Amazing what can happen in 7 days. A week ago, the Tigers had won 7 in a row, were a season high 4 games over .500, and were leading the AL in runs scored. Since then, the boys are 0-4, they’ve managed 6 runs in those 4 games, and are now 26 runs behind the Yankees.
Beyond the anemic offense, the bullpen has gone from terrible to catastrophic, allowing 10 ER in 4 2/3 IP over the last four games. Help is on the way, as Charlie Furbush was recalled from Toledo today, with Brad Thomas going to the DL. Furbush has been pretty darn good down there, posting a 2.91 ERA and striking out an international league leading 55 in 46 1/3 IP covering 8 starts. I’m curious to see what his role will be. Coke has certainly earned his spot in the rotation, but he’s sorely missed out of the pen.
Max Scherzer gets the ball today, on the heels of three fantastic starts where he allowed 2 ER over 20 innings. At the plate, Max is a career .176 hitter with 2 doubles and 3 RBI in 68 career plate appearances.
Kevin Correia (core – A – ah) climbs the hill for the Pirates. Correia has been in the bigs for 7 years, mostly as a spot starter until 2009 when he had a fine season with the Padres, towing a 3.91 ERA (3.81 FIP) over 33 starts and just under 200 IP. He only pitched 145 innings last year (injury, I presume, but I practically had to look up where Pittsburgh is), and for 2011, he’s 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA and 1.25 WHIP (remember he’s facing a pitcher almost every 9 batters). He doesn’t walk many (2011 2.06/9), nor strike out many (3.81/9) so let’s see if the Tigers can hit ’em where they ain’t.
I’ve got to get to a BBQ, someone please post the lineups when they are avail.
Let’s go Tigers!