Billfer likes long walks in Comerica Park. Check out the 
Subscribe to the feed
PREGAME: Is this where the team finally builds momentum? They have walk off wins under their belt and their ace on the mound tonight. They also have a chance this weekend to to essentially take one team out of contention with a sweep. Of course the Mariners have that exact same opportunity.
Justin Verlander is coming off a 10 K, 1 run performance in which he threw 129 pitches. Velocity will be something to keep an eye on early tonight.
Miguel Batista takes the bump for the Mariners tonight and he’s also coming off a strong start where he went 7 innings and allowed just 1 run on 5 hits while fanning 7 Blue Jays. He picked up a win in his only other outing against the Tigers this year when he went 6 innings with the only run coming on a Curtis Granderson lead off homer.
Lefties have a 299/376/473 line off of Batista, so plan on seeing his Timo-ness in the lineup tonight.
Game Time 7:05
SEA @ DET, Friday, September 7, 2007 Game Preview - Baseball-Reference.com
POSTGAME: Woo hoo, 3 in a row. And this one wasn’t even really in doubt, except for the rain delay. And really, you call that a rain delay? (as i wistfully think back to the last Friday home game…)
Justin Verlander breezed through the lineup. The Mariners swung early and often and were kind enough to hit the ball gently to Detroit defenders. Even the one inning where the Mariners loaded the bases, they weren’t really ripping the ball. At only 92 pitches after 8 I’m surprised that Leyland didn’t let Verlander finish the game.
I thought going to Zumaya was a bit of overkill, but then when he threw 7 straight balls visions of Oakland started dancing through my head.
The offense got hits in bunches, and once again the struggling players Pudge and Inge were in the middle of the action. And of course there was Timo again with 2 hits.
But among the various hits and rallies was Curtis Granderson lining a 3-1 pitch into the right field tunnel for his 20th homer. That makes him one stolen base short of the quad-20 with 20 steals, 20 dingers, 20 triples, and 20 doubles. With his next stolen base he’d join Willie Mays and Frank Schulte as the only players to accomplish the feat. As it is he’s one of only 5 players with 30 doubles, 20 homers, and 20 triples. But that’s kind of arbitrary since he’s one of only 5 players with 30 doubles, 20 triples, and 19 dingers - so other than achieving a round number his peer group doesn’t change.
Then again, I just checked and the same is true of the quad-20, or tri-20+19. He’s still with only Mays and Schulte, so the same round number argument will apply when he gets his next steal.
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
velocity not near as important as control: must not get behind in count
keep pitch count low: don’t give ‘em nothin’ good but make ‘em put the ball in play. Tiger infield will put batter out in the snap of a zap & saves wear & tear on th’ pitcher
either that or than can hit fly balls to Grandy. It’s All Good
westbrook vs. lackey tonight in anaheim
Leyland gave JV and extra day, so hopefully velocity isn’t a problem.
Bill, you’re right on. Gotta have command and stay ahead in the count. Justin seems to have corrected a mechanical flaw he was talking about, let’s hope he keeps it going.
I have a good feeling about this one.
You know who I would like to see Maybin develope into at the big leagues is Jose Reyes from New York. I thinks he was a little impatient at the plate when he first came into the big leagues, but he started taking more pitches and walks.
Let’s cross our fingers (pray) Verlander isn’t like he was against the Tribe a couple weeks ago when we thought we had some momentum going.
Looks like the M’s don’t like taking pitches and working counts either…for a change, right?
When we win tonight you can all thank me. I had a really busy week, going to 2 games next week, both kids had places to be tonight, so I sold my tickets for tonight. Without me there bringing the Friday Night Curse, things should be FINE.
Nice start.
Happy birthday Kathy and Andrew.
24 pitches through 3 innings. Whew.
How long is the rain gonna last out there guys?
Thanks for the birthday callout Ben in Denver. I’d also like to wish Andrew a happy b-day. Just got in after taking care of my grandson all day. Whew, so glad to get back and watch the game in peace with my buds. We had rain on and off late this afternoon, but it didn’t last too long. Skies got extremely dark but then disappeared and the sun came out. Well, the Tigs gave me a pre b-day gift yesterday and if we win today, OMG, a 3 game win streak? Do I even dare wish for that. That’s what I want.
A-Rod just homered leading off the 2nd inning. 1-0 NYY.
Nevermind.
Happy Birthday Kathy and Andrew. Here’s hoping the offense can keep it going for you guys. We Virgo’s are alright.
Also, sorry everyone if the site is slow for you tonight. It’ something on my web hosting companies end. Hopefully it will get resolved soon.
Dang, almost a HR.
MAAAAGLIIIIOOO. King of the doubley.
What is up with the Speed Kills T-shirts Maggs & Casey are wearing.
Thanks, Billfer. And, yea, I thought it was my server. I kept thinking my computer was a piece of junk. (it is, but still usable).
Curtis hits #20!
I thought he was going to shoot the 3-0 out of the park. But the 3-1 was in the same spot.
Thanks everybody for the Happy Birthday messages. I appreciate it. Also, Happy Birthday Kathy! The way the Tigs are playing tonight is present enough for me. I had a good feeling about this one. It’s awesome to see them clicking a little bit more. How about Granderson too? Can we get him a stolen base next time up?
Bilfer when’s your birthday? You said you’re a Virgo as well?
Tomorrow! I’m hoping for a 4 game win streak for my birthday. And a Michigan win.
We’ll do our best, Billfer!!!
Happy bday to all of yas!
btw, I’ll be at the game tommorw bilfer and I’ll drink one in your honor!
We first have to close the deal with the 3 game win streak….
Haha, go figure. Happy Birthday Bilfer. I’m down with the wish for a 4 game streak though.
Crowd going nuts!
Go Tigs!!
nice! Let’s keep it GOIN!
Where stephen?
WHy is it we get out most comments when we lose?
At this rate if we keep winning no one will be commenting! LOL
Just got home. Three game win streak? Me likey!
Just got home? It’s early! Get back out there and score some tail!
I’m with you,boombatti.I’d also like to see Maybin develop into a switch-hitting,Gold Glove caliber shortstop who’s maybe the best leadoff hitter in the game today.
Uh, you got that right although I’m in an Ingeian slump. But as noted Tigers fan Jesse Jackson says, ‘keep hope alive!’ Out at the beach on vacay, dropping off the car and heading back out in a taxi. Nothing kills a wild card bid like a DUI! But now getting sucked in my KC-Yanks game on cable. Damn you, baseball.
What, we got Maybin moving to shortstop?? Pass the dutchie on the left hand side!
Well Bob, I don’t know if you are being sarcastic or what, but I was just stating that he could fit that mold. Minus the switch hitting.
Virgo here too! it’s an epidemic. Nice to see the Timo detractors took the night off. Nice win. September baseball, baby! Nothin’ like it.
The Yanks just took the lead, damn.
Always pass to the left, you pass from the heart.
Billy Butler just hit one to the wall with a man on first. Unfortunately, it stayed in the park. Yanks 3-2 still, 8th inning.
KC is about to blow this.
Jobaosity is getting too much.
hey, did the tigers call up a third catcher? it seems requisite in a pennant race. maybe i missed it.
And the Royals go down in the ninth on eight pitches. And the Yankees win despite going 0-9 with runners in scoring position.
I think it’s strange not to bring up a catcher and activate him. What does it hurt? Gives manager much greater flexibility in extra inning games.
Angels up 2-1 in 8th.
You get more comments when they lose because it’s not expected. This is how they should have played all season. This is what was expected of this team. When they win, you smile and go about your business. When they lose, you go to Bilfers complaint dept. It’s better than kicking the dog or yelling at the kids.
Wow.. anyone else watching the Angels? …wicked pitch there by Shields to get Cabrera caught looking
2-2 in ninth and bases loaded for Indians.
Go Angels.
WIsh I could see the game…Angels kinda blew that game and almost horribly..
Just a single.
Extras in LA. Sigh. COME ON
Have I ever said how much I hate Betencourt? He’s soooooooo sloooowwwwwww
man on third one out for LA…
GAME YEAAAAA K. Morales!
5 out.
Give this much, it’s an exciting September!
1. a closer / relief man comming outta the bullpen don’t need to walk nobody.
Verlander did a superb job of making the hitters play and the result was an excellent performance, overall a beautifully played game
3. how do we get out Grandy fan club stuff
2. Pudge is #1 catcher and Rabello is our #2 we don’t need to be calling up no catchers we got that covered
Pudge is hall of fame grade of player. ain’t NOBODY that tough behind the plate. He handles stuff that lets us all see how a big-league catcher plays ball. Like Inges does too. And 280 is plenty good in the hitting dept. He also recently joint the select company of hitters with 500 career doubles
people pick’n on Pudge and Inge just don’t know baseball.
Bill- nobody is disputing Pudge’s Hall of Fame body of work, but it doesn’t change the fact that he hasn’t been very good this year. He’s allowed an extraordinary amount of passed balls and wild pitches and a a 280 average isn’t good enough when you only take 8 walks.
As for Inge, I’d agree with you that he was a pretty valuable player in 2004-2006 and even up until the end of June this year. But since then his bat has been so bad no amount of defense or grit can make up for it. (if grit could make up for anything in the first place).
The bulk of the criticism leveled at both of those players is highly warranted this year.
Yes,boombatti,I was being sarcastic,specifically about the tendency of fans to proclaim,predict,or ponder on this player or that being or becoming someone or something who they are not.
Why be content with Maybin developing into Jose Reyes?Let’s hope he develops into Rickey Henderson.Then we can have him in an outfield with the next Willie Mays.