Monthly Archives: April 2016

2016 Season, Game Post

Game 2016.12: Tigers at Royals

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The Tigers jump on I-45 and pedal from Houston to Kansas City, where they take on the reigning kings of the division.

Shane Greene takes the mound for the Tigers against Yordano Ventura, who has been having control problems, which usually means trouble for Detroit. Greene has been solid, in both his start and relief appearance, and is starting the season with an impressive 0.857 WHIP.

Baseball Reference game preview.

Ian Kinsler has had a hot bat lately, and as Kevin pointed out, figures he might as well sell them too, teaming up with a Detroit music legend to do so. Here is the Rolling Stone version of the story. But don’t confuse Kinsler’s black bat with the Black Bat Licorice; Jack don’t like that stuff. This venture still can’t compete for Detroit musician/athlete collaborations with Lem Barney and Mel Farr with Marvin Gaye. A nice story here if you don’t mind a sidetrack from Tiger business: Marvin Gaye’s tryout with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

Blaine Hardy returns from a left shoulder impingement (why does that term make me worry that I have a bunch of “impingements” of which I am not aware?). Logan Kensing was designated for assignment to make room for Hardy. The addition of Hardy, along with Wilson and Ryan, give the Tigers a bit of a lefty-heavy relief group.

Tonight’s Royal Pain of a Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. V Martinez, DH
  5. JD Martinez, LF
  6. Saltalamacchia, C
  7. Avails, 3B
  8. Gose, CF
  9. Iglesias, SS

Castellanos had another nice series at Houston, going 5-for-12, but takes the bench for Aviles tonight.

2016 Season, Game Post

Game 2016.11: Tigers at Astros

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Despite the abundance of inconveniences posed by the two toddlers who dominate my house, I was able to watch most of this game. A few observations:

1) Topping out a 94 on his FB is going to make for a long season for JV. He’s throwing it less and less, with good cause, but man, he’s gotta hit 95/96 on occasion. He doesn’t have the command to just “pitch.”

2) Props to the pen. 3 IP, 1 H, 2 Ks. That was a dominant pen. Good to have Wilson back.

3) The Tigers had 16 baserunners and went 2-12 with RISP. This was a hot topic last year, but as I pointed out, we were decent w/RISP last year (.265/.768 OPS). If they continue to put men on base like that, they’ll win more than they lose.

4) I think that when Castellanos was thrown out at 3rd, it should have been a ground rule double. The center fielder put up his arms. Castellanos was running all the way, but I’m wondering if he figured he had nothing to lose. Not sure what the rule is there on when an OFer signals like that.

5) Cabrera is going to be just fine.

Sanchez takes the mound in today’s rubber match. Game preview here.

 

2016 Season, Game Post

Game 2016.10: Tigers at Astros

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Well, we’re one inning (1/9th) into the season, and we’re 3 games over. I’ll take it. Play anywhere close to like this for the remainder of the season, and there will be October baseball.

Now, it’s early, but let’s take a look at a few of the key concerns coming into the season:

1) The bullpen – the bullpen has been less than stellar. The pen ERA is 3.34, but the WHIP is 1.48 and BAA is .301. Those peripheral stats are cause for concern. We’ll revisit after another 9 games.

2) Verlander – JV has been downright awful. It’s only 2 starts, but 7 Ks to 4 BBs in 10.1 IPs is a concern. WAAAAAY too many flyballs (.38 GO/AO). Today is important.

3) VMart – VMart could use a few more hits, but the power looks to be there. So far so good.

4) Bottom of the rotation – Pelfrey was fantastic yesterday, and about what we expected in his first start. Greene was solid in his only start thus far. Too early to tell.

The DTW faithful generally find it easier to complain than to praise, but that’s what the site is here for. There are going to be many worse “innings” than 6-3, so I’m thrilled with the start.

Alex Wilson back up, Farmer down.

JV climbs the hill shortly. Baseball Reference Game Preview here.

1. 2B Ian Kinsler

2. LF Justin Upton

3. 1B Miguel Cabrera

4. DH Victor Martinez

5. RF J.D. Martinez

6. 3B Nick Castellanos

7. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

8. CF Anthony Gose

9. SS Jose Iglesias

 

 

2016 Season

Game 2016.9: Tigers at Astros

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Hello Friends –

Nothing like a two-game sweep (or 3/4) to get you excited about an early season weekend series. Though at 6-2 the Tigers find themselves trailing the white hot White Sox and Royals to start the season. I don’t think the Central will be this good all season long, so let’s not get too excited or too frustrated too early.

Pittsburgh’s starters have no reason to be bashful, but they aren’t quite Astros ace Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel is the reigning AL Cy Young winner, and he hasn’t lost at home since August 10, 2014. That’s right, he went 2-0 over his last 3 home starts in 2014, and 15-0 covering 18 starts in 2015.

Here is the Baseball Reference Game Preview (you really can get lost in this thing). For instance, I noted that the Tigers are averaging 6.13 runs per game this season; last year’s MLB high was 5.5. The Tigers team OPS of .835 is currently pacing 4th in the Majors.

Jim Leyland is going to manage the US Team in next spring’s World Baseball Classic. Marlboro shares are up 5% on the news.

1. 2B Ian Kinsler

2. LF Justin Upton

3. 1B Miguel Cabrera

4. DH Victor Martinez

5. RF J.D. Martinez

6. 3B Nick Castellanos

7. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

8. CF Anthony Gose

9. SS Jose Iglesias

2016 Season, Game Post

Game 2016.8: Tigers at Pirates

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Today the Tigers finish off their 4-game set with the Pirates, as they take the field at the unfashionable early time of 12:35, which may have caught some napping.

The Tigers have an opportunity to get to 4-0 already against National League teams in National League parks. (Last season they went 6-4).

Is it too soon to worry about Cabrera’s hitting? (Yes. But still). The light .423 slugging % and swinging at bad pitches both seem uncharacteristic. I am still waiting to see how much fun it is when the streaky Justin Upton gets hot while Cabrera is in characteristic form.

Today’s Early Bird Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, LF
  5. Castellanos, 3B
  6. Collins CF
  7. Wilson,  C
  8. Romine, SS
  9. Zimmerman P

The hot-hitting Saltalamacchia takes the Castellanos seat on the bench today, as the Tigers give newly-acquired Bobby Wilson a shot at catching. Andrew Romine gives Iglesias the day off at shortstop. Jordan Zimmerman takes the mound hoping that the top half of the order can give him some runs.

2016 Season, Game Post

Game 2016.7: Tigers at Pirates

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Today the Tigers hop on the train to Pittsburgh, to finish off that annual MLB-manufactured-rivalry home-and-home thing with the Pirates. By the end of this series the Tigers will have started the season with 67% of their games as Interleague games, and 44% of them playing without the DH.

Today’s Interleagueal Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, LF
  5. Castellanos, 3B
  6. Saltalamacchia,  C
  7. Iglesias, SS
  8. Gose, CF
  9. Greene, P

Shane Greene has never had a hit or a sacrifice in his career. No matter, Gates Martinez is on the bench for late-inning heroics.

2015 Season, Game Post

Game 2016.5: Pirates at Tigers

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Well, the Tigers find themselves 8 days into the regular season with only 4 games played, due to some scheduling quirks and a rain-out (cold-out) last night. But that just means lots more baseball to come. Three other teams have only managed 4 games played thus far as well. If you can’t tell, I hate it when we don’t get a full slate the first week of the season.

Anyway, first pitch for the Pirates series is just about 30 minutes away. Verlander gets his second start after a so-so first start. JV was dominant through 5 innings last week, and really pitched better than the final box score demonstrated, but last week’s 6th inning was all too reminiscent of last year’s struggles.

Two game set in Detroit followed by two more in Pittsburgh.

Today’s lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Justin Upton, LF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. J.D. Martinez, RF

6. Nick Castellanos, 3B

7. James McCann, C

8. Tyler Collins, CF

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Game Post

Game 2016.4: Yankees at Tigers

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It seems almost inevitable at this time of year that the Tigers aren’t quite living up to expectations at the plate, and that it is almost obligatory to throw out the old cliche, they will start hitting better once the weather warms up. Columns, blogs, comments, you find this everywhere, often accompanied with the old one about how, you know, Latin players can’t be expected to play well until it is 90 degrees or something.

Well it was 29 at game time yesterday, and the Tiger bats seemed just fine, as Nick Castellanos (Florida native) went 4-for-4, Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela) hit his first home run of the season, and Jose Iglesias (Cuba) knocked in a key insurance run. The Yankee bats were ice cold though, as Jordan Zimmerman (Wisconsin), Justin Wilson, and Kyle Ryan (short sleeves!) held the Yankees to 3 hits and no runs.

Today is another chilly one, as the Tigers send out Mike Pelfrey for his Tiger debut, and the Tigers face old nemesis C.C. Sabathia., as flurries begin to fall on Comerica Park.

Today’s Chill Lineup:

  • Kinsler, 2B
  • Upton, LF
  • Cabrera, 1B
  • V Martinez, DH
  • JD Martinez, LF
  • McCann,  C
  • Iglesias, SS
  • Avails, 3B
  • Gose, CF

Pitching: Mike Pelfrey

This was a scheduled day off for Nick Castellanos, and a chance to get Mike Aviles some action. But do you really want to pull a guy who just went 4-for-4? Schedules can always be changed. Brad Ausmus acknowledges that he considered that, but thinks that sticking with the plan is the best thing in the long run.

Game Post

Game 2016.3: Yankees at Tigers

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What could be better for Detroiters than perhaps one last chance to see the legendary Iggy Pop perform at the Fox Theater? Rolling out of bed at noon to Opening Day festivities.

Finally, the Tigers get their home opener, and it’s gonna be a cold one: the temperature at game time looks to be about 29. At least Jordan Zimmerman should be used to a little cold (he is from the Wisconsin farm land) as he makes his Tigers debut.

The weather may not be cold enough to slow down the hot-hitting Victor Martinez, who gets his first start of the season against hard-throwing Luis Severino, the guy who broke Cameron Maybin’s wrist in Spring Training.

There are perks to playing the Yankees: tomorrow afternoon’s game will be broadcast on MLB Network, and the Sunday night game is ESPN’s Sunday Night feature.

Those lucky enough to be in attendance today have a plethora of new food items to sample at Comerica, including fried bologna sandwiches, hot dogs topped with mac and cheese, and deep fried Oreos. I think I’ll stick with my ham sandwich and Stroh’s.

Today’s Undefeated Home Opener Lineup:

  • Kinsler, 2B
  • Upton, LF
  • Cabrera, 1B
  • V Martinez, DH
  • JD Martinez, LF
  • Castellanos, 3B
  • McCann,  C
  • Iglesias, SS
  • Gose, CF

Pitching: Zordan Zimmerman

 

Game Post

Game 2016.2: Tigers at Marlins

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It’s a brand new season, but is it the Same Old Tigers? It sure looked at first glance like the SOB (Same Old Bullpen), as Francisco Rodriguez, or FRod (pronounced “Fraud,” per PHToy) had absolutely nothing in the 9th inning, and was a highlight Justin Upton catch away from handing the game to the Marlins. It’s easy to put too much importance on just one outing, and the first outing of the year at that, so we need to see a few more before getting too excited about our closer situation. But it’s hard to be rational having seen all this before—the Tigers have had a knack for having a closer who has just then lost his effectiveness, and then sticking with him for way too long after.

Lost in all of that is how good the rest of the bullpen was, which is definitely not something we had too many occasions to say last season. Together they combined to give up only 2 hits and 1 walk in 5 shutout innings, and Shane Greene looked unhittable. Would this be the worst idea in the world: when Daniel Norris returns from the DL, let Shane Greene close out games? Not that it would ever happen, since we have A Closer. (I see Stormin’ Norman beat me to that idea).

The other SOB of the game was the Same Old Baserunning, as JD Martinez may have cost the team a run by sleeping on 2nd instead of advancing, as he easily would have, on a long fly to right, then Iglesias ran into a rundown situation, which found Martinez asleep again (instead of moving toward home with Iglesias in the rundown, he stood on 3rd with his hands in his pockets, making the rundown easy for the Marlins). And then of course the inevitable pickoff (the Tigers lets the league in runners picked off last year), with the usual suspect being the batting hero of the game, Ian Kinsler. At what point does Omar Vizquel start taking heat for this stuff?

Anyway, the Tigers will have a lot less room for error in today’s game, with Jose Fernandez on the mound, who has never lost a game at Marlins Park. Anibal Sanchez is no slouch himself, undefeated at Marlins Park since 2012.

Today’s Undefeated Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Upton, LF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, LF
  5. Castellanos, 3B
  6. Saltalamacchia, C
  7. Iglesias, SS
  8. Gose, CF
  9. Sanchez, P