Category Archives: 2011 Season

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.16.2011

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Toledo 5, Gwinnett 10 (Braves)

Thad Weber (RHP) dropped to 1-4 with a 6.45 ERA after giving up 7 ER over 6 IP. Fu Te Ni (LHP) allowed 3 ER on 4 H in 2 innings of relief.

Offensively, the Mud Hens had a great night with 5 hitters getting 2 hits. Deik Scram (OF) went 2-4 with a run scored, a HR, and an RBI. Will Rhymes went 2-4 with an RBI. He’s hitting .304 over 46 ABs with Toledo since his demotion.

Lakeland 7, Charlotte 2 (Rays)

After allowing Charlotte to crawl back from an early 2-0 deficit, the Flying Tigers scored 2 runs in the 5th and 2 more in the 7th to win this one handily.

Cole Nelson (LHP) recorded the win: 6.2IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. Despite the win, the pitching performance of the night belonged to Ryan Robowski (LHP). Robowski threw 2.1 innings of relief and struck out 5 without allowing a base runner.

Daniel Fields (CF), Jeff Kunkel (C), and Michael Rockett (LF) all went 3-4. Fields also added 3 RBI. Ryan Soares (SS) added 2 RBI on 1-5 from the plate.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.41: Blue Jays at Tigers

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September 1, 2011.

That is the day the Tigers look to finish the 3-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals, since Sunday they were thwarted by weather.  By then, the Indians should be in the rear-view mirror.  Breaking news:  Grady Sizemore back on the DL (sighs from Grady’s Ladies).

Today, May 16, 2001, is the clash of the unbeaten streak teams–Detroit with a 7-game winning streak, and Toronto with a 5-game winning streak, the 2 longest current streaks in the league.  Something has to give.  Or does it?  This could also be the 2nd of a 2-game rainout streak.  Weathermen are standing by.

Today’s game features Max Scherzer, who looks to become MLB’s first 7-game winner, as he continues on pace to a 28-0 season.  About that Blue Jays winning streak:  their last loss? To Max Scherzer and the Tigers. The Blue Jays counter with, Kyle Drabek (2-2, 4.81), son of Doug.  Jim Leyland coached his dad.  Advantage:  Tigers.

And also:  Jose Bautista.  For the love of Paws, pitch around him this time, do you hear what I’m telling you? For Detroit, Victor Martinez is cruising along with a 13-game hitting streak, and was named AL player of the week.  Advantage:  even

Ingetangibles:

Two weeks ago in these very pages, looking for some bright spot after a demoralizing sweep by Cleveland, we noted that Brandon Inge called a team “unifying” meeting, and proclaimed “we are going to be a winning team.”

Tiger record since that meeting:  10-2.

Sure, the winning can mostly be attributed to pitching, starting with Justin No-Hit Verlander.  But why has the starting pitching been so good?  Clearly something has inspired them.  Brandon “Team Chemistry” Inge should certainly be the Player of the Pre-Game.  Advantage:  Tigers

Yesterday was to be the much anticipated unveiling of Andy Dirks, the young LH OF called up to replace Groundouttlio while he rests his ankklio.  Normally, when the Tigers call up someone from Toledo Leyland plays him immediately.  Unfortunately, in Dirks’ case it appears the team inadvertently called up Andy Dick, who luckily was unavailable because of legal troubles.  Management has now sorted out the situation, and Andy Dirks gets the start today.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Ramon Santiago

Yeah, I know I said it would be Inge.  But then I found out via Leyland that there is no such thing as team chemistry, so forget everything I said above.  But, Ramon Santiago:  the most useful backup infielder in the league?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

Today’s  Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Andy Dirks LF
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Alex Avila C
  8. Brandon Inge 3B
  9. Ramon Santiago 2B
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.14.2011

Toledo 13, Gwinnett 1 (Braves)

Every Mud Hen recorded a hit this one as the team put up Rod Allen “crooked numbers” in the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and  9th innings to win big.  Andy Oliver (LHP) got the win after 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 5 K. The lone ER came off of a solo homerun in the 5th. Matt Hoffman (LHP) was perfect over 2 innings of relief while striking out 3.

Danny Worth (3B), Scott Thorman (LF), and Max St. Pierre (C) each had 3 RBI for the ‘Hens.

Erie 5, Altoona 6 (Pirates)

An 8th inning implosion by Chance Ruffin allowed Altoona to overcome a 5-1 deficit and sneak away with a win. Before Ruffin’s awful 8th inning, Jacob Turner (RHP) had pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 ER off of 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4. His ERA over 7 starts is 2.58.

Brandon Douglas (2B) went 4-5 with two runs scored. Audy Ciriaco (SS) went 2-4 and led the team with 2 RBI.

Lakeland 3, Charlotte 4 (Rays)

Trevor “Mr.” Feeney (RHP) allowed 4 ER over 7 innings of work to take the loss. Feeney didn’t walk a batter while striking out 2. Matt Little (RHP) pitched an inning of relief and allowed a hit but nothing else.

Ryan Soares (SS) had a quality night offensively: 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI. Gustavo Nunez (SS) recorded the other RBI for the Flying Tigers.

West Michigan 1, Lake County 2 (Indians)

Lake County led 2-0 before Nick Castellanos (3B) went yard for a solo-shot in the 7th. However, on a night where the ‘Caps could only muster 4 hits, that’s all the offense they could generate.

Despite a quality start, Kyle Ryan (LHP) recorded the loss. Ryan threw 7 innings and allowed 7 hits, 2 walks, and 2 ER while striking out 3. His ERA for the year is a respectable 3.27.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.40: Royals at Tigers

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A few quick thoughts on JV –

– He’s awesome.
– I love the way he is mixing up his pitches as of late.  Yesterday he opened the game with four four-seamers against Gets.  Threw one changeup to Cabrera, then closes with three changeups to K Gordon.  He then introduced the slider in the second inning, but stuck with the fastball for the walk to Butler and first 2 outs.  So a very hot Mike Aviles comes up likely looking fastball, and JV throws 4 curveballs.  For the game, JV threw only 43% fastballs, 25% curveballs, and then 16% changeups and sliders.  He is legitimately throwing 4 + to ++ pitches at all points during the game.  Just sick.

The Tigers hope that Jeff Francis is poised to become the latest Clown Show Bop Bag, as he lugs his 5.09 ERA to Comerica this afternon.  The Royals are hoping that Francis can find some of his early season success that saw him open the season with a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP after four starts.  The Tigers, on the other hand, want late April/early May Jeff Francis who has given up 4 bombs and 33 hits in his last 19 innings.  Francis walks almost no one, as he is currently sixth in the AL with a 1.76/9 walk rate.

Even though he’s following a guy who’s averaging 1 hit per game, Bad Brad Penny has plenty to be proud of.  Over his last 4 stats BBP has lasted at least six innings in each game, winning 3 of them.  The only loss came when he opposed Seattle rookie phenom Michael Pineda.  BBP has posted a 1.32 ERA and fantastic 1.01 WHIP during that span.  Despite a low K/9, Penny has been able to have success as of late because he’s keeping walks down – 12 in his first 4 starts, 5 over his last 5, and pitching to contact (whatever that means).

A few notes:

– Billy Butler’s 22 game hit streak vs. the Tigers was snapped yesterday.
– The Tigers have at least 1 XBH in every game this season, the second longest such streak since 1919 (1986 – 51 games).  I’m guessing the XBH to start a season research guy got a better offer the day before he was set to open the book entitled “1918 – Every Box Score.”  The Tigers are the only team to have an XBH in every game in 2011.
– Peralta is 2 hits away from 1,000, which would make him the 47th Puerto Rican to do so, but the first with a typo on his birth certificate.

Today’s Ghostly Lineup:

1. Jackson – CF
2. Sizemore – 2B
3. Raburn – LF
4. Cabrera – 1B
5. Martinez – C
6. Peralta – SS
7. Boesch – DH
8. Wells – RF
9. Inge – 3B

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.39: Royals at Tigers

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On June 15th, 1938, Johnny Vander Meer, in only his second big league season, took the mound for the Cincinnatti Reds against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field.  It was only four days after Vander Meer had no hit the Boston Braves at Crosley Field.  Despite walking 8 against 7 strikeouts, Vander Meer pulled off a feat never before accomplished, and yet to be repeated to this day, as he threw his second consecutive no hitter.  This was the highlight of Vander Meer’s otherwise nondescript career.

Verlandermeer takes the hill tonight against the 2nd place Kansas City Royals.  KC got off to a fast start and has been holding steady since, largely in part to their hitting.  The Royals are currently hitting .265 as a team (tied for 2nd in the AL, Tigers are 5th at .257), and are 3rd  in the AL with a .758 OPS (Tigers are 7th at .729).  The Royals’ team ERA finds them 10th in the AL at 4.18, one spot ahead of the Tigers.  Where the Tigers do have the Royals is starting pitching.

Luke Hochevar takes the mound for the Royals tonight with a 4.91 ERA, following up a solid outing against the Athletics where he allowed 1 ER and 4 hits over 7 innings.  The three starts prior to that, however, didn’t go so well.  In two games against Cleveland and one against Minnesota from late April to early May, Hochevar allowed 15 earned in 18 2/3 with a 1.55 WHIP. On the season Hochevar is striking out only 5.7 per 9, though he does have a salty walk rate of 2.1/9 and 1.15 WHIP.  The explanation is XBH, as he’s allowed 28 of them against 19 singles, with 10 of them leaving the yard.

JV is good at pitching.  Not much else needed here, other than a great post by the Onion regarding JV’s no hitter.

Maggs finally went on the DL today, with Dirks getting the call-up from Toledo.

Today’s pick to click is Miguel Cabrera.  He’s a career .500 hitter off of Hochevar in 20 ABs with 2 bombs.

Lineups will be posted shortly. Dirks did not get the auto just up from Toledo JL start.  Odd.

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Scott Sizemore, 2B
3. Brennan Boesch, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Don Kelly, LF
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

 

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.11.2011

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Toledo 1, Lehigh Valley 8 (Phillies)

Lehigh took a quick 4-0 lead after 1 and did not relent. Toledo’s starter, Thad Weber (RHP), lasted only 4 innings and allowed 5 ER on 6 hits and 4 walks. He was relieved by Chris Oxspring (RHP) who allowed 3 ER in 1 1/3 innings of work. Fu Te Ni and Robbie Weinhardt combined to finish out the game and did not allow an ER or a hit over the final 3 2/3 innings.

Scott Thorman (DH) had the only RBI of the night off of a solo home run in the 6th. Despite a complete lack of hitting with RISP, every Mud Hen except for Argenis Diaz (3B) had a hit.

Additionally, Ben Guez (RF) played in his first game at the AAA level. In 30 games and 100 ABs at AA, Guez hit .340 with a .404 OBP. He went 2-4 with a double in his Toledo debut.

Erie 1, Akron 4 (Indians)

Casey Crosby (LHP) was the losing pitcher despite a quality start: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 6 BB, 5K. Even though he pitched himself around 9 base runners, 9 BB/9 is too much. Rob Waite (RHP) and Zach Simons (RHP) each allowed 1 ER in relief.

Only three SeaWolves recorded a hit: Johnson, Douglas, and Roof. Shawn Roof (LF) went 1-2 with a walk.

Lakeland 0, St. Lucie 6 (Mets)

In 13 plate appearances, the first three men in the Lakeland order reached base 8 times. Unfortunately, the rest of the lineup could not muster the offense to clear the table, and the Flying Tigers were blanked.

Cole Nelson (LHP) threw 6 1/3 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 4 walks. Jordan Pratt (RHP) pitched the final 1 2/3 innings and also allowed 3 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits.

Brent Wyatt (OF) went 1-2 and drew 2 walks.

West Michigan 1, South Bend 6 (Diamondbacks)

Josue Carreno (RHP) allowed 5 ER on 9 hits and a walk through 6 innings of work in a losing effort. He has not allowed fewer than 4 ER in his last 4 starts. Michael Torrealba (RHP) threw 3 innings of relief and allowed 1 ER on 1 hit and 2 walks.

Luis Castillo (CF), Hernan Perez (2B), and Steven Moya (OF) all went 2-4. James Robbins (1B) recorded the only RBI for the ‘Caps.

Castillo and Perez have been productive all season.  In 98 ABs, over 29 games, Luis Castillo is hitting .357 with a .413 OBP and .439 SLG. Hernan Perez is hitting .342 and slugging .491 over 114 ABs. Additionally, Perez has stolen 9 bases in 11 attempts.

At 20, Perez is a young talent who is producing terrific numbers at the A level. I would imagine he’ll get a mid-season promotion.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.38: Tigers at Twins

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Tigers look for a quick two game sweep of the MLB worst Twinkies today

Baker goes for Minnesota today as the lone bright spot in their rotation.  On the season he’s posting a 2.97 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 7.8 K/9.  After being hit hard in his first two starts, Baker has allowed only 5 earned in his last 4 starts, covering 28 1/3 IP.

Phil Soda takes the mound trying to keep up some of the AL’s best starting pitching.  Tigers starters are tied with the Rangers for the most wins this season from the rotation with 16. Moreover, our front five have 25 quality starts of six innings or more and have allowed three runs or less in 37 games.

Ordonez and Peralta with an off day today.

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Scott Sizemore, 2B
3. Brennan Boesch, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Ryan Raburn, LF
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Santiago, SS
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

 

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.10.2011

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Toledo 1, Lehigh Valley 3 (Phillies)

Toledo scored one run in the bottom of the 9th to make it interesting, but the late effort was futile and Adam Wilk (LHP) took the loss despite a quality start: 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. Lester Oliveros (RHP) added two innings of relief and allowed only one hit.

Only two Mud Hens got hits in the game: Dirks and Diaz. Andy Dirks (LF) went 3-4 with an RBI and Argeniz Diaz (3B) went 2-4 with a 3B and a run scored.

Erie 8, Akron 5 (Indians)

5 SeaWolf pitchers saw action in this one. Sorensen got the win after 6 IP, 7 H, and 1 Run (0 ER). Hamilton and Gayhart attempted to spoil the start and allowed 1 ER and 3 ER, respectively, in 2/3 innings of work. Chance Ruffin (RHP) struck out 3 in 1 2/3 to pick up the save.

Ben Guez (RF) picked up 3 RBI on 2-4 hitting with a double and a triple. Douglas (2B), Johnson (CF), and Henry (LF) added an RBI each. Rawley Bishop (1B) went 0-4 with 2 K’s.

Lakeland 10, St. Lucie 2 (Mets)

Jay Voss (LHP) recorded the win with the following line: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. His ERA for the year is at 3.05 with a 2-0 record. Matt Little (RHP) and Michael Morrison (RHP) combined for three scoreless innings of relief.

Jordan Lennerton (DH) went 2-4 with 1 HR and 4 RBI. He also scored three runs and drew a walk. Wyatt (LF) and Gaynor (3B) added 2 RBI each.

West Michigan 1, South Bend 6 (Diamondbacks)

Antonio Cruz (LHP) received the loss after 5 ER in 5 IP. Logan Hoch (LHP) allowed another ER in 2 innings of relief work.

Ryan Hamme (RF) recorded the only RBI for the ‘caps on a 1-2 night.

West Michigan 5, South Bend 0

West Michigan led wire to wire but put it out of reach with a 4-run 5th inning. Jeff Ferrell (RHP) got the win after 5 shutout innings  with 5 K’s. Patrick Cooper (RHP) threw two perfect innings of relief to preserve the win.

Luis Castillo (CF) went 2-2 on the night. Hernan Perez (2B) went 1-2 with a HR.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.37: Tigers at Twins

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Tigers finished the second inning yesterday (if you break the season down into 9 innings, there are 18 games per inning) at 10-8.  This inning saw three 3 game win streaks, and a 7 game losing streak.  Tigers enter the third inning at .500, and in third place in the Central.  They are 5.5 games behind Cleveland, but 4 games ahead of Chicago and 4.5 ahead of the Twins.

The Bizarro Twins take the field against the Tigers tonight.  They have had injury problems, Carl Pavano leads your rotation problems, and even Justin Morneau isn’t hitting, as John Lowe points out in today’s column.  Even so, the organization knows how to win, so we need to take our swings while they are down.

Liriano climbs the hill for the Twins after throwing an excuse me no-hitter last time out against the meager White Sox.  He managed to walk 6 and strike out two on his way to throwing 47% balls over 123 pitches, yet did not allow a hit.  A no-no is always great, but I don’t think he necessarily had great stuff.  Had last week not gone so well, Liriano might find himself out of the rotation, as he’s putting up a 1.56 WHIP and 24 BBs against only 20 Ks…with the complete game last week. His 9.13 ERA dropped to 6.61 after the outing.

Today’s Playgglio of the Gamegglio is Magglio.  Ordonez is a career .327 hitter against the Twinkies and leads all active players with 230 hits, 45 doubles and 145 RBI against them.

– Cabrera (7/20), Ordonez (10/26) and VMart (8/18) all hit Liriano well.
– VMart is on a nine game hitting streak, batting .438 during that time.
– In his last 11 games, Austin Jackson is hitting .341 with three doubles, a triple, a homer and seven RBIs.

Today’s DTW Player of the Game Friendly Lineup is:

1. Jackson – CF
2. Sizemore – 2B
3. Ordonez – RF
4. Cabrera – 1B
5. Martinez – DH
6. Peralta – SS
7. Boesch – LF
8. Inge – 3B
9. Avila – C

Today’s senseless DTW feedback question of the game is: why in the world are airplane seats shaped such that your head is in front of your body?

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.36: Tigers at Blue Jays

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The Tigers look to win their second consecutive asphalt game, as the Tigers look to close out their second straight 3-of-4 series.

Max Scherzer will take the mound for Detroit, fortified with steak, courtesy of Justin Verlander, who took a few of the guys out to celebrate the no-hitter.  Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer, Alex Avila, and Don Kelly all were there.  Don Kelly?  I guess Coke doesn’t go with steak.  And poor Brutus Penny was seen at a local hamburger joint, pestered by some guy who wanted to eat and pay Tuesday.

And while Justin Verlander has the no-hitter, Mad Max is the guy with the perfect record (5-0).  Standing in the way of 6-0:  Brandon Morrow, who is coming off of a 1-run, 5-hit, 6 1/3 inning victory over the Rays.  He also has a nice 1.69 career ERA vs Detroit, and has held Jhonny Peralta to an 0-9.

And of course there’s Jose Bautista–but I know Max wouldn’t make the mistake of pitching to him, like Bad Brad did.  Will you Max?

And then there’s Juan Rivera, who looked out at the mound after his 7th inning AB and said to Verlander, “you’re getting lucky.”

Brandon Inge and Magglio Ordonez will get some rest after a busy weekend of being lucky no-hitter guys–Inge and Ordonez are the only Tigers who were in the lineup for both of Verlander’s no-hitters.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Don Kelly

The Donkey is in the key 6th spot in the lineup, a potential bridge between guys who can hit and other guys who maybe can hit. C’mon, earn your steak Don.

Today’s Where are the lucky no-hitter guys? Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Ramon Santiago 2B
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Don Kelly 3B
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Ryan Raburn LF

 

2011 Season, Players

Verlander’s No-Hitter

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After Verlander’s second start of the year I commented that JV seemed to be throwing his change-up more on crucial counts.  It was not rooted in any scout-like acuity, but just a casual observation from a guy who watches too much Tigers baseball much like you do.  My recollection is that JV primarily has relied on his fastball and curveball, and on nights when his curveball isn’t working, that leaves him susceptible.

Well, his change-up has been working all year, and on Saturday he threw his slider with great frequency.  This could be very, very bad news for AL hitters.  It also represents further maturation by JV (dare I say “the art of pitching?”) an important point not lost on Jack Morris.

According to Fangraphs, JV has been throwing his change-up 19.6% of the time this year, which is the highest percentage since Pitch f/X started tracking theses things in 2007 , and likely the highest of his career.  He’s always used it to setup the fastball, but using it to get outs early, or as a bona fide strikeout pitch, will help him to become an even stronger pitcher.  Another benefit is that the change-up early in the game allows him to throw his less taxing fastball (four seamer at 92-94) in the opening innings but make them look faster because of the change of speed.  We are all well aware of JV’s perpetual early inning troubles and “over-pitching” is as much of a culprit as there is (though I still like blaming the national anthem singer).  If he can use his change-up earlier in the game, or at least pitch to contact with what is still a plus fastball, then he can stay in games longer.

Type
Season FA% CU% CH% SL% FT%
2007 61.80% 16.10% 19.00% 1.90% 1.10%
2008 60.80% 14.10% 15.30% 6.20% 2.90%
2009 67.20% 19.40% 10.00% 2.80% 0.20%
2010 52.00% 19.90% 14.30% 6.80% 7.00%
2011 46.30% 16.70% 19.60% 7.70% 9.60%
Total 59.40% 17.60% 14.20% 5.00% 3.50%
 

Velocity
Season FA-Vel CU-Vel CH-Vel SL-Vel FT-Vel
2007 94.1 79.4 82.3 83.1 83.7
2008 93.7 80.3 83.6 82.4 89.1
2009 95.6 80.1 84.2 86.6 89.2
2010 95.5 79.6 85.7 87.2 93.6
2011 95.1 78.5 86.3 86.2 94.5
Total 94.9 79.8 84.3 85.3 92.4

 

(Fangraphs link here.  FA = four-seamer, FT = two-seamer.)

Now, if you weren’t already convinced that JV has 5 more no-no’s in him, the really exciting stuff is that he’s throwing his slider more and more (including 4 out of 6 pitches against Rajai Davis for the last AB on Saturday, remember that was the pitch for the last K), which means that he could develop a legitimate 5 pitch repertoire (four seamer, two seamer, curve, change, slider).  Unfortunately, we don’t have great Pitch f/x data for Saturday’s game.  But from what we can see, he threw a ton of sliders, and is throwing more sliders this year (7.7%) than ever (compared to 5% for his career).

For the first time since making the bigs, JV is throwing his fastball less than 50% of the time.  (I actually don’t have data on this for 2005 & 2006, but I’m willing to be Coleman’s clown suit that this is the case.)  He’s throwing his slider, two-seamer and change-up more than ever.  JV has always had dominant stuff, arguably the best in the AL.  But he’s been prone to high pitch counts and chasing the strikeout, which have kept him from being the best in the AL.  Let’s see if Saturday’s effort is an indication that JV is ready to move from best in Detroit to best in the AL.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.35: Tigers at Blue Jays

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Justin.

As in Justin case you missed it, Verlander threw his second career no hitter yesterday, and was one excruciating 12-pitch-AB-walk away from a perfect game.

Ian Casselberry has a look at the Pitch F/X of the walk, in which it appears that it was indeed a ball. MLB.com has a video of all 27 outs.

And Justin time, since the Tigers looked like they had lost any momentum they had from the 3 consecutive wins against the Yankees.

The tough-act-to-follow starter for today is Brad “Brutus” Penny, who flirted with a no-hitter himself recently.  And to make things a bit tougher, Bautista returns to the lineup for Toronto.

Toronto sends out lefty Jo-Jo Reyes, which means Alex Avila will get a much-needed rest, and The Ghost will patrol right-field.  Reyes had a good 1-run 6 inning outing against the Rays last time out, but his spot in the rotation has been considered shaky.  Also:  his name is Jo-Jo.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Victor Martinez

Martinez straps on the catcher’s gear for the first time since coming back from the DL.  Here’s hoping his groin withstands the crouching–we need a healthy V-Mart in the lineup.

Today’s Wave-To-Mom Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Scott Sizemore 2B
  3. Magglio Ordonez DH
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez C
  6. Johnny Peralta SS
  7. Ryan Raburn LF
  8. Casper Wells RF
  9. Brandon Inge 3B