Cabrera is in the lineup. Phew.

Baseball-reference game preview here.

Today’s lineup (numbers off of Chris Sale). I’d swap Kinsler and Maybin, and put Upton 7th when he’s back.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B (6-for-27, 2 HR, 5 walks, 5 K’s)
2. Cameron Maybin, CF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B (8-for-33, 2 HR, 9 walks, 12 K’s)
4. Victor Martinez, DH (16-for-34, 3 doubles, 4 HR, 2 walks, 5 K’s)
5. J.D. Martinez, RF (6-for-22, 2 doubles, HR, 3 walks, 12 K’s)
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B (1-for-16, walk, 10 K’s)
7. James McCann, C (2-for-8, 3 K’s)
8. Mike Aviles, LF (5-for-31, HR, 2 walks, 3 K’s)
9. Jose Iglesias, SS (4-for-11, K)

Zimmermann back. We need him.

Interesting lineup.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Cameron Maybin, CF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. J.D. Martinez, RF

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Mike Aviles, 3B

8. James McCann, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Tonight the Yankees come into town for the rubber game of a one-game series, weather permitting (light rain is forecast). Actually it is a make-up game that was rained out April 10, but it really is the rubber game of the series; the Tigers won the first game of the series behind Jordan Zimmerman, then Pelfrey got bombed in the 2nd to even it out. But that was so long ago that it seemed like a good idea to have Justin Upton bat 2nd.

Matt Boyd makes his 2nd start of the season, after making a decent showing in Oakland (6 hits, 3 runs, 0 walks, 7 strikeouts), before the bullpen spoiled the day. No such bad luck last night, as Michael Fulmer was just brilliant drawing a Roy Oswald comparison from his manager. His last 3 starts Fulmer is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA, and has a 16-inning scoreless streak going. He may turn out to be a good one, and all for the price of 1/2 a season of Yoenis Cespedes.

The last time the Tigers won in Anaheim? Max Scherzer got the win, and Joe Nathan picked up the save.

Tonight’s Yankee starter, Michael Pineda, has been having a rough time of it, with an 8.85 ERA over his last 4 starts, giving up 30 hits over his last 20 innings.

The game will be starting fashionably late, at 7:40.

Today’s Hit Pineda Like a Piñata Lineup:

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

This was originally scheduled to be an off day after the long flight back from California, so it’s not surprising a regular or two would have the day off. Still, this lineup misses a lot without Kinsler.

Let’s get out of this place, the sooner the better!

Anibal Sanchez checked out early enough last night, he was done after 3. Brad Ausmus said afterwards, “I don’t think he’s real confident on the mound right now, so we’re going to have to make an adjustment with Sanchy.” I was pondering what sort of adjustment that Brad would come up with, when I saw that he went for a big one: Sanchy has been demoted to the bullpen. Well, now that’s an actual adjustment! Interesting. I was looking for the ol’ 15-day DL forearm strain discovery thing, which they have done with Sanchez a couple of times. Not that he hasn’t actually been injured, but it is pretty easy to park a struggling pitcher on the DL. But nope, this time, the full demotion.

At any rate, the move earned Brad the “get thee to the bullpen” game day post picture (but I will entertain suggestions that the move didn’t come from him).

That demotion means the “temporary” stater Michael Fulmer is probably going to be around for a while. Fulmer had a brilliant 7 2/3 innings last outing with only 3 hits and 1 walk. But then again, we are in Anaheim.

The Tigers head back home after tonight’s game for a one-game fatigue series with the Yankees.

Today’s Escape From LA Lineup:

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

Justin Verlander had another strong start last night, but then in the 8th inning it unraveled for him, and the bullpen and his defense didn’t help matters, and then of course, it’s Anaheim, where the rallies only blow in one direction.

You would think they way the Tigers fare in Los Anaheim that the Angels must be a great home team, but they are actually only 11-16 at home. Must be us.

Tonight the Tigers face lefty Hector Santiago, who didn’t even make it through 3 innings in his last start, giving up 5 runs in 2 1/3 (hey wait, when a pitcher does that, aren’t you supposed to leave him any anyway?). Maybe Santiago’s leftiness will wake up JD Martinez and Miguel Cabrera, who have been struggling a bit of late, with Martinez hitting only .192 over the last 7 games

Today’s Stop Monkeying Around Lineup:

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

Well, as Jud and others have pointed out, Anaheim has been a house of horrors for the Tigers. Last season the Tigers went 1-6 against the Angels; 2014 was a respectable 3-4, but that followed up a 0-6 2013. The good news is that the Angels are struggling this year at 22-28, with a thin .704 team OPS (Detroit is at .755), and with a fat 4.27 team ERA (Detroit is even fatter, 4.47).

The good news is that fat ERA has lately been in spite of, not because of, tonight’s starting pitcher Justin Verlander, whose last 4 starts have been vintage Verlander:  1.19 ERA with a stingy 0.82 WHIP. That, combined with the Angels offensive woes, should add up to a strong performance. OK, actually, Verlander will get bombed, because: rally monkeys.

Today’s Lettuce Win This Game Lineup:

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

Holy cow was the bullpen awful yesterday.

Not surprisingly, the Tigers have one of the worst bullpens in the American League. 14th in ERA (4.61), 13th in WHIP (1.39), 13th in BAA (.280), and 13th in OPS (.786). We’re roughly where we were last year…with half of the pen having turned over. One of two things is going to happen:

1) It’s not going to get better, and we’re going to have a revolving door of free agents and AAA pitchers who put up similar numbers.

2) Wilson/Wilson/Lowe will progress to the mean, and we’ll be a little better. Based on history and simple statistical theory, I fully expect this to happen.

Note that the Rangers’ bullpen is worse than the Tigers in every regard, and they are 7 games over .500. And Prince Fielder is below the Mendoza line with an OPS of .560. Every fan always has something to complain about.

Anyway, Pelfrey puts on his pinata costume once again as the Tigers look to take the series.

Curious to see what they do with Greene. I think he’s a better option than Pelfrey, but we may want to give Greene another run in the pen.

Baseball-reference game preview here.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. J.D. Martinez, RF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. Nick Castellanos, 3B

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Cameron Maybin, CF

8. James McCann, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Tigers have won 9 of 11, are 1 game over .500, and 2 back of Cle in the AL central. They won’t keep up this pace, but they could be average enough in an average division. Ausmus’ seat temp has been reduced from scalding to boiling, maybe even just hot at this point in time.

Matt Boyd gets his first start of the season this afternoon. He’s been tearing it up a Toledo this year – In eight starts he’s 1-3 with a 2.06 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

A’s pitcher Jesse Hahn has been very good against the Tigers in the past: 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA over 16 innings in two previous starts.

Castellanos’ defense looks to be so much better. Or he’s at least on the ground a ton more. Unfortunately, the stats don’t say so. He’s last among qualifying AL 3B in Fangraphs’ UZR and overall defensive rating. Sigh. I really wasn’t expecting that.

Baseball-Reference game preview here.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. J.D. Martinez, RF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. Nick Castellanos, 3B

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Cameron Maybin, CF

8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Tigers find themselves only 3 games out of first in the crowded AL Central. Should be a fun weekend. Who’s staying up late?

Baseball-Reference game preview here.

1. 2B Ian Kinsler

2. RF J.D. Martinez

3. 1B Miguel Cabrera

4. DH Victor Martinez

5. 3B Nick Castellanos

6. LF Justin Upton

7. CF Cameron Maybin

8. C James McCann

9. SS Jose Iglesias

Maybin and Cabrera are still putting on a show, Justin Verlander was in vintage form, and the Tigers have their brooms out for the Phillies.

Since it is the day game after a night games, this will be a short one. Unless I can get Romine to give me a breather.

Today’s lineup:

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

Kinsler still out with flu-like symptoms.

It’s interleague time, the good kind this time. Most National League teams don’t carry a DH type of guy; they have an extra Romine type of guy. So when it comes time to pencil in a DH, there is usually some .230 hitter batting 7th, which gives the home team an advantage. OK, theirs is long-in-the-tooth Ryan Howard, who does have some power, but is batting all of .161. The Phillies on the whole have been having trouble using those wood things you swing at the baseballs: their team OPS is a ridiculously low .651. In other words, they are team Anthony Gose. Their starting pitching though has been another story, and they have been managing to win without scoring much.

Tonight seems like it might be the night. Everything’s all right. Mike Pelfrey might get that W, that has eluded him for so long. Cabrera is fine and in the lineup; Upton is a late scratch, but…Moya.

Today’s Lineup:

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