Chris Archer vs. Anibal Sanchez today.

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Detroit Tigers on BBREF or MLB

Tampa Bay Rays on BBREF or MLB

TODAY’S LINEUPS:  Sorry, Ray. This is a Tigers blog. Victor is out, yup and (long-term) uh-oh. The Lettuce is in and AJax is back at leadoff, cue fan outrage. But Davis is in LF today and may distract us, positively speaking.

NOTABLE (PREGAME): Last night can be summed up in the phrase “not good enough.” Not terrible, except for Mr. Gilded Mexican Headwear at the plate, but not good enough. Smyly, apparently, either has it or doesn’t, no gutting it out or battling back for him. He didn’t have it, and was in one batter too long when Sean Rodriguez put the nail in the coffin. Not good enough. Alex Cobb bested the Tigers for 5, and when the base-loaded, no outs situation came to be, getting one run out of it was clearly not good enough. Lost in the shuffle was great defense from Kinsler to get one out on a run-scoring play and some nice defense at 3B by Kelly in the 9th… As we contemplate the deals Detroit (or the Olde English DD) might make before the trade deadline, one thing to remember is that any meaningful suggestion starts with giving up someone you’d rather not. Cabrera, Victor, Kinsler, Verlander, and Sanchez are all off the table, of course. Scherzer might not be off the table, but when you consider where the Tigers are (1st place) and a big reason why (Scherzer), well then, I guess Scherzer is off the table. What do the Tigers need so badly that they would give up the young talent of Porcello, Smyly, Castellanos, or Suarez to get? Or current hot ticket J.D.? (Nothing.) What’s left of the good to pretty good, and what of that is – more or less – surplus? Hunter? Davis? Surely not Alburquerque or Chamberlain? What’s to gain, what’s the need? Bullpen, you say. Well, they can probably get Joaquin Benoit at a reasonable price in trade, but is even that really worth it? Does Benoit put this team over the top? So why’d they let him go? Counting on Rondon? Anyway, some of us would love to unload Jackson or Avila, but the return would not be flashy or likely to solve anything immediately. Unlike last season, Detroit doesn’t have to make any deals at all. No Garcia situation, no Peralta situation. But Mr. Dombrowski may have something shrewd and more subtle up his sleeve just the same, planning for September/October even now… I guess it’s safe to say that J.D. Martinez is for real… Unfortunately, the recent aches and pains of the other Martinez are also for real. Victor (back soreness, right side) might be “back” for the Dodgers. Or he might not. Chronic isn’t what we want to hear, but it’s the word I’m starting to see in my crystal ball. Uh-oh.

POSTGAME Look away, it’s hideous.

* Stats, facts, graphics, and assorted coolness courtesy of http://www.baseball-reference.com  and http://mlb.mlb.com  and http://beck.mlblogs.com

Hurray for all the good citizens and inhabitants of this fine country, past and present. Hurray for all the champions and defenders of American liberty, now and ever. Hurray for freedom and civil society. Hurray for making the most of it and making it better. For everyone. Except for assorted criminals and saboteurs, such as the Tampa Bay Rays.

Alex Cobb vs. Drew Smyly tonight.

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Detroit Tigers on BBREF or MLB

Tampa Bay Rays on BBREF or MLB

TURNING BASERUNNERS INTO RUNS

TONIGHT’S LINEUPS: Where’s Nick? Oh, right. Watch out, Don. Could be going around.

NOTABLE (PREGAME): Last night, fine D in the 3rd from Castellanos and Suarez took two Tampa Bay hits off the board and helped Scherzer cruise the rest of the way. The only Tigers batter not to reach was Suarez. How good was that offense? Cabrera reached 4 times and scored 4 times, and yet was surpassed in statistical big game by both V. Martinez and Hunter. That’s how good. Chad Smith got that elusive third out in the 9th without intervening hits. There is so much to praise about Scherzer’s performance that I’ll settle for one thing: He pitched the last 7 innings like he didn’t have the lead. Still not a bad idea to lift him. Save that next CG for an adrenaline game… We all know why Cabrera’s doubles were way down last year, don’t we? They are back with a vengeance this season. Miggy is on pace for 90 XBH in 2014, which would eclipse anything previous from him – and that’s saying a lot. 

POSTGAME Sombrero Man deserves some heat, but see play of the game. 16% is big. Boxberger 1, Hunter 0.

* Stats, facts, graphics, and assorted coolness courtesy of http://www.baseball-reference.com and http://mlb.mlb.com and Betsy Ross and Coleman

Erik Bedard vs. Max Scherzer tonight.

Game preview

Detroit Tigers on BBREF or MLB

Tampa Bay Rays on BBREF or MLB

Team comparison: The Rays are stronger in the OF, at 3B, and in the bullpen, but are otherwise overmatched.

DETROIT HITTING RE24/WPA – PITCHING RE24/WPA

DETROIT RECENT HITTING – RECENT PITCHING

TAMPA BAY HITTING RE24/WPA – PITCHING RE24/WPA

TAMPA BAY RECENT HITTING – RECENT PITCHING

TONIGHT’S LINEUPS: Victor is back.

NOTABLE (PREGAME): The Tigers just swept the best team in the AL to finish the first half on one of the season’s highest notes… The emergence of one and the decline of two have combined to yield a fluid situation in the outfield that may yet turn a weakness into a strength… Detroit is rumored to have trade interest in Joaquin Benoit. Given his contract, I find this hard to believe… Ian Krol has been cleared for rehab assignment and is expected to rejoin the team within a week or so.

POSTGAME

* Stats, facts, graphics, and assorted coolness courtesy of http://www.baseball-reference.com and http://mlb.mlb.com

So much to talk about.

We could start with Rick Porcello, who finds himself in serious All-Star starter contention after posting his second consecutive complete game shutout.  His four hit gem yesterday saw first pitch strikes to 24 of 31 batters, and extended his scoreless streak to 25 innings. Porcello had 0 Ks and 0 walks last night, the first time that has happened in a CG shutout in 25 years.

His success is coming despite a K rate of 5.2 /9. His success can be attributed to a number of things, but defense has got to be a big part of it. Porcello is inducing groundballs like pro-am day at the driving range. More agile, and well placed, fielders are making a huge difference.

And how about JD Martinez? In June he slugged at a .702 clip and posted a 1.069 OPS, and he’s on pace for a 2.000 OPS for July!

Continuing, starting pitching has returned to form as of late, and if JV wins today, he’ll be at .500 for the season. I still don’t get how the 1st inning run in his last start out was earned. WP gets Altuve the 3rd, wild throw, an error on Avila, gets the run home. Are pitchers at fault b/c of the wild pitch?

Anyway, a chance to sweep the AL leading and monster hitting A’s doesn’t come about every day. It would be a great way to hammer the final nail in the 10-20 coffin (though I think that thing is pretty well sealed).

1. Jackson, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, DH
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. Avila, C
8. Romine, SS
9. Davis, LF

Last night’s ultimate slam was epic. I felt fortunate to be listening. But it only counts as one win. We gotta win this series.

For whatever reason the Tigers have had the A’s number over the past few years, and David Schoenfiled postulates that the Tigers may be in Oakland’s head. I wouldn’t take it that far, but it has been wonderful theater.

*****

Last night the ’84 team was honored (again). It’s still cool. Check out the fans roaring “Louuuuuuuuuu” one more time. Man I used to love that.

We should have a Trammell/Whitaker HoF discussion on here one day. I called into a local radio show when I was 14 and asked about them. They hosts said they were on the fence.

VMart is out again, hopefully this doesn’t last much longer.

1. Jackson, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, RF
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. Holaday, C
8. Suarez, SS
9. Davis, LF