6, Dayton 4 (Reds)

Kevin Eichhorn (RHP) got the win: 6 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 8 K. Michael Torrealba (RHP) recorded the save after throwing 2/3 of an inning.

Nick Castellanos (3B) went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI. Robert Brantly (C) went 3-4 with a walk and 2 runs scored. In 84 ABs, Brantly is hitting .381.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.34: Tigers at Blue Jays

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There wasn’t a single thing that I liked about yesterday’s loss to the Blue Jays.

Least not the single thing where the Blue Jays hit single after single after single after single.

Today Justin Verlander will take the mound with a “single THIS” demeanor.  Which former Tiger great Jack Morris suggests may be a bit overdone–Morris says that Verlander could 1, 2, or 3-hit teams all of the time if he were less intent on the strikeout.

Oh, and it’s May!  Justin Verlander, career in March/April:  9-14, 4.75.  Career in May: 18-8, 2.80.

Morris will be opposed by Ricky Romero, whose start was pushed back because of a mild oblique strain.  I’m guessing he will have a short pitch-count leash.  Do you get my point, you first-pitch swingers? Word is there will be no Bautista again, but that he will be back by the end of the series.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Daniel Schlereth

Apparently Schlereth, who was born in Anchorage, likes to call himself The Alaskan Assassin.  His mission today, if called on, is to shut down the Toronto Singlers; if not called on, to trademark his nickname before a certain Presidential candidate steals it.

Today’s Kentucky Derby Day lineup, presented by manager Holy Bull, who says “I think we have the horses to win today”:

  • Post 1: Skip Away CF
  • Post 2: More Than Ready 2B
  • Post 3: Medaglio d’Oro RF
  • Post 4: Go For Gin 1B
  • Post 5: Indian Charlie DH
  • Post 6: Stage Door Johnny SS
  • Post 7: Lost In the Fog LF
  • Post 8: Afleet Alex C
  • Post 9: Whirlaway 3B

 

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.6.2011

Toledo 7, Charlotte 8 (White Sox)

Charlotte chipped away at a 5-2 Mud Hens lead from the 5th through the 9th when Charlotte scored the winning run off of Enrique Gonzalez. Thad Weber (RHP) started and allowed 6 ER on 8 hits. Fu Te Ni and Enrique Gonzalez allowed an earned run each. Brendan Wise (RHP) and Matt Hoffman (LHP) combined to throw a scoreless 8th.

While the pitching staff tried their hardest to lose this one, the Mud Hens bats put up some quality numbers. Bryan Pounds (3B) went 3-4 with a walk. Scott Thorman (LF) went 2-5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI. Timo Perez (DH) and Ryan Strieby (1B) each added two hits.

Erie 6, Bowie 12 (Orioles)

Erie led 6-5 heading into the 7th inning. Bowie then tallied 7 runs in the frame to crush the SeaWolves. Casey Crosby (LHP) made it through 5 innings before giving way to the bullpen. Crosby allowed 5 ER on 5 hits. Cory Hamilton (RHP) led the SeaWolves to the slaughter house in the 7th and allowed 5 runs (1 earned) in an inning and a third.  Jared Gayhart (RHP) also got roughed around in the 7th: 4 hits, 2 ER in 2/3 IP. Rob Waite (RHP) pitched the last two innings allowing only one base runner on a walk.

5 SeaWolves had 2 or more hits (Douglas, Guez, Ciriaco, Henry, and Roof). Justin Henry (LF) picked up 3 RBI on 3 hits, including 1 double. Michael Bertram (1B) picked up 2 RBI on 1 hit, Shawn Roof (3B) got the other RBI for the ‘Wolves on a 2-3 night with a walk.

Lakeland 9, Tampa 0 (Yankees)

If you are wearing a cap while reading this, it’s time for you to tip it to Jared Wesson. Wesson allowed 2 hits over eight scoreless innings for the Flying Tigers to record the win. Wesson walked 4 and struck out 3. Ryan Robowski (LHP) pitched a perfect 9th to complete the game.

 Tony Plagman (DH) went 1-3 with a 2B and a walk. Plagman led the team with 3 RBI. Julio Rodriguez (C) had a spectacular night with the bat: 4-4, 2 R, 2 RBI. Rodriguez is hitting .360 on the year. Finally, Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 0-1 on the night but drew three walks. As I’ve mentioned, I am a big fan of “Moneyball”-esque analysis and view 3 walks as nearly as good as a 3 hit night.

West Michigan 6, Great Lakes 4 (Dodgers)

Josue Carreno (RHP) rebounded from his last performance with a near-quality start. He lasted 6 innings and allowed 4 ER on 7 hits and a walk. He also K’ed 5. Ramon Lebron (RHP) recorded a hold after allowing 1 walk and striking out 4 over 2 IP. Michael Torrealba (RHP) notched the save after allowing 1 hit and striking out 2 in the 9th.

Robert Brantly (C) went 3-4 with a homer and 4 RBI. He leads the Whitecaps with a .362 BA. Brantly has only had one game this year in which he failed to record a hit. For the year he’s hitting .362 with an OBP at .407. Rowland, J. and Nowlin picked up one RBI apiece. Finally, Hernan Perez (SS) went 2-4 with 2 runs scored.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.33: Tigers at Blue Jays

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After a quick and satisfying 4-game home stand vs the Yankees, the Tigers hit the road for a costly 4-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Not that I’m predicting it will go badly, it’s just that players’ taxes are pro-rated depending on venue of performance, so they have to pay the higher Canadian taxes for playing in Toronto.

One presumes they left the bus home.  At any rate, sadly, the Tigers may have dibs on the team plane again soon.

The Blue Jays are also known as the Toronto Jose Bautistas.  Bautista not only leads the AL in OPS, he leads the league in each category:  BA (.357) OBP (.530) and SLG (.762).   And to make matters worse, the opponent he did best against in 2010:  Detroit.

Fortunately, the Tigers don’t have to face him today (neck spasms), and he is day-to-day for the rest of the series.  Time to capitalize on our good fortune.

The Tigers send Phil Coke to the mound, who has so far mixed flashes of brilliance with problems finding the strike zone.  The Jays counter with Jesse Litsch, whose numbers this season are about the same as Coke’s.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Brandon Inge

Jim Leyland has proclaimed–and this time I paraphrase–that Inge is “due,”  adding that we have to understand that Inge is a “Spurt guy.”

Today’s Overtaxed Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Scott Sizemore 2B
  3. Brennan Boesch LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Maggio Ordonez RF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Brandon Inge 3B

 

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.5.2011

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Toledo 5, Charlotte 10 (White Sox)

The Mud Hens bats were able to put up 5 ER on Jake Peavy but still fell short. Adam Wilk (LHP) took the loss after allowing 6 ER in 4 innings. Robbie Weinhardt allowed 2 ER in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Ryan Strieby went 1-4 with a homer and 2 RBI. Andy Dirks (CF) went 2-4 with a run scored.

Erie 1, Binghamton 7 (Mets)

Binghamton pitching completely stymied the SeaWolves until the top of the 9th when the Wolves put up 1 run on a Rawley Bishop (1B) RBI double. Over 7 IP, the Erie starter, Mark Sorensen (RHP) allowed 11 hits and a walk, resulting in 7 earned runs. Chance Ruffin (RHP) threw an inning of relief and did not allow a run on 1 hit.

No SeaWolf got more than one hit  and only two were for extra bases.

Lakeland 1, Clearwater 5 (Phillies)

This game was tied 1-1 through the 5th inning before Clearwater added 2 runs in the 7th, 1 in the 8th, and 1 in the 9th to ice it. Cole Nelson (LHP) received the loss for Lakeland: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K. Kenny Faulk (LHP) threw another scoreless inning of relief. For the year, Faulk has pitched 12 2/3 innings and allowed 1 ER and struck out 20 opposing batters. I think he may take the trip north to Erie before too long.

Julio Rodriguez (C) had a terrific night with the bat: 3-3 with a double to bring his season average to .324. Avisail Garcia (RF) collected the only RBI of the night for Lakeland.

West Michigan 3, Great Lakes 1 (Dodgers)

It took West Michigan 12 innings to beat Great Lakes and save the farm from a daily sweep. Antonio Cruz (LHP) must have angered the baseball gods because karma was not on his side tonight. Cruz threw 8 innings of 6 hit, 1 run baseball but did not get the run support for a win. Patrick Cooper (RHP) pitched the final two innings and struck out 3 to earn the win.

Castellanos, Robbins, and Castillo each recorded two hits for the Whitecaps. Nick Castellanos (3B) went 2-5 and picked up 2 RBI. Hernan Perez (2B) got the other RBI for the ‘caps on a sac fly.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.32: Yankees at Tigers

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Well, the Tigers take the field for today’s asphalt game with the hopes and dreams of Tigers fans who are ready to charge up the AL Central standings after two games.  Count me in!  Before we start printing our AL Central Division shirts let’s remember the week preceding these last two games, but it’s hard not to get excited.  The Tigers have won the last two with timely hitting, outstanding starting pitching, and some shrewd lineup management.  A long series win over the venerable Yankees would replenish a lot of the recently lost fan capital.

AperiordJperiod Burnett makes his seventh start of the season for the Yanks today.  Burnett has been a pleasant surprise for the Yanks this year, considering that last year he set franchise highs for the highest single-season ERA for a starter (> 180 IPs).  He has been taking advantage of great run support on his way to a 4-1 record (the Yanks are averaging 5 runs per game that he starts).  On the season, Burnett has a 3.93 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and a 2.33 K/BB ratio.  His biggest flaw has been high pitch counts, which have left him with a 6 IP per start average.

Porcello looks to lock up the series for the boys today, and there is no reason to believe that he won’t (other than the fact that I just wrote that).  After two starts which had him looking up the bus schedule to Toledo, Porcello has found his sinker and been downright filthy.  Over his last three starts, Porcello has allowed 4 earned in 19 2/3 (1.83 ERA), posted a 1.07 WHIP, and K’d 17 against only 3 walks.  Yeah, 17/3 K/BB.  Note this is only the 2nd time in RPs career that he has posted 3 straight quality starts, the last coming in May of 2009.

Today’s double reverse jinx notes: The Yankees are the only AL team yet to lose 3 in a row, and they have not lost a series to an AL Central team since losing 3/4 to the Tigers in May of 2010. They are 9-0-2 in their series against AL Central teams since.

AJax, Avila and Peralta with the day off today:

1. Kelly CF
2. Sizemore 2B
3. Boesch RF
4. Cabrera 1B
5. Martinez C
6. Ordonez DH
7. Raburn LF
8. Inge 3B
9. Santiago SS

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.31: Yankees at Tigers

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Do you ever feel like the Tigers are never going to lose again?  Me neither.

In off the field news – Zumaya is going to have exploratory surgery, reports the Freep.  This just confirms the inevitable.

The Tigers bring their 1 game win streak and 1-0 record with SS manning 2B to Comerica tonight to take on the resurgent Freddy Garcia.

Garcia is a wily 12 year vet who has a trio of 17+ win seasons on his resume (’99, ’01, ’06). Problem is that he also has spent significant time in the minors over the last three years rehabbing various injuries (including 3 starts for the Tigers in 2008), and was a non-roster invitee for the Yanks this spring.  A combination of a tremendous showing in spring training plus a lack of depth for the Yankees leads us to today.  Tonight will be Garcia’s 4th start of the season, with his first three going about as well as they could.  To date he’s allowed only 4 ER in 18 IPs, and the first one came in a relief appearance on April 10th.  He’s struck out 15 and posted a 1.17 WHIP during that time.  I’d like to go ahead and jinx Garcia and point out that in his career he’s 18-7 against the Tigers, and 8-3 at Comerica.

Scherzer got a little roughed up last time out, largely due to 5 walks in 6 2/3.  Though his 4-0 record is stellar, his peripherals are about average, with a 1.51 WHIP, 3.82 ERA and 4.3 BB/9. With the way the Yankees take pitches, control will be imperative tonight.

Note, Derek Jeter, who’s stolen more gold gloves than Rafael Palmeiro, only has 2 XBH this year. And Adam Dunn is still batting .153, though his .576 OPS dwarfs that of Maggs (.411).  Still, I expect him to be Maggs is batting 6th tonight in JLs new lineup.

Today’s player of the game – Miggy Cabrera.  He’s going to get a big boost with SS and BB ahead of him, and VMart behind him.  He’s also a career .400 hitter off of Garcia (8-20) with 3 jacks.  I’m looking for a three run bomb from him today.

Tonight’s Why is our 2nd Best Hitter Batting 8th Oh Yeah That’s 2nd Cleanup Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Scott Sizemore, 2B
3. Brennan Boesch, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Magglio Ordonez, RF
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

2011 Season, Minors

Minor Leage Wrap 5.3.2011

Toledo 7, Pawtucket 2 (Red Sox)

Duane Below (LHP) had a quality start for the Mud Hens: in 6 IP, he scattered 7 hits and 3 walks while allowing 2 earned runs. He also K’ed 5. Fu Te Ni and Matt Hoffman (LHP) combined to throw three innings of shutout relief.

Timo Perez (LF) went 4-5 on the night with a run scored and 1 RBI. Victor Martinez made a rehab appearance and went 2-4 with a 2B, run scored, and an RBI. Cale Iorg (SS) led the team with 2 RBI off of a 2-run homer.

Erie, Binghamton PPD: rain

Lakeland 1, Clearwater 3 (Phillies)

Trevor Feeney (RHP) made it through 7 innings as the starter. He allowed 9 hits, a walk, and 3 runs (2 earned) while K’ing 8. Unfortunately, the Flying Tigers squandered his effort and produced only 1 run. Feeney took the loss.

Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 2-4 with the only run scored. He was driven in by Tony Plagman (1B) in the first inning.

West Michigan 0, Fort Wayne 2 (Padres)

Kyle Ryan (LHP) threw 6 2/3 and gave up 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB and K’ed 5 in a losing effort. Steve Crnkovich (RHP) relieved Ryan and finished the game without allowing a hit or a run, although he walked 2.

Luis Castillo (CF) led the anemic offensive attack for the Whitecaps going 2-4 on the night.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.30: Yankees at Tigers

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Seven in a row.  Say it ain’t so…Jim.  Unfortunately it is.  So where do we go from here?

Well, at least one MLB.com reporter thinks the Tigers have the best chance of the Twins, Tigers and White Sox to compete in the central.

Sizemore won’t be the only new spot in the order moving forward, as JL said today that Boesch will now bat 3rd, VMart 5th (starting tomorrow) and Maggs 6th.  The most depressing thing in that article was the note that Maggs has only hit two balls into the outfield in his last 26 at-bats. Yeah, two.  One was a single.  I’m wondering what Maggs has to do to lose his spot in the lineup.  Does he have pics of Ol’ Smokey that we need to know about?

CC Sabathia goes for the Yanks tonight looking to win his third consecutive start.  Though he has struggled recently in Comerica, going 0-3 with an 8.50 ERA in his last three starts there.  Sabathia pitched pretty well on opening day against the boys, giving up 2 ER (3 total) in six innings in a no-decision.

I’m going to go ahead and predict that Bad Brad will be the player of the game tonight.  But lookout for Cano who may be ready to play tonight.  So I reserve my right to change my player of the game.

Wells in for Boesch today against the lefty, then hopefully it will be a long time before we see a lineup like this.

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Scott Sizemore, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, DH
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Ryan Raburn, LF
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Casper Wells, RF
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Brandon Inge, 3B