The Tigers stop in Chicago for a couple, but not with that team with the annoying announcer, for 2 with the Cubbies. Tonight Anibal Sanchez will try to keep the ball within the friendly confines, and Brad Ausmus will match wits with Joe Maddon. who goes weeks without changing his socks.
I’m off to watch the Royals and Reds, a game that I assumed way back when would be an important one. So much for that.
The Cubs have released their starting lineup already, but not the Tigers, the slackers, so I’ll have to leave that to one of our fine commentators here.
Just back from the three-game Astro series. Some observations:
a. Tigers did a fairly good job against baserunners by picking off a couple. However there was the Astro suicide squeeze run to perfection….hmmm….the Tigers had the same opportunity and Davis KS’ed. Was good to see Kinsler enthusiam against the umpires and him getting the boot from the dugout. Meanwhile no need to even mention the bullpen as all DTW’ers know that story. Just terrible to watch it unfold. However Brad did spared us from a Krol attack in game 3!
b. Not very many Tiger fans in attendance. We sat behind the Tiger dugout on the 3B side. Games attended in St. Louis and KC had many more Tiger fans in attendance sporting smiling faces. Not these games…maybe a sign of things to come both home and away?
c. Astro fans are ok but most really seemed lost and needed to be in their other stadium watching the Texans play. However I wish them luck in the upcoming playoffs as it seems they will make them. Jose Altuve is a crowd pleaser and it is fun to watch someone who really “enjoys playing.” Also glad to see the Astros recognizing Biggio for making the HoF. Well deserved and a class act by the Astros!
d. It was very cool to see the roof open up after Friday’s game for the fireworks. The fireworks were set off to a variety of Queen’s greatest hits. Of the three games, perhaps the most excitment for Tiger fans along with some of Miggy shebangs off or over the walls of Minute Maid!
today’s lineup against the cubbies
1. CF Anthony Gose
2. 2B Ian Kinsler
3. 1B Miguel Cabrera
4. RF J.D. Martinez
5. LF Tyler Collins
6. 3B Nick Castellanos
7. C James McCann
8. SS Jose Iglesias
9. RHP Anibal Sanchez
Nice write-up, Only Tiger.
So from what you say, it’s sounds like you were very nearly the “Only Tiger Fan in Texas” also, huh?
@Coleman: I liked your write-up too. And you said:
” but not with that team with the annoying announcer”.
If I recall, is that the guy who always says, upon a Tiger making an out, “He gone!”? I hate listening to such a high school-caliber announcer like that! (Good thing we have Mario Impemba!)
Hawk Harrelson is the “he gone ” guy with the White Sox. Steve Stone his partrner makes up fot the fact that no one can stand Harrelson! Stone is ok.
Just watched Eugenio Suarez go long.
I see Longbal Sanchez is at it again.
In my mind Long-Ball will always be Benoit.
Fortunately, we know how to play Longball in this park too ——Gose, Kinsler, & JD (so far)——I like it!
Hope we get back soon; haven’t heard any weather reports.
Dombrowski is President of the Red Sox.
In all sincerity, I say “Lucky Boston”.
Anyone listening, or watching, know when game might resume?
11:30
We’re back. And 1st guy we send out after break is Gorzy.
He survives so far; how long can he last?
Cubbies must be licking their chops —–6 innings of Tigers’ ‘pen?
Kinsler’s swing looks great of late.
Tigers not very good at getting fly ball with runner on 3rd, 0 or 1 out.
Can’t remember last time.
Yeah, keep changing pitchers, Brad. I’m far from being a Tom G fan, but hey! ——like we have a premiere bullpen, right?
If Aus is trying to out-Madden Madden, it won’t work!
Iif everyone gets to pitch an inning, what happens after Rondon allows the Cubs to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th?
Better ask Ausmus, PHToy; he’s got it all figured out.
Actually, what is the rationale for batting Iggy 8th? I could understand 9th, but why put someone with a high OBP in front of a pitcher who almost never gets to bat? Even the Cub’s pitcher is batting 8th in the order.
My response would be the same as my last one, and yes, that’s a good point.
Out at home —–I guess we want that record badly.
Well, of course you take the risk there, because you don’t want to get stuck in a situation with bases loaded and Miguel Cabrera batting. Oh wait…
Rule of thumb is if fielder doesn’t have the ball when foot hits the bag you send them ..not only did the outfielder have the ball he was setting to throw when Iggy made the turn….#18 leads the MBL in throw outs at the plate…Clarke you might as well go with Jones, Lamont ,and Ausmus at the years end…pitcher on deck….oh! Just Miggy!!!!!…
Why now!!! AUSMUS YOU ARE Stupid…Hardy pitches to the LH…oh wait he just jacked one…now lets bring in the LH ….pitcher to pitch to the next LH….I can’t take trying to fix stupid!
Aus (& coaches) might as well author a book, “What to do when you don’t have a clue what to do”.
I am still suffering from jet lag, but I think I might have seen the Tigers bunt TWICE! in the same 1/2 inning, then score some runs!
Wow! TWO bunts hits, 2nd one a sac, except Kins beat it out. Then JD finally gets that elusive fly ball for a sac & RBI. Then 0-3 Nick gets clutch hit. Sadly tho, 4-4 Iggy makes 3rd out.
Well, not a bad inning tho!
(Still shaking my head in disbelief, and I wasn’t watching, having probs with my stream feed ——did Ausmus actually call for both bunts??).
This just in from MLB headquarters :..
Dear Coach Brad, it is perfectly legal to just tap the ball in front of the plate, for the purpose of moving runners, or try to get on base…signed…Bud Selig ( ret)
BRAD Turns to Lamont and says, what the hell lets try it!!!!!
I believe that must have been what transpired!
Well it sure is great to see the Tigers actually battle…an entire game..and come out on top. And its only 11:05…oops forgot about you guys in the Midwest…haha!…this was worth staying up for boys!!!!!!
Kaline, they frickin bunted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jud, I had no video in that inning. Do you know = both bunted on their own, or coaches’ call? Must have been mgr’s call on the sac/hit (Kinsler’s), right?
Amen to that Jud… i bowed out before they resumed play (after 2 1/2 hr rain delay).
…i guess, Kinsler and DET offense came to the realization that if they want to win games DET hitters will have to carry the load…with DET having the 2nd to worst relief AND starting pitching in the AL.
though DET has more than enough mediocre or worse pitchers, i have to believe they have someone in their farm system that can produce better results than Buck Farmer
Maybe they discussed bunting with Gose in the dugout. But theres no way either bunt was called from Clarke or Ausmus in my opinion. Both were imptomptu from what I saw. With Kinsler swinging the hot bat he just pulled that out at the moment….
Lots of key performances tonite (practically all on offensive side), but player of the day has to be Ian Kinsler. Not only is he swinging a filthy —-(I see ya, Rod) bat, but great thinking on that bunt hit surprise.
KINSLER FOR MANAGER!
Against Lester, here’s your DET Tiger starting lineup:
1. LF Rajai Davis
2. 2B Ian Kinsler
3. 1B Miguel Cabrera
4. RF J.D. Martinez
5. 3B Nick Castellanos
6. C James McCann
7. SS Jose Iglesias
8. CF Anthony Gose
9. LHP Daniel Norris
I have some friends going to the game, just texted me saying its a great day weather-wise in Chicago today