Game 2012.18: Mariners at Tigers

Well, it’s not about Brandon Inge.

So, what is it about?

Is it about the lack of a mean streak?

Is there a mean SOB in the minor league system who could replace the friendly Inge?

Yes, there was another Bad Max sighting.  But the Tigers scored a relatively healthy 4 runs, with comforting contributions from the middle of the order.  Still, they were no match for the mild Mariners, and consternation brews.

Is it about epic failures with runners on 3rd and less than 2 out?  Are the Tiger hitters too impatient, letting starting pitchers off the hook? Too many strikeouts? Inability to advance runners? A big hole in the lineup with whoever is scribbled in as 2B?

I will look at all of these issues and more in tommorow’s post (this in the tradition of the Anglo-Saxon beot).

Tonight the Tigers try to get back on track with Rookie Adam Wilk facing King Felix Hernandez. Tiger-Killer Hernandez has won 8 consecutive decisions against Detroit, so…good luck with that, kid.

And what’s up with Andy Dirks? He has been out 8 days now with a day-to-day mild hamstring something.  If he could play, he would (Smokey is going full-bore lefty tonight)…if not, why not DL him, and bring up Clete? (oops).

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Today’s random note:  Jeremy Bonderman is contemplating a comeback.

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Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Delmon Young

The Tigers need a mean streak. Delmon once threw his bat at an umpire.

Today’s Donkeiago Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Brennan Boesch RF
  3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
  4. Prince Fielder 1B
  5. Delmon Young DH
  6. Alex Avila C
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Ramon Santiago 2B
  9. Don Kelly LF

12 thoughts on “Game 2012.18: Mariners at Tigers”

  1. Well, we got a run, so we deserve a comment…if Boesch heats up it will make a huge difference.

  2. This is one of the few situations where it would actually be nice to have Daniel “Human White Flag” Schlereth in the bullpen.

  3. After tomorrow afternoon’s game, the Tigers go to NY for 3 against the Yankees.

    Going into today’s game, the mighty Mariners were hitting .233 as a team – the Yankees are hitting .281… and better at home.

    Floundering in April is better than August or Sept… but its still floundering.

  4. I don’t know this team is beginning to be like a broken record, no offense & terrible defense. Alot of lazy flyballs. Jhonny Peralta is brutal and Adam Wilk needs to accept the fact that he sucks…Why doesn’t Below get to start…he has earned it.

  5. If I remember correctly ….. everyone was also moaning and groaning at this time last year.
    There is a long way still to go ….. the season is far from a write-off ….. blue sky’s are ahead.

    1. I agree it’s a long season,but, last year had a lot of flukes…77-0 when leading after 7. Peralta having a career year,no significant injuries to the pitching staff ( I believe). The knowns are: Our defense is worse than it was a year ago at nearly every position in the infield. Peralta is 1 yr older, Cabby at 3B, Fielder at 1st, etc. Our pen can NOT be better than last year, and our offense will be hard pressed to be better (Fielder is replacing Victor) so, we have essentially swapped a weak 3B last year for a weak DH this year. JV will struggle to have as good a year as last year. Now the good news: We won the division by 15 games last year, Martinez may return. Ajaxx, Boesch, Dotel, Dirks, Porcello, & Smyly can be an improvement over last year. In the end, I believe you are right “tigers rule” but, we have all seen baseball be a more fickle game than any other and “Paper” can mean nothing. There are some red flags,but, once we get some consistent pitching again…we will win. The hitting is fun to talk about,but, the pitching will determine our fate.

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