2016 Season, Game Post

Game 2016.104: Astros at Tigers

38 Comments

That’s four in a row for the guys with the D on their hats (I’ll take a moment to think how easily it could have been 7, if a couple of plays in Chicago had gone differently. OK, now I can move on). They didn’t gain any ground on Cleveland, because, hey, Oakland A’s, but they didn’t lose any either. And since this series and the last were against Wild Card contenders, they have moved up in the Wild Card standings (currently a half game behind Houston, and 2 out of a spot). I’m with Craig Monroe on that though, the heck with the Wild Card, these guys can win the division, as long as they can get over the idea that they can’t beat Cleveland–7 head-to-head left at the end of the season.

Jason Beck raises the possibility that Tyler Collins might stick around even after JD Martinez makes it back; the Tigers have been carrying an extra reliever for 2 months, and that doesn’t seem as necessary now—when Lowe and Molleken made an appearance last night it was kind of an “oh yeah, I forgot we had those guys” moment. I like the idea, especially since Maybin seems pretty fragile. With Romine as the best backup infielder and Collins as the best back up outfielder, what would the point of Aviles be?

Today’s good news: Justin Verlander is on the mound. In the month of July he is 3-0 with and ERA of 1.60 (4th best in the AL), and a WHIP of  0.950 (tied with Michael Fulmer for 4th best in the AL). His 37 strikeouts are 3rd best in the AL. If the season had started in July Verlander would be on the top of the list of Cy Young candidates.

Today’s Let’s Keep Streaking Lineup:

  1. Kinsler, 2B
  2. Maybin, CF
  3. Cabrera, 1B
  4. V Martinez, DH
  5. Castellanos, 3B
  6. Upton, LF
  7. Collins, RF
  8. McCann, C
  9. Iglesias, SS

38 thoughts on “Game 2016.104: Astros at Tigers”

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  3. Keep Collins…ditch Lowe!…I’m tired of the ” Lowes career numbers are great” arguement. Lowes career is not improving in Detroit. Collins gives us another solid guy off the bench.

  4. My favorite shot of the diamond is when Altuve is on first standing next to Miggy. Good comes in many sizes. One of my not so good to see is line drives hit to the left of J-Up, he seems to take bad routes to them.

  5. Collins has looked a bunch better since he came back from Toledo. He must have been thinking, “How can I be here and they have Aviles playing right field up north?”

  6. Victors jogging gets us a DP…he never runs hard and gets doubled up at third of all places because its ok for him to jog. 4 hits….no runs…only the Tigers!…..

  7. Maybin….one of the few Tigers that always busts his butt and runs hard…steals a run….Great job!!!

  8. That was a gift run, and maybe all JV needs the way he’s going today. Maybin makes things happen.

  10. Brad waits until trouble…then starts warming pitchers up..should have had both Greene and KRod ready!!!

  12. Maybe you lose anyway..the point being Brad like always not prepared…story of his pitching decision making…not ready, whether you make the change or not. Be prepared

  18. JV…winning Pitcher…only right…Iggy the other Tiger who busts his butt running
    Igggggyyyyy!!!!!

    1. Agreed. Playoff caliber opponent. Gut-punch top of 9th blown lead after a gem. Rally back to win behind the bottom of the order. That’s got everything except a celebratory beer, which is coming up shortly.

  21. Upton….Collins….McCann…Iggy…..who woud have called that one!!..Great job boys. Way to pick up the millionaires!..all after 2 outs!

  22. Two out Mojo..this team has heart…buy your playoff tickets!

  24. the best part is Brad does nothing +1 and they WIN!….haha!…thats the secret maybe……

  27. Is Catherine chiming in from Houston?

    I agree with Coleman, best win of the year. JV pitches like an ace, Hou scratches out two runs, would have been a devastating loss.

    That the rally came from the bottom of the order, was with two outs, McCann’s single was on a 1-2 count, was cinched on a hustle play, and pushes the win streak to 5 = best win of the season.

      1. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/brewers-trade-jonathan-lucroy-indians.html

        ‘if’ Lucroy waives his no-trade clause (to CLE), they’ll (CLE) will also get Lucroy – two very good acquisitions… DET has 7 games remaining w/CLE…all in the final two weeks of the season.

        DET will likely trade for a starting pitcher (Hellickson?) if the trade price is a minimal prospect(s) investment. Avila has confirmed he’s not going to trade any real good pitching prospects for any rental players – and i agree w/this strategy. DET ’16 has played too erratic to justify mortgaging the future (prospects) for a few rental players. August & September is time for existing DET roster to continue to ‘step it up’.

    2. I wonder what the probable win % was with 2 out and Upton at the plate? I know I was about checked out.

      1. …probably about the same % as with McCann up w/two outs and two strikes on him… very low

        1. About the same as Miggy up with the bases loaded and having him hit into a DP. We’ve probably seen that more this year than what happened last night. That’s why this game can be so much fun!

          Some folks have suggested we go after Lucroy. I say not no but HECK NO. Even though at my age I’m right after Mr. I as most likely to miss the next Tiger WS appearance, we need to not give away our youngsters. I still think McCann is an excellent young catcher whose hitting can improve with the right guidance. I would pair him with Al Kaline for a few days. Wouldn’t hurt to do the same with J-Up even though he shows remarkable patience in getting the walk last night. That is not the first time this year he’s started an important rally. It shows he has that brains to know that getting to first is never a bad play.

          I’ve taken too much of your time already, need tho get ready to watch Pelfrey pitch 7 one hit innings!

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