OT - Tigers vs. Twins 7/24
It's been a while since we've had a Tigers game thread. Today is a fairly big game. Win and its a 3-1 road series win. Lose and its a 2-2 series tie. The Tigers have been dominant in the central and I think it's important to keep that going.
A couple things for discussion; today's lineup:
| A. Jackson CF | 0-1 | |
| B. Boesch LF | 1-1 | |
| M. Ordonez DH | 0-1 | |
| M. Cabrera 1B | 0-0 | |
| V. Martinez C | 0-0 | |
| J. Peralta SS | 0-0 | |
| R. Raburn RF | 0-0 | |
| W. Betemit 3B | 0-0 | |
| R. Santiago 2B | 0-0 |
Leyland always catches slack for his lineups and who he rests and when. Today he's resting two: Avila and Guillen. I actually like this lineup. We know Avila was going to rest for a day game after a night game. SOP. With Ordonez back it gives the flexibility of giving Avila the full day off instead of DH'ing. This lets Raburn stay in the lineup - we know of his second half streaks and after a homer two days ago, I like getting him in the lineup. Santiago for Guillen is a fairly seemless move. We lose the big bat, but Santiago may be able to play some small ball in the nine hole and will be a defensive upgrade.
In short: I thought it was worth commending Leyland's lineup today, since most people bash it routinely.
Anyway, Porcello needs a good start. Tigers get a couple on in the first, but nothing doing.
Cleveland lost today which will help a little bit and this could extend our lead and in this division we need every win.
I say we all heckle Leyland if we lose and say nothing if we win.
Why can't we heckle him either way?
I didn't realize until the other day that Detroit's record in the Central Division is 21-11 currently, which is .656. The closest team to us is Minnesota at .578 and 22-16. We have been been pretty damn good in the division this year and think it can continue if we can win or even split road division series. Minnesota is pesky as hell though and they still worry me. Think 2009. GRRRR.
That record is a little misleading though, because the Tigers have annihilated one team (Minnesota) and played close to .500 against the others.
It's a bizarro year for the Tigers: they can't win in interleague play anymore, and can't lose against the Twins.
Havent the Tigers played the White Sox pretty good this year too?
Remember they came from 10 GB with 60 to go in 2006 to steal the division title. We went to World Series so it ended well.
We did not win the division in '06, just the wild card. We blew a chance at the division when we lost like 6 in a row to end the season.
He is referring to Minnesota not Detroit, so.... I guess maybe he is correcto mundo. Unless of course, the "We" you are feferring to is Minnesota, then I don't know what the hell either of you are talking aboot eh.
I haven't had an opportunity to keep up/watch games since the Betemit trade, how has he been doing?
A lot of strikeouts so far with the Tigers, but I think he'll come around once he gets more comfortable. Love Inge or not, he's been and will continue to be a nice upgrade.
EDIT: just got his first RBI for the Tigers and knocked Liriano out of the game!
Betemit just singled in a run. I agree. I think no matter which way you shake it, Wilson is an upgrade over this year's Inge.
"It doesn't matter whether he gets fisted"
God I love you Rod Allen.
Between Liriano's walks and some lucky hits, this game is starting off pretty well. Even with Avila and Guillen on the bench, our lineup is taking pitches and looking go so far.
Tigers snag 3 runs in the top of the third (though leave the bases loaded). Had a chance to blow the game wide open, but I'll take a 4-0 lead with Porcello looking good!
And they chased Liriano, which will probably lead to a couple runs off the Twinkies middle relief. Looking good so far.
Counting his ABs today, Raburn is batting .342 in his last 10 games. For all the clamour about getting rid of Raburn, Leyland stuck to his guns and trusted the obvious career trends of Raburn and it may be starting to pay off. This series is giving me a ton of confidence in the Tigers as the division favorite. Still have to finish off this one though.
The upcoming series vs the white sox is going to be key. If, and it's a pretty big if, we can sweep them, it's pretty much our division to lose at that point.
it's pretty much our division to lose at that point
This is what concerns me also...
Agreed. This series with Chicago is huge. I think you'll be disappointed if you're looking for a sweep, I'll be happy as long as we take 2 of 3. It would be nice to get some momentum as we head home to face a hot LA team, especially since they're going to be seeing our bottom 3 starters to start the series off. If we can take 2 of 3 against the ChiSox, then go at least 4-3 in our homestand against LAA and Texas, I'll be thrilled. Then it's two more key road series against KC and Cleveland.
Hilarious!
Brandon Inge would have snagged that.
Not sure if serious, but nice trolling either way. Betemit is better than Inge and the Tigers are a better team with Betemit playing.
Not serious. I'm a documented Inge hater. I couldn't resist.
2 games up.
Go Tigers!