Game 2010.006: Indians at Tigers

PREGAME: The Tigers go for the sweep behind the arm of Justin Verlander. Dan Dickerson was kind enough to tweet exactly what I was looking for to summarize Verlander and Cleveland:

Verlander v. Clev. pre-2009: 6.70ERA in 15GS, Tribe hit .271 w/ .475SLG. 2009: 4GS, 4-0, 0.90ERA, Indians hit .157 w/ .196SLG, 41K in 30IP

Westbrook makes his second start of the season and only  his 2nd start since Memorial Day 2008. He allowed 9 White Sox baserunners (4 via the walk) in 4 innings on Opening Day and 5 of those came around to score.

Your Damon-less lineup is:

  1. Jackson, CF
  2. Kelly, LF
  3. Ordonez, RF
  4. Cabrera, 1B
  5. Guillen, DH
  6. Inge, 3B
  7. Santiago, SS
  8. Laird, C
  9. Sizemore, 2B

Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers – April 11, 2010 – MLB.com Preview

POSTGAME: Through the first turn in the rotation, each of the starters gave their team a chance to win. Hopefully Verlander’s 2nd start isn’t a harbinger of the next 4 pitching performances. Fortunately though the Tigers offense managed to be both frustrating and dynamic all at the same time and they plated 9 runs to complete a comeback from a 5-1 deficit. Continue reading Game 2010.006: Indians at Tigers

Is Bonderman Back?

Jeremy Bonderman returned to the mound, health for the first time since before the All Star Break in 2007 and the results can only be described as encouraging. He retired the first 11 hitters he faced before struggling in the 4th inning. But the best news is that the slider was darting straight down like Bonderman slider of doom that we all know and love.

The pitch f/x data is a little inconclusive at this time. It misclassified the splitter and I don’t know that I trust the 4 seam versus 2 seam fastball splits either. While he got up to 93mph on the fastball a few times, he was usually a few ticks below that. But for those that watched the game, the slider was just nasty.

My only concern is that Bonderman’s velocity seemed to peter out a little as the game wore on. The hope is that this is just a matter of him rebuilding stamina. The graph below is of all the pitches the Gameday classified as a fastball (two-seam and four-seam are included).

Bonderman's Fastball Velocity
That is just nitpicking an outing though where he only allowed 3 baserunners. Bonderman and Leyland were certainly pleased with the outing as well.

For one full turn through the rotation, Tigers starters have all pitched effectively. Granted, they haven’t face offensive juggernauts in the Royals and Indians, but there is reason for some optimism.

Other items from the game

  • I like this version of Magglio Ordonez. He’s driving balls to all fields and getting the results that go with it.
  • I like this version of Brandon Inge too. The one that is selective at the plate and is driving the ball to right center field with regularity.
  • Very nice defense today all around. Adam Everett made a couple nice plays at shortstop and Miguel Cabrera continues to dig everything in the dirt.
  • Ryan Perry got 4 outs and the save on 11 pitches. He looks like a different guy this year. The potential of last year is turning into results this year.
  • The Tigers drew over 35K for game number 2 and I’d expect a similar sized crowd today. It’s great to see a full park, not just on Opening Day

Tigers Minor League Wrap – 4.10.2010

Louisville 7 Toledo 1
Ryan Strieby doubled twice and added a single. Armando Galarraga allowed just 1 run on 3 hits, no walks and 6 K’s. Casey Fien gave up 3 runs in 2 innings of relief despite fanning 4 and Robbie WEinahrdt was touched for 3 runs on 4 hits in an inning of work.

Erie 1 Trenton 4
The Seawolves managed only 3 hits. Jeff Kunkel had the lone extra base hit, a triple. Duane Below fanned 7 in 4 innings but allowed 3 runs on 4 hits.

Lakeland 0 Tampa 2
Christopher White got the lone Lakeland hit as they were shut out. Bryan Villarreal was good, with 8 K’s in 4 innings and no walks.

West Michigan 4 Lake County 6
Jacob Turner made his debut and he fanned 7 and walked none in 5 innings of 2 hit, shut out baseball. Wade Gaynor doubled, homered, and drove in 3. Eric Roof and Mike Gosse each had 3 hit days.

Game 2010.005: Indians at Tigers

The Tigers were witness to a nice start from a big question mark on Thursday when Dontrelle Willis picked up a quality start. Jeremy Bonderman will try to repeat the script as he makes his first start of the season today.

Bonderman finished serving his 3 game suspension that was handed down at the end of last season while in Kansas City. Today he’ll debut his new split finger pitch (replacing the long standing change-up project).

He’ll be opposed by Mitch Talbot. We don’t know much about Talbot, who only has 1 career start (a 4.1 IP, 3 run no decision in September 2008 against Baltimore). We do know he is right handed, 26 years old, and was traded from Houston to the Rays with Ben Zobrist for Aubrey Huff in 2006.

Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers – April 10, 2010 – MLB.com Preview

Tigers Minor League Wrap 4.9.2010

Louisville 4 Toledo 7
Clete Thomas, Brent Dlugach, Brennan Boesch, and Robinson Diaz all had 2 hit games. Phil Dumatrait walked 5 in 4 innings. Scot Drucker came on in relief and fanned 3 but also left the bases loaded for Josh Rainwater who fanned 3 batters of his own. Jay Sborz got the save.

Erie 1 Trenton 3
Lauren Gagnier pitched 5 innings of shutout ball with no walks allowed and 5 K’s.

Tampa 0 Lakeland 6
Mark Sorensen had the exact same line as Gagnier. Anthony Shawler, Ramon Garcia, and Lester Oliveros closed the game out. Brent Wyatt had 3 hits including a double. Christopher White and Gustavo Nunez each had 2 hits. Andy Bouchie homered.

West Michigan 1 Lake County 7
Jamie Johnson went 2 for 4. Mike Gosse went 1 for 2 with 2 walks. Jade Todd allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk in 3.1 innings.

Comerica Park Version 2010

Every year brings a few changes to Comerica Park. Sometimes it’s new menu items, or food, signage, or game presentation. This year brings a little of everything.

  • Last year when General Motors was in the throes of bankruptcy they couldn’t sponsor the centerfield fountain so Mike Ilitch used it as a way to support the Big 3. Things are looking up for GM I guess because they are now sponsoring the fountain again.
  • I didn’t partake in the new garlic fries or sliders, but I was thrilled to see that the hot dog vendors aren’t toting the pre-packaged dogs with soggy buns anymore. They had the old Tiger Stadium style containers with buns on one side, dogs on the other, and they put them together complete with mustard. Awesome.
  • The rally towels that were handed out had World Series 2009 stickers on them. Me thinks they were meant to be used last fall.
  • Scott Sizemore’s walk up music was Ted Nugent. Nice choice for the rookie.
  • For the last couple years the Tigers have played Daft Punk’s One More time after wins. They didn’t today. Not sure what it was (I’m not so good at remembering songs/artists).
  • With the crowd of 45K there were certain logistical issues. Restroom lines were 2 innings long. Concession lines were lengthy (except for the poor lonely guy out in the cold and wind selling lemonade). And the season ticket VIP red carpet entrances were used by everyone.

Game 2010.004: Indians at Tigers

Yes, the Tigers have played 3 games already, but with the boys back in Detroit now it really feels like summer is back (well, except for the snow flurries this morning).

Sophomore Rick Porcello gets the home opener nod, quite the honor but also well deserved. It also is a favorable match-up. Porcello faced the Indians 4 times last year and went 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA over 25 innings.

Southpaw David Huff is on the mound for the Indians. He has never faced any of the Tigers hitters before. He had a 5.61 ERA last year and a propensity for allowing homers with 16 in 128.1 innings. He did seem to correct that problem though and only allowed 1 homer in his last 7 starts and finished the season with 5 straight quality starts.

Hope to see you down here for the festivities.

Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers – April 9, 2010 – MLB.com Preview

Opening Day Festivities

If you’re lucky enough to be heading down for Detroit’s big party, Opening Day, here is some information on the on field pregame happenings.

The National Anthem will be sung by American Idol finalist Matt Giraud and Ken Casey will sing God Bless America at the seventh inning stretch. We here at DTW are partial to the vocal stylings of Miss Amber Grand, but what are you going to do?

Tim Allen will throw the first pitch(es) to service men and women from each of the branches of the military. There will be a flyover (yes!) of 4 F-15c’s from Tyndall Air Force Base.

The weather looks to be dry, but chilly. A high around 50 is tolerable though for an early April game. If you’re still looking for tickets, they are going for about $100 on StubHub (aff link) as of press time.

I hope you can make it down. You’ll likely find me at Casey’s and/or The Park Bar prior to the game.

Tigers Minor League Wrap 4.8.2010

Louisville 5 Toledo 3
Jeff Larish singled and homered. Ryan Strieby added a homer as well and Brent Dlugach had 3 hits. Casper Wells left the game for pinch runner Jeff Frazier. Ruddy Lugo allowed 5 runs on 7 hits (2 homers) in 4.2 innings. Daniel Schlereth pitched 2.1 scoreless innigns and Robbie Weinhardt added a perfect frame with 2 K’s.

Erie 0 Trenton 4
Jon Kibler fanned 5 and walked none allowing just 2 runs (1 earned) in 5 innings. Luis Marte was knocked around for 2 more runs while only recording 1 out. Andy Dirks and Wilkin Ramirez each singled for the only Seawolves hits.

Lakeland 0 Tampa 4
Ben Guez and Alden Carrithers had the only Lakeland hits. Luke Putkonen allowed 3 runs in 3.2 innings. Matt Hoffman followed with 3 perfect innings.

West Michigan 3 Lake County 4 (10 innings)
Trevor Feeney pitched 6 shut out innings allowing 3 hits and a walk while fanning 3. Jamie Johnson had 2 hits and 2 walks. Michael Rockett homered.

Venezuelan Uprising

The Tigers offense certainly doesn’t figure to be the team’s strength in 2010.  It also isn’t devoid of talent. The heart of the order is occupied by the team’s Venezuelan contingent. The trio certainly put on an offensive display in the series against the Royals and the health and production of these three are fundamental to the team’s chances this season.

Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, and Carlos Guillen led the offensive against the Royals. The three combined to go 20-42 and accounted for all 3 of the team’s homers. Two of those homers were by Cabrera in the late innings. The Tigers scored 16 runs and these 3 drove in 10 of them and scored 8 of them. With the exception of Austin Jackson’s and Johnny Damon’s 2 RBI’s, every other run went through Venezuela.

The Tigers shouldn’t expect these 3 to combine to hit nearly .500 all the time, but when the 3 are clicking they should be able to muster enough runs to support what should be at least a decent pitching staff.

Game 2010.003: Tigers at Royals

PREGAME: I’m certainly rooting for the guy, but the phrase “The Tigers will look to Dontrelle Willis to secure a series win,” just doesn’t have me bubbling over with confidence.

Willis wasn’t that good this spring, save for a shiny ERA, so the hopes aren’t high here that he’ll magically find something today. I’ll be thrilled to be wrong though.

He’ll be opposed by saber-pitcher Brian Bannister. Bannister hasn’t started against the Tigers since 2008. He faced them 3 times that season and shut them out twice. In fact the Tigers have only scored more than 2 runs against him once.

Raburn gets the nod at second base today – and it has nothing to do with Sizemore’s gaffe in extra innings. This was decided prior to last night’s game. And Don Kelly goes at third base.

Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals – April 8, 2010 – MLB.com Preview

POSTGAME: I’m happy to be wrong. Dontrelle Willis was effective. Things were shaky of course at the outset, what with the 4 pitch walk to open the game. And yes, he did benefit from 3 double plays. But he also didn’t allow an extra base hit, and didn’t issue a free pass after the first inning. In fact you might even say he was pounding the zone after the first inning with 68% of his pitches the next 5 innings going for strikes. And he certainly wasn’t getting extra help from home plate ump Chris Tiller. Continue reading Game 2010.003: Tigers at Royals

Game 2010.002: Tigers at Royals

PREGAME: It will be Max Scherzer versus Luke Hochevar in game 2 of the 2010 season. The big news around this game in Detroit is that we won’t be able to watch it, until the Red Wings game is over anyways. Due to a scheduling tsunami the Tigers are pushed off of both Fox Sports Detroit, and it’s FSD+ brother (which will show the Pistons). A bummer to be sure but FS Detroit is likely contractually bound to the 2 other games and picking up the Tigers in progress is extra effort on their part.

But back to the game…

Hochevar gets the #2 role due to an injured Gil Meche. The Tigers have beat up Hochevar the last two times they faced him. Miguel Cabrera will try to make history as he has gone a perfect 8 for 8 in his last 8 at-bats against Hochevar. Lefties strike out just as much as righties against Hochevar, but they walk twice as often.

Scherzer makes his Tigers and AL Debut. He dominated righties last year with a 4.58 K/BB ratio and hopefully he can hold down Billy Butler.

The Tigers lefty heavy lineup is:

  1. Jackson, CF
  2. Damon, LF
  3. Ordonez, RF
  4. Cabrera, 1B
  5. Guillen, DH
  6. Inge, 3B
  7. Avila, C
  8. Sizemore, 2B
  9. Santiago, SS

Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals – April 7, 2010 – MLB.com Preview

POSTGAME: That was certainly a disappointing ending to an otherwise compelling game. The Tigers did quite a few things right in this game, but also had their share of struggles.

Offensively the Tigers couldn’t muster anything but ground balls against Hochevar. Sixteen of the Tigers outs against Hochever were ground ball outs, including two double plays. The only hit of note was a wind blown triple by Austin Jackson. And unlike against Greinke, many of those outs came early in the count meaning that Hochevar was able to hand the ball directly to Joakim Soria  with 2 outs in the 8th and avoid the tasty middle relief options of the Royals.

Fortunately Scherzer was up to the task and he didn’t allow a hit until the 5th inning and left after 6 scoreless innings. It was a very nice Tigers debut for Scherzer who’s only blemish was a couple of HBPs. (Bless You Boys has the pitch f/x breakdown)

The bullpen which was quite efficient on Monday, didn’t control the strike zone to the same degree. Fu-Te Ni, Brad Thomas, and Phil Coke each threw more balls than strikes. It was Ni’s walk in the 8th that moved a runner into scoring position for Chris Getz’s RBI single.

Jose Valverde, a notorious slow starter, didn’t do much right in the 11th inning with a chance for his first save. The Callaspo homer was a bullet, and the Ankiel shot off the wall was smoked as well. Yes, Scott Sizemore blew the relay play, but even if he catches it clean the winning run is 90 feet away with nobody out and the closer being bludgeoned. There is definitely shared responsibility for that 11th inning.

  • The Miguel Cabrera at-bat in the 9th inning was tremendous. Down to the last strike Soria couldn’t put him away and with pitch #10 Cabrera doinked the foul pole to tie the game. That’s 4 big hits in the first two games for Cabrera.
  • It was the Venezuelan uprising in the 11th that again game the Tigers a chance. Singles by Ordonez, Cabrera, and Guillen  gave the team the lead. It goes without saying that the majority of the offense will run through those 3.
  • Don’t make too much of the Cabrera caught stealing. It was costly, he just left a tad too early. I don’t mind the added aggressiveness.
  • Where was that aggressiveness earlier though when Jackson led off with a single only to have Johnny Damon with a first pitch GIDP?
  • I didn’t care for the Sizemore bunt in the 8th inning. Hochevar had barely been in the stretch, and even though Sizemore was his last batter, make him try and get the out. The Tigers had already handed over too many easy outs.
  • Gerald Laird is 2 for 2 in not even making a throw down to gun out a runner.
  • Jackson’s strike out in the 10th was a pretty bad at-bat, but not all that surprising either. He was probably experiencing some additional pressure, and he’s already a player who’s entire minor league career has been prone to the strike out. Not that he won’t do a lot of things right this season, but he’s going to have his whiffs.
  • Two more walks for Sizemore who continues to work the count.

Post game video with Leyland/Avila/Sizemore/Valverde