Ian Kinsler is not at all happy about Angel Hernandez behind the plate, and he is not the only one—just the one willing to take the fine/suspension that is coming his way.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Anibal Sanchez vs Cole Hamels
McCann and Mikie continued their hot streaks, and Upton was Upton, but nobody else did much of anything.
Supposedly the Tigers and Astros are still discussing a Verlander trade.
And SS Isaac Paredes is ripping it up for the West Michigan Whitecaps: in 5 games his has hit .400 with 3 HR.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Justin Verlander vs AJ Griffin
The bullpen purge continues; yesterday Mujica was Mudhenned, today it’s Bruce Rondon, who got the quick hook after starting his last appearance off with back-to-back walks. Eventually they will cut this guy loose.
The good news is Michael Fulmer is back from the DL.
The other good news is that even though I apparently jinxed Mikie Mahtook, who took an 0-for-5 after I spotlighted him (and chose him in Beat the Streak), James McCann still stayed hot.
Not much has been said about McCann, but since the break he has hit .354 with a .906 OPS. Getting the starting job back seems to agree with him.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Michael Fulmer vs Martin Perez
It’s hard to be a curmudgeon with a mean streak when the Tigers pull out a game the way they did last night. It’s hard to say enough about Mikie Mahtook. Since the break he has been hitting .361 with an OPS of 1.037.
Maybe it was sharp scouting or maybe just plain baseball luck, but the Tigers really seemed to have pulled one off when they picked up Mahtook for some player to be named later. (OK I looked it up, some minor leaguer named Drew Smith, who Tampa has since released and is now on the Mets AA team). And the best thing, with the Tigers dire salary predicament, is that they are getting all this for $541,000. Mahtook is not eligible for arbitration until 2019, and free agency until 2022.
Still, Justin Upton upstaged Mikie with the walkoff. Another one. Upton is the one player playing up to his very high salary. I shudder to think where this offense would be without him.
Miguel Cabrera left last night’s game with back stiffness and is taking today off. Although in this down season, John Hicks may even be an upgrade.
Edward Mujica pitched himself back to Toledo; the Tigers call up RH Jeff Farrell.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Matthew Boyd vs Ervin Santana
Today’s game starts early, to give Nick time to tag up and get to 3rd.
Alex Presley back up in the newest chapter in the mystery thriller The Adduci Recusal. Adduci back to Mudville
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Jose Berrios
Well, a slow day in my head, so let’s just check in with what
The Donkey, Don Kelly, has been up to.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Sanchie vs Gibsy
“You can’t help but notice it, especially after four-five innings. But you just have to remind yourself it is a long way to go. Really after six is when I kind of really start to step on the gas and go for it, and I fell one out shy of that. After that it is like, ‘OK,’ let’s keep pitching and see if we can get deep in the game, save the bullpen and get us a ‘W.'”
That’s all Verlander had to say about getting Nicked for one hit. You knew he would be professional about it. Still, the look on his face when that ball went through Castellanos was priceless.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Drew VerHagen vs Gerrit Cole
Well, hell of a day to be late on the game post. Because there are important happenings afoot.
Yes, MLB has finally realized they have to do something for the players. Because they work so hard, for peanuts, in anonymity. So this upcoming weekend is player appreciation week. And as part of this much overdue gesture to finally play attention to the players, there will be a weekend where the players get to play in weird jerseys with their nicknames on them.
And, by some strange coincidence, the fans will be able to pay very large but well merited amounts for these said jerseys, because MLB is thinking about the fans while honoring the players, because they are nice that way.
Loon will finally be able to get his “Sanchie” jersey, which makes me happy inside.
The teams apparently had veto power over the nicknames. I guess that explains why Nick is “Nick.” I guess they vetoed “E-5.”
I would like to take credit for this nickname jersey idea—I mean, our blog was talking up nicknames DAYS ago—but since they already had jerseys made up…probably a coincidence.
Candelario was too late to the party for a nickname jersey. Still, he must still be a mite peeved that Iglesias is Candelito. Total nickname blocking there!
Oh, also I predict Verlander will pitch very well today.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Justin Verlander vs Ivan Nova
Congratulations to the Tigers last night for finishing their game in only 2:37. I’m glad they are addressing that game length problem they have.
The WAR numbers say that Justin Upton is EASILY the most valuable player on the team. In fact he probably could take the rest of the season off and yet still win that. Do we all agree that he is the team MVP?
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Matt Boyd vs Chad Kuhl
I predict “Hanging Chad” Kuhl leaves one for Upton.
There isn’t much good to say about last night’s game, other than to point out the job done by the Sunday Scrubs: Hicks, Romine and Machado combined for a 7-for-12 bottom of the order barrage.
Jose Iglesias is on the bereavement list (always hate hearing that). That means that Jeimer Candelario gets the call, the guy we got from Chicago in the Wilson-Avila trade. We don’t get to see him right away, since Jim Leyland forgot to tell Brad Ausmus about the rule where you have to start a guy on the day you bring him up. There will be pinch-hitting opportunities though, with this National League park business.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Trevor Williams
Jordan Zimmermann is in the lineup twice, once as a pitcher and once as a hitter. I hope Brad catches that before the game; I’m not sure if that is legal.
All good things must come to an end, especially unexpected winning streaks.
Another good day for Upton though. And Mahtook. The outfield has actually been looking like a strong point of the team.
Today’s Lineup:
A bit of a surprise, Miggy gets the day off.
Justin Upton hit his 3rd grand slam of the season, and has taken an insurmountable lead in the WAR category. He has first nailed down. He is overpaid, but worth every dollar.
The MudHen boys are not to be overlooked though: a home run for the Mysterious Jim Adduci, and 3 great plays by Mikie, including a home-run robbing catch.
The Tigers continue to steamroll the AL East. We’ll see how that goes with Drew VerHagen subbing for Michael Fulmer.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Drew VerHagen vs Wade Miley
First time in Tigers history, back-to-back starts by a pitcher whose last name starts with “Ver.”
