I don’t have too much to say about last night’s game, other than it was a pitching duel, as expected. Fulmer is good.
Jordan Zimmermann? Hmm. Bleacher Report thinks he might be one of the worst free agent pitcher signings ever.
The best thing possible for the Tigers would be for JZ to roll off 4 or 5 great starts in a row, and then find a pitching-starved team like the Mets to take him.
Papa Avila had a radio interview today. If you read between the lines, it seems doubtful that JD Martinez will be around next year. Unless they can unload a Zimmermann on somebody. The Tigers are well over they salary tax limit (they’d have to cut about 20 million), which means as 3rd time offenders they pay a 50% tax. So JD is currently at $11,750,00. If they pay him $21 million next year, assuming they don’t cut another $30 million from their payroll, he will cost them over $30 million with the penalties.
I don’t think there is any way that happens, unless they dump a Cabrera/Martinez/Verlander/Zimmermann salary somehow. The only question is do they try to trade him, or keep him this year then let him walk.
In other news (check out Storman Norman’s link), Anthony Gose had his first appearance as a pitcher and apparently was winging it at 99. There aren’t too many lefties out there who can do that. If you listen to the interview with Al Avila linked above, it was legit (they had their own guns on him). Interesting.
Today’s What, No Alex? Lineup:
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- JD Martinez, RF
- Justin Upton, LF
- Mikie Mahtook, CF
- James McCann, C
- Jose Iglesias, SS
Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Lance McCullers Jr.
Today’s pitching matchup contains the most pitching matchup names letters of the season. You’re welcome, I thought you’d like to know that.
Also the greatest number of paired identical consonants. Probably.
Yes, I, too, doubt that Detroit will hold on to J.D. Martinez. They painted themselves into a corner while making other plans, really, much as happened with Max Scherzer. There was a slew of win-now contracts that did the painting, hearty endorsed or dictated by Mike Ilitch, and it didn’t stop with Dombrowski, not quite. Sanchez, V-Mart, Zimmermann, Upton, not to mention the minor debacles of Nathan, Pelfrey, and Lowe.
What if Upton opts out after 2017? What’s the picture then?
Ah well, J.D. was like found money. Great story, wish he could stay.
Coleman…Not opposed to putting Miggy out there.
He is not going to age very well… Love to have
him as a life long Tiger but….For the good of
the team …. if we could pillage some good young
players for the Big Fella…..just saying…
Zimmerman triggers my negative gene…I give the Tigers a 4 out of 10 chance to make the post season… Watching the Celts compete vs. Cleveland is way more interesting and better for my blood pressure…
Sanchez’s first start at Toledo has gone pretty much as he was pitching up here. Maybe Gose will save us. Zimm looks very ordinary, and our offense keeps K-ing. No 9 runs of support tonight for Zimm.
Z pitching tonight …and DET offense …ZZZZZZZ
Could be I’ve been unfair to Zimm tonight. At the end of 6 he’s given up 2 runs (one more between Casty and J-Up). In a normalgame we should be within a run. Infield hit by Miggy explains the bats.
Mikey had the only hit last night and now a 2 run HR. Maybe we should bring back the other Mudhens we sent down.
Casty still has a shot for a fielding hat trick.
It’s hard to give any team 4 unearned runs and expect a good result.
Raise your hand with me if you knew this game would happen almost exactly like it did!
.195..200…205..225…219….starting line up batting averages……..
…and the two steps forward, three steps back journey continues
i must admit though, HOU is one of the top 5 teams in the AL…with a very good pitching staff and a solid lineup
Castellanos 9 errors through just 46 games – and that stat in itself is a big concern, but it is also magnified by his lack of range… if he doesn’t start hitting soon, Romine could be platooning at 3B