2012 Season, Game Post

Game 2012.62: Tigers at Cubs

20 Comments

28-33, 3rd place, 6 games behind CWS.

Last night’s loss was as ugly as they come.  While replays may show that the umps blew both calls, the calls should have never been blowable, as both of the plays were routine for a major league shortstop. Routine. Good throws and they calls are no doubters. Moreover, the below average range off the mound and at 3B led to an IF hit that could have ended the inning. Oh yeah, and if Phil Coke doesn’t walk a guy (he walked 2 last night, compared to 1 in his previous 9 outings), then the run never scores. So really the bad calls exacerbated the Tigers more prominent problems, and demonstrate the fine W-L line that the Tigers are walking every night. We simply do not have the luxury to make mistakes, because our bats can’t atone for them, and our gloves can’t prevent runs. Is it 2008 all over again?

Porcello enters tonight with no where to go but up. He’s 0-2 with a 5.17 ERA over his last six starts. He hasn’t pitched into the 7th since May 6th, and if that happens tonight, it’s because we’re up by 10. Porcello is a titan at the plate (by Tigers standards), batting .250 with 2 RBI in 12 official ABs. No word on whether he can play second base or make an infield throw. Porcello doesn’t walk many, and the Cubs don’t hit the ball all that hard. So if we can make a few plays in the field, this match-up looks pretty favorable for the boys.

A few notes:

– The WSJ’s accuscore picked the Cubs to win 6.3 to 3.9. The CUBS!
– Omir Santos is now a Rockie Rocky member of the Colorado Rockies organization.
– Apparently Drew Smyly has been sidelined by “just a little Ebola.” (not for weak stomachs)
– A sweep by the Cubs and Leyland loses the benefit of the round (currently 1,614 and 1,616 = .49969).

Tonight’s We Had Better Win Lineup or Else We’ll Probably Lose the Series to the Cubs:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Boesch, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, LF
6. Peralta, SS
7. Laird, C
8. Santiago, 2B
9. Porcello, P

20 thoughts on “Game 2012.62: Tigers at Cubs”

  1. Garza has been good at Wrigley, a 1.91 ERA in 28 innings; 21 K’s and a .202 BA against.

    Lifetime avg’s against Garza: Cabrera .200; Jackson .143, Laird .167, Peralta (9 for 22) .409; Fielder .333

  2. No probably about it, if they lose tonight, they DO lose the series to the Cubs.

    Just to show that DD is not sitting on his hands, this was on MLB Rumors yesterday:

    “The Tigers have signed right-hander Cesar Carrillo according to Brian Britten, the team’s director of media relations (on Twitter). The 28-year-old spent part of last season with an independent league team. Carrillo was once considered a top prospect in the Padres’ system, and his only big league experience came with them in 2009 — 13.06 ERA in three starts.”

    It is not known if the intention is to turn him into a secondbaseman or if he is to provide veteran support for the starting rotation in Lakeland.

    Also from yesterday:

    “The Tigers have signed second rounder Jake Thompson for a straight slot $532K bonus, reports Callis (on Twitter). One of the many drafted high school pitchers from Texas was Detroit’s top pick after forfeiting their first rounder to sign Prince Fielder.”

    It is not known if the intention is to turn him into a secondbaseman or…. Wait a minute, I already said that.

    1. “…probably…” = bad attempt at humor.

      Turn into second baseman bit = good attempt at humor.

      1. “second basement” – well, I’ll give you props for the attempt part anyway 🙂

        1. I kind of liked “second basement.” The way they have been playing, that is where they belong.

  3. So, we are going to be treated to another lousy peformance by Porcello tonight.

      1. It doesn’t necessarily have to be, if you can keep the runs from scoring 🙂

        In his last 7 starts, including tonight, Porcello has allowed 69 H+W in 72 IP, which is pretty close to 2.0 WHIP. He has allowed 27 runs, 22 earned, in the same period. I think it is safe to assume that a high WHIP over an extended period of time will generally guarantee giving up a lot of runs also. His only decent outing since May 11th was his start against NY 2 times ago. Sure he has 5 or 6 statues standing behind him most of the time, but the responsibility can’t all be put on them.

  4. i’m not watching the game, was that a 2 strike squeeze play…or did Santiago simply hit a dribbler to the mound? …to score the go ahead run

  5. Finally, somebody comes in and doesn’t give the lead up right away. Thank you Mr. Villarreal.

  7. Can someone explain to M Young that he is supposed to take a bat with him when he goes up to hit. That is 9 Ks in 11 PAs now.

    1. Man, I really loved Berry’s enthusiasm after the catch. I’m getting a Berry jersey.

      Do you think they make them?

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