Game 75: Tigers at Padres

PREGAME: The Tigers rap up their road portion of interleague today in San Diego. The pitching match-up will be Justin Verlander and Randy Wolf.

Miguel Cabrera is Hungry Like A Wolf (I know, it’s awful) with 22 career plate appearances, 10 hits, 2 homers, and 3 walks against Randy. Lefties have been hitting Wolf to the rune of a 997 OPS this year so I’d like to see Granderson stay in the lineup. Wolf has been much tougher at Petco with a 2.45 ERA there and a 5.84 everywhere else.

DET @ SDP, Sunday, June 22, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com

Game Time 4:05

POSTGAME: I like the winning. Justin Verlander had the live fastball thing working with 10 K’s. However he also had 5 walks, 2 of them intentional. That makes for a lot of pitches and he was at 115 when he was lifted with one out in the 6th.

  • Very nice job by Bobby Seay coming into a 2 on, 1 out situation and getting out of it unscathed.
  • Pudge Rodriguez walked twice and picked up his first unassisted homer of the season. Don’t look now, but his OBP is up to .325.
  • Magglio Ordonez found his extra base groove with a double and a homer, following up on his homer last night.
  • Granderson hit the ball well again today, with only one hit to show for it. But seeing him take a left hander to the warning track twice was encouraging.
  • Joel Zumaya came in with the lead, and left with the lead. But he did allow a walk and a couple hits and had the tying run gunned down (closely) at the plate.

White Sox are down 6 in the 9th as I write this. Assuming the Cubs can hang on, the Tigers are only 5 games back with 87 games left on the schedule. That so seems doable.

Comments

238 responses to “Game 75: Tigers at Padres”

  1. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    not only did Renteria not want to bunt last night his opening at bat today he didn’t want to get a hit … ball way out of the strikezone …too hot to run the bases

  2. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    That was a bad pitch by Verlander on the Gonzalez home run. He threw back-to-back ugly breaking balls and then came with a predictable fast ball right down the middle.

  3. West Coast Tiger Avatar
    West Coast Tiger

    I hope that wasn’t the intended location.

  4. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    was that a 3-0 count or did I miss something

  5. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    Critical AB for Grandy and he couldn’t deliver…

  6. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    JV looks shaky here. Trouble locating his fastball and hurts himself throwing the ball away…

  7. billfer Avatar
    billfer

    Is there a sub 250 hitter that Rod doesn’t say is a good fastball hitter?

  8. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    sometimes it is the simle things that befuddle the Tigers..first a favorable count at 2-0…even a fly ball…even a ground ball they aren’t going to double you up…or even stretching the imagination a hit Granderson

  9. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    Well maybe not so shaky. Way to KO the side!

  10. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    5 K’s thru 2 innings for Verlander. 44 pitches too.

    Time to hit the run support button on my keyboard.

  11. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    I’d like to see a showdown between Wolf and Fossum for who can throw the softest.

  12. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Rayburn nice swing

  13. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    you battle a guy for 9 pitches then swing at a pitch that almost takes your head off..for a K …Rayburn

    …nice job Carlos as I was typing this

  14. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Maggs 3 for 23…Sheff numbers

  15. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Verlander gets another k on a 98 mph fastball. That’s number 6.

  16. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    Verlander was squeezed on the fifth pitch to Gonzalez. And look at the first pitch strike call against Miggy in the top of the inning. We’ve seen some very poor balls and strike calls this trip.

  17. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    The Padres uniforms today rival those of 1984 for hilarity

  18. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Verlander’s fastball looks real good right now.

  19. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    And ANOTHER k on a 97 mph fastball

  20. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    that K was in a serious location with speed…great pitch

  21. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    They can’t catch up to him! Bats are flying everywhere.

  22. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Paint those corners. That is so sweet to see.

  23. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    And number 8! 1-1 in the third.

  24. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    K-lander

  25. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    ATTA boy JV

  26. billfer Avatar
    billfer

    So there have been exactly 2 balls hit into the field of play against Verlander.

  27. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Amazingly, Gameday is claiming the FSN gun to be slow by about 2 mph. They have V hitting 99 on every other pitch

  28. billfer Avatar
    billfer

    As nice as the K’s are for Verlander, a couple first pitch infield pop out s would be helpful.

  29. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Thames is trying to prove he can hit more than jimmy jacks.

  30. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    He’s obviously bored with the the whole “home run” thing. He’ll try to hit for average for a while.

  31. Ken from Cincinnati Avatar
    Ken from Cincinnati

    This is a sight to see. Too bad JV’s pitch count is so high, otherwise he would be on pace for 24 Ks! I would at least like to see him reach 15.

  32. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    Pitch count is problematic for JV. Who can we rely on out of the pen toay?

  33. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    JV needs one quick inning for sure, billfer. I agree.

  34. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Wolf throws these eephus-like curves constantly. Marcus hammers one for a single.

  35. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    I will have to say. Leyland’s every other day for the catcher idea seems to be working so far. Pudge looks alot better at the plate.

  36. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Pudge walks is that counted as a hit for him!!!!

  37. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    BUNT BUNT BUNT

  38. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    I still would have rather seen a bunt…poor baseball…lefty lefty for Granderson…

  39. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    Thames should be at 3rd base, that was a mental error.

  40. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    You wanted Granderson to bunt to set up Verlander?

  41. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    And a hit and run call by JL with the pitcher at the plate is just stupid. WTF!?

  42. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    now we play STUPID BASEBALL fire LEYLAND…STUPID STUPID STUPID

  43. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Why would Grandy bunt? This is a NL game. Pitcher has to hit.

  44. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Wolf is clearly intimidated by the hitting prowess of Verlander

  45. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    Marcus should have been able to tag and advance on the Grandy fly ball. Definitely not the place for the bunt.

  46. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    why not bunt …or did you like the next play better!!!!!!!!!!!!

  47. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    runner on third one out anything could have happened….and it did

  48. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    I was questioning the desire for Granderson to bunt with Verlander on deck — which in my opinion is an obviosly poor decision.

  49. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Brian P

    That is what I was questioning. Not a Verlander bunt attempt.

  50. billfer Avatar
    billfer

    I’m requesting a Tigers extra base hit now.

  51. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    K 9! 12 pitch inning this time. Still 1-1 score.

  52. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    I would rather see the Tigers with the mindset that at least once every month or so a bunt is in order with a bunter at the plate runners on 1 and 2 or winning run potential late in games…JL just never does

  53. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Leyland sure likes that double-steal play with sloooooow runners on the bases. Some year he might get lucky and it will work.

  54. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Alright leadoff man on. Can we please get him in.

  55. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    maybe I answered my own questioning …JL never does

  56. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    The fastballs to Carlos were in the other batter’s box, not over the plate. Ugh.

  57. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Maggs please.

  58. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Thanks for answering my begging Maggs. 🙂

  59. billfer Avatar
    billfer

    That will suffice.

  60. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    What back spasms?

  61. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Edgar out slowed them to second they thought he was holding while he was running

  62. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    MAGGLIO!!!

  63. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Maggs homers on one of those ridiculous slow curves!!! 3-1 Tigers

  64. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Maggs Maggs Maggs Maggs

  65. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Brian good beg

  66. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    btw, Michael Barrett remains one of the worst defensive catchers I have ever seen in my life

  67. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    A fan is wearing a 1984 Rod Allen jersey. I want one!

  68. billfer Avatar
    billfer

    I would love it if the Tigers stopped walking pitchers.

  69. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    A K would be nice right now.

  70. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Why did Leyland intentionally walk the go-ahead run?

  71. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Because it was Adrian Gonzalez, pretty much the scariest hitter in the NL right now.

  72. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Nice job JV.

  73. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    nice work JV

  74. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Verlander gives up one run, but works out of a hell of a jam in what was probably his last inning. 3-2 Tigers

  75. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Your right on Dave. He has been the best hitter in the NL lately. Besides Larry Jones.

  76. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Who comes out of the pen to finish this game? RODNEY. Ha Ha. I’m sure Zoom will pitch later.

  77. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    I guess Verlander gets one more inning. I agree with that. I’ll come out and say that right now. No second guessing billfer.

  78. billfer Avatar
    billfer

    Grandy smokes 2 balls and nothing to show for it.

    I’m sorry, you have to pinch hit Verlander here. He’s got very little left and a runner in scoring positioin

  79. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Leyland is an idiot.

  80. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    This is madness on so many levels

  81. billfer Avatar
    billfer

    I have a feeling this is going to be one of those games where Verlander does pretty good, but Leyland leaves him in 3 batters too long

  82. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Inge would have made that throw 🙂

  83. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Double play right here.

  84. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Slim chance of scoring a run there with a pinch hitter. 1 in 4 chance the way Wolf is pitching.
    They are saving Polonco for something better.

  85. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    Wow. If that pickoff throw doesn’t hit Green, he’s standing on second base.

  86. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Damn. I tried to call it.

  87. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    I’ll take 1 chance in 4 over none at all. That’s two scoring opportunities squandered by the genius/

  88. mcb Avatar
    mcb

    Bilfer’s right!

  89. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Oh my, I’m absolutely shocked that didn’t work out, Jim

  90. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    And guess what – Verlander doesn’t get through the inning anyway.

  91. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    great job …I just hope we don’t piss this one away 50-50 chance only cause we are ahead

  92. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    To bad Verlander couldn’t have an easy inning here. With exception of the walks a good job by Verlander.

  93. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    I don’t care. Two cheap hits. I know they are still hits, but it’s not like they were smoked.

  94. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Tony the Tiger comes through for us.

  95. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Didn’t someone say last night that Seay’s numbers are better against righties?

  96. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    Bobby needs to join the strike-throwing bullpen sessions with Rodney.

    Phew. Game-saving defense by Cabrera.

  97. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    nice job miggy

  98. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Gil……….!!!!

  99. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Seay just improved his numbers against lefties!

  100. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    a seay K and nice catch by Cabrera end the inning. 3-2 Tigers.

  101. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Wow. Watch a catch. I hope his eyes were open for that one. I believe Miggy is getting alot better over there. That catch, and earlier getting off the bag to save an error on Guillen.

  102. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Perfect managing there. The result really couldn’t have worked out any better.

  103. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Cla Meredith has a neat sidearm delivery

  104. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Zumaya sighting

  105. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Maggs is in fuego!!!!

  106. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    MAGGLIO with another clutch hit.

  107. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Maggs………

  108. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Maggs doubles and Guillen runs from first to home. Fortunately, a bad throw got by Barrett, because Guillen would have otherwise been out easily. 4-2 Tigers

  109. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    That is a huge run.

  110. Jonathon Avatar
    Jonathon

    Does anybody else believe that Raburn could use a little trip down to Toledo? In the 40 games he’s played in, only twice has he had more than 1 hit. Get some confidence back in the guy.

  111. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    well here we go hopefully… the start of something long and good

  112. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Zumaya in, Inge takes over at 3rd, Guillen at 1st

  113. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    It would of taken a perfect throw to get Guillen, and it was almost perfect otherwise Guillen would of scored easily.

  114. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Part of Raburn’s troubles might be that he has had less than 80PA. Most of his games have been as a defensive replacement/pinch hiiter/pinch runner.

  115. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Would “have” taken… would “have” scored easily, my dear friend!

  116. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    I wonder if it is required that we walk the first guy on every time we go to the bullpen to start an inning

  117. Jonathon Avatar
    Jonathon

    that’s what i’m talking about Vince, he needs some more pt but where at, I don’t have the answer.

  118. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Nice catch Grandy. Thank God.

  119. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Zumaya gets an out, saints be praised!

  120. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Howe many CF make that look that easy

  121. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Lemme guess – Fossum and Rodney are warming up in the bullpen.

  122. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    How many CF make that look that easy

  123. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    judpma

    Not too many.

  124. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Zumaya please get this drowned rat out.

  125. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Another out at home. Holy Crap!!

  126. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Zoom made that inning look easy. Way to hold the lead.

    Well, that’s what I learned in my business communications class. Writing in a negative tone was prohibited in the class. For some reason I haven’t been able to change my positive tone since.

  127. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    wow

  128. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Thames with an outfield assist saves the inning from getting out of hand. 4-3 Tigers

  129. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Thames doesn’t move that fast, but he sure does get good results. He pulled off the old rope a dope play.

  130. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    thank you for fundemental baseball…get the ball quickly. hit your cut off …nice one bounce throw good tag,,,,helpfull call…OUT

  131. ron Avatar
    ron

    2 for 2 even though he was safe. TOO BAD.

  132. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    Oh wow. Just… wow.

  133. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    Pudge hit a home run? What?

  134. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Pudge is the man!!

  135. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    HR by Pudge… off Heat freakin’ Bell, of all crazy things! 5-3 Tigers

  136. K-man Avatar

    The worlds gonna end. Two walks and a homer for Pudge!

  137. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Pudge…is this still spring training!!!

  138. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Chief Monday

    The positive tone post was pretty funny. I was cracking up when I read it.

  139. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Jonathan, the fact that Raburn is so versatile in the field works against him as well. He’ll get a rare start here and there, but mostly because of his status as a replacement specialist, he probably won’t ever get to string too many ABs together.

  140. ron Avatar
    ron

    Way to go Pudge. Go Cubs.

  141. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Grandy is hitting really well right now. He had 2 hard outs, and now this hit. Very encouraging.

  142. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Chief:

    Exactly. The bottom of the 7th was managed perfectly by Leyland – couldn’t have turned out better. Give credit where credit is due, I say.

  143. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Brandon is in full K mode now…he isn’t coming close to two strike contact

  144. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    lets have 3 shots down to INGE so he doesn’t forget how to make those great plays at 3rd…we don’t need his stinking hittin…just make those plays

  145. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    This every other game thing really seems to agree with Pudge. Of course it doesn’t seem to agree too much with Inge and means we have to witness him flailing away every other day.

  146. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Brian in T- it’s no joke though.

  147. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    HBP to start the 8th for Miner. It will be a miarcle if we survive these last two innings.

  148. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    too save time lets just have the other team just put there leadoff hitter on…these games are taking too long

  149. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Is this the game where Miner’s luck runs out?

  150. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    What a DP. 🙂

  151. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    BRANDON you the man at 3rd

  152. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    And there’s one miracle!

    Nice play by Brandon…

  153. K-man Avatar

    Somebody said a bad word.

  154. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    I’ll take that inning home in a doggy bag please.

  155. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Miner apparently has a guardian angel watching over him.

    Why did Black get tossed?

  156. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    The Ump said “let me do my f’n job”, then Black said “you can’t do you’re f’n job, you’re blind.

  157. Ken from Cincinnati Avatar
    Ken from Cincinnati

    He got tossed cuz he hurt the umpire’s feelings. No room for cold pricklies on his diamond. Only warm fuzzies will be tolerated.

    Coming up in the bottom of the 9th. Jonesy! I hope everyone is tall enough to ride….

  158. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Down goes Jones.

  159. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    Hopefully Jones can get another save with a 1-2-3-4-5 inning.

  160. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    Vince – Black was arguing the fair ball call on Barrett’s DP ball. Barrett never left the box, pretending that the ball hit his foot and was foul. Meanwhile, the play carried on with Brandon making a great play on the grounder just barely clipping the lead runner.

    Black got up in he umps face and stayed there too long.

  161. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    oh crap, hope Jones is OK.

  162. ron Avatar
    ron

    We got a problem with the rollercoaster.

  163. K-man Avatar

    Sweeeeeeeeeet!

  164. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Jones just earned alot of respect from me. I can’t believe he stays in the game and gets a DP ball next pitch.

  165. ron Avatar
    ron

    Jones is up. Jones is up.

  166. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Jones pitches better when he is in pain. That’s why he usually loads up the bases before closing the door. Done deal..

  167. ron Avatar
    ron

    He should get hit in the knee more often.

  168. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    San Diego was 0-36 after trailing in the 9th ..
    Tigers are 32-0 after leading in the ninth…tell you about that 9th inning

  169. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    Nice 6 game road trip. Go Cubs. Indians already lost, to bad the twinkies won.

  170. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Get that knee iced Jonsey! Nice job.

  171. Brian P Avatar
    Brian P

    Go Cubbies!

  172. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    way to just roll and not much of a coaster!!!!!!!!

  173. Tbone Avatar
    Tbone

    That one felt like a steal. We’ll take it, thank you very much!

  174. ron Avatar
    ron

    Jones went down, got up and won on a K.O.

  175. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    commmmme onn Cubs do your thing…Championship of Chicago on the line

  176. K-man Avatar

    Nice win! Let’s make a trade for Gerut, he’s literally trying to kill us.

  177. ron Avatar
    ron

    Best job of umpiring I’ve seen in a long time.

  178. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Another series win. That makes four in a row I believe

  179. cib Avatar
    cib

    Just when everyone is ready to send the old horses like Pudge and Jones to the glue factory, they show us something more. Go Tigers!

  180. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Great road trip. We took 4 of 6 and had a great chance to win them all. They are playing an exciting brand of baseball and it doesn’t look like it is going to stop anytime soon.

  181. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Go Cubs go! Go Cubs go! Hey Chicago, what you say — “the Cubs are gonna win today.”

  182. Brian in Tampa Avatar
    Brian in Tampa

    I’m glad Verlander got that win. He deserved it. Next up – the hated Cardinals.

  183. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    The Tigs got a lot of help from the Padres today, but a win is a win. Earlier in the year the breaks weren’t going there way, but that seems to have changed now. I’m still not convinced they will ever live up to all the pre-season hype, but at least they are still in the running for the division, which is probably the only way they make the playoffs, since it looks like the wild card team most likely won’t come from the Central.

  184. Vince in MN Avatar
    Vince in MN

    cib, I’ll be happy to wait til the end of the season to send Jones and Pudge to the glue factory. Since we don’t seem to be missing Sheffield too much, he can probably go right now though.

  185. ron Avatar
    ron

    The last time I seen someone get hit in the knee that hard was Nancy Kerrigan; and she cried like a baby.

  186. Kyle J Avatar

    It says something that the thought of losing Jones for any amount of time actually really, really scares me.

  187. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    Cubs 2 zip. Nice.

  188. tiff Avatar
    tiff

    Didn’t get to see the game, but I think this says it all:

    further upthread: “Game-saving defense by Cabrera.”

    Carolyn and I are well pleased.

  189. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Cubs beatin’ the Sox like they stole somethin’

  190. vtfanmv5 Avatar
    vtfanmv5

    5-0 Cubs.

    By the time we play the twinkies in two weeks, we’ll be chasing them instead of the chisox.

  191. tiff Avatar
    tiff

    can the cubs play the wrong sox 8 more times next week?

  192. Dave BW Avatar
    Dave BW

    Did you know the Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908? Miller and Morgan don’t think we do.

  193. Mike R Avatar

    Told you we wouldn’t lose another game in this series! I’ll take 4 out of every 6 any time I can get ’em. I like our odds coming up in this series against the Cards.

  194. ron Avatar
    ron

    Mike R with the I told you so. He hasn’t been wrong yet.

  195. Mike R Avatar

    Ron: I’ve got to get the I Told You So’s in there before I start regressing to the mean which is firmly set at “never gets any predictions right.”

  196. Steve in OH Avatar

    Hey we’ve made up 9 games in the last few weeks… not too shabby, Tigres!

  197. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Nice updates, Dave BW. You’re reinstated.

    And now for something completely different…

  198. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    TIGERS RELIEVERS ENTERING GAME WITH RUNNER(S) ON (through 74 games)

    For purposes of this discussion, consider pitchers to be responsible for any run that scores on their watch. Also, HITS/BB may include the odd HBP and ROE.

    (PITCHER – ERA* – IP – HITS/BB – RUNS)

    Rapada – 0.00 – 2.1 – 4 – 0
    Dolsi – 8.11 – 3.1 – 7 – 3
    Jones – 10.84 – 1.2 – 2 – 2
    Lopez – 13.51 – 7.1 – 9 – 11
    Seay – 17.06 – 6.1 – 14 – 12
    Grilli – 18.00 – 1 – 2 – 2
    Miner – 18.42 – 7.1 – 16 – 15
    Bautista – 20.30 – 1.1 – 3 – 3
    Beltran – 27.11 – 1.2 – 7 – 5
    Zumaya – 27.27 – .2 – 2 – 2
    Cruceta – 47.37 – 1.1 – 5 – 7
    Fossum – 95.45 – .2 – 7 – 7
    Rodney – 109.09 – .1 – 4 – 4

    TEAM – 18.42 ERA* – 35.2 IP – 83 H/BB – 73 R

    20% of runs allowed have been let in during 4 games worth of work. It’s taken Fossum just .2 IP to let in 2% of 2008 runs in these appearances alone.

  199. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    so someone give Rapada a call and see if he is ready yet…

  200. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Sean can you do a list like that when the relief pitcher enters at the start of an inning….JL doesn’t match up much if at all L/l or R/R ..he basically expects a pitcher to complete an inning he starts ,although he has been matching up a little more lately…..

  201. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    judpma

    I know even without doing the list you suggest that the Tigers bullpen is better coming in at the start of an inning, although it should be pointed out that in my list above, a good many of those runners that scored were on base due to the previous reliever, not a starter.

    These lists are hard work. I suggest you compile the one you’d like to see. Go to baseball-reference.com, click on Detroit in the standings, click on schedule, when the schedule comes up, click on box for each game and then scroll down to the play by play account and skim through it for relievers coming into the game at the start of an inning. For each such occurrence/pitcher, record the number of outs, baserunners allowed, and runs allowed while that pitcher is pitching. Tote it all up for each pitcher when you’ve accumulated all the game by game data. If you discover an easier way, let me know.

    I was more interested in bullpen performance coming in with men on, because I consider it the most critical test of what a bullpen is made of. I won’t say what it appears the Detroit bullpen is made of.

  202. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    “The Tigers are 11-1 this season when Thames homers, and 50-19 since 2004”

    Hmmm. I think I like it.

  203. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    On the other hand, Thames has gotta come in for some heat on the Tigers 14-22 record in games he’s in where he doesn’t hit a home run. This reveals that Mr. Nice Guy isn’t such a team player after all, saving all the HRs for wins when they’re going to get a lot of attention. Trade this cancer, I say.

  204. Mith Avatar
    Mith

    Hey we’ve made up 9 games in the last few weeks… not too shabby, Tigres!

    I think that’s 7 games they’ve made up. I think they were 12 out when the hot streak started. I don’t think they were ever 14 out. 🙂

  205. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    Sean: Your theories intrigue me and I’d like to subscribe to your newsletter.

  206. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    If you want to measure the Tigers bullpen w/runners on base vs. starting an inning, it would be helpful to know how they compare against the rest of the league, though. It seems to me that most relievers would have more trouble in those situations than coming in with no one on base. I dunno.

  207. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    It would be useful to know the league norm, Chris. As awful as my numbers look, I’m sure there are bullpens doing worse. But I don’t need a league norm to have an intuitive sense that 83 hits/baserunners and 73 runs allowed in 35.2 IP really, really blows. Also, it’s discouraging to see that only one pitcher – ONE – stands out as good. You’d think a bad team total would involve some real blowups by a few guys skewing things to look worse than they are.

    We’re currently in the process of retooling the whole newsletter operation. Demand is at an all-time high, so writing out 3 copies per month in longhand won’t do any more. I’m considering using the copy machine at work now (don’t tell) and charging a subscription fee. We apologize for the delay, and thank you for your continued support.

  208. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    Well yes, those numbers do look pretty dreary. On the other hand, looking at a composite of the season I don’t think the bullpen has cost an inordinate amount of the 39 losses. Also off of the top of my head I can think of a handful of games where they pitched 5+ scoreless innings out of the ‘pen. I’m not going to argue that it’s the greatest relief corps in the league or anything, but they’ve got some guys out there who can get the job done. And I’m willing to give Rodney and Zumaya a bit of slack for a week or two until they get accustomed to facing big leaguers again.

  209. Chief Monday Avatar
    Chief Monday

    I think the Tigers pen is usually a lot better when the Tigers have the lead. They have a 2.88 ERA in sv situations. In non sv situations they have a 5.13 ERA.

  210. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    “I don’t think the bullpen has cost an inordinate amount of the 39 losses.”

    I agree, and of course Rodney and Zumaya are just getting started. I wasn’t out to prove a point with my investigation; I was just curious. But the point I didn’t set out to prove seems to be that with the hitting having become consistent and timely, starting pitching having become close to otherworldly, and defense having tightened up some, the bullpen may start causing an inordinate amount of losses until at least 2 guys step forward as highly trustworthy in cleaning up messes and putting out fires. This is what relief pitchers are supposed to do, what they’re supposed to thrive on.

    If I was a relief pitcher, I think I’d be bored if there weren’t runners on and less than 2 outs when I came in. My real name is Todd Jones.

  211. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    As we all know numbers show us what we want to see in a lot of cases..as deceiving as Jones numbers are I believe he is 15 for 15 in save attempts…so would it matter if his ERA or all runs allowed were 8.50 to us…other than our heart stoppages that is…..we just need the save out of him

  212. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    Mith: I think he means 12 games under .500 to 3 games under.

    In that sense, we’ve made up 9 games.

  213. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    “In that sense, we’ve made up 9 games.”

    Yeah, that’s the more important sense to me. I’m looking at .500 with longing, not much concerned with what the Twins or Sox are doing.

  214. jim-mt Avatar
    jim-mt

    Relievers like Jones need the adrenaline rush–these other guys are living in fear of getting hit, so they throw balls until they really get in trouble.

    I loved Maddux’s last inning the other night-4 pitches and 3 outs and that was with Pudge taking a strike!

  215. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Gil’s BA is below the Cabrera Line again. It was bound to happen.

    Punk.

  216. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    Yes. Gil no likey Petco, apparently. Seems to like the home park a little better (.279/.361/.481 vs. .272/.339/.429). He’ll get it going against the Redbirds. BTW did anyone think at this late date that Gil would have a SLG 100 points below his previous 3 season totals? That’s vexing, when you consider he used to play half his games in Yellowstone Park. I mean, Jellystone Park.

  217. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    And has anyone seen this WGN commercial with Ozzie Guillen and Lou Piniella, um, rapping? I tried to link to it, but the filter shot it down. Highest of high comedy, I tells ya.

  218. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Chris, do they mention rats? I heard something on the radio about Ozzie and rats. But maybe this was one of his serious statements.

  219. vtfanmv5 Avatar
    vtfanmv5

    “You go to take batting practice and the rats are bigger than pigs out there. I think the rats are lifting weights.”

    — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, on the Cubs’ Wrigley Field

  220. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    vtfanmv5: These are the reasons I love Oz. Though the White Sox can collectively go eff themselves.

  221. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    vtfanmv5, was that from the commercial, or just another mild everyday opinion from the Oz?

  222. vtfanmv5 Avatar
    vtfanmv5

    Just a mild everyday opinion, I believe. I’m interested in finding this rap though.

  223. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    There just has to be a website somewhere with the collected wisdom of Ozzie captured in audio.

  224. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    Sean: If you Google Ozzie + Piniella + WGN + rap, you can see the commercial. It’s the first link that comes up.

  225. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Thanks, Chris. Got it.

    Way too PG. They need to let Lou and Ozzie get down with they bad selves. I want to see the cable TV version.

  226. ron Avatar
    ron

    MIKE R, I’ve never seen your “mean” side and I don’t ever want to. I hear it could be ugly.

  227. Mike R Avatar

    Haha. I have no mean side Ron. I’m a big teddy bear. Or something.

  228. ron Avatar
    ron

    I’d like to know the inning and score when Marcus homers. Is it, “I hope I get a good pitch to hit” or ” A home run right now is what we need”.

  229. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    ron: Ask, and you shall receive –

    1: 4th inning, 2-2 score off of Jon Lester (2 run shot)
    2: 5th inning, down 2-1 off Andy Pettite (2 run shot)
    3: 3rd inning, ahead 4-1 off Jarrod Washburn (granny)
    4: 1st inning, 0-0 off Joe Saunders (2 run shot)
    5: 5th inning, ahead 3-0 off Joe Saunders (2 run shot)
    6: 8th inning, down 3-2 off Masahide Kobayashi (solo)
    7: 2nd inning, 0-0 off Javier Vasquez (3 run jimmy jack)
    8: 5th inning, 0-0 off Derek Lowe (solo)
    9: 4th inning, down 4-3 off Brad Penny (2 run bomb)
    10: 6th inning, ahead 3-0 off Chan Ho Park (solo)
    11: 2nd inning, 0-0 off Tim Lincecum (solo)
    12: 4th inning, tied 1-1 off Tim Lincecum (2 run job)
    13: 9th inning, ahead 3-1 off Vinnie Chulk (solo)
    14: 7th inning, tied 5-5 off Justin Hampson (2 run)

    A lot of those were very timely. And off some good pitchers, too.

  230. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Thames 2008 HRs:

    Top 4th score 2-2 (2-run HR)
    Top 5th score 2-1 (2-run HR)
    Bottom 3rd score 4-1 (Grand Slam)
    Top 1st score 0-0 (2-run HR)
    Top 5th score 3-0 (2-run HR)
    Bottom 8th score 2-3 (solo)
    Bottom 2nd score 0-0 (3-run HR)
    Bottom 5th score 0-0 (solo)
    Bottom 4th score 3-4 (2-run HR)
    Bottom 6th score 3-0 (solo)
    Top 2nd score 0-0 (solo)
    Top 4th score 1-1 (2 run HR)
    Top 9th score 3–1 (solo)
    Top 7th score 5-5 (2-run HR)

  231. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Oh yeah, real fancy, listing the pitcher and everything.

    Whatever!

    Mine’s better, right, Ron?

  232. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Chris in Dallas left out the pitch count. Pretty sloppy work, I’d say. And what about temp at game time? Huh? Huh?

  233. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    Sean: I also incorporated “jimmy jack” into my post, so there.

  234. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Yeah, Chris, how could I not notice the jimmy jack? Frankly. I thought that was showboating. You already had me beat by half an hour. Unfairly, I might add, since I’m busy at work.

  235. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Ron – Pitch counts on Thames’s Country Funk bombs:

    5 first pitch
    1 at 0-1
    1 at 1-1
    1 at 2-1
    1 at 0-2
    1 at 1-2
    2 at 2-2
    2 on full count

    6 boom-diggitys were hit after the first pitch thrown was a ball. 6 yardboys were slammed on a 2-strike count.

    Outs situation:

    5 with none out
    6 with 1 out
    3 with 2 outs

    Thus far he’s been shut down with 3 outs, but he’s due.

    Chris will appear presently to sort all this out by pitcher and instance.

  236. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    Thames is not only due for a 3 out HR, but he’s yet to connect on a 4-0 or 0-3 pitch. We should see some correction to the mean in those categories.

  237. Sean C. in Illinois Avatar
    Sean C. in Illinois

    Good call, Chris. I get the sense that fans are looking for a fresh approach to understanding the confusing plethora, the swirling miasma, the overflowing diaspora of modern stats, and you and I are on the cutting edge.

  238. Chris in Dallas Avatar
    Chris in Dallas

    Yes, Sean, it’s hard to make sense of it all sometimes. Fortunately we here at DTW Comments Central provide a beacon of light in the dark storm of baseball sabermetrics. Or something to that effect.