Tonight is the closet game of the Twins series, as the Tigers look to break out the brooms.  Last night’s game was filled with glove-clownery on both sides, and a phantom tag at home, but the Tigers again came out with the one-run victory.

After the game, Leyland had this to say of Ryan Raburn:  “he’s played good left field this year.”  He then went on to say that Raburn will “probably” be back at 2nd for tonight’s game.  Then today he submitted the lineup:  Ramon Santiago 2B.

He only made the briefest of appearances, retiring the pesky Jim Thome, but the third of an inning by Charlie Furbush gave him the cumulative equivalent of a 9-inning complete game shutout for his young career.  His 9 scoreless innings to start off his career is the most by a Tiger since Chris Mears in 2003.  Nonetheless, he is still stuck carrying the bullpen backpack, a new larger one apparently.  But is it still pink?  Still Hello Kitty?  Or some other horror?  We demand to know.

About the bullpen:  they came through last night.  But, say your closer isn’t available, and your 8th-inning guy blows through his 3 hitters in devastating fashion–well, is there some reason you couldn’t bring him back out for the 9th?  I’m just saying.

Rick Porcello tries to dust himself off tonight from the roughing up he took from the Red Sox last out.  Scott Baker was roughed up by his own bullpen last outing–they blew a 5-0 lead over the last 2 innings.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Andy Dirks

The Dirks has impressed with his play in left field;  now he gets to take a crack at the vast Comerica centerfield.

Today’s I Bet You Didn’t Expect This Lineup:

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

The Twins.  We all know what happens when we play the Twins:  balls are lost in the lights, infield squibs take strange hops, umpires don’t see batters hit with pitches, etc.  Yesterday, luck was finally reversed, as the umpires reversed a fan interference call that gave the Tigers the winning run, and detonated Ron Gardenhire’s head.  The Twins are officially having an awful year.

Tonight Mad Max Scherzer steps up for the Tigers.  His last outing was rather forgettable.  At least I wish it were.  Not to worry, though:  that was actually his evil twin, Matt Scherzer.  You can tell because the twin has the blue eye on the left side.  Or wait, is that Max?  Anyway, the Twins will be without their leading hitter, Jason Kubel.  Those Twins, with the .237 team average, without their leading hitter in the lineup, do you hear what I’m saying Max?

Lefty Brian Duensing takes the mound for the Twins.  Duensing pitched 2 innings against Detroit on May 10 following the hail storm delay, and gave up 2 runs, 2 hits and 4 walks.  He throws a lot of off-speed stuff, and I’m sure the Tiger plan of attack will be to take a lot of pitches, right? Right?

• Answer: 1
• Question:  How many hits does Raburn have at Comerica in May?

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Miguel Cabrera

The state of Florida has returned Mr. Cabrera’s driver’s license, and he celebrates by driving in a few runs.

Today’s Everyday-Except-Today Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Casper Wells RF
3. Brennan Boesch DH
4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
5. Victor Martinez C
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Brandon Inge 3B
8. Ryan Raburn LF
9. Danny Worth 2B

Happy Memorial Day everyone!  Summer is here, and no better way to celebrate the beginning of summer than with some Tiger baseball.  And Twins.

Spring ended on a pretty nice note, as Justin Verlander was back to his dominant self and shut down the Red Sox machine 3-0, the AL-leading 8th Tiger shutout of the season.  Verlander was pulled with 2-out in the 8th, because he was at 135 pitches and seemed to lose the strike zone, but it should be noted that his 135th pitch was 100 mph.  100.

With the streaky Tigers this season, a win has usually meant more are coming (as has a loss).  Normally, the Twins have not exactly been the best team to start a win streak against, but this year is not a normal year for Minnesota.  Their team batting average is a woeful .237, they have an AL-worst 3.43 runs per game (Detroit is at 4.23, league average is 4.26), their team ERA is a league-worst 4.77 (Detroit is 4.26, league average is 3.86).  So, not surprisingly, they also have a league-worst record at 17-34.

In the brief 2-game series the teams already played the Tigers battered the Twins pitching for 19 runs in 2 games.  But the Twins will start this series off with the one bright spot in their rotation, Nick Blackburn, who is 3-0, 1.72 for the month of May.  The Tiger least likely to get to Blackburn might be Jhonny Peralta, who is 3 for 20 lifetime against him.

The Tigers offer the Twins a Penny for their thoughts, as Bad Brad Penny returns after his 3 shutout innings against Tampa Bay were disappeared by the rain.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  All U.S. Service members who have given their lives serving the country.

Today’s Memorial Day 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. Ryan Raburn 2B
9. Brandon Inge 3B

Just 24 hours ago and the Tigers were cruising toward finishing off a sweep of the Rays:  they had put up 2 runs already and threatened more, and Brad Penny was mowing through the Rays lineup.  Then the clouds let loose, that bit of a game became a daydream, and we awake here instead looking at a Red Sox team that just put up 2 touchdowns against Cleveland, and has already swept a short series against the Tigers.

Of course it’s more than likely the whole downpour/partial-game-unhappening could happen again today: early weather reports show a small but well-timed window without rain today.

If they do play, Max Scherzer will have his hands full with a Boston lineup which has won 10 of its last 12, while outscoring its opponents 74-41.  And the hottest hitters have been the lefties:  Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, and, finally, Carl Crawford.  Scherzer will counter with Comerica magic: he is 3-0, 0.77 at home so far this season.  The Tigers will face Alfredo Aceves, added to the Boston rotation when Daisuke Matsuzaka ran off to Japan with a sore arm.

Kevin Youkilis is day-to-day with a sore hand, so we may or may not see a rematch of Kid Rick vs The Youk on Friday, weather complications pending.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game: Brandon Inge

Inge’s job is to provide the hockey gear for the rain delay, as Brad Penny, fresh from a sharp 3-inning outing which never happened, gets another chance to put a few shots on goal. When the game resumes Inge, having read that Avila’s recent show of power is due to a heavier bat, attempts to bat with the warmup donut still on the bat and strains an oblique.

Today’s Singin’ in the Rain Lineup:

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

The Tigers have the brooms and the tarps handy, as they look to sweep the 3-game series with the Rays, weather permitting.  Last night the Tigers pulled off the rare feat of overcoming both a subpar performance by Justin Verlander and a Tiger Clown Show.

This afternoon manning the broom is Bad Brad Penny, who is looking to overcome a subpar performance of his own, as his 5 walks led to 5 Pittsburgh runs.  He will be faced by Andy Sonnanstine, who has transitioned from the bullpen, but is yet to make it past the 5th inning of any game.  That and the fact that the Rays’ bullpen has been well-used this series bodes well for Brutus’ chances to wield the broom.

On a side note, reading a Rays blog it is clear that Rays fans really, really don’t like Kelly Shoppach.  Laird was a fan favorite last season by comparison.  Shoppach’s failure to block Boesch from scoring was seen as the main cause of the first loss in the series, and when he was later hit by a pitch one fan said, “good, he needs to get hit with a pitch every at bat for the rest of the season.”  Ouch.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game: Alex Avila

Alex was the hero in last night’s game, and gets another RHP to jump on today.  And he is not Gerald Laird or Kelly Shoppach.

Today’s Back-to-Back Kelly Lineup:

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

Detroit is off to a new streak, winning their 2nd consecutive yesterday vs. Tampa Bay, 6-3.  Although who could have predicted how the win would come about:  Phil Coke with 4 great innings, Phil Coke with a hurt ankle (what is it with Tiger ankles anyway?), Charlie Furbush dominating in his first MLB appearance, Andy Dirks with his first career HR, Brennan Boesch diving around Shoppach at the plate, and all sorts of 9th-inning roller coaster excitement.

Update:  Phil Coke has been placed on the 15-day DL with a bone bruise in his right foot, and Adam Wilk has been called up from Toledo to take his roster spot, although presumably to join the bullpen.  The plan is to call up Andy Oliver to take Coke’s next turn in the rotation according to Jason Beck.

Today looks to be the more standard fare, with ace Justin Verlander taking the mound against Wade Davis.  Justin is looking to rebound from a merely good performance, and get back to his how-are-we-supposed-to-hit-that? ways.  Tampa Bay is notoriously better against RHP than they are against LHP, so he has a bit more work to do than Cokebush did last night.

This will also mean the Rays starting lineup will feature hot-hitting former Tiger Matt Joyce, savior of kittens.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Andy Dirks

With another RHP in the lineup, and batting behind Victor Martinez, Dirks will be the man on-the-spot with runners on base.

Today’s Where Hasn’t Kelly Batted Lineup:

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

“No, no, no, no”

This was Jim Leyland’s response when asked if he considered leaving Porcello in the game yesterday.  He added, “To me, it’s a no-brainer,” Leyland said. “Your closer is supposed to be better than your starter after eight innings, in my opinion.”

As much as we are used to the no-brain style of management, it is strange that Leyland didn’t mention the only decent rationale for removing Porcello, using the pinch-hitter to try to add another run (you know, those things that we get 2 of per game).  At any rate, Leyland later decided to go all F-bomb about fan second guessing. Fun stuff.

Today is a homecoming of sorts:  The Tigers return home, and greeting them will be the Tampa Bay Rays, and some old friends:  the suddenly brilliant Matt Joyce, a reanimated Johnny Damon, and the Sobbing Barber himself, Kyle Farnsworth.

Making the start for the Rays will be the promising youngster Jeremy Hellickson.  And the Rays could use a bit of promise in their starting pitching lately.  Phil Coke will be going for Detroit, which, inasmuch as it keeps lefty Matt Joyce on the bench, is a promising thing right from the start.

About Coke:  his last start against Boston was perhaps the best of his career.  There had been rumors afloat after the demotion of Benoit that the solution was going to be Coke to the BP as the new 8th inning guy, and Andy Oliver up to join the starting rotation.  Coke made that very difficult with his last outing.  Is the un-demotion of Benoit back to the 8th inning role related to the continued presence of Coke in the starting rotation?

In other news, after placing Brad Thomas on the DL with an elbow that can’t pitch, the Tigers recalled Charlie Furbush, then followed that up by sending Brayan Villarreal to the Hens of Mud, and bringing up Enrique Gonzalez, because they missed having a guy who pitched like Brad Thomas.  I expect the Rreality Show to resume in time for the fall season, if not sooner.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Joaquin Benoit

After a 1-game demotion, it looks as though Benoit will be Joaquin to the mound in the 8th inning again.  Because…it’s a no-brainer.  Seeing the Rays reminds Benoit that he was actually really good last year, and he responds with a good outing.

Today’s Intraleague Lineup:

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

“I don’t recall any team ever winning a game without scoring a run.”

This is one thing we learned from yesterday’s game, courtesy of Stormin’ Norman.

For all of the hand-wringing over Leyland’s decision to go with Schlereth, and stay with him after he walked Crawford (not to mention the decision to lift Coke at 78 pitches after a short rain delay), the real story of the game was the failure to capitalize on 2 opportunities with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 out.  In fact, after a big recent surge, the offense has started sputtering a bit

A big reason for this has been the slump–yes, it’s time for the “S” word–of Miguel Cabrera.  Over the past 2 weeks, here are the numbers of Cabrera, and the much-maligned Inge:

.188 .372 .281 .653

.200 .314 .300 .614

Inge with a bit more hitting and power, Cabrera with more BBs…otherwise, almost identical. Yikes.

Tonight has all of the makings of another game where capitalizing on scoring opportunities will sort the winner from the loser, as the 2 hottest starting pitchers in the AL, Justin Verlander and Josh Beckett face off.  While Verlander has been nearly unhittable, literally, in his last 2 starts, Beckett has posted a 1.75 ERA for the season himself, so this will likely be good stuff for fans of the pitching duel.

Tonight also has the makings of another rain-delayed affair.  Weathermen are standing by.  Brandon Inge has the hockey gear ready.

One more thing we have learned:  it isn’t just here at DTW that clowns are unwelcome.  The anti-clown backlash has been sweeping the nation–even Ronald McDonald is not immune: Critics to McDonald’s: Stop the clowning

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Miguel Cabrera

Was his double yesterday against the tough Buchholz a sign that he is emerging from his little “s” thing? In a game where one big hit could make the difference, we hope so.  Hit one for all of the classy Red Sox fans who were chanting “DUI” yesterday.

Today’s Mr. Dirks meets the Green Monster Lineup:

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

Who knew?  Jim Leyland is a fan of alternate realities.

After refusing to answer questions on the subject, and despite all the proper things being said by Leyland and Rick Knapp, it looks like Benoit will no longer be Joaquin to the mound in the 8th inning.

Who will replace him has not been specified.  In light of yesterday’s rainout, it would make sense to bump Porcello back one day, move Coke back to the pen to be the 8th inning guy, and bring up Andy Oliver to take over Coke’s rotation spot next time around.

Yet, there he is, Phil Coke, today’s starter.  He is a lefty, which is useful against Boston’s lefty-heavy lineup.  But this is the 2nd time Rick has been skipped in the rotation;  and, plus:  Porcello vs Youkilis.  C’mon, who doesn’t want to see this?  At any rate today will feature Phil Coke vs the suddenly hot Clay Buchholz, weather willing.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Al Alburquerque

With Coke starting, Captain QuerK stands a good chance of being the 8th-inning guy du jour.  A good outing against the Red Sox could make it tempting to leave him there.

Today’s V-Mart Returns to Fenway Lineup:

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

May 16, 2011.  Alternate baseball reality.

It’s a cold, windy evening at Comerica park, and looks to be a pitcher’s game.  The pitchers did not disappoint:  the undefeated Max Scherzer, while not overpowering, made all of the right pitches at the right times, only giving up 1 run (unearned) in 7 innings.  Son of Doug Drabek was also good, after escaping a bases-loaded no-out Cabrera-at-bat situation with only 1 run, getting the hot Victor Martinez to ground into an inning-ending DP.  So when Al Alburquerque came on in the 8th inning, and mowed down the side with a slider even more unhittable than usual in the cold, the excitement at Comerica began to build.  When Jose Valverde closed the top of the 9th with a K and a dance, the chants of “walkoff” began.

It didn’t take long.  After a popup by Victor Martinez,  Jhonny Peralta launched a blast to deep left center, and the Tigers suddenly increased their win streak to 8, and as the dugout emptied and danced around Peralta at the plate, it was hard not to wonder if we were watching the beginning of something special in Motown.

Back to reality.

As good as the Tigers’ starters have been, Detroit now has an AL worst 5.50 ERA for its relief pitchers.  It’s not Valverde:  he’s at a nice 1.50.  And the youngster Al Alburquerque has surprised with a decent 3.46, and an amazing 15.9 K/9 inning.  No, it’s the 8th inning guys, Ryan Perry (7.88) and Joaquin Benoit (7.98).  Oh, and Brad Thomas (9.00), but that’s kind of a given.

Jim Leyland is unlikely to replace Joaquin Benoit as the 8th inning guy, which he confirmed by even refusing to take questions on the subject. It’s a tricky problem:  so much of a relief pitcher’s success is related to confidence, and sometime knowing the manager has faith is an important part of a turnaround.  But what if confidence isn’t the issue?  Then you end up with a .175 Ordonez batting 3rd for 20% of the season, or a 2008 Sheffield wincing through a season as DH.  Whatever happens, it would be unlikely for Leyland to make changes anytime soon.

So what IS wrong with Benoit?  Bless You Boys takes a look at Benoit’s F/X data, and wonders if perhaps Benoit isn’t just overthrowing, and thinks things may work themselves out.

Today Rick Porcello takes on Jesse “Cy” Litsch, who gave the Tigers all sorts of trouble last start.  But that was before we had Andy Dirks.

In other alternate reality news:  Tomorrow’s probable starters:  Clay Buchholz vs Jair Jurrjens

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Rick Porcello

Porcello looks to continue the string of brilliant Tiger starting pitching.  His mission:  to make it through 7 innings, and turn the game over to Alburquerque and Valverde (surely, Benoit’s, um, arduous outing yesterday means he’s unavailable today?)

Today’s Where’s Ramon? 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. Scott Sizemore 2B
9. Brandon Inge 3B

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

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