The Tigers are now, just now, 2 games up in the Central Division, which reduces their magic number to 6.
Let us begin the Magnificent Seven!
There are still 7 games left, and all of them are at home, which is a pretty serendipitous way to end the season. Although, there is the skeptical version–the Tigers are slightly better on the road (45-36) than at home (41-33). No matter, they get to finish with the floundering White Sox and Twins. Oh, well, actually, they are under .500 against the Whitetwins. Nevermind, it’s Septober, as Torii would say.
*****
There has been a lot of talk about Sanchez returning, and returning to the bullpen. Yesterday Ron Darling made what I thought was a very important point: Sanchez, apparently, has a very elaborate pre-start ritual, a 2-hour ritual that includes everything from long-toss to jacuzzi. Is this someone likely to adjust to bullpen work?
*****
Sometimes statistics are surprising:
Tigers OBP leaders:
- .403 V. Martinez (.001 behind Bautista for AL lead)
- .375 Miguel Cabrera
- .363 JD Martinez
- .333 Don Kelly
JD Martinez, in the words of one of our esteemed posters, has been a gift from the baseball gods. But also: Don Kelly?
Tonight’s 6-More-To-Go Lineup:
- Kinsler, 2B
- Hunter, RF
- Cabrera, 1B
- V Martinez, DH
- JD Martinez, LF
- Castellanos, 3B
- Avila, C
- Romine, SS
- Carrera, CF
The lineup was released at the last minute tonight; apparently Avila was waiting on clearance from whatever MLB people are in charge of clearing concussion cases. I have mixed feelings about Avila in the lineup–in some ways it might be best to shut him down for at least the rest of the regular season, but it also might be worthwhile to try him out and see if he can go. What do you think. Also, not a fan of Carrera in CF.
Some more perspective on the gifts of the gods:
RBIs:
1. Cabrera 104
2. VMartinez 100
3. JMartinez 76
4. Kelly 7
Of course Donnie Baseball doesn’t get the high leverage situations.
On the other hand, with that OBP maybe he should be leading off (playing CF?).
Who cleared Avila to play, Hawk Harrelson?
It’s not really fair that we have to face both Chris Sale and Cy Bassitt in this series.
Blue Jays pounding the Mariners 9-0. Ok, let the 5th be the Tigers inning.
Back to the sluggo offense. Where any guy off the street can shut the sluggos out. …swing swing swing swing…
This is the third time Lobster only gave up 2 runs..The Tigers did not win either of the other ones!
He’s stuck pitching against an Ace again.
Hey Kenny Rodgers has a Christmas gig at the Fox Theater. Good to see him enjoying his retirement.
Worst lineup of the year.
Hitless Wonders have been rotating in and out of the 7-8-9 slots all year, with all 3 playing simultaneously on quite a few occasions. Can’t do much about SS, but with the expanded roster one wonders why Avila is playing and whatever happened to Collins and Moya, or do they only get to PH in late game situations.
Even 4-3 on this final home stand (which is about what you would pro-rate, given the seasonal average there) should get them into the playoffs no matter what KC does. OAK has a tough row to hoe vs LAA this week, although they finish at Texas while SEA plays TOR and then finish at home vs. LAA. Unless LAA has a complete collapse either OAK or SEA almost has to get eliminated. For the Tigers not to get in, they almost have to go 0-7.
I think it’s the division or nothing. I don’t want to see a one and out against Lester or King Felix. If the Tigers can’t manage to win the division with a 2 game lead with only seven games left, while playing the White Sox and Twins at home during the final stretch, they don’t deserve it.
Losing the first game of the home stand (against Bassitt of all hurlers) doesn’t bode well, since we also need to get past Sale and then finish the season reeling against a very mediocre Twins team, who can’t seem to beat anybody else in major league baseball, except the Tigers.
The Indians loss in game one is also devastating. Had they won the night cap after taking the suspended game, they’d be a legitimate candidate for the 2nd wild card–especially given the Mariner’s loss–with every reason in the world to keep winning against the Royals for the remainder of the series. I’m sure they still want to win tomorrow and the next day, but it’s not only going to take a series win for them now, but also a miracle and some serious help. If and when the Indians finally give up, the Royals may just win out for the rest of the season….
“If the Tigers can’t manage to win the division with a 2 game lead with only seven games left, while playing the White Sox and Twins at home during the final stretch, they don’t deserve it.” –I agree 100%
Who cleared Avila to play…did bring a note from his mom!
The Boss’ son.
Sure glad Avila is able to play, just hope his head can bear the weight of the golden sombrero.
Typical. Sox are out of it,loose and playing w/ zip to lose. Tigers look tigh. Someone tell them they’re playing kc.
Someone should pipe in Hawk Harrelson to the dugout, that will wake them up.
If Ausmus doesn’t pinch-hit for Avila his next time up, Ausmus should have to wear the sombrero himself.
Tip of the cap to The Lobster; 2 runs in 7 innings is a huge performance for a #6 starter. He has good composure, and doesn’t get rattled when he gives up runs, he has potential.
I’m impressed with Mr. Lobstein. I think he has a great shot at #5 slot next year as Scherzer goes elsewhere and everybody else moves up one in the rotation.
What, Soria out of town or something?
He’s the 7th Inning Guy, so not needed tonight. But that’s OK since they are sleepwalking through this one anyway.
Zzzzzzzzzz…..
Good job again Lobster!
Well this games just plain sucks….Sox are asleep and Tigers are worse….no sense of urgency at all just like yesterday….
Does Chicago have a Blowpen?
I’m not watching the game, but looked at the recap and looked at this Bassitt guy’s stats and I can’t for the life of me figure out how he shut out DET’s primary lineup over 8 2/3 innings… with Sale pitching in game 3, and KC looking like they’re going to win tonight… tonight’s offensive effort is mindboggling
+1
Miggy is awful at 1st lately.
Which brings to mind should the Tigers even be in the playoffs when they are under .500 against Sox, Twins, Indians???
…must be some lunar effect going on tonight – w/the exception of TOR pounding SEA, all very low scoring games and a bunch of shutouts being carried into late innings…including Duffy is back for KC
Soria in for the ninth, which probably means he won’t be available tomorrow. Sigh.
Hey Brad hows your Thats Baseball ” tonight! This is about the 6 or 7 guy you have been completely shut down by a guy that doesn’t even have a baseball card of himself yet!
you obviously pinch hit for Avila and Romine…right?
For Babe Avila? Are you kidding?
A Tiger pitcher with a pickoff move that doesn’t go into RF. I wonder if that will carry over into next season.
This could be an up and down week.
One hopes so.
uninspiring effort against a less-than-mediocre pitcher and team
Ausmus, Kinsler, Avilla, JD all -1.
That failed steal in the first inning set the stage.
Indians have something brewing in the 8th.
Oops, disregard as Davis is pitching.
To think that Wade Davis used to be a mere mortal. I’d like to see bullpens outlawed. Tigers have a head start.
Yep, he was a crap starter and now a lights out reliever. Maybe KC uses analytics and teaching.
not going to happen w/that (KC) bullpen
Bout all we need now is Price to give up his usual 3-4 in the first tomorrow!…
Nice work, Coleman. Much better than the game itself. (I don’t envy you having to recap this one.) Mr. Lobster was good news, though. Dan and Jim couldn’t stop raving about him.
Tigers could have done SOMETHING more to improve my lousy day, but no. Too much to ask, apparently.
“The feeling is we still have to win games,” manager Smokey Jr. said. “It’s not like the Royals or even the Indians are going to roll over. … We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We haven’t done anything yet. We have to win tonight.”
I guess the jargon goes with the job.