Game 2011.138: White Sox at Tigers

The Tigers lost yesterday and Justin Verlander  (20-5, 2.38) is pitching today, we we all know what that means.

Tonight will be Verlander’s 20th start of the season following a Tiger loss (which says something about the bottom of the rotation, doesn’t it?), and his record in those games is 14-3.

Verlander was a bit shaky his last start, but the Tigers pulled out a win.  Tonight the stakes are high, since Chicago has won 7-of-10 and pulled into a 2nd place tie, 5 1/2 games behind Detroit, with 6 games between the teams remaining (3 this weekend at Comerica and 3 more in Chicago in 2 weeks).

The always entertaining Ozzie Guillen has decided to celebrate the pennant race by demanding a contract extension beyond next year, has threatened to walk if he doesn’t get one, and by all accounts is openly feuding with his general manager.

Chicago has proved to be a bit tricky for the Tiger ace–he is 3-1 this season against the Sox, but with a rather unimpressive 4.03 ERA.  He does enjoy a bit of Adam Dunn though, who has struckout 9 times in 13 AB against Verlander.

The White Sox send out John Danks, who has been inconsistent, but when he is good he is quite good.  His last start was a 3-hitter with 10 strikeouts, beating Seattle 3-0.

In other news Al Alburquerque has been cleared to resume pitching again, and is beginning a rehab assignment at Toledo.

Player of the Pre-Game:  Magglio Ordonez

Where did THAT Magglio come from yesterday?  2007?  And look at that:  Magglio is a career 15-for-29 against the Dank One.  Go Magglio!

Today’s Maybe-Magglio-Batting-2nd-Ain’t-So-Bad Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson, CF
  2. Magglio Ordonez, RF
  3. Delmon Young, LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  5. Victor Martinez, DH
  6. Alex Avila, C
  7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
  8. Ramon Santiago, 2B
  9. Brandon Inge, 3B

 

Comments

13 responses to “Game 2011.138: White Sox at Tigers”

  1. Kevin in Dallas (in Detroit) Avatar
    Kevin in Dallas (in Detroit)

    Pulling up to Comerica now.

    1. Coleman Avatar
      Coleman

      Wish I could go, but I’m stuck here in the Royals bullpen

  2. Robert Howe Avatar
    Robert Howe

    Really looking forward to tonight’s game. GO GET EM’ TIGERS!

  3. Kevin at CoPa Avatar
    Kevin at CoPa

    Sick seats 3 rows behind CWS dugout. I’m pretty sure that Cabby was talking smack to the White Sox dugout on his way out to first.

    And Ozzie in a sweat shirt though it’s 95 degrees. Take that Williams.

  4. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    Great start…now keep the pressure on them!

  5. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    2-for-2 with a run scored, raising his avg to .185, not to mention a nice fielding play. Brandon Inge, a clear choice for player of the game.

    1. Vince in MN Avatar
      Vince in MN

      Jackson.

  6. Kevin on his 4th Labatts Avatar
    Kevin on his 4th Labatts

    What’s that, 9 hits for AJax in 3 games?

    1. Vince in MN Avatar
      Vince in MN

      6 in 2, 9 in 4.

  7. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    OK, Kevin in Dallas [in Detroit (3 rows behind Chicago dugout)]: your mission is to creep closer, give a listen, and report back what Ozzie Guillen has to say about the game.

  8. Kevin at the game Avatar
    Kevin at the game

    Did JV touch the bag?

  9. Stormin Norman$ Avatar
    Stormin Norman$

    its a sincere treat to watch this game on MLB network because Hawk Harrelson is calling this game… his ‘smugness’ is not to happy or colorful tonight

  10. judpma Avatar
    judpma

    hey Hawk!….. Sox Lose…Sox Lose!!