The two headed monster of Scherzer Fister tries to get the Tigers back on track tonight against the Royals. Has anyone worked out the playoff rotation yet?
I’m guessing Scherzer will go 4-5 tonight. If he can qualify for a W, he can get to 15 wins for the season.
With a Rangers win yesterday, and a Yankees win this afternoon, a win tonight is as important as ever. Though John Lowe made a compelling argument today that short of Tampa Bay sneaking into the WC, the Tigers would have the better rotation against their likely first round foe.
A few notes:
– ALCS tickets go on sale Monday at 1oam. Prices range from $95 – $170. Details here.
– With 3 more RBI, Cabrera will join 4 other Tigers with 100/100/100 RBI/Runs/Walks. Any guesses? Note, none of them have played in the last 4 decades.
– Since May 20th, Benoit has a 1.47 ERA and 45Ks in 43 IPs.
AJax is the Pregame Prediction for Post Game Player of the Game. I really want him to heat up again, because when he gets on base, he scores. And runs are good.
Don Kelly at 1B tonight, as Cabrera gets a rare rest.
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Don Kelly, 1B
3. Delmon Young, LF
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Alex Avila, C
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Andy Dirks, RF
8. Ramon Santiago, 2B
9. Brandon Inge, 3B
Nice game picture
Well we may not get home field in the playoffs, but at least we won’t have to face the Royals.
So….is our offense just taking this series off?
See post below.
Watch, as Leyland “tunes up” the team over the last 9 games.
So….I guess Home Field Advantage isn’t important? No need to keep starters playing from getting rusty….
To paraphrase a line from ‘Treasure of the Sierra Madre’: “We don’t need no stinking home-field advantage.”
Great, now they bring me in, Tigers are doomed
So….what exactly was the reason for working Fister and Scherzer today? Are any other playoff contenders doing this kind of madness? Aren’t they risking throwing off their routines?
See my above post.
Good call on the PH by the Smoking Man
DONKEY’D
Lol, at the mention of Sean Casey. I still forget why we thought he was so great. He was a slick defender and a great guy, but he wasn’t even an upgrade over Chris Shelton.
Sean Casey’s swing was really ugly. It sucked.
I don’t get pulling Fister after 39 pitches just so that Valverde can get an easy save.
It’s in THE BOOK.
Yeah, but… bringing a starting pitcher in to start the 6th inning to get schedules arranged for the playoffs is not a by-the-book situation.
I know, I know, doesn’t matter…
I guess that’s what makes Leyland such a great manager – you just never know what he is going to do. 😉
I’m guessing (hoping) that Fister threw an extended session before or after.
Yeah, Beck tweeted: 39 pitches for Fister tonight. He’s finishing out his pitch count in #Tigers bullpen.
Same reason you never pull a pitcher that’s throwing a no-hitter. Valverde is dancing with history; he’s earned every save opportunitity that the team can give him. If it were a 4 run lead, Fister would have finished the game.
We only need to tie Texas to get home-field advantage due to our winning the season series against them, but I think their schedule is easier from here out. On the other hand, I don’t feel especially bad about starting the season in NY with Verlander and Fister, before coming back home. Also, it may be better to play a 5-game series vs the Yankees as opposed to a 7-game series.
Also frustrating: Brandon McCarthy gets pulled after 79 pitches against the Rangers after 7 with a one run lead. Balfour enters and gives up two homers in the eighth to Kinsler and Hamilton.