The Tigers are in one of those funks where they seem to find a new way to lose every day. Yesterday was Justin Wilson’s turn. Previously he was close to perfect, you knew he’d give up a couple eventually.

I look forward to getting on one of those rolls where you seem to win in lucky ways every daly instead. We might have to wait until Miggy and JD are back for that though.

I think we all pretty much agreed before the season that the Tigers are a .500-ish team, but with Miggy and JD both out of the lineup even that seems like a reach.

Today’s Let’s Stop The Bleeding Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Tyler Collins, CF
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Jim Adduci, RF
8. John Hicks, 1B
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Miguel Gonzalez

JZ was not very good his last time out.

Nick brought his cast iron glove with him to the park yesterday, and kicked away two consecutive double play grounders, for three errors total (he should have had 4, on a ball that was somehow ruled a single). After the game Omar Vizquel consoled him: the great Vizquel himself had a game with 3 errors in which he cost the Indians 7 unearned runs. Yikes. Bad days happen (although it would be nice if Nick could be a little more Vizquel-like on his good days).

Alex Wilson took the loss, unfairly, after giving up only the 2 unearned runs and working his way out of the situation. Jimenez gave up another bomb and isn’t impressing anyone yet.

Today’s Lettucey Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Mikie Mahtook, RF
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. John Hicks, 1B
7. James McCann, C
8. Andrew Romine, CF
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Michael Fulmer vs Derek Holland

The bullpen is still good whenever Justin Wilson is on the mound, bad the rest of the time. The offense apparently wore itself out scoring 19 in the first game, and couldn’t hit anything Wednesday or yesterday, except for Crash Collins, who smoked a couple doubles, and smoked Adduci while he was fielding a fly ball.

Today’s C’mon Guys, It’s Just Pelfrey Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Tyler Collins, CF
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Jim Adduci, RF
8. John Hicks, 1B
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Matthew Boyd vs Mike Pelfrey

Jose Iglesias is back from the concussion DL, Blaine “Ball Four” Hardy sent back down. The Tigers send out their ace to the deciding game of the Blowpen Bowl. Then again, Seattle started with their ace, and we see how that worked out for them.

Unless the rain says otherwise. As of 12:30 there is a tarp on the field.

Today’s Blowpen Rubber Game Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Tyler Collins, CF
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. Alex Avila 1B
7. Jim Adduci, RF
8. James McCann, C
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Justin Verlander vs Hisashi Iwakumi

The Tigers took round one in the Blowpen Bowl, as the two teams combined to throw an astounding 240 bullpen pitches. The Tigers came out on top by 10, but somehow had to use 5 relief pitchers in doing it.

Poor Dixon Machado was 0-for-1 with a walk; everybody else in the lineup, pinch-hitters and late-inning replacements included, had at least one hit, and 7 players had multiple hits. How is this for the bottom of the order: Jim Adduci, 3-for-6 with a double and triple; James McCann, 2-for-5 with a home run and 4 RBI, and Andrew Romine, 3-for-6 with an RBI.  Of course that might mean they get shut out the rest of the series, but it was fun to watch. The hitting part, that is.

Today’s Let’s Get to That Bullpen Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Mike Mahtook, RF
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. John Hicks 1B
7. James McCann, C
8. Dixon Machado, SS
9. Andrew Romine, CF

Pitching: Daniel Norris vs James Paxton

Well the Toledo Tigers really came through. It’s great to see a guy like Jim Adduci come through; 31 years old and only 136 career MLB at bats and two years playing in Korea, he made his Tiger debut a memorable one. Remember “can’t miss” prospect Steven Moya? He’s only hitting .122 in Toledo and got passed over for Adduci. There is a nice piece on Adduci here.

JaCoby Jones, Jose Iglesias, JD Martinez, Miguel Cabrera. That’s a lot of DL talent. If these guys can even scrap their way to playing .500 ball until guys start coming back, it would be a win.

Today’s Adduci Edition Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Tyler Collins, CF
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. Alex Avila, 1B
7. Jim Adduci, RF
8. James McCann, C
9. Andrew Romine, SS

Pitching: Jordan Zimmerman vs Felix Hernandez

That was a great win, all things considered.

As if a 4-day losing streak (most of which were lost in frustrating fashion) weren’t bad enough, the Tigers have just put Miguel Cabrera on the 10-day DL with groin issues, and brought up John Hicks.

Today’s Not Exactly Awe Inspiring Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Mike Mahtook, RF
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. James McCann, C
7. John Hicks, 1B
8. Jacoby Jones, CF
9. Dixon Machado, SS

Pitching: Matt Boyd vs Adalberto Mejia

Jose Iglesias to the 7-day concussion DL (the other Iggy, of the Pop variety, turns 70 today).

Joe Jimenez is back from Toledo, and Justin Upton is back in the lineup.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Nick Castellanos, 3B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. Mike Mahtook, RF
7. James McCann, C
8. Andrew Romine, LF
9. Jacoby Jones, CF
10. Andrew Romine, SS

Pitching: Justin Verlander vs Hector Santiago

We have the Most Interesting Ninth Innings in the World.

There can be 500 more double play balls hit and none of them will result in the freak ending that we had yesterday. Of course, it would have been nicer to not be in a position where we needed a double play to save the game in the 9th. Fans should get a free Tums whenever Frankie comes in; now there would be a good promotion.

Iglesias out after taking a knee to the jaw, Upton due to return Friday, JD probably next week.

Today’s Who Would Have Predicted This Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Tyler Collins, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, DH
4. Nick Castellanos, 3B
5. Alex Avila, 1B
6. James McCann, C
7. Andrew Romine, LF
8. Jacoby Jones, CF
9. Dixon Machado, SS

Pitching: Daniel Norris vs Erasmo Ramirez

It’s all great when guys like Andrew Romine and Alex Avila get some big hits, but that’s only going to get you so far when the top half of the lineup is on vacation.

This is what we’ve got so far:

.200 / .748 Ian Kinsler

.204 / .672 Nick Castellanos

.222 / .784 Miguel Cabrera

.205 / .499 Victor Martinez

Upton is starting to come around (.250/.844), although he sits tonight for the Big Lettuce.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Nick Castellanos, 3B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Tyler Collins, RF
6. James McCann, C
7. Andrew Romine, LF
8. Jacoby Jones, CF
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Chris Archer

Archer is having a great season so far: 2-0, 2.32.