The Tigers lost yesterday and Justin Verlander (20-5, 2.38) is pitching today, we we all know what that means.
Tonight will be Verlander’s 20th start of the season following a Tiger loss (which says something about the bottom of the rotation, doesn’t it?), and his record in those games is 14-3.
Verlander was a bit shaky his last start, but the Tigers pulled out a win. Tonight the stakes are high, since Chicago has won 7-of-10 and pulled into a 2nd place tie, 5 1/2 games behind Detroit, with 6 games between the teams remaining (3 this weekend at Comerica and 3 more in Chicago in 2 weeks).
The always entertaining Ozzie Guillen has decided to celebrate the pennant race by demanding a contract extension beyond next year, has threatened to walk if he doesn’t get one, and by all accounts is openly feuding with his general manager.
Chicago has proved to be a bit tricky for the Tiger ace–he is 3-1 this season against the Sox, but with a rather unimpressive 4.03 ERA. He does enjoy a bit of Adam Dunn though, who has struckout 9 times in 13 AB against Verlander.
The White Sox send out John Danks, who has been inconsistent, but when he is good he is quite good. His last start was a 3-hitter with 10 strikeouts, beating Seattle 3-0.
In other news Al Alburquerque has been cleared to resume pitching again, and is beginning a rehab assignment at Toledo.
Player of the Pre-Game: Magglio Ordonez
Where did THAT Magglio come from yesterday? 2007? And look at that: Magglio is a career 15-for-29 against the Dank One. Go Magglio!
Today’s Maybe-Magglio-Batting-2nd-Ain’t-So-Bad Lineup:
- Austin Jackson, CF
- Magglio Ordonez, RF
- Delmon Young, LF
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Alex Avila, C
- Jhonny Peralta, SS
- Ramon Santiago, 2B
- Brandon Inge, 3B
Pulling up to Comerica now.
Wish I could go, but I’m stuck here in the Royals bullpen
Really looking forward to tonight’s game. GO GET EM’ TIGERS!
Sick seats 3 rows behind CWS dugout. I’m pretty sure that Cabby was talking smack to the White Sox dugout on his way out to first.
And Ozzie in a sweat shirt though it’s 95 degrees. Take that Williams.
Great start…now keep the pressure on them!
2-for-2 with a run scored, raising his avg to .185, not to mention a nice fielding play. Brandon Inge, a clear choice for player of the game.
Jackson.
What’s that, 9 hits for AJax in 3 games?
6 in 2, 9 in 4.
OK, Kevin in Dallas [in Detroit (3 rows behind Chicago dugout)]: your mission is to creep closer, give a listen, and report back what Ozzie Guillen has to say about the game.
Did JV touch the bag?
its a sincere treat to watch this game on MLB network because Hawk Harrelson is calling this game… his ‘smugness’ is not to happy or colorful tonight
hey Hawk!….. Sox Lose…Sox Lose!!