The big news is that Miguel Cabrera is back. John Hicks did a ridiculously good job filling in:
27 PA .423 BA / 1.098 OPS (both obviously better than Cabrera’s average numbers). The Tigers got lucky with that one.
Perhaps lost in the run barrage Monday: Victor Martinez bunted for a base hit, which was a career first for him. I love the mlb.com picture of it. The only people you can see are Victor and the 3rd base umpire. I think there was an outfielder blocked by the view, but that is a whole lot of open turf there. Even Victor could jog to first on that one.
If there is any cause for optimism this season–and Smoking Loon, at least, has picked the Tigers for the World Series–it’s that they are already 3-1 against the Indians. The Tigers started last season 0-11 against the Tribe, and didn’t win their 3rd game against them until September 27. And I like the matchup tonight.
Today’s Lineup:
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Justin Upton, LF
- Tyler Collins, CF
- Alex Avila, C
- Jim Adduci, RF
- Jose Iglesias, SS
Pitching: Justin Verlander vs Corey Kluber
Jim Adduci still out there flying the Mudhen flag at .333 / .926
Maiggy returns with gusto!… Good to see JV get thru the Indians… And Frankie going 5 up 3 down is too good to expect!…. Good night!
That’s 4-1 against the Tribe this year!
Proves two things, Indians starting staff not as good as last year. Also, the Tigers are taking their failure against the Indians personally. I didn’t comment on Loon’s prediction about the Tigers making it to the World Series because I didn’t fully agree. I still think we are so far a 500 +/_ club. But in our division, a 500 club could win the division. What will be interesting is what the club will do at the trading deadline, depending on where we are. If we are in first or slightly behind, will Chris I spend money to get a piece or two we many need. Meanwhile another win against the Indians and we will have surpassed last year’s head to head.
Oh, by all means, Tony, comment further on your disagreement with my pre-season assessment of the Tigers, if you are so inclined. Coleman got it right when he said the majority of fans had some serious misgivings. Me, I had a good feeling about the team. If things go south, I don’t want to let myself off the hook and pretend I knew it all along. Of course, if things go very right instead, I have no objection to appearing to be a prescient genius.