Detroit Tigers, 34-35, 2 1/2 games behind Cleveland, Consecutive Interleague Series Won: 4.

You’re welcome Pirates fans, you’re welcome.

The Tigers head into Pittsburgh to close out an interleague swing that has seem them take series against the Pirates’ division rival Reds and Cardinals. The surprising Pirates are now just 2 games behind Central leading Cincinnati.

The Pirates open the series with the hot hand of A.J. Burnett, who has won 6 consecutive starts, beginning with a 5/19 victory over the Tigers in Detroit.

Doug Fister looks to continue his strong comeback and put Detroit back to the .500 mark. Following his thrilling 10th-inning walk off single, Quintin Berry gets the start in RF in place of the struggling Brennan Boesch. Boesch is 3-7 lifetime against Burnett, but playing Boesch would mean either sitting the Q-Berry, or sitting Young, and apparently we can’t spare his .615 OPS against RHP.  Or maybe it’s his glove we can’t spare, I forget.

In other news, Wednesday may have seen Jake Westbrook stymie the Tiger offense, but it was a day to celebrate for Ryan Raburn.  On Wednesday Raburn reached his 5-year service time milestone, which means that even though the Tigers still have one more option to send Raburn to Toledo, Raburn can decline to report, which would force the Tigers to either keep him on the roster or release him (and still be on the hook for his salary).

Stat of the Day: Prince Fielder leads all active players with 28 home runs against the Pirates, including 9 at PNC Park.

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Prince Fielder.  See above.  And the last time Fielder faced Burnett he hit a 2-run HR–his only non-solo HR of the season.

Today’s Young Jacksonberry Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Quintin Berry RF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Delmon Young LF
6. Alex Avila C
7. Jhonny Peralta SS
8. Ramon Santiago 2B
9. Doug Fister P

33-35, 3rd place, 3 games behind Cle.

The Jacob Turner Experience 2012 kicks off this afternoon. Smyly has been pitching well and looks to be ready for his next start, so this is likely just a spot start (or could it be an audition?). Though Turner had a great ERA at Lakeland (1.66) and a good one in Toledo (3.43), his lack of strikeouts (44 in 63 2/3) and high walk rate (4.07 at Toledo) are cause for concern. The Cardinals are one of the most free-swinging teams in the league (they swing at more first pitches than the Tigers), so that should help. But we should have a pretty well rested pen (other than Valverde – who is not available) should Turner get into any trouble. Turner has been awful at Comerica in his young career, posting an 8.53 ERA over three starts.

The Tigers need to win today to increase their series streak to 4.

A few notes:

– Avila up, Holaday down.
– Putkonen down with Turner’s call-up.
– Smyly is slated to throw three innings tonight in Toledo.
– No word on Laird’s hamstring, yet.
– Cabrera is 4-10 lifetime off of Lohse with 2 HR.

Today’s Could Berry Be the Everyday Left Fielder? Lineup is:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Berry, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Boesch, DH
6. Raburn, 2B
7. Avila, C
8. Santiago, 2B
9. Kelly, RF

33-34, 3rd place, 2 games behind Cle (Jake Peavy says watch-out to his CWS teammates)

Justin Verlander was fantastic yesterday. Even though he walked more than he struck out for the first time since June of 2010, Verlander allowed 1 ER on 5 hits over 7 innings. There was that tense moment in the 7th when Berry’s two base error plated two runs, and then a walk loaded the bases, but JV responded with the one of the best sliders of his career to get out of the jam. Before Saturday, the Tigers had won only two games where they led start to finish, got a quality start, and the tying run did not come to the plate in the 9th. They have now won three in a row like that.

Kevin Goldstein of ESPN wrote an article last week (you’ll need Insider) where he asked 12 ML execs who they would pick if they needed a pitcher for just one start. JV dominated the vote totals with 7 votes. The next highest was two.

Verlander was the runaway winner, but some might be surprised to see him get just more than half the votes. “He just walks to the mound like he owns it,” said an American League scouting official. “You’re talking about 95-100 mph to both sides of the plate, a hellacious curveball and a plus change.”

 A National League scout agreed, while focusing on the thought of just one game. “He’s capable of no-hitting anyone at any time, in any place,” said the talent evaluator. “Every time you see him you wonder if you’re going to see something special.”

 A National League front office member also focused on the one-game aspect but took a different angle. “Verlander has been the most consistent when it comes to maintaining plus-plus stuff deep into games, which for me is really what you ask for when looking for the best player to start one game,” the front office member said.

I love the line about “owning the mound.”

**********************

Could there be trouble brewing in the clubhouse? Leyland came out yesterday and said that the team needs more “dirtbags”, Leyland’s affectionate term for players scrappy players. In truth, these guys usually have little major league value and Leyland uses their “dirtbag” role to justify playing them well beyond their expiration date. At the same time Leyland mentioned that his team needs to play with a “mean streak.” I don’t think he intended for them to go Laimbeer on anyone, but rather dive, slide and hustle. But Prince Fielder didn’t respond too well to the comment, saying that he doesn’t have time for that.

**********************

The Tigers have been playing their best ball since the beginning of the season, and their playoff chances are looking better every day. That said, their schedule is only going to get tougher, as only 19 games of the remaining 96 are against teams under .500. They still have 31 games against the White Sox, Rangers, Angels, Yankees and Rays. 10 of those are against CWS and I’m guessing that Cle is going to falter, so those 10 against the White Sox could decide the division. Let’s not forget that the Tigers have only finished above .500 post All Star break once under Smokey.

Injury notes:

– Smyly is slated to throw three innings in Toledo tomorrow night.
– Valverde is going to rest his sore wrist for 3-4 games.

A few other notes:

– The Tigers have not been shutout in 135 games, the longest streak in club history.
– The Tigers have signed undrafted first baseman Andrew Allen, son of Rod Allen. I see you son.
– Keep an eye out for 21 year old reliever Bruce Rondon, as he was just promoted to Erie.
– Phil Coke drenched a few fans last night. Not everyone was pleased. Though those sitting next to Ashley may have been.

Tonight’s Series Clinching Does Smokey Know that this is the Same Lineup as Last Night Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Berry, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Boesch, RF
7. Peralta, SS
8. Santiago, 2B
9. Laird, C

32-34, 3rd place, 2.5 games back (picked up 1.5 games since the last DTW post)

Your Detroit Tigers have scrambled to win 3 straight series (after losing the opener in each), and are 7-3 over their past 10 games. The Cinci series was a nice one as they look to be the cream of the crop in the NL Central, but the Rockies and Cubs series were sweep-able. So let’s not get too excited, but hey, you have to win series, and hopefully the boys are getting used to doing that.

The Tigers look to continue their interleague dominance (.650 since 2006, 2nd best in the majors) against our old foes the Cardinals. That’s gonna be a tough task against Cardinals phenom Lance Lynn. In his first year as a starter, Lynn is 10-2 with a 2.42 ERA and a.209 BAA. His success has been a little perplexing, as he had control issues in the minors, but his K rates have always been good. In fact – he’s averaging more than a strikeout per inning in his big league career. So maybe it’s just a matter of batters getting used to him. He’s also been the benefit of 7.27 runs per game this year, which I don’t expect to happen against JV. Lynn throws a low  to mid 90s fastball and has a cut short curve. 8 of his 22 ER allowed his year have come in the 2nd.

JV was back to his dominating self last time out (as opposed to just above average in the few starts prior) allowing only 2 ER and 5 H over 8 IPs against the Cubs last week. A win today and JV will have his 114th W as a Tigers’ starter, tying him for 14th with Virgil Trucks.

Injury Update:

– Dotel back from the DL, Weber optioned down.
– Avila went 0-2 last night, his 15 days are up on Thursday.

A few notes:

– Don’t forget to vote 25 times for your Tigers on the All Star Ballot. Fielder is in the lead at 1B, Miggy will need some help if he’s going to start at 2nd.
– Brad Eldred’s AAA power got him a ticket to Japan. Good luck Brad, fun getting to know you.
– Drew Smyly’s ebola seems to be healed.
– Berry with another start, Boesch batting 6th against the righty.

Today’s Let’s Win an Opener Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Berry, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Boesch, RF
7. Peralta, SS
8. Santiago, 2B
9. Laird, C

Detroit Tigers, 31-34, 4 games behind Chicago.

The Tigers evened up the series with the Rockies, as Miguel Cabrera got the rare double (Home Run plus Little League Home Run), and Doug Fister came back strong with his first victory of the season. (His next start should be Friday).

The Tigers look to take their 3rd consecutive IL series in today’s Father’s Day rubber game.  And dammit they are going to get this one.

On the mound for Detroit will be the enigmatic Max Daddy, Max Scherzer, against the struggling righty Jeremy Guthrie (3-5, 6.91). The righty on the mound means we will be treated to the Jacksonberry lineup.

Colorado would just as soon see Interleague season end.  They are one 10th-inning clown show from being winless in IL this year.

Stat of the Day: Miguel Cabrera leads all active Tigers with 1 LLHR.

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Quintin Berry.  Q-Berry gets a rare start, and is itching to try his hand at one of those LLHRs.

Today’s Who’s-On-Third? Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Quintin Berry LF
3. Miguel Cabrera DH
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Brennan Boesch RF
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Ramon Santiago 2B
8. Don Kelly 3B
9. Gerald Laird C

Detroit Tigers, 30-34, 4 games behind Chicago (1st), 4 1/2 ahead of Twins (last).

That was an exciting game last night. I had to leave before the extra innings, but I’ve got it recorded and will watch as soon as I finish this blurb.  I can’t wait! Looks like Valverde is coming in in a non-save situation, but I’m sure it will work out fine.

This afternight (4:00 start) Doug Fister makes his 2nd comeback of the season, looking for his first win.

To make room for Fister, Casey Crosby was sent down. Or Matt Young (finally). They both went back to Toledo, and Thad Weber will be called up to shore up the thinning ranks of the bullpen.  Rumor has it that the bullpen was depleted last night (“We’ve got major problems,” Leyland said), and on top of that Fister can’t be expected to go too deep into the game in his first comeback experience.

Leyland has ruled out Villarreal, Benoit, and Valverde for today. Looks like Putty-time!

Detroit will be facing the dreaded Rookie Pitcher Guy (Christian Friedrich, 4-2, 5.85).

In other news, don’t expect Dirks or Avila back soon.  And Ryan Raburn is still right-handed.

Stat of the Day: Doug Fister has a career winning % of only .370 (20-34), despite a career ERA of only 3.47.

Tonight’s Player of the Pre-game:  Austin Jackson.  He bats right.  He hits lefties (4 HR, 11 RBI, vs Cabrera, 1 HR 6 RBI).

Tonight’s Because-There’s-A-Lefty-Pitching-That’s-Why Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Brennan Boesch RF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Delmon Young DH
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Ryan Raburn LF
8. Gerald Laird C
9. Ramon Santiago 2B

Detroit Tigers, 30-33, 4 games behind Chicago.

Ryan Raburn is an understanding guy. He really is. He says “I would’ve booed me as well.” (No word on how he would have spelled his name).

The boos are on hold for now, as Raburn scrounged up a couple of hits, and the Tigers won their 2nd consecutive Interleague series.

(Update:  Raburn will be playing LF.  Resumption-of-booing-needle swings toward Likely).

Detroit goes for three against the Colorado Rockies, once briefly home of Ol’ Smokey himself. The Rockies are 13-8 against Detroit in IL play, and have won the last two series.

The opener of the series sees Casey Crosby take his 3rd career start, and attempt to keep his ERA in single digits (9.35). Crosby will face lefty Jeff Francis, whose return to Colorado after a year sabbatical in Kansas City has been quite rocky (0-1, 21.60 ERA).  Doubtless tonight will be a pitcher’s duel.

Stat of the Day: Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are a combined 5-for-27 (.185) lifetime against Jeff Francis.

Tonight’s Player of the Pre-game:  Austin Jackson.  AJax continues to have the hot bat. In addition, Rockies star Carlos Gonzalez has 16 home runs, but 12 of them have come in the mountain air of Colorado. In Comerica he will be leaving his shots on the warning track, and Jackson is there to haul them in.

Tonight’s Ha-Ha-You-Thought-Berry-Would-Be-In-LF-With-The-Return-Of-The-DH Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Brennan Boesch RF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Delmon Young DH
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Ryan Raburn LF
8. Danny Worth 2B
9. Bryan Holaday C

29-33, 3rd place, 5 games back.

On a night when the Tigers’ big three bats were a combined 2-14 with 1 R and 0 RBI, the Tigers still plated 8 runners and won comfortably, for a change.

Since being reinserted into the 2 hole (this includes a PH appearance), Boesch is 12-22 with 2 HR, and has seen his average rise from .227 to .252. I don’t think that Boesch’s streak has anything to do with Smokey moving him back up in the order, but rather should be attributed to the normal peaks and valleys of a season. Boesch has been streaky in the past, so let’ see how much we can get out of him during this one.

Peralta, on the other hand, seems to be on the path towards career averages, which would be welcomed. He’s hitting .387 over his last 10 and has raised his average from .239 to .267.

In light of the hitting from the supporting cast, I think the real story over the past few weeks is the bullpen. Tigers relievers are posting a 2.25 ERA and a .219 BAA over the past 25 games. Here are the last five outings for each of the relievers:

– Below – 3.00 ERA, 6 IP, 3 H
– Benoit – 0.00 ERA, 5.1 IP, 6 k
– Coke – 3.86 ERA, 4.2 IP, 9 k
– Marte – 3.38 ERA, 10.2 IP, 10 K
– Putkonen (not so good, but it was 3 weeks ago)
– Valverde – 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, 3 saves
– Villareal – 2.45 ERA, 7.1 IP, 9 K

And we’re going to add Al AlB to that in a few months? If the bats can just pick up, we’re going to be alright.

Today’s Notes:

– Ryan Raburn is back after hammering Triple-A pitching to the tune of .194 with 1 HR. Smyly to the DL.
– Are the Tigers looking at Carlos Quentin? He’d be an upgrade in LF over DY.

Today’s Series Winning There is Zero Justification for Batting Rayburn Ahead of Laird Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Boesch, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, LF
6. Peralta, SS
7. Raburn, 2B
8. Laird, C
9. Verlander, P

28-33, 3rd place, 6 games behind CWS.

Last night’s loss was as ugly as they come.  While replays may show that the umps blew both calls, the calls should have never been blowable, as both of the plays were routine for a major league shortstop. Routine. Good throws and they calls are no doubters. Moreover, the below average range off the mound and at 3B led to an IF hit that could have ended the inning. Oh yeah, and if Phil Coke doesn’t walk a guy (he walked 2 last night, compared to 1 in his previous 9 outings), then the run never scores. So really the bad calls exacerbated the Tigers more prominent problems, and demonstrate the fine W-L line that the Tigers are walking every night. We simply do not have the luxury to make mistakes, because our bats can’t atone for them, and our gloves can’t prevent runs. Is it 2008 all over again?

Porcello enters tonight with no where to go but up. He’s 0-2 with a 5.17 ERA over his last six starts. He hasn’t pitched into the 7th since May 6th, and if that happens tonight, it’s because we’re up by 10. Porcello is a titan at the plate (by Tigers standards), batting .250 with 2 RBI in 12 official ABs. No word on whether he can play second base or make an infield throw. Porcello doesn’t walk many, and the Cubs don’t hit the ball all that hard. So if we can make a few plays in the field, this match-up looks pretty favorable for the boys.

A few notes:

– The WSJ’s accuscore picked the Cubs to win 6.3 to 3.9. The CUBS!
– Omir Santos is now a Rockie Rocky member of the Colorado Rockies organization.
– Apparently Drew Smyly has been sidelined by “just a little Ebola.” (not for weak stomachs)
– A sweep by the Cubs and Leyland loses the benefit of the round (currently 1,614 and 1,616 = .49969).

Tonight’s We Had Better Win Lineup or Else We’ll Probably Lose the Series to the Cubs:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Boesch, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, LF
6. Peralta, SS
7. Laird, C
8. Santiago, 2B
9. Porcello, P

28-32, 3rd place, 5 games behind CWS.

Well, the tone of what I planned on posting changed pretty significantly around the 8th inning on Sunday night, and the Tigers waggle into Wrigley after taking a series in Cinci. Short on time today, but a few notes:

– Don’t Ask Dotel to the DL with elbow inflammation, Putkonen back up.
– That makes 7 on the DL, right now. The Tigers have already used 40 players this season, which has DD scrambling to figure out 40 man roster rules.
– Valverde doesn’t throw a spitball, he just sweats a lot.

Papa Peralta is tonight’s player of the game, as he goes deep twice for each of his new twin girls, Gabriela and Laina.

1. Jackson, CF
2. Boesch, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, LF (Leyland thinks the time in left will get him going; I don’t)
6. Peralta, SS
7.  Laird, C
8. Worth, 2B
9. Mad Max, Flamethrower

Detroit Tigers, 27-32, 6 games behind Chicago.

Jim Leyland feels pretty good.  Every game.  Over and over. At least one can assume. “Anytime you have Cabrera and Fielder back to back, you feel pretty good. Right-hander or left-hander, it doesn’t make any difference,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Anyway yesterday was the kind of game that good teams win, in the same way the Friday night’s game was the type of game that bad teams lose.  So tonight is the rubber game both of the series, and of the good team/bad team thing, and it will be played out on the big stage: the game is the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball feature (thus the 8:00 PM start time).

Brennan Boesch has taken his share of abuse here, understandably so (although it should be noted he is no longer AL LVP: he is now behind both Ryan Raburn and Chone Figgins). But his double–and his base running on the Fielder single in the 8th (and this is exactly the sort of thing that the Tigers do oh so badly)–was the difference in the game.  Although no, sorry, Boesch still does not look as good as Joey Votto. 

On the down side, Boesch tweaked his ankle on the play, was removed from the game, and is now…day-to-day?

***Update: Boesch out, Berry in right, batting 2nd.  It may be a minor cavil, but it would make more sense to bat Berry first, and move Jackson to 2nd.  But maybe they were short of white-out or something.

In other news, apparently the Tigers made a serious offer to Roy Oswalt this offseason, and he said no thank you.

Stat of the Day: Jim Leyland is a career .500 manager. OK, technically 1615-1617. But he is 73-40 (.646) in Interleague play.  That sly, double-shifting devil!

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Miguel Cabrera. The Tigers have yet to see Reds flame throwing closer Aroldis Chapman.  That will likely change tonight, close situation or not.  The 100 mph fastball of Chapman meets the bat of Cabrera, and Chapman is tagged with his 2nd earned run of the season.

Tonight’s Jacksonberry Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Quintin Berry RF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Delmon Young LF
6. Ramon Santiago SS
7. Gerald Laird C
8. Danny Worth 2B
9. Drew Smyly P

Detroit Tigers, 26-32, 6 games behind Chicago. Injury Report: Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Fog.

While the result of last night’s game lingers over Tigerville like a noxious fog, a flurry of movement can be seen at the town gates.

Austin Jackson is in, finally returning from the 15-Day DL.  Jhonny Peralta, have a cigar, and enjoy your paternity leave. 20 year old Hernan Perez (2B, .253) has been recalled from Lakeland, and will no doubt pinch-hit in a bases-loaded, 1-out situation. And Octavio Dotel is… something.  And there is still a shoe to drop:  someone has to go to make room for Jackson (Matt Young, anyone?) (Update: Jose Ortega draws the short straw).

And don’t worry, none of this will result in Berry and Jackson in the outfield at the same time:  “It is what it is. He’s an extra player on the bench,” Jim Leyland said in his pregame remarks. “I’m not going to take Boesch out. Hopefully we’ve got him going. I’m not going to take Delmon out.”

***

I am trying to keep this all straight.  Apparently Dotel, like Benoit, was newly unavailable last night (elbow inflammation, day-to-day). And Benoit was unavailable (forearm tightness, day-to-day), thus The Jose Ortega Experience. Although apparently Benoit may be available today.  And Dotel. Different day I guess.

“Day-to-day” pretty much sums up the Tigers this season, doesn’t it?

The Tigers easily lead MLB baseball in total number of day-to-day days. There is seemingly a new day-to-day player every game. Some will go on and off the list…some will be day-to-day, then go to the DL.  But both the bench and bullpen have been shorthanded all season because of the day-to-day action.  Is this bad luck? Bad conditioning? Too much work (bullpen)? Is this about the thinness of the minor league ranks (why DL a player if there is nobody to bring up)?

***

The Tigers were beaten by a squeeze bunt. It’s the kind of play other teams use to beat Detroit, and the kind of play Detroit could never execute to beat other teams.  The Reds are hardly a small ball team:  they are 4th in the NL with 64 HRs (Votto crushed one last night that would make Cabrera envious). But they showed that both kinds of skills can happily co-exist.

As for the bullpen moves, they make a little more sense now that we know that Dotel was unavailable: Leyland was stuck in a Don’t Ask, Dotel situation.  Then there was the double-shifting that took Boesch and Peralta out of the game early, and left poor Matt Young manning RF in clown shoes. Leyland rightfully took a lot of heat for yesterday’s game.

Maybe we should extend the Jim Leyland Signature Song poll question: In Jim Leyland’s future career as a singer, his signature song will be:  ______.

***

Speaking of Votto, ESPN has a good comparison between Votto and Hamilton, and argues that Votto is the better hitter. They have one of those cool “heat maps”  that show that Votto just does not swing outside of the strike zone, and almost never at outside pitches. (By the way, in the Alternate Baseball Universe in which the Tigers won last night’s game, Coke’s strikeout of Votto was the play of the game).

***

It will fall to Justin Verlander to make Tiger fans forget the bunt force trauma of last night.  Although apparently nothing is more important than for Verlander to get his first career hit.

Stat of the Day: The Tigers are undefeated in games in which they have led after 9 innings.

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Austin Jackson.  Jackson has been leading the Tigers in about everything (Batting Average, On-Base %, OPS).  Can he pick up where he left off? Or will he come back as 2011 AJax?

Tonight’s Would-It-Really-Have-Killed-Him-To-Try-Austin-And-Berry-Together? Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Brennan Boesch RF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Delmon Young LF
6. Ramon Santiago SS
7. Gerald Laird C
8. Danny Worth 2B
9. Justin Verlander P