The Tigers start a 4-game series tonight in Kansas City, which currently has the worst record in the American League, so now might be a good time to find out if the Tigers have actually been struggling lately, or have just run across some very good opponents. Avila, Cabrera, Verlander, and Valverde get to wear special stars on their hats and jerseys for the series because they are special.
The Tigers managed to salvage the last game of the Angels series when Miguel Cabrera woke up from a week long nap (.130) in time to hit a 2-run home run, and after Bad Penny re-emerged in the 2nd inning as Shiny New Penny, after going Bonderman in the 1st inning.
Max Scherzer continues his quest to become the first Tiger pitcher ever to win 20 games with a 5.00+ ERA (9-4, 4.90). His last outing he was bombed for 9 runs by the Giants during Rick Knapp’s going away party.
Detroit will be up against the dreaded Rookie Pitcher Guy, who has dominated them the past few seasons. Tonight’s version is named Danny Duffy, and he brings a 1-3 record and 5.09 ERA into the game. As if statistics matter when you are facing Rookie Pitcher Guy.
In other news, Carlos Guillen, who reportedly will re-join the team after the All-Star break, is hitting .176 (3-for-17) in his Toledo rehab stint.
Today’s Player of the Pre-Game: Victor Martinez
Victor gets an All-Star vacation after finishing 2nd to Paul Konerko in the last-guy-in All-Star voting. Tonight he takes it to Rookie Pitcher Guy.
Today’s Avila-Sandwiched-Between-2-Slices-of-Whiff Lineup:
- Austin Jackson CF
- Casper Wells LF
- Magglio Ordonez RF
- Miguel Cabrera 1B
- Victor Martinez DH
- Jhonny Peralta SS
- Ryan Raburn 2B
- Alex Avila C
- Brandon Inge 3B
Comments
37 responses to “Game 2011.89: Tigers at Royals”
That is the 26th time we have led off a game with a K, the most in the league, it’s not even close. KC is 2nd with 19.
Quiz of the day:
How many times has Austin JaKKson led of the game with a strikeout in 2011?
Raburn and Inge both in the line-up today….ugh…
Raburn says: you were saying?
Ha, yeah, go figure….that’s why I said it, to give him some encouragement?
Rumor has it that McClendon has found the missing notebook “How to Teach Secondbasemen to Hit” and is intensively working with Raburn now. Unfortunately, the “How to Teach Thirdbasemen to Hit” book is still missing.
Wow, Raburn dings Cy Rookie-Guy
Someone told Raburn that technically the second half of the season has started. Silly Raburn, the second half of the season CAN start before the all-star break.
What happened to Jackson?
No word on the telecast as of yet. I’ll let you know if they say anything.
Per Mario – Jackson out of the game with left wrist soreness.
Doesn’t sound like a big deal to me.
Could all those swinging strikes cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
If that were the case, how does Raburn still have both of his arms? Is it because he stares at so many strike 3s?
The Yanks don’t have a player with 3000 hits? Wow.
Before Jeter, Gehrig had the Yankee record (2721). (Jeter already has 1200 more PAs than Gehrig).
I love it when Coleman pitches
I specifically requested to come in in an inning when Raburn was due up
This Coke guy is just what our bullpen needs
Oops, I’m pitching the 8th, gotta run. And I get to start the inning with Inge, fun stuff!
K.C. is leading the league (probably all leagues) in sucking and all we can muster is 2 runs through the 8th inning (with 7 ks along the way)? Wow.
Yeah, but Rookie Pitcher Guy + Cy Coleman is a potent combo
I’m listening to the police scanner for the hostage situation occuring in Grand Rapids currently… truly an awful situation.
We can only hope that it ends with the hostage being safe.
I can’t help it. Here is my nightly Inge rant: He’s hitting .189 with 2 ks tonight. This is a new low for a guy who has seen many lows. No additonal evidence is needed. The case has been made. RELEASE HIM ALREADY! Let Kelly play 3rd. By doing so we’ll get a 40 point jump in BA compared to Inge.
40 if he is playing RF, 60 if he is playing 3B.
Cleveland scored 5 in the ninth (walk-off Grand-Slam by Haffner) to beat Toronto 5-4.
See what happens when you take Coleman out? The Donkey makes you pay…
Kelly v. Inge — Case closed. Again.
We may need Kelly for the bullpen
Kayburn. I don’t think Ryan can hit the slider. Of course, when it is out of the strike zone, one shouldn’t swing at it.
Seems like there is someone else on this team that does that regularly too…..
We’ve got three holes – Raburn, Inge & Ordonez,and two plugs – Kelly and Wells. Can’t we convert Kelly into a 2B?
This leaves Inge at 3rd, but I’m okay with that b/c of his defense.
Most defensive metrics indicate Inge is only average now, so he still may be in negative territory overall.
Roger that. Good point.
OK, let’s hope the Big Potato doesn’t get peeled here.
Todd Jones LIVES!
Did you see the exasperated look Raburn gave to The Ghost on that fly ball? It was a bit like the look he gives the ump all those times he takes a called 3rd strike. Very unbecoming, especially from such a frequent clown show participant.
I know that look.
Tragedy in Arlington tonight. Let’s remember that it’s just a game.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/headlines/20110707-rangers-fan-dies-after-falling-over-fence-at-rangers-ballpark.ece