Whatever spell the Twins had cast over the Tigers in recent years seems to have been broken. Last night’s 6-2 victory over Minnesota–with old nemesis Carl Pavano on the mound–was the 10th straight for Detroit in the rivalry, and also brings their record against Central Division rivals to a division best 20-10.
Justin Verlander did what Verlander does, showing that his previous rough outing was just one of those things, and for now the 2nd-half-collapse-panic can be shelved. Verlander struck out 9 in 8 innings, and walked nobody. In fact this is the 3rd time in the past 5 games a Tiger starter gave up no walks. Is this a Jeff Jones thing?
Tonight’s matchup features Max Scherzer of the improbable won-loss record (10-5, 4.53) vs Brian Duensing (7-7, 4.14), who has won his last 3 starts.
Newest Tiger Wilson Betemit tries to follow up on a record-setting debut which saw him shatter the Detroit baseball-skipping record with his 11-hop throw in the 9th. Victor Martinez, meanwhile, will try not to continue his GIDP hot streak–Martinez has grounded into 5 double plays already since the All-Star break.
Today’s Player of the Pre-Game: Alex Avila
Avila is the subject of a nice profile piece on the ESPN site.
Today’s Raburn’s Batting Where? Lineup:
- Austin Jackson CF
- Ryan Raburn LF
- Magglio Ordonez RF
- Miguel Cabrera DH
- Victor Martinez 1B
- Jhonny Peralta SS
- Carlos Guillen 2B
- Alex Avila C
- Wilson Betemit 3B
Raburn!!!
See what I mean about Raburn batting 2nd? He should be hitting 4th.
Ol Smoky should put some $$ on a good horse tonight.
Or on a horse that almost always runs out of the money, sometimes dumps his jockey off, and every once in awhile wins at long odds. Ideally it will be named Neighburn.
Beteminge
You may be on to something but even if Beteminge’s BA drops 50 points he is still an upgrade over KBinge
Unless his fielding average drops another 50 points too – could happen.
Aubrey Beteminge? I hope not.
Jhoburn
Jhonny!
Lions odds to win the NFC at the Aria book are 6-1…same as Cowboys, Falcons, Saints and Giants. Packers, Eagles and Bears are slightly better.
Jhonny be good!
PERALTA!
1-man wrecking crew tonight.
Holy cow hitting is fun. Or looks like fun on TV.
We absolutely routed the Twins. 11 wins in a row against them! Stretching out our 1st place lead too!