61-52, 2nd place, 1 game behind CWS, tied for WC lead
Despite allowing too many baserunners (10 in 6 innings; the Rangers had at least one base runner in every inning), Scherzer’s too many strikeouts got him out of one jam after another, and then Dotel and Valverde impressively shut the door on a 6-2 Tigers win.
Today’s match-up looks to be the most favorable of the series on paper, as JV takes on Derek Holland. Holland has been terrible as of late, giving up 6 ER in 3 of his last 4 starts, and posting a 6.30 ERA over his last 10 outings. He also has a 6.19 ERA at home this year (vs. 4.06 on the road, park effects can’t be that bad) so we should be able to plate a few this evening.
JV has a career 1.90 ERA vs. the Rangers, and 8 out of 10 quality starts. Verlander is 3-0 against the West this year with a 1.89 ERA.
Prediction: Prince Fielder, who has become a hitter with power, not just a power hitter, will finish the season 2nd in the Majors in RBIs.
What I would like to see for Tonight’s Lineup (someone please post later):
1. Jackson, CF
2. Infante, 2B
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Peralta, SS
7. Boesch, RF
8. Baker, LF
9. Laird, C
Comments
62 responses to “Game 2012.114: Tigers at Rangers”
Today is Rangers’ 40th anniversary, which means late start (8:30ish) for ceremonies, and 1976 throwback uniforms for both teams.
Oh yeah, I left my poster at the game last night. Nice mug shot of Steve Buechele on there.
Kevin, a bit off topic but I’m going to be in Dallas for the 1st time ever on Labor Day weekend for the Michigan/Alabama game. I’ll be staying at the Wyndham in Arlington. Any suggestions on things to do while in Dallas? Arriving on Thursday, August 30 and departing on Sunday September 2.
Tons. I’ll email you offline. I’ll likely be at the game as well (my Dad is UM ’71).
I may be there as well.
Roll Tide:)
While we wait, I watch the A’s v. White Sox on WGN. The Hawk will always get you fired up and appreciative for some Tiger action
It’s turning into quite a game.
1. Jackson, CF
2. Infante, 2B
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Baker, RF
7. Peralta, SS
8. Dirks, LF
9. Laird, C
Hopefully JV is in top form tonight. With Porcello’s high WHIP of 1.51 and the Rangers being such a good hitting team, Texas has to be favored tomorrow, so we need this one.
Couple of interesting stats:
1. Coke’s WHIP of 1.63 is the highest on the current staff (excluding Sanchez who has only 15 IP; Porcello is 2nd highest.) Note to JL: please don’t try to get Coke going tonight no matter what he says.
2. Benoit and Smily are tied for third in HR allowed with 11; Scherzer has 21, JV 14. He has allowed only 40 hits total, so more than 25% – how weird is that.
My nomination for POPG: Jeff Baker, because “he knows what a bat is for.”
Raburn sometimes mixes up the glove/bat thing, and puts the ball over the fence with his glove. So Baker is automatically an upgrade. Perhaps Raburn will get a rehab assignment with a Glove/Bat Differentiation component.
To be fair, I can see how the term “batting glove” may have confused him.
Holland knew it was gone as soon as AJax hit it. What an easy swing.
Oops… how could Miggy miss that ball? Ah well, now Baker is coming up with a .667 BA. Let’s just keep it that high throughout the rest of the season!
Please keep D. Young out of the 5th spot. Even better, out of the lineup.
Dirks shouldn’t be starting against LH pitching – 5 for 28 now, doesn’t inspire much confidence. We’d be better off with Boesch.
Another nail biter in Chicago. Top of the 7th score tied at 7, 2 out, runners at 1st and 3rd, Inge up, and he…..
…singles in the go ahead run. 8-7 OAK into the bottom of the 8th.
Holland has amazing stuff tonight. This one is gonna be tough.
Agree. 1-1 in the 8th in Texas is rare.
Oakland wins 9-7.
Ok Miggy…let’s end this tie!
Rreality Show!
That was an OUTSTANDING double play. I’m looking for Cabby to hit a game winner here.
Prince looks like his Ole Man in that retro uniform
Ron Washington just woke up, going for the LH/RH switch.
Boesch for Baker?
Poor Baker, no chance to fulfill his Vince POPG.
Wow, nice hitting by the much-maligned Young (hat tip).
Brennan Boesch – no patience.
Starting to look like another of those R3L2O-Fail games.
idiot Lamont……….it’s the 9th inning – SEND the runner jackass! ………… 🙁
Yeah…I couldn’t figure out why Miggy didn’t score from 2nd on a single. Was it shallow?
…….. and the throw from right field was up the line ……. Miggy would have scored!
Dang it…wasted opportunity in the 9th, hopefully they can win it in the 10th.
Man you gotta feel good if you’re Texas right now. Let’s go guys, 1 out at a time.
Our chance to win this game has been frittered away!
Once again a fine display of managing by our fearless leader Smokes. Instead of pinch running some speed on the bases (QB?) when Cabby got into scoring position. We allow a missed opportunity which could have scored a run on Youngs hit. Another reason why we are still in second place.
This team throws away too many winnable games through mismanagement.
The sad part, everybody not wearing a Tiger Uniform can see the problem.
And Coke coming in…an ill wind blows in Arlington…hey, maybe it will “get him going.”
Still waiting for that 1st out.
A couple of weeks ago Leyland said Villarreal was only good for one inning – guess he forgot that tonight.
He forgot it before he finished saying it.
Bring in Benoit here, no?
No.
I don’t know…he’s in a bad spot, but he can go 4 outs had we needed it.
Or Dotel, or even Valverde. Anyway a RH.
This one is on the bats…you can’t win in Texas (or anywhere) going 9 innings without a run.
Hard to argue with that; Villareal’s 2 walks hurt, but man leaving in Coke against a righty, with that WHIP…I just don’t get it.
Maybe it will “get him going.” Coke actually did well. But once that last AB got to 8 or 9 pitches, the odds were really stacked against him.
They got their shot in the top of the ninth, but Lamont’s arm fell off and before he could pick it up to wave in Miggy it was too late. Then Leyland did his typical bullpen mismanagement thing in the bottom of the ninth. So a another winnable game was just given away.
In the last three losses, serious FUNDAMENTAL managing/coaching failures have been there for all to see. These jokers really don’t understand how to effectively use the personnel. Of course you’re not going to win every game, but JL and Co. throw away many more opportunities than they take advantage of.
OK, just to be nostalgic:
Inge would’ve had that!!!
I wasn’t watching at the end, just listening. How close was it?
Inge would’ve had it. In 2006.
Choke is in love with his hanging curveball.
This one stings, but we’ve been playing pretty well lately, so let’s give props to the Texas pitchers. Chance to win the series tomorrow. Can’t ask for much more.
At least JV did not get the L tonight.
He was fantastic; Holland was amazing.
Rangers bullpen won the game for them. Sound familiar?
If the Tigers are going to be able to beat the Rangers in the playoffs, they’ll need a LOOGY to step up, and an effective Al Al. I don’t want to turn it over to Valverde every night.
RH hitting about .900 against Coke….gee who would have thought that would happen….just like Young batting 5 and coming up once again with the game on the line
……stupid is as stupid does..nothing ever changes…..fire Leyland
Texas scores from second on a ground ball single to the outfield and we don’t. Don’t have to look far for the answer.
And from mlb.com, Oakland vs. Chicago:
“Brandon Inge, who dislocated his shoulder earlier in the game, knocked in the game-winner in the eighth.”
So Inge battles his injury to keep us on Chicago’s heels despite the loss against Texas. How about that?
Cokes ERA improved tonight .. I guess he is right he IS doing great despite what the rest of the world thinks