Game 2014.117: Tigers at Pirates

OK, looks like even Nature has our number; the hoped-for rainout was not to be. As far as what happened afterward, Verlander couldn’t make it past the first inning, the new guys did what new guys do, and the pitching staff–supposedly the strong point of the team–is in full freak-out mode, though the skipper remains calm. I watched all 19 innings of the Toronto game, but couldn’t stay awake through that one.

It would seem to be time to trash the Jackson/Smyly/Price trade. Jackson was the hottest post-break hitter on the team, and the Tigers have struggled to score runs since the trade. Smyly meanwhile went out and had the Start of the Night last night, with 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball (with 9 Ks). On the other hand, with Verlander possibly injured (inflammation but not structural damage) and Sanchez out, the starting rotation is suddenly one of the team weaknesses (along with hitting and base running and fielding), and going down a playoff contention stretch you have to like Price vs. Smyly. And those of us who have been around awhile know Austin is a streaky sort (I was always skeptical of the narrative that explained Austin’s hot streak as being moved back into the leadoff spot…wasn’t his playoff hot streak explained as moving out of the leadoff spot?).  So I’m holding out on judging this trade for now.

Speaking of trades, Robby “You Got Me and Some Ham Sandwiches for Fister” Ray gets another shot at the bigs tonight, just one of many Tigers moves:

  • The Tigers placed Anibal Sanchez on the 15-day DL retroactive to August 9th. Ooh. Slick move. Thought he was already DL’d.
  • The Tigers recalled Blaine Hardy and Robbie Ray from Toledo
  • The Tigers optioned Justin Miller to Toledo.
  • The Tigers announced Buck Farmer–RHP, AA guy–barely, 2 starts out of A ball– will start Wednesday’s game (corresponding roster move to be made–somebody needs to be bumped from the 40-man roster. I am guessing Drew “Broke Back” VerHagen). I’ll admit I know little about him, but Buck Farmer is just a really good baseball name.

This is hard to explain, but the front office just pulled a good move.

You would think Hardy would not be eligible to return from Toledo yet, but you would be wrong. He can return to replace a player placed on the DL, which Anibal Sanchez just was. Yes, the Tigers announced he was going on the DL, but they didn’t actually officially DL him yet, which allowed them to bring back Hardy after 1 whole day in Toledo, since the official “cooling” time is waived to replace a player put on the DL. Score 1 for the front office.

Tonight’s Predicting-Zeke-as-POG Lineup:

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

35 thoughts on “Game 2014.117: Tigers at Pirates”

  1. Tigers know they need to step it up for the next two days so my prediction is the Sluggos will score 2 each day instead of the usual 1 or 0…..final today 7-2, tomorrow 8-2 in the lose column.

  2. Does Volquez have a “Q” or a. “O” in the name on the back of his uniform? Either way, the gods were smiling on him.

    1. It was a Spiderman catch. Still, I want to see some numbers on “running on contact” success. I think the Tigers are 2-for-400 this season.

      1. I have been banned to the upstairs non-HD TV as wife entertains the Bunko gals. Inasmuch my back of the uniform reading is limited.

        1. Of course now we can mess with you. Hey look! Avila’s jersey says “Easy Out” on the back!

  3. I only made a small deal about it yesterday, but it was stupid not starting Carrera. He may have been the only guy on the team not tired (maybe also Castellanos). Not that it mattered, since we gave up 100 runs, but Ausmus didn’t know we’d do that when he made the lineup.

  4. The Price trade was a good one, both for the short and long haul. The two trades that haven’t worked out were the ones for bullpen help and an extra bat. That’s baseball.

  5. I can’t remember the Tigers playing such poor baseball for such a long period of time! Everything has gone wrong all at the same time.

  6. The old double-switch. I’m surprised Ausmus knew about that. On the other hand, I’m not sure having Romine leading off next inning instead of Kelly or Hunter is an improvement.

  7. 2 was easy to predict…Asmus has turned into Leyland…no bunts..no steals…no hit and run and get you guy thrown out at the plate on a 0% chance play…..this is Capt Mumbles all the way…..2 more runs tomorrow!

    1. Bunts and steals are overrated. The bigger issues are the bullpen, how Ausmus has handled the pitching staff, and why the hitters aren’t hitting.

      1. Yep, I tend to get excited by his blockbuster moves, and by the end of the season I’m crying about how the guy can’t put together a complete team. It’s looking like another one of those seasons.

  8. One more loss and we won’t have to worry about playoffs.out of the Central, out if the Wild Card…..you know they way they are playing that will be fine with me. If were playing like this and we back in forget it….If things change dramatically thats different

    1. Not crazy about the comparison to the Mariners of the 90’s, but if the shoe fits…..

Comments are closed.