PREGAME: It’s get-away day as the Tigers play the last game of their 10 day, 9 game road trip. So far they are 4-4 on the trip and 2-2 for the season against the AL Central. It would be nice to push both of those numbers into the winning side.

The Tigers take on Sidney Ponson and I’m hoping for a better game than they put up when leaving LA. Ponson has allowed 30 baserunners in 15.1 innings and he’s walking as many as he’s striking out. The Tigers need to pummel him.

Detroit sends out Armando Galarraga who had to work against the Angels. Current Royals only hav 38 PA’s against Galarraga and there hasn’t ben a lot of success except for Alberto Callaspo who is 3 for 3.

Game Time 2:10

Detroit vs. Kansas City – April 26, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday

POSTGAME: So much for the pummelling, but a win is a win. I watched the first 6 innings of this after hte fact in super fast forward mode. Ponson was uncharacteristicaly good. Speaking of uncharacterisitically good, Brandon Inge hit his 7th homer. Both Inge-lovers and Inge-haters should be able to agree that the magnitude of his start is exceptional and unexpected.

Armando Galarraga walked 5, but that was about the only blemish and he continues to rack up a strike out an inning.

Fernando Rodney allowed a solo homer but still preserved the lead, as did Seay and Perry. One thing to keep an eye on. Seay is being used a lot. This was his 9th game and some simple math tells you he’s on pace for 81 appearances.

A 5-4 trip and a 3-2 record in division so far is reason to smile though.

PREGAME: There was a time when Kyle Davies wasn’t scary to face. Now the dude has 21 strikeouts in 18.1 innings and sports a 2.89 ERA. After back to back losses the Tigers are back at .500 and they’ll need to find some way to muster some offense to have a chance at posting a winning record on the road trip. Davies has pretty much scrapped his slider and is throwing his change-up much more. He’s also improved his rate of first pitch strikes.

The Tigers send out Zach Miner who is returning to the rotation after 3 off days in a week negated the need for a 5th starter. Miner pitched a good game against the Blue Jays, and was shelled on a cold and wet day against the White Sox. Hopefully it’s more of the former Miner that shows up. He’s made 2 starts and 5 appearances total at Kaufman Stadium but has yet to allow a run in 18.1 innings.

Game Time 7:10

Detroit vs. Kansas City – April 25, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday

POSTGAME: That’s a more better. The Tigers played a very nice, crisp, clean game. Offensive – good. Pitching – pretty good. Defense – good.

Zach Miner was shaky the first few innings. He either had too much movement on his fastball, or he was pitching scared. He was living in the right hand batters box against lefties, but he managed to escape any damage. By the end he was cruising and picked up the easy win.

Gerald Laird and Magglio Ordonez hit their first homers of the year and now there are 7 Tigers who have gone deep this year. Laird’s hit was part of a 3 hit night.

Granderson hit his 4th homer in the last 5 games and with 3 homers tonight it is FREE ROAST BEEF SANDWICH TIME. Just print off a box score and head to Arby’s tomorrow. Yeah!

Some excellent defense in this one as well. It was the good Adam Everett and he and Placido Polanco teamed up for some nice plays.

The bullpen, which was used extensively in this one (which I don’t really get) was solid enough. Joel Zumaya pitched a scoreless 9th. He allowed 2 hits but was helped by a double play ball.

Good stuff all around.

PREGAME: A sleepy Tigers team landed in Kansas City at 5:56 a.m. ET this morning. The Tigers even got to use fly Red Bird One despite the fact Red Wings are in the playoffs.

Hopefully they’ll wake up in time to face Zach Greinke. They’ll try to do something that hasn’t been done against Greinke this year and that is score a run. He’s pitched 20 scoreless innings this year fanning 26 and walking only 5.

The Tigers will send out Rick Porcello who likely caught an earlier ride than the rest of the team. He is coming off his first win and has certainly drawn a tough match-up.

Game Time 8:10

Detroit vs. Kansas City – April 24, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday

POSTGAME: The Tigers lost back-to-back games for the first time since the first 2 games of the season. I’m not going to fret too much about this one, just give credit where it is due. Greinke was masterful. That happens. It also highlights how disappointing Thursday night’s game against a struggling pitcher was.

The only other thing of note is that Nate Robertson made an appearance, his first in 2 weeks. Hard to believe he was a little rusty.

PREGAME: It’s the rubber match! Again, the exclamation point isn’t necessary but it worked in the 3rd game against the Mariners so I figured I’d stick with it. Is anyone else tired? Back to back nights of late games have left me exhausted, but I’m a gamer and the Tigers head somewhat East after the game to reasonable start times.

Edwin Jackson takes the mound for Detroit. He’s been efficient in his first few starts. The Angels have forced Tigers starters to throw a ton of pitches in the first 2 games. What will happen tonight?

The Angels send out rookie Matt Palmer who was recently called up to bolster the decimated pitching staff. He walked 13 in 12.2 innings for the Giants last year. The Angels hope he can do a little better tonight and perhaps give the bullpen a break.

Your Tigers lineup is:

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Ordonez, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Guillen, DH
6. Inge, 3B
7. Anderson, LF
8. Treanor, C
9. Everett, SS

Game Time 10:05

Detroit vs. LA Angels – April 23, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday