Detroit Tigers, 30-34, 4 games behind Chicago (1st), 4 1/2 ahead of Twins (last).
That was an exciting game last night. I had to leave before the extra innings, but I’ve got it recorded and will watch as soon as I finish this blurb. I can’t wait! Looks like Valverde is coming in in a non-save situation, but I’m sure it will work out fine.
This afternight (4:00 start) Doug Fister makes his 2nd comeback of the season, looking for his first win.
To make room for Fister, Casey Crosby was sent down. Or Matt Young (finally). They both went back to Toledo, and Thad Weber will be called up to shore up the thinning ranks of the bullpen. Rumor has it that the bullpen was depleted last night (“We’ve got major problems,” Leyland said), and on top of that Fister can’t be expected to go too deep into the game in his first comeback experience.
Leyland has ruled out Villarreal, Benoit, and Valverde for today. Looks like Putty-time!
Detroit will be facing the dreaded Rookie Pitcher Guy (Christian Friedrich, 4-2, 5.85).
In other news, don’t expect Dirks or Avila back soon. And Ryan Raburn is still right-handed.
Stat of the Day: Doug Fister has a career winning % of only .370 (20-34), despite a career ERA of only 3.47.
Tonight’s Player of the Pre-game: Austin Jackson. He bats right. He hits lefties (4 HR, 11 RBI, vs Cabrera, 1 HR 6 RBI).
Tonight’s Because-There’s-A-Lefty-Pitching-That’s-Why Lineup:
- Austin Jackson CF
- Brennan Boesch RF
- Miguel Cabrera 3B
- Prince Fielder 1B
- Delmon Young DH
- Jhonny Peralta SS
- Ryan Raburn LF
- Gerald Laird C
- Ramon Santiago 2B
This is about the best lineup the Tigers can field at the moment, considering Berry has been relegated to permanent bench status (until he is sent down, most likely to be replaced by a specialist relief pitcher) and that Young is eternally going to bat 5th.
Props to Leyland though for wisely keeping Kelly out of the lineup. Kelly will probably start the game sitting in the bullpen where, with Putkonen and/or Weber likely to pitch (because the rest of the relief staff, all being ROOGYs and LOOGYs, were completely used up last evening), he may be called upon to finish off the game.
So Coleman, stick around this time, since it has the makings of getting really exciting again after the 6th inning or so.
Between the GDPs and runners thrown out advancing, they sure lose a lot of scoring chances, not to mention R3L2O fails.
OK, now that puts Tiger Clown Shows to shame.
When was the last time a player got four bases on a fielding error by a catcher – and Cabrera yet!
Fact of the day: Brandon Inge has 30 RBI in 27 games for the A’s.
Potential Tiger update: Chris Getz, secondbaseman.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8321
Inge is projected to finish with 17 HR, 79 RBI…I think we might have taken that. In fact I think he could be DH-ing for us.
Is that gonna be it for Fister? Are we eady for Putty Time?
Santiago picked off: what I said before. But it doesn’t matter because the unusedup portion of our bullpen will save the game.
Fact 2 of the day: Jackson has 27 RBI, Young 22.
Jackson should bat 5th, move Young to leadoff. Of course that also means he will have to play CF.
I was thinking about moving Jackson to 5th, but he is really too valuable at the top of the order. This lineup would be worth a try until the DLers get back, but will never happen:
1.Berry LF
2.Jackson CF
3.Cabrera 3B
4.Fielder 1B
5.Peralta SS
6.Boesch RF
7.DH (pick your poison)
8.Laird C
9.Santiago 2B
Bring Eldred (DH candidate) back up and pack off Worth, since if Raburn is back up to stay, we don’t need the extra no-hit infielder.
I thought Benoit was ineligible today.
Looks like someone misread the smoke rings.
I guess Leyland is also on the DDL.
For some reason the ESPN site has Nick Castellanos listed on the Tiger injury report (Day-to-day).
I am a betting man..and if anyone wants to bet Inge..17 HR and 79 RBI..I will take that bet against that happening….the best part of projection is whats the reality?