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PREGAME: Okay, this series is kind of a big deal. The Tigers could pick up 3 games with a sweep and be right in the middle of stuff. They could be swept and be focusing on building the best team of 2009. Or they could inch a little in either direction. It’s also the last time the Tigers get the Sox at home, so taking advantage this series would be helpful.
Tonight the Tigers need to solve the riddle of Gavin Floyd. It’s something they’ve struggled with. In Floyd’s last 5 starts against Detroit he’s allowed a total of 5 runs in 32.1 innings. The last time he carried a no hitter into the 8th inning.
Floyd is much tougher on righties, with lefties posting a .797 OPS. He also is easier to hit on the road. At home he fans 7.1 batters per nine and allows a .177 BABIP. On the road it is a 4.5 K/9 and .273 BABIP.
One thing to note with Floyd is that batters are only posting a .630 OPS on first pitches. Hopefully the Tigers make him work.
On the other side it will be Nate Robertson. Robertson was awful his last time out, and some sort of bounce back statement game would be nice.
CHW @ DET, Friday, July 25, 2008 Game Preview - Baseball-Reference.com
Game Time 7:05
{ 511 comments }
I really am a broken record on this, but Gavin Floyd has allowed more unearned runs than anyone else in baseball. The riddle is super easy to figure out - get someone to commit an error, and watch the runs pile up.
Eric:
Sounds like a job for Mr. Joyce’s kitten.
Must see for Tigers fans (i.e. us):
http://www.theonion.com/conten....._chokes_up
Didn’t know what thread this “belonged” in, but its priceless!
I am also a broken record, Eric. Gavin Floyd is the luckiest pitcher on the planet, and that is no exaggeration. To wit:
His BABIP overall is .225 (#2 in the league)
His FIP is 5.10 (unreal how he’s posted a 3.52 ERA)
His K/9 is 6.2 and BB/9 is 3.8, for a K/BB of 1.6 (all average or worse)
And as Eric points out, he’s allowed 24 unearned runs
Since his LD% is 16.8%, only a little below his norm, a lot of people are hitting balls right at someone. It’s going to be fun watching Gavin come crashing back to earth, and even more enjoyable listening to Hawk and DJ appear stupified by the whole thing.
Gavin opened the Floyd-gates 2 starts ago against Texas, allowing 7 ER in 2.2 ip. Let’s hope the crash continues tonight.
Of course, if Nate pitches like he did last time out, it prolly won’t matter.
Today’s anagrams:
Nate Robertson = Rotten On Baser
and especially for Billfer and all you other Joe Crede haters out there (that ought to be all of us, by the way).
Joe Crede = Co-ed Jeer (or Jeer Code)
Mark-
Thanks for reminding me that while the game will be broadcast in HD, so will Hawk’s voice…
Gavin Floyd = Vino Gadfly
I’ll try to refrain tonight, folks, but I’m at work for another 3 hours.
2 out of 3 seems just about a must with this series. But I’m really not liking tonight’s match-up.
Andre,
I feel your pain, man. It’s brutal. i have to change the channel frequently between pitches just to get a break from those buffoons.
I keep the mute button at the ready with the Ol’ Hawkeroo. I just wish I could figure out SAP - I’d rather listen to the Spanish broadcast. Incidentally, Nick Swisher works out to ‘Wreck His Sin’. I always knew he was on the God Squad.
Mark-
There is one upside, every game i learn of a new player who is the best there is for a very specific situation. Like that guy who was the best at scooping Dusty Baker’s son/Giant’s batboy out of the base-path on his way to home.
White Sox placed Crede on the 15-day DL today, so that’s one less person to hate (and more hate to be directed at Pierszinski).
They called up Josh Fields to start at third tonight.
I’m pretty sure Fields had a couple good games against us…
Andre, that picture of Placido is damn hilarious. I was in the middle of drinking some chocolate milk and I laughed so hard that it came out my left ear.
Fields vs Tigers:
32AB 11H 5HR 8RBI .344BA
vs Robertson (ok, small sample)
3AB 2H 1HR 2RBI .667BA
Ken Hawk Harrelson: Whale Rank Honkers
I’m also probably the last person to know this, but the Hawk fired Dave Dombrowski back in ‘86.
Fields did have some good games against us, but he wasn’t exactly tearing it up at AAA:
248/325/450
his 775 OPS goes with 77 K’s in 222 AB (34.6% K-rate, that’s Adam Dunn territory)
I’m not too worried about Floyd, i’m just worried about how Hawk will take it if the greatest (insert overly specific adjective) pitcher he’s seen gets lit up.
Also, how common-knowledge is it that Grandy will swing on the low and inside pitch for the strike out? Is it at the high-heat-to-Pudge level?
I’m at the Park bar at the corner of Park and Elizabeth if anyone wants to buy me a beer.
Hows about you buy us beers
Well you know, Andre, Gavin does have the best curveball from a right-hander pitching on Fridays in Detroit wearing #34 that Hawk’s ever seen. And I mean ever.
Reminds him of a right-handed Steve Carlton, in fact. (I don’t even know what that means. Why wouldn’t you just say Bert Blyleven, or some righty with a good curveball? Why Steve Carlton, a lefty? How is that a good comparison? I’m pissed at Hawk already now. That’s just stupid to say. Man I hate that guy.)
billfer,
I already bought you one. Put another on my tab.
I’m so pumped about this series. I just hope I don’t get let down. I’m already having vodka/redbulls. Next weekend I get to see the boys Friday, Saturday, and Sunday live in person. I pray that they are playing for something then.
Mark-
My pain is increased greatly by the presence of a Sox fan roommate who’s a HUGE Hawk fan; he echo’s him every time with “you can put it on the booooARD…YES!”
He’s the most ungracious winner i’ve ever seen, and i mean ever. Kind of reminds me of a white Paul Pierce.
Needless to say that when we swept the Sox this year, my silence was deafening and he had to break it with, “well come on, I know you’re gonna say something!” I smiled, and said nothing.
My roommate is a Cards fan. 2006 was not a pleasant fall and winter.
Can 7:05 hurry up and get here already!?! Their day off has seemed like a week.. Super stoked for this series.! I will buy you a beer Billfer. very smart to go to the bar where i’m sure they aren’t charging 8.50 / 10 bucks whatever it is a glass @ Comerica.
Andre and Ryan, my sympathies that you have to put up with insufferable fans in your own home. In your case, Andre, his behavior is grounds for a pillow wrapped tighly across his face as he sleeps, and held firmly until there are no signs of movement.
No jury would convict you. Not in Illinois, anyway.
I want the streets of woodward and gratiot to be awash with blood. I want gavin floyd’s head on a pike. I want carlos quentin to be stung by bees and bitten by a razorback.
Let’s go tigers!
5 pitch first for Nate? um, wow. nice.
I seem to recall the Sox doing the same favor for Verlander the last time they played. I hope it turns out the same for us.
Forty
I like your style.
Nice start, Nate. Very nice.
Curtis solves the invincible Floyd!
Way to avoid the DP on the Polly grounder to SS.
AJ Pyrzynssidfjla has some nice hair behind the plate. LOSER!!
C’mon, you glamorized goon…
Who’s the home plate umpire? The guy is massive.
There is that unearned run you guys talked about earlier.
Yes, DP broken up, throw to the dugout! Woo-hoo! Magglio catches a break, 1-0 Tigers.
Lovin that slide by carlos! Die white sox die!
Brian
I think that ump is CB Buckner
Great slide by Carlos!
(Brian - the home plate is the notoriously awful C.B. Bucknor, so be ready for some batters getting screwed, and maybe the MLB.com Gameday data to disappear as it did earlier this season on a game he umpired.)
Miggs caught looking, 1st inning over. Floyd’s working hard, lotsa pitches. Cool. I like the way this is starting. Even got the Sox error someone called for early in the thread.
Ouch. Dye flies out to the track. Watch it, Nate.
Thome grounds out to Cabrera.
Konerko Ks on a foul tip, Nate is… well, give me an anagram, someone. Rotten Onbaser? Seems to be a good thing.
Joyce out on a long drive. Man!
Ah, Sheff. Love that speed, beats out groundball SS in the hole.
Ah, Sheff. Hate that speed. Had by Floyd, out at 2B.
Hey orlando, renteria makes that play! (Ok maybe not)
I admire the steps Shef is willing to take to help out his fantasy baseball owners…
Pudge keeps it alive with a single. Good, good sign.
It’s early, but the twinkies are already getting killed.
I get this sinking feeling sometimes. I even have a name for it. I call it “Edgar.”
Renteria Ks on 3 pitches.
Swisher walks. Questionable Ball 3 call.
Fields caught looking.
He gone!
Ouch. Ramirez double, sounded like a cheap one. 2nd and 3rd, 1 out.
Cleveland is hammering Minny early. 4-0 in the 2nd.
CB Buckner absolutely sucks at calling a game.
Big k here nate, come on
OC singles though the left side, 1-1. Ick.
So, Nate’s last “fastball” to Cabrera was listed at a blazing 84 MPH.
Come on Nate. Keep this 1-1.
Guillen nails the runner at the plate! 1st and 2nd, 2 out. Come on, Nate. Escape.
Well, once again frickin’ Comcast is not able to show MLB Extra Innings and I can’t see the Tiger game. I was pumped to watch this game, too!
I’m stuck watchin’ the Braves, which is even more painful cause Jurrjens is pitching well (as usual) and Omar Infante just made a web gem at third.
Is it a packed house at Comerica tonight? Big game! Big series! Hate everything about the Sox.
Nate escapes, k’s quentin
Robertson Ks Quentin on 3! Give Pudge some credit (blocked ball in dirt a batter or two ago) for the tie score.
Dave
It looks packed. The best thing is the crowd is into the game early.
Grandy has to steal second here. This combo sucks at throwing runners out.
Grandy walks! Oh, by the way, Gavin - which one’s Pink?
Thanks Brian (in Tampa),
You must have Direct TV, aye? Too many trees down here for satellite!
When konerko sweeps the dirt with his hand is he telling aj to signal for a throw to first?
Polanco singles up the middle, Grandy takes 3rd!
Grandy to third on a soft single in the hole - awesome baserunning
Dave
Bighthouse cable. Real good down here. Polanco single Grandy to third 0 outs.
Yucky pop by carlos, let that one go big guy
Guillen pops out. Yeah, yeah. Floyd is toast. Just watch.
Guillen is due to get hot! Crush one!
Ooooh. Line foul left by Maggs, just foul.
Oh man maggs rips one juuuust foul
Maybe not, he must be on no sleep due to new baby. He hasn’t been the same since all star game
Polanco to 2B on wild pitch.
Wild pitch, polly on second
Oh yeah. Maggs is the man.
Maggs scorches one to left. 1 in, Polly stops at 3B. 1 out, 2-1 Tigers.
Cabrera hustling for a double I love it! Welcome to detroit big fella! 3-1!
Floyd hangs one, Cabrera belts one - double. 3-1, 2nd and 3rd.
Here we go boys and girls. Time to get this train rolling.
Let’s go kitty power!!!!
Hit it for the kitty matt
How good is Maggs? He is the definition of a professional hitter.
Cabrera is becoming the beast we thought he would be.
Drop the F’N HAMMER Sheff.
Joyce walks! But bases loaded for Sheffield? This seldom goes well…
Ga-ry ga-ry ga-ry!
Sheff can make up for the whole season with one swing here…
Sheff always makes me nervous.
A.J. saves a run on bouncing pitch.
“Pierzynski is a very good receiver”
-rod allen
Farmer is criticizing Gary’s bell-bottoms.
He looks like he likes to receive!
Full count, let’s work the walk gary
Oh yeah.
YES!!! Whatever!
We’ll take it any way we can . . . plus credit to Sheff for running it out (granted he was probably anticipating trying to beat out a DP)
What? Typical Sheff grounder to 3B, muffed by Fields somehow. All safe, 4-1.
Double play for crede, error and no outs for fields - still juiced for the pudgy one
Thank you Crede for not playing!
Pudge dps…:(
ah, there it is. Argh.
Yeah, good inning, but no excuse for Pudge GDP. None. Ever. Tigers are the GDP kings, gotta be.
“still juiced for the pudgy one”
You called it, Forty.
I really liked the hustle and slide of miggy into second. Gives me a good feeling about this series. We’re not afraid of these guys.
Can’t leave three guys on base Pudge! Sox lead MLB in late inning scoring. We need every run. Especially with Nate (and mabye Todd Jones) pitching!
Another long out for Dye.
Nate’s looked good today, don’t player hate
What’s with this Floyd guy though, errors seem to follow him like fleas follow a stray dog…it must be his fault somehow…
Poll: who do you hate more, Pierzynski or Crede?
Dave
Don’t bring up TJ in the 4th. I’m not ready for a rollercoaster.
Oh goodness cb, that’s strike three
mcb
My answer is yes.
See, now if you had Inge instead of Pudge, you get the benefit of the inevitable strikeout, which leaves the inning alive…
Okay, I’ll try to be positive. Still ticked I can’t see the game.
Pierzynski
How many runs is Nate gonna give back now?
Robertson walks Thome, Nate having some trouble with CB’s calls.
@walt 0
I vote for Pierzynski!
Texting updates to friends camping up in Harrisville who can’t get the game in on their radio. Uggh! Bummer for them.. they’re missing a good game..so far
DP, Nate’s butt-Polanco-Cabrera! The batter? Can’t remember, who cares. Konerko? Woo-hoo! Go Nate. Go Nate’s butt.
Actually mcb I changed my mind - I choose joe mauer
But I’m probably just irritable seeing how I missed all the fine anagrammatica.
Well, OK, maybe it’s not too late to throw out one for Nate:
Banter Stonero
Renteria flies out to Quentin.
Grandy out 6-3, Tigers dropping faster than I can type.
We are split here on the Crede-Pierzynski thing in the mcb. household, but the other mcb agrees with Mauer and raises you one Carlos Gomez
It’s come to this, Renteria’s batting last. Wow.
Not the same guy on saw in Atlanta last year.
What’s that god awful whistling supposed to do? Annoy the Sox into defeat?
Edgar ball hit hard though…whoa polly, throwin the bat in the dugout
I’ll see your carlos gomez and reraise you the words “scrappy” “smallball” and “punto”
This isn’t the same crew Polly got ejected by a while back is it?
You can ALWAYS hear that whistling guy/screaming 7-year-old-girl in the Detroit radio broadcasts. Loud.
What’s that god awful whistling supposed to do? Annoy the Sox into defeat?
I’m thinking at some point in the next inning or so we’re going to hear the whistle start, then the sound of a chain saw, then some screaming.
This is a fast paced game!
Polanco out (somehow). Tigers gone in the 4th.
We’re gonna need some more runs. I suggest getting them, or at least some more off Floyd. According to Farmer and Stone, his curve is nowhere to be found. He’s got nothing without it.
Swisher Nate’s 5th K victim.
Strike one to swisher was ball three to swisher in his first ab that led to the run
Fields out 5-3, nice play on both ends.
Jeff
That is funny. I’m going to listen for the chainsaw.
“Carlos is starting to play third base like he plays shortstop”
Say it aint so rod!
The ace up our sleeve…. Bobby “Tourette Syndrome” Jenks
Both Guillen and Cabrera look a lot more comfortable than they did right after the switch.
Ramirez doubles for the second time, right after a failed bunt attempt.
Falling behind 3-0 to OC… walks him. Temporary disappearance of control. Come on back, Nate.
First base was open, and Pudge was catching, the walk seems rational.
Strike this bleached blonde dork out.
This is not good. You can’t get up 0-2 on a guy then let him go that quickly.
EDIT: However, that was good. Frankly that was a very good pitch to hit, Nate’s fortunate it stayed in the park.
Nate owning AJ at 0-2… fastball down and in, 1-2… in the dirt, 2-2… outside, 3-2… walks him. OK, Nate is showing Nate now.
Whoa looked like aj went around right?
That was the best popout EVER.
Common Nate!!! Get out of this!!
Brian in Tampa distracted Nate and got him thinking about dude’s hair…
I think carlos said a dirty word there!
Ha ha ha, Quentin pops out to LF to end the threat. That used to be the Tigers. No more!
Yeah! That’s our Banter Stonero!
Sorry Coleman. It looks so stupid to me.
Sean C. - that was quite the jinx there buddy! game ain’t over yet!
Tigers up 4-1 bottom 5th, Carlos first out on grounder.
The Big Tilde limps to 2B on a looooong double.
mcb: “Sean C. - that was quite the jinx there buddy! game ain’t over yet!”
Heyyyy wait a minute, ain’t you da guy what jinxed the Rangers when they played the sox a couple days ago…yeah, I thought so…
Is Carlos injured?
I’m in boston and the blimp over fenway for the yanks series has a tv on it. It’s showing like ufc promos or some such. Pretty cool, never seen that.
Yeah maggs!