Game Post

Game 2014.107: Tigers 11, Rockies 5

40 Comments

Well, the first day of The New Tigers was a roaring success, with Rajai Davis doing a little bit of everything from the leadoff spot (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 5 putouts in center). For those comparing, Austin Jackson had an 0-for-3 with 2 strikeouts and a walk leading off for Seattle.

Justin Verlander also had his best game in a very long time, spreading 8 hits out over 8 innings and only giving up 2 runs, mostly because: zero walks. He really only had one bad inning, the 7th, which was made worse by a play where Castellanos had to decide whether to go for the inning-ending double play or throw home, and made a high throw to the plate which didn’t give Holaday a very good chance at getting the out. It was a vintage-looking Verlander that finished business himself by striking out the next two batters.

One of the Tiger starters is going to end up in the bullpen for the postseason. Based on performance this season, that should be Verlander, unless he comes on strong the rest of the way. But does anybody really think that’s a possibility? I don’t. The most likely guy to draw the short straw is Rick Porcello, but he is really making that a difficult decision, as he continues compile the best season of his career. His last three starts have been stellar: while he has only come up with one win (thanks to lifeless bats and a blowpen), he has put up a 1.71 ERA and lasted 7 strong in each. He has also started adding the K to his ground ball repertoire, striking out 5 and 6 in his last 2 starts.

Tonight Porcello will benefit from a Colorado lineup that is not only missing Tulowitzki, but also Carlos Gonzalez, who re-injured an ankle making a brilliant catch of a foul ball last night.

Tonight’s Lineup–Los Nueve Tigres:

  1. Davis, CF
  2. Kinsler, 2B
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. V Martinez, DH
  5. Hunter, RF
  6. JD Martinez, LF
  7. Castellanos, 3B
  8. Avila, C
  9. Suarez, SS

Yes, it’s the old Alex Avila vs the lefty saga again tonight (and probably tomorrow). But until StorminNorman$ pointed it out in a comment last night, I didn’t realize that Avila is actually holding his own against lefties compared to Holaday:

  • .185 BA .456 OPS Holaday
  • .205 BA .535 OPS Avila

Hmm, who knew? I have a theory why the perception is so different: Avila has 32 strikeouts vs 3 walks in only 84 plate appearances. So there is making outs, and there is making outs haplessly flailing at strike three. Still, The numbers say that playing Holaday against lefties may not be the upgrade it seems.

40 thoughts on “Game 2014.107: Tigers 11, Rockies 5”

    1. Because it says so in Leyland’s Playoffs for Dummies book? It’s actually an interesting question, it depends a lot on how many days off there are between games etc, but over-resting pitchers seems to have as bad an effect as over-using them.

      1. Rules trump thinking? Well, we know how the long layoff worked in ’06, but then the whole team was over-rested. I know the “theory” about over-resting your starters, but after 162 games and 200 IP aren’t they a little tired, and wouldn’t an extra day off be of some benefit? If we are talking about starters theoretical “rhythm”, what about the 5th starter’s rhythm who has to go to that uncomfortable bullpen place? There probably isn’t any definitive answer for this, I’m just thinking out loud.

        1. There is an interesting philosophical question there: is it best to arrange your starters ideally for a World Series run, or go all out to win to win the series at hand (without which there won’t be a World Series run)? Remember Leyland holding back on using Kenny Rogers in an elimination game, because it was the best move for the series as a whole. Which it would have been, but the lost the elimination game.

          1. I’d forgotten that “strategy”. I knew there was some reason I couldn’t stand that guy.

    1. And he can manage to put the ball in play with a guy on 3rd and less than 2 out. I think if Holaday played full-time he might very well put up the same basic numbers as Avila, but being able to bunt and manage a sac fly make a big difference at the bottom of the lineup.

        1. Avila is on fire. Offense, defense, he’s doing it all. Maybe he can win this game all by himself.

  3. They just listed Dombrowski’s deadline deals on FSD, and “”accidentally” forgot to mention Washburn & Huff.

  7. Our boy Avila has three great innings and cements his catching spot for the rest of the season…nice gig!!…three nice innings though!

  9. Well, these aren’t the real Rockies (no Tulo, no CarGo). Still, Ricky is making them look foolish. He continues to impress.

    Now would be a good time to try to get Soria on track.

  12. When was the last time the Tigers scored in every inning of a game? This has to be relatively rare.

    1. Yeah, they’re just auditioning guys. It’s the Coke Test: call him up, did he pitch better than Coke? No? Next!

  17. Ricky P is growing up.

    Can’t wait to see Verlander be the closer in the playoffs.

    1. I know you’re kidding… but if there were any performance-based justice and the season ended today, JV would be the 5th starter – and the odd man out (to the pen) for the playoffs. Personally, I’m not sure I’d have much more confidence in JV as closer than Nathan.

      A lot can happen in the next 2 months that will shape DET’s starting rotation & relief pitching… some will rise, some will fall. Plus DET still could add a bullpen piece before the Aug trade deadline – as there are a few respectable (high priced) relief pitchers that will likely clear waivers.

  18. No bad wins..its good to see us actually pound another pitcher from any team we do it so rarely..

  19. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told Ken Rosenthal/FOX that Mike Russell (a scout who covers the Rays for Detroit) and ‘Jim Leyland’ advocated for acquiring David Price. Without their advice, Detroit might have passed on Price.

    …and in the end, it also reunited AJ w/McClendon (JL bud)

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