Smokin’ September continues. as the Tigers extend their win streak to 8 games, the longest September win streak since the magical 1984 season.
The last time through the Tiger rotation Fister, Porcello, and Scherzer were all better than Verlander, and with Alburquerque back the pitching staff looks in top form right now.
Tonight Doug Fister takes the mound with a fist full of broom as Detroit goes for the Three-Sweep. It’s too bad the Royals aren’t up next.
Magic Number: 9
Division Series tickets go on sale Monday 10 am.
Player of the Pre-game: Brandon Inge. Inge has the best walkoff to home run ratio in the majors.
Today’s Avila-Gets-A-Day-Off Lineup:
- Austin Jackson, CF
- Magglio Ordonez, RF
- Delmon Young, LF
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Ryan Raburn, 2B
- Jhonny Peralta, SS
- Brandon Inge, 3B
- Omir Santos, C
What, no JaKKson POG? He could use a little comeback practice himself. After the hot streak he is 2 for 22 with 2 BB and 10 K in last 5 games.
Tigers go for win no. 14 vs the Twins this year – when was the last time that happened?
By the way, corrected lineup:
Austin Jackson, CF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Ryan Raburn 2B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Brandon Inge, 3B
Omir Santos, C
This could be a case where Fister gets little run support, but I guess he is used to it.
Thanks, added Raburn in behind Martinez. I think I subconsciously rejected that one.
Gameday had Butera popping out softly to 2B. Yahoo had him lining out to 2B. Who do you believe?
According to Gameday, the home plate umpire sucks today.
Gameday. It was a pop up off the handle of the bat. Didn’t have much altitude though. Maybe it was a slow motion liner.
For what it’s worth, Maggs has an 11 game hitting streak now.
If a guy strikes out 4 times in a game and gets a Golden Sombrero, what does he get if he hits into 4 DP?
Golden Girdle
I thought that was from All-Star Wrestling.
And the winner is…..
I don’t understand the logic of replacing Maggs for a defensive replacement in the top of the 7th, when he is due up 2nd in the bottom on the inning. If JL wanted to replace him after 3 AB, he should have pinch run for him after his walk in the 5th.
Never mind. I just checked the How to Manage Book, and right there on page 2 it says: Rule 1.2: “If you are ahead by 1 run or more in the 7th ining, you must put in your defensive replacements.”
Three-Sweep!
Yet another 1-run win.
This is like 1984, but in reverse. We’re 19-4 since Aug 18.
Our starting rotation (at least the top 4), our bullpen, and our offence are all working so well right now!
By the way, the Tigers have now been in first place 65 days this season. So, Leyland has now had the Tigers in first for 408 days since he joined the franchise. That puts him ahead of Hughie Jennings (406) for most days in first as a Tigers manager. He still hasn’t actually finished a season in first, but looks like that’s just a few weeks away.
White Sox lost: magic number is 7
Red Sox lost: we’re only 1 game back from 2nd place in the AL
For home advantage in the first round of the playoffs, the Tigers need to finish ahead of the Rangers (or Angels)… it would be nice to finish with a better record than the red sox also, but the wild card cannot have the home field advantage.
You’re right. I was thinking of the second round. But if we have a better record than the Sox, we have to play them in the first round.
Oh well, I guess we’ll have to finish higher than the Yankees. We’re just 4.5 back from them…