OT: Tigers/Rays 8/24 GDT. (and other games too)

Submitted by MichFan1997 on

Game 3 of the Tigers-Rays series tonight. Max Scherzer vs Wade Davis is tonight's pitching matchup. In other action, the Indians are facing the Mariners right now. It is 2-2 after 4 innings of play.

BlueInClearwater

August 24th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^

I'll be at the Tigers game again tonight, been to both so far in St. Pete. Crazy that when I lived in Michigan I had to drive 3 hours to catch a game and now that I'm in Florida, between Spring Training and the Trop I can see them so much easier than when in Michigan. One interesting tidbit from yesterday: I went to get nachos and the concession lady told me that there were more Detroit fans at the games than Rays fans, pretty impressive. My section was about 70% Tigers fans. Detroit travels well.

tpilews

August 25th, 2011 at 12:00 AM ^

It's like that for every opponent here. It's pretty sad, actually. I went to a Reds/Rays game earlier this year and there was a ton of red at the trop. I didn't go to the game tonight, but from what I could see on tv, the turnout was pitiful for the Rays. 

The Rays are a very likeable team and I follow them a little bit since I'm down here. The damn stadium is in the wrong location. That, and it's awful. Probably the worst venue I've ever been to, college or pro.

BlueInClearwater

August 24th, 2011 at 2:23 PM ^

Makes sense considering hardly anyone I meet here is from FL, maybe 5%. The Red Wings are the biggest brand is hockey and travel well everywhere, and the Lightning have no presence here whatsoever. I go months between seeing someone rocking Lightning apparel, so the Wings game is no surprise either. The Lions do surprise me though, I have to say, because if there is one team around the area that locals pull for and I see a lot of apparel for is the Bucs. I have a Lions background on my cell and take hell for it pretty much daily.

jmblue

August 24th, 2011 at 3:48 PM ^

I can understand the arguments about too many transplants, bad stadium, and all, but still, it amazes me that a franchise that won division titles in 2008 and 2010 (and the AL pennant in '08) has such horrible support.  Usually even transplant-dominated cities turn out when the local team is good.

MichFan1997

August 24th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^

at Cleveland's remaining schedule. They have as many double-headers remaining still (not including yesterday) as they have days off. They are going to be one exhausted team. Not to mention they are already really injured.

MGoBender

August 24th, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^

I wonder how many times we can FIRE LEYLAND and FIRE DUMBROWSKI tonight?

I'm all for sarcastically calling the extremists out, but can we go through one game thread without referring to them? It's just flamebait that will get someone to say something stupid instead of having level-headed conversations.

Moleskyn

August 24th, 2011 at 2:23 PM ^

Does anybody know the correct pronunciation for Alex Avila's last name? The TV announcers I've heard, and most people I've heard say his name, have all pronounced it uh-VEE-luh. I've also heard AH-vee-lah. But, since there is no tick (or whatever that character is called) over that first A, according to the rules of the Spanish language, doesn't the emphasis get placed on the second-to-last syllable? That would make it ah-VEE-lah. What do the rest of you think?

MichFan1997

August 24th, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^

improved at run scoring. They already had a lot of pitching, so they were able to part with Fister to get Casper Wells plus prospects. Along with Wells (wRC+ 173 in Seattle), they called up their top prospect Dustin Ackley (130), called up Mike Carp (139), and robbed the Dodgers of top prospect Trayvon Robinson (147). Kyle Seager has also helped out since he was called up (105). Justin Smoak hasn't lived up to expectations yet, but he's young too. Along with Pineda and King Felix in their starting rotation, they have a lot of nice young players who are doing well. It will be interesting to follow Seattle next year. If they get Ichiro back to himself (or even back to being a decent player), they could have a really nice team next year.

Moleskyn

August 24th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^

Alright, so I'm in a fantasy baseball league and we're doing keepers for the first time this year. I can choose up to 3 guys to keep, but for every guy I keep, I lose that many picks from the first three rounds of next year's draft (e.g., I keep 2 guys, I don't get a pick in the 1st or 2nd round). Based on that, who would you keep from this roster (keep in mind, I could opt to keep nobody and have picks in the first three rounds):

Offense

C - Carlos Santana

1B - Freddie Freeman, Adam Lind

2B - Dustin Ackley, Rickie Weeks

3B - Ryan Zimmerman

SS - Jose Reyes

OF1 - Carlos Gonzalez

OF2 - Jay Bruce

OF3 - Desmond Jennings

DH - Carl Crawford, Jason Heyward

Pitchers

SP - Max Scherzer

SP - Shaun Marcum

SP - Ervin Santana

SP - Ricky Nolasco

SP - Jeff Niemann

SP - Brandon Beachy

SP - Tommy Hanson

SP - Madison Bumgarner

SP - Rick Porcello

SP - John Danks

SP - Tim Stauffer

SP - Danny Duffy

RP - Neftali Felix

RP - Javy Guerra

At this point, if I pick 3 to keep, I'm thinking definitely Santana and Zimmerman, since they're at the top of pretty thin position groups. Other than that, I'm not sure. I've considered Ackley since 2B isn't very deep, but is he worth it? For pitchers, I've considered Tommy Hanson and Bumgarner, but I feel like there are so many pitchers to choose from, I'm better off keeping position players. What say the rest of you?

MichFan1997

August 24th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^

caveats apply about BABIP (some people simply hit the ball harder than others, so they don't fall subject to the same BABIP restrictions as others), his is certainly not at an unsustainable level. He's also regarded as a top level prospect. He's also above average at drawing walks, and above average at not striking out. Those are two key factors when looking at a young hitter moving forward. I'd take a chance on keeping him.

WMUgoblue

August 24th, 2011 at 5:43 PM ^

I would think the one guy you absolutley keep would be CarGo. He is the definition of fantasy stat stuffer, Santana is a luxury because he can fill a spot at catcher and put up numbers most catchers can't. I'd say keep those two and Zimmerman, just my 2 cents take it for what it's worth im borderline not going to make the playoffs with my team. Thank you Josh Hamilton and Clay Bucholtz for being out extended periods of time!

MichFan1997

August 24th, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^

with career stats vs Wade Davis:

1. Austin Jackson, CF; 1-4, 1 K

2. Brennan Boesch, RF; 1-3, 1 K

3. Delmon Young, LF; 3-8, 2 doubles, 1 K

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B; 1-6, 1 HR, 1 K

5. Victor Martinez, DH; 1-5, 2 BB, 1 K

6. Alex Avila, C; 1-3, 1 HR, 1 K

7. Jhonny Peralta, SS; 1-6, Double

8. Wilson Betemit, 3B; 0-3, 1 K

9. Ramon Santiago, 2B; 0-3, 2 K

Pitching: Max Scherzer

jmblue

August 24th, 2011 at 3:56 PM ^

Can the Tigers reach 90 wins?  They need to play .588 ball (20-14) the rest of the way.  That seems doable given their soft remaining schedule, and given that they're clearly a better team with Betemit, Fister and Young than they were in the first half of the season. 

Moleskyn

August 24th, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^

If our starters pitch the way they have over the past week, I think we could definitely do that. I don't think we can expect Penny to throw 6+ with 1 ER every time, but I also think it's fair to expect Porcello to do better than his last two starts. With a weak schedule, it's our division to lose. Which, yeah...

Moleskyn

August 24th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^

ESPN is reporting that San Francisco has placed a waiver claim on San Diego's All-Star closer Heath Bell. With Brian Wilson on the DL, could this be a legitimate claim, or do you think the Giants' front office placed the claim assuming that the Padres would respond by pulling Bell off of waivers, making him unavailable to the D-Backs? If it goes down (the Padres have 48 hours to respond) that could be interesting.

Link.

chitownblue2

August 24th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^

Word is that the White Sox claimed Kubel and Thome. We'll see if they actually acquire them, or if they're just pissing in Cleveland's lemonade.

MichFan1997

August 24th, 2011 at 4:54 PM ^

on Twitter seem to feel they were just blocking Cleveland. In other waiver news, Heath Bell was claimed by the Giants. Let's see if they actually go after him now, considering they just lost Brian Wilson and are already missing Sergio Romo.

Carl Crawford was also placed on waivers today. No claiming team yet.

MichFan1997

August 24th, 2011 at 5:09 PM ^

Omir Santos appears to be the player called up to fill in Cabrera's roster spot tomorrow while Miggy tends to the birth of his child. My guess is that Santos catches, Avila DH, Victor 1B tomorrow.