Monthly Archives: June 2017

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.79: Indians at Tigers

14 Comments

***Update***

Anibal will pitch the first game of the double-header, even though I tried to sneak Fulmer in again. The lineup has changed though–we get the Double Dekker in the 2 spot!

Yesterday we had Michael Fulmer in All-Star form, today we have Anibal Sanchez. His two outings since he has been called up have been pretty good, to be honest. And look at that picture–Anibal has something up his sleeve I think. Maybe it’s the weather, because the tarp is out. This one may finish on West Coast time.

It’s always nice to win a series, especially against a division rival. That just sort of prolongs the inevitable though. If the Tigers are going to get back into contention they need a sweep or two.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Matt den Dekker, LF
  3. JD Martinez, RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  6. Victor Martinez, DH
  7. Mikie Mahtook, CF
  8. James McCann, C
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Anibal Sanchez vs Josh Tomlin

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.77: Royals at Tigers

8 Comments

Justin Verlander showed a lot yesterday after giving up 3 runs in the first, aided by some glove work by The Lettuce and Mikie Mahtook, who turned a 427 foot fly ball into an out.

Today we have Victor back, batting 6th.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Alex Avila
  3. Justin Upton, LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  5. JD Martinez, RF
  6. Victor Martinez, DH
  7. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  8. Mikie Mahtook, CF
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Daniel Norris vs Ian Kennedy

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.76: Royals at Tigers

10 Comments

The Tigers come home, after a much needed day off, for us as well as for them.

J-Up stays in the 3 spot, Mikie Mahtook is the #2 du jour, and Cabrera slugs from the cleanup spot. Or is a slug in the cleanup spot, we’ll see.

And there is a rumor K-Rod is going to the Nationals. You never know.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Mikie Mahtook, CF
  3. Justin Upton, LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  5. JD Martinez, RF
  6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  7. John Hicks, DH
  8. James McCann, C
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Justin Verlander vs Matt Strahm

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.75: Tigers at Padres

33 Comments

One more of these West Coast debacles, and the boys get to stagger back home. Brad shuffles the lineup around, because, why not?

I like Upton batting 3rd; I won’t comment on Cabrera batting 2nd.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  3. Justin Upton, LF
  4. JD Martinez, RF
  5. Mikie Mahtook, CF
  6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  7. James McCann
  8. Jose Iglesias, SS
  9. Jordan Zimmermann, P

Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Clayton Richard

Romine benched for violating team policy against having more than one hit in the same game.

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.74: Tigers at Padres

19 Comments

Michael Fulmer pitched very well last night, but he was no match for Cy Perdomo and crew. The offensive stars of the game, such as they were, were Alex Avila, Andrew Romine, and John Hicks, who know can be seen smirking on the WAR gallery. It is futile for Miguel Cabrera to even TRY to catch him! Add Mr. WAR himself, J-Up, who drew two walks, refusing to swing at pitches that were not in the “strike zone,” whatever that is.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Alex Avila, C
  3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, RF
  5. Justin Upton, LF
  6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  7. Andrew Romine, CF
  8. Jose Iglesias, SS
  9. Anibal Sanchez, P

Pitching: Anibal Sanchez vs Dinelson Lamet, if that’s even his real name.

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.73: Tigers at Padres

64 Comments

For those of you who missed it, Francisco Rodriguez is no longer a Tiger. The Tigers will be on the hook for the rest of his $6 million, but at this point they decided it was better to pay him not to be on the team. Frankie will be remembered as a great closer, but he got off to a bad start this year and stayed there, pitching poorly for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Is there a curse? Our Venezuelan contingent are all having career-worst seasons.

Bruce Rondon has been called up to take his place.  Oh wait—Bruce Rondon was on that Venezuela team too. Uh oh.

Also, after making the acquaintance of the centerfield wall, Alex Presley has been placed on the 10-day concussion list. The Tigers have brought up 29 yr old lefty outfielder Matt den Dekker. What, no Tyler Collins?

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Alex Avila, C
  3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, RF
  5. Justin Upton, LF
  6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  7. Andrew Romine, CF
  8. Jose Iglesias, SS
  9. Michael Fulmer, P

Pitching: Michael Fulmer vs Luis Perdomo

The Lettuce fills in for The Parsley. There is no DH, so Michael Fulmer gets to bat. Yippee.

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.72: Tigers at Mariners

30 Comments

Warwick Saupold. I remember first seeing that name and thinking he sounded like a cricket player, or law firm, or something. I certainly didn’t associate him with WAR—but there he is, the newest entry on the Tiger Faces of WAR.

According to the guys with the WAR numbers (Baseball Reference has been hacked by the Russians), Warwick Saupold has now been more valuable to the team than Miguel Cabrera ($28,000,000), Nick Castellanos ($3,000,000), Victor Martinez ($18,000,000), Anibal Sanchez ($16,800,00), Francisco Rodriguez ($6,000,000), and Jordan Zimmermann ($18,000,000).  So yes, this team is in quite a bind.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Alex Avila, C
  3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, RF
  5. Justin Upton, LF
  6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  7. Alex Presley, CF
  8. John Hicks, DH
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Daniel Norris vs Andrew Moore

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.71: Tigers at Mariners

40 Comments

Ian and JD made what was looking like a lackluster game into something exciting. How hard will this offense be to watch without JD in it? Forget Perry Mason, fans will be that picky. Matlock re-runs will be seen.

Jordan Zimmermann, like Anibal before him, was just fine.

Cabrera, not so much. I only mention this because I’m getting tired of being bombarded by messages and commercials telling me to vote Miggy for All-Star. Right.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, DH
  5. Justin Upton, LF
  6. John Hicks, DH
  7. Mikie Mahtook, CF
  8. James McCann, C
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Justin Verlander vs James Paxton

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.70: Tigers at Mariners

20 Comments

I don’t have much to day today; my algorithms are being tweaked. No spoilers, but I think there may be a great demand for fake baseball news soon.

Surprisingly, Anibal’s start was one of the highlights of last night’s game. He has earned himself another start. JZ, meanwhile, is auditioning for an outside shot and landing on a playoff contender.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, DH
  5. Justin Upton, LF
  6. John Hicks, DH
  7. Mikie Mahtook, CF
  8. James McCann, C
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Ariel Miranda

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.69: Tigers at Mariners

29 Comments

Tonight marks the much anticipated return of Anibal Sanchez. Or perhaps it’s the much appreciated return to the West Coast.

Either way, there is baseball tonight!

As expected, the Buck was passed on down to Toledo to make room for the triumphant return of Anibal.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Alex Avila, C
  3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, DH
  5. Justin Upton, LF
  6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  7. Alex Presley, RF
  8. Andrew Romine, CF
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Anibal Sanchez vs Sam Naviglio

2017 Season, Game Post

Game 2017.68 Rays at Tigers

44 Comments

The tarp is down, so this one won’t happen on time.

Today’s surprise: Anibal Sanchez is with the team, and will be pitching tomorrow’s game. No word on who is being sent down, but it will be someone better than Anibal Sanchez.

Today’s Happy Father’s Day Lineup:

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Alex Avila, DH
  3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  4. JD Martinez, DH
  5. Justin Upton, LF
  6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  7. Alex Presley, CF
  8. James McCann, C
  9. Dixon Machado, SS

Pitching: Buck Farmer vs Jacob Faria