Perhaps he stayed up to watch the Tigers’ nail-biter last night; perhaps he was already asleep by then. Either way, Kyle Ryan couldn’t possibly have anticipated a call from the Big Club, especially one telling him that he was being called up. To start. Today. In Oakland.
Alfredo Simon, the scheduled starter, had to leave suddenly to be with his gravely ill father in the Dominican, and has been placed on the Bereavement List. Officially, today’s starter is still TBA, since the team isn’t sure Ryan’s plane will land in time to get him to the stadium in time to warm up and pitch. Ryan had hardly been impressing in Toledo: he was 0-5 with a 4.67 ERA, not to mention the jet-lag issue we discussed previously. Plus he has two first names.
If Ryan can’t make it there by game time, I’m guessing that Alex Wilson will get the start.
[Update: Alex Wilson has been named starting pitcher.]
Either way, 1 run probably won’t do it today. The pitching and defense carried the team last night though; does anyone cover more ground in centerfield than Anthony Gose? Not to mention his hitting and legs got Detroit their only run. Player of the game, followed by everyone who pitched (even Joba has quietly become reliable).
Apparently last night some signs were missed. Notably, Castellanos missed a hit-and-run that left Cespedes out to dry, then flailed at a 3rd strike a foot in front of the plate to make matters worse. I think Brad pulling him early for defensive purposes (his spot was still due to come up again) was sending a message.
Today’s Let’s Try For at Least 2 Runs Today Whether We Need Them or Not Lineup:
- Rajai Davis, RF
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Yoenis Cespedes, LF
- JD Martinez, DH
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- Bryan Holaday, C
- Dixon Machado, SS
- Anthony Gose, CF
Let’s hope Alex is fired-up and has his best stuff going. I wish him the best of luck.
I just pray we don’t have to find out the hard way how much having Alfredo Simon as a member of the rotation means to the team.
GO!! TIGERS!!!
Twinkies are going to move into first place. Wow what a job Molitor is doing. . I like Gardenhire, and would take him in Detroit in a second over Asmus, BUT..those young Twins in first. I don’t even care if its temporary…its still amazing!!!
Agree…that’s the beauty of baseball that always springs enternal hope for its fans.
The Tigers know the need to step it up today to cover for no Simon so I predict….they will score 2 today!
We got screwed on the out call on Gose ….. when the video showed he wasn’t tagged!
Plus they missed the balk…again. he started forward then turned back towards second…balk
There’s that mythical Three Run Homer creature!
YC sticks it to his old team!!
When is the last time the Tigers were this good defensively?
Although JD is a better right-fielder than Rajai.
Yellowhammer and ballgame!!!
That was a nasty one, after the high heat. All he could do was stand there like the house by the side of the road.
4 runs in 3 games = series win. That’s not easy to pull off.
Here is a question to ponder: where would this team be trotting out Joe Nathan as the closer every night?
Sixth place.
Huge win considering!….all wins are good wins….
…side note I don’t know where Miggy parties on every west coast trip, but he is always like this out here!!!!….always!
..good clutch work though by lot of guys!
And how about that bullpen!!!…excellent work!!!.
Ever since that one BP inning where he was bombed Joba has been great. In fact his ERA is now down to 1.29, which is saying something, considering he gave up about 20 runs in 1 inning.
Asmus should be given some credit for leaving his whole corps of relievers in for more than one batter apiece. Got us thru a tough situation, great job!