Detroit Tigers, 43-42, 4 1/2 games behind Chicago.
Today the Tigers try to do something they have yet to do this season: win 5 in a row. And they will need it to keep pace in what has suddenly become the hot division in baseball. Over the last 10 games, the White Sox are 8-2, the Indians are 7-3, and the Tigers are 7-3.
The Tigers send out Mysterious Max Scherzer, who has been hot and cold this season, most recently hot. But he tweaked his hamstring, conceded his last start to Duane Below, and again takes the mound wearing a question mark.
The Royals counter with Sir Everett Teaford, Archduke of Kansas City.
Meanwhile, back in Kansas City, Tiger prospects Rob Brantly, Nick Castellanos, and Bruce Rondon prepare to play in tonight’s minor league all-star Futures Game (5pm, ESPN2).
Stat of the Day: Justin Verlander is tied for 9th in the AL with 4 sacrifice bunts.
Today’s Player of the Pre-game: Delmon Young. ESPN’s Least Valuable Player of the first half has gone on a 3-game home run binge. Could he make it a 4?
Today’s Winning-Out-Into-The-Break Lineup:
- Austin Jackson CF
- Quintin Berry LF
- Miguel Cabrera 3B
- Prince Fielder 1B
- Delmon Young DH
- Brennan Boesch RF
- Jhonny Peralta SS
- Alex Avila C
- Ramon Santiago 2B
POPG! Delmon goes into the shrubbery for #4.
Maybe he is tradeable again!
DY has definitely got his stroke going!
Didn’t think I’d be saying this a couple of weeks ago, but the All-Star break couldn’t be coming at a worse time.
hopefully it does for Doug Fister. he is the key to the 2nd half, in my humble opinion.
Mad Max seems to have righted the ship. JV is his usual self. Porcello and Smyly are adequate 4 and 5 starters. If Fister returns to his career ERA (much less the obscene numbers he posted LY), we’d be strong as a staff all the way around.
The last two series were against the bottom feeders, I know. But wasn’t this week like its supposed to be???
Keep an eye on CWS/Tor. Blue Jays up 2 in the top of the 6th.
Tigers fortunate to win today without Lucky Charm Raburn in the game.
In case you miss him, you can look to the right at the Yardbarker ad, and there is a link to Ryan Raburn Gets His Arm Stuck In The Wall,
At least he didn’t get his arm stuck after one of his own homeruns – or I should say his lone homerun.
Mumbles article in the Free Press says we need to get it done with who we have. He says Worth would be an upgrade at second, but you don’t know what he will hit…..hey Jim I am willing to bet you my house that if Worth played as many games as Rayburn he would have more than 1 HR And drive in more than 10 RBI………and maybe hit more than a rousing .175
Well, they have won five straight against MN and KC, so they must be on track now. To test JL’s judgement we will have to wait for a couple of weeks of games after the AS game. Personally, I don’t think the Tigers should wait that long. Also personally, I don’t put much credence in JL’s pronouncements.