Last night the Tigers got their 2nd good win in a row. Maybe this could become a thing.

Tonight Michael Fulmer gets the rare treat of facing 8 left-handed batters. That Seattle can do this is as good a reason as any to bring up Daniel Norris to fill in for Boyd tomorrow. Fulmer himself will get a start off, as Anibal Sanchez gets another go at the starting rotation next time Fulmer’s spot comes around, as the Tigers try to limit the wear on what may be a golden arm.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Cameron Maybin, CF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Justin Upton, LF
7. Steven Moya, RF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Everyday Aviles finally gets a rest.

Mike Pelfrey certainly didn’t win any new fans last night, but the Tigers pulled out the kind of game they usually use in dramatic fashion, with Justin Upton hitting his 2nd home run of the game, of the walk off variety. With JD Martinez likely out until August, the Tigers really need Upton to contribute, and he has now homered in 3 straight games and has a 10 game hitting streak.

The Tigers and Mariners traded leads 7 times in the game, in what was a bit of a home run derby. Until Upton’s game winner the big shot of the game was by Miguel Cabrera, who hit one out toward the Kaline statue, off the concourse, and into the street, estimated at 454 feet, which would be the longest ball hit at Comerica. The win actually went to Anibal Sanchez, although maybe the bullpen should have gotten a group W for that; other than the two Wilsons the bullpen put together 7 pretty good innings.

Tonight sees the reliable Justin Verlander take on James Paxton, who was called up to start in place of Felix Hernandez. In Place of Felix Hernandez is my favorite Mariner pitcher.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. Maybin, CF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Castellanos, 3B
6. Upton, LF
7. Aviles, RF
8. McCann, C
9. Iglesias, SS

Why is it that every time it’s my turn to do one of these, it seems like Mike Pelfrey is pitching? How did Kevin work that out? I sense a diabolical plot.

Actually, Pelfrey has had three decent outings in a row. The Tigers are beginning a 9-game home stand.

The Tigers try yet another stab at shoring up their bullpen with a call-up of Dustin Molleken; Casey McGehee’s stay was all of one day. The Canadian Molleken (not to be confused with Molson) has been puttering around the minors for 13 seasons. If you can’t get called up by the Tigers with their bullpen now, then when? Let’s hope he makes the most of his shot.

Today’s Home Sweet Home Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. Maybin, CF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Martinez, DH
5. Castellanos, 3B
6. Upton, LF
7. Moya, RF
8. McCann, C
9. Iglesias, SS

Predicting a good day for Victor.

A series that started off so promising is dangerously close to being a 3-1 convincing KC series win if Zimmermann doesn’t deliver today. These last two games haven’t been close.

I checked the standings. Last night’s bullpen massacre only counts as one loss. I could have sworn it would be two, but thankfully, it’s just one.

Matt Boyd on the hill tonight.

Baseball-Reference game preview here.

The only thing more exciting than a good JV team win, is Fulmer pitching the next day.

J.D. out for a month.

Baseball-Reference game preview here.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Jose Iglesias, SS

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. Nick Castellanos, 3B

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Steven Moya, RF

8. James McCann, C

9. Andrew Romine, SS

What do you guys think about the Ichiro hits record? Doesn’t move the needle for me. He’s a HoFer for sure, but I feel that MLB records trump all.

Tigers in KC for four, our re-remerging ace Justin Verlander is on the hill tonight.

Baseball-Reference game preview here.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Jose Iglesias, SS

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. J.D. Martinez, RF

6. Nick Castellanos, 3B

7. Justin Upton, CF

8. James McCann, C

9. Mike Aviles, LF

The Tigers held on last night, and now we have a rubber-game rematch between Sale and Pelfrey to decide the series. The last time the two faced Pelfrey won his first game as a Tiger, and Cameron Maybin and the Martinezes did the damage at the plate. I wonder what kind of odds you could get on Pelfrey beating Sale back-to-back?

I’m with those wondering why we are still carrying an extra pitcher and a short bench, with a few guys banged up. Aviles is back in the lineup again, sore wrist and all.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. Iglesias, SS
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Castellanos, 3B
5. JD Martinez, RF
6. Upton, DH
7. McCann, C
8. Aviles, LF
9. Iglesias, SS

Victor is out again, which really hurts—Victor is one of the few guys that has consistently had Sales number, which makes me think his “knee issues” might be more serious than we are being led to believe.

They say there is no such thing as a bad win; but there certainly are bad losses, and last night was one of them. It didn’t feel so much like the White Sox won, it felt more like the Tigers lost.

We can still take the series, and we can find out if there is something wrong with Jordan Zimmermann, or if his last outing was just one of those things.

Tonight’s Never Before Seen Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. Iglesias, SS
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Castellanos, DH
5. JD Martinez, RF
6. Upton, LF
7. McCann, C
8. Aviles, 3B
9. Romine, CF

Well,  the Tigers are certainly a faster team without Victor Martinez in the lineup. So there’s that. Hopefully Aviles will avail the effort tonight, and Romine will be crisp. Aviles is no Don Kelly though.

The Tigers took the first series on their road trip behind yet another scoreless outing by Michael Fulmer, and behind yet another Ian Kinsler Day. Kinsler has now not only established himself as the most valuable Tiger so far this season, but should be in the picture for early season league MVP predictions (whether he actually is or not, is another story). Kinsler easily leads the Tigers with a 3.3 WAR, and as far as the league goes, is tied for 4th best:

2016 AL League Leaders WAR

3.5  Xander Bogaerts

3.4  Jose Altuve

3.4  Mike Trout

3.3  Ian Kinsler

3.3  Manny Machado

3.3  Robinson Cano

It’s still early in the season, but that’s some pretty good company.

Michael Fulmer himself has vaulted into 2nd best on the Tigers as far as WAR goes (1.9), with 28.1 scoreless innings, a 7-1 record, and a 2.52 ERA. He has been quite a revelation; consider that a year ago today, he was pitching AA ball for the Mets. When asked to put Fulmer’s performance in perspective, Ian Kinsler said “I don’t think you can. What’s the point in putting it in perspective?”

Tonight the Tigers stop in Chicago for 3, after sweeping the White Sox in 3 back in Detroit a week ago. James Shields takes the mound for the bad guys. Shields got bombed for 10 runs in less than 3 innings in his last appearance for the Padres, and promptly did the same after being picked up by the White Sox, giving up 7 runs in two innings, and giving a new meaning to his moniker Big Game James.

Today’s Boyd in the Hand Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. Maybin, CF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Castellanos, 3B
5. JD Martinez, DH
6. Upton,  LF
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Aviles, RF
9. Iglesias, SS

Victor gets a rare day off (he has never hit Shields well), the other Martinez takes his place, and Aviles (or “Availed” if you are spellcheck) gets the start in right.

So….a few weeks ago I wrote a post charting Verlander’s difficulties and questioning whether he can ever be an ace again. I’m happy to say I was wrong. I’m not sure if he is. But he can be. I would like to point out that I pinpointed his slider as the difference maker, and I want to demonstrate why his slider has been such a big part of his recent string of strong starts (bullpen be damned).

Since giving up 7 ER to the Indians in 5 inning on May 3rd, JV has allowed only 10 ER over 44 2/3 spanning 6 starts. His ERA in that span is 2.01, his WHIP is a microscopic .78, and he’s K’d 52 batters. The BAA is .161 and the OPS against is .465. That is ACE STUFF.

Without analyzing pitch by pitch metrics, it’s hard for me to find the exact data, but I can tell you that the velocity of his slider on a game by game basis has been its highest over the past six games, and pitch value of his slider this season has been at its highest in 5 of his last six starts. By increasing the velocity of his slider and giving up a little break, it has become a ferocious pitch, perhaps because it is more difficult to recognize. Watch it for swings and misses today.

Someone please post the lineup when avail.