Mr. Fulmer was brilliant last night, which was enjoyable to watch, if not exactly surprising. The hitting was a welcome surprise, with the middle of the lineup even waking up. They Tigers defied Jud’s prediction and had a very patient approach at the plate, letting Liriano waste pitches to his heart’s content.
The interesting question is, what effect if any did the team meeting before the game have on the guys? Brad scoffs at such things, but it certainly looked like an inspired team. Then again, maybe the was just a fluke good game.
Today’s Lineup:
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Justin Upton, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
JD Martinez, RF
Victor Martinez, DH
Mikie Mahtook, CF
James McCann, C
Jose Iglesias, SS
Pitching: Anibal Sanchez vs Marco Estrada
Just look at the game post picture. Anibal has a secret, and he’s not telling.
Normally there is nothing better than the first game after half a week without baseball. Other times, there is last night.
At least we get Mr. Fulmer tonight, who will have to somehow compensate for a lineup with a vortex of negative WAR right smack dab in the middle of it.
Mr. Kinsler is out today with “flu-like symptoms.” (It doesn’t apply to Ian, but with some players I read that and think “hangover,” cynical old guy that I’ve become).
The Tigers limp into the All-Star break with one last chance to take one from the Indians. The Tigers have Michael Fulmer on the mound, but even if he’s at his best, the Tigers will still need to manage a run or two.
That game last night was rather forgettable. But it could be worse: you could have been listening to it on the radio while stuck in an hour long delay on 23 North, like I was.
As HelpMeMakeItThruthe9th pointed out, this series is no longer a case of bemoaning bad base running or Brad’s decisions or bad at bats. We are just watching a good team play a not-so-good one.
3.09 ERA, .195 BA against (.570 OPS), a minuscule 0.857 WHIP, 22 strikeouts against 4 walks. The Tigers could use a guy like the in their rotation! And it seems they have him; those are Anibal’s numbers since he has returned from Toledo.
Now it’s time for Zimmermann to get back on track.
After yesterday’s game the Tigers took the van into the shop. There was an issue with a gasket or something. A groin maybe? Anyway it will be in the shop for at least 10 days. They got a Blaine Hardy loaner to cover.
Today’s matchup is for the rubber game of the series. Can Anibal do it again? and if so, does that actually make him viable trade bait? I’m sure the Giants are wishing they could trade Johnny for some Cuervo about now: his WHIP is a hefty 1.58 over his last 5 starts.
Alex Presley and the Mysterious Jim “WAR-Face” Adduci have both been taken off of the disabled list. Alex is back with the team, and den Dekker has been relegated to DFA land. Adduci is at Toledo, to tease us until further notice.
Today’s Lineup:
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Justin Upton, LD
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
JD Martinez, RF
Victor Martinez, DH
Mikie Mahtook, CF
James McCann, C
Jose Iglesias, SS
Pitching: Daniel Norris vs Ty Blach.
The Tigers are facing a pitcher literally named blech. OK, well maybe not literally.
The Martinez’s are batting back to back once again, for the first time in…a while. I don’t have time to look it up.
The season is now half over. That went quickly, and not that satisfactorily.
Nothing says the holidays like an interleague battle of bottom dwellers. But hey, it’s still baseball! And we have our All-Star on the mound and Justin “WAR Man” Upton back in the lineup.
Happy Independence Day, everyone!
Today’s Lineup:
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Alex Avila, C
Justin Upton, LD
JD Martinez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Mikie Mahtook, CF
Jose Iglesias, SS
Pitching: Michael Fulmer vs Matt Cain
Victor moves up a spot in the lineup, for no real reason that I can think of.
Yesterday’s second game ended disappointedly after 5 great innings pitched by Zimmermann.
Still, the Tigers have the opportunity to take another series, and have Justin on the mound.
The Tigers could really use Justin Upton back in the lineup. Victor has been nonexistent.
Today’s Lineup:
Jose Iglesias, SS
Alex Avila, C
JD Martinez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Victor Martinez, DH
Mikie Mahtook, CF
Andrew Romine, LF
Dixon Machado, 2B
Pitching: Justin Verlander vs Mike Clevinger
Brad gives Ian a day off, and gives Iggy a whirl in the leadoff spot. They try this every once in a while with Iglesias, moving him to the top of the lineup. It seems like it should work, but never really does.
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:
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Matt den Dekker, LF
JD Martinez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Victor Martinez, DH
Mikie Mahtook, CF
James McCann, C
Jose Iglesias, SS
Pitching: Anibal Sanchez vs Josh Tomlin
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