Well, it’s the rubber match of the Mariners series as the Tigers bring their 1-6 record in games to decide a series to Safeco, before an off day and then a home stand.
We just got through the first inning of the season (18 games), and it wasn’t very good. Pitching-wise, the Tigers were just awful, posting a 5.02 ERA, worse than every AL team other than Boston (5.58). Their WHIP of 1.49 is worst in the AL, and they allowed 71 BBs, second worst in the AL. Our bullpen is 12th in the league with an ERA of 5.47, and the starters are marginally better with an 11th best ERA of 4.81.
Incredibly, our hitting is in the middle of the pack with a .244 BA (8th), .703 OPS (9th) and 16 HR (7th).
With all of that, the boys are only 2 games under .500. So there should be hope, right? I expect the bullpen to get better, and Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver look primed to contribute sooner than later.
On the other hand, despite an AL-wide hitting slump, I do not see our bats getting much better unless someone in the farm can step up and contribute. AJax has been exposed, Inge is Inge, and Maggs’ next XBH will double his 2011 total through 30+ ABs. That’s right, Maggs is on pace for 270 ABs, and I think he’s being overused now. Guillen should be an improvement at 2B, but there is still no timetable for his return. VMart’s 1st trip to the DL is unlikely to be his last, and Peralta is regressing as a hitter. Unless Raburn can turn into the above average hitter I think he is and we get some more help from below today, .500 baseball is going to be about right for this team.
Erik Bedard goes for the Mariners. After sitting out all of 2010 recovering from shoulder surgery, Bedard has been hammered in his three 2011 starts to the tune of 13 ER in 13.2 IP and 1.97 WHIP. Which sounds just like the type of pitching that has shut down the Tigers recently.
Porcello climbs the hill for the Tigers looking to follow-up on a strong start against Oakland last week. In that effort he only lasted 6 IPs (103 pitches), but allowed just 1 ER on 7 hits and 1 walk.
Fun stat of the day – did you know that Austin Jackson is tied for fourth on the team with 1 HR? That’s one more than Maggs.
Today’s Peralta is protecting Cabrera? lineup:
1. AJax – CF
2. Raburn – 2B
3. Ordonez – DH
4. Cabrera – 1B
5. Peralta – SS
6. Boesch – LF
7. Inge – 3B
8. Ghost – RF
9. OMirG I’m starting – C
Comments
34 responses to “Game 2011.19: Tigers at Mariners”
Today is Random Day.
Cabrera is tied for 4th in the AL in Plate Appearances with 79. He is tied with Cabrera and Cabrera.
Their 3/4/5 is Kennedy, Cust, Saunders. I mean, c’mon.
Smokey is just messing with us with this lineup, right? Unless there is some sort of logic in having the AL #1 and #2 in strikeouts batting 1 and 2…Raburn actually has 24 now and has pulled one ahead of Jackson…combined they have 47, and are on pace for 423. The Texas Rangers have 86 as a team, to put those numbers in perspective.
wooooooo
hoooooo! raburn!
I’m telling you guys, Raburn is an above average major leaguer.
Haha, Raburn! Smokey is a genius
nice swing
Um, hey Wedgie, first base was open and Cabrera was up…I’m just saying…
Maybe he was still in shock from seeing Austin Jackson get a walk.
Smokey didn’t bunt there because well never bunts but besides that if he were successful The Mariners would have been forced to pitch to Leyland s new secret weapon Santos
hey Rayburn nice range….that ball was at least 3 feet to your left
He’s got Carlos range out there
Wow now that’s some serious pitching by Porcello….atta boy
gee at this rate Maggs will have 0 HR and 0 RBI in 2011 batting in the 3 hole
Boesch Bash!
I don’t like to contemplate where we would be this season without Boesch
It’s early yet. but so far he is 6 for 15 with 3 BB 1 HB (that’s an OBA over .500) vs LH. Maybe he should play every day, possibly hitting 5th or 3rd or even 2nd.
Boesch……atta boy
its….Cabrerra…Boesch and the 7 clowns
I mean 9 clowns I forgot Smokey and McClendon
3 measly runs off of a pitcher who had NOTHING. Sad.
Porcello is a machine right now
second solid outing in a row,,,a glimmer of hope…seems to be using an effective change up more these last two games
whys rick being taken out an out early?
I think Smokey wanted to get Perry a brief welcome-back stint. Also, with a runner on 3rd, he doesn’t have to worry about Porcello wild-pitching the run home.
Perry just returned from injury rehab. Undoubtedly Smokey wanted to put him in a “pressure” situation asap. Not a bad idea, and Porcello was a bit wild there.
Great minds…..
The Tiger starters are hereby dubbed “The Wild Bunch.” As I recall, that movie was a comedy also.
How the hell did Seattle manage to score 13 runs last night?
Proving Leyland’s faith in his dueness, Jackson saves his leadoff spot in the batting order for another week.
Uh-oh, Papa Gone-de
*hand shakes* GG
This is kinda sad (from today’s Freep wrap-up)
“After eight seasons in Detroit, Jeremy Bonderman didn’t find a new team this year. Bonderman, whose home in the state of Washington is driving distance from Seattle, visited the clubhouse before Wednesday’s game. Bonderman, 28, appeared several pounds lighter than last year and declined to speak with reporters.”
It’s unfortunate that his career was cut short, but I don’t think “sad” fits. He had an 8 year run at the highest level of the sport and banked a cool $40m. He’ll be alright.
He’s probably just sitting this year out. I think this off-season he priced himself out of what the market would bear for an oft-injured pitcher. I expect there may be Bonderman sightings again before next season.
bonderman had mentioned last season he was maybe considering retiring. he said he had made enough money and put it in safe keeping so he wasnt stressing about continuing baseball persay. so i think theres some give and take with him staying in baseball. i dont think he went after a contract 100%. either way, hope he can get back in if he desires. almost held bonderman in my heart since he was the start of dave dombrowski turning things around in detroit.