OT - Verlander Triple Crown/Tigers Open Thread

Submitted by BiSB on

It was just announced that Jered Weaver will not pitch any more this season.  That means that Justin Verlander will end the season with the best ERA (2.40), most wins (24), and most strikeouts (~7,000). Congrats to JV.

It also appears Miggy is going to win a batting title. He's got another double tonight.

3-0 Tigers, Middle 2nd.

Raoul

September 27th, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^

Your "limit the innings on his arm for the future" seems spot on. From an ESPN LA article:

Manager Mike Scioscia feels it's important to honor the integrity of the playoff races, but has to watch out for his players, too.

"We have to look out for these guys moving forward to be able to do this again next year," he said. "We're going to try to go out there and win. There are tons of times during a season where a guy misses a start or is pushed back for a variety of reasons. This is one of those times. If we had maybe 10 more games left, you might see these guys pitch later in the week, but right now they're really on fumes and need to just take a backseat."

Also, to the OP: Weaver's first name is spelled Jered, not Jared.

SFBlue

September 27th, 2011 at 8:25 PM ^

The story line for me is the return of Wilson Betemit.  He has been out since like August 16th or so, and his status was highly equivocal.  With all due respect to Bradon Inge, Betemit is swinging a better bat right now, and with him back in the line-up there are fewer holes. 

Spishak

September 27th, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^

So who are we rooting for?  Rays to beat Yanks or Boston to beat Orioles?  I wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees roll over to help ensure the Sox get eliminated from post-season contention.  I would rather face the Rays in the playoffs, if I had to choose.

BiSB

September 27th, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^

I'd rather face the coldest* team in baseball (the Red Sox), especially with their lack of rotation depth. At the same time, it would be really fun to watch them finish their Yakety Sax conclusion to the season by missing the playoffs.

*Okay, so the Twins are probably colder. But you get my point.

Spishak

September 27th, 2011 at 9:10 PM ^

I can see that argument.  Upon further reflection, I also think I'd rather have our hitters teeing off at Fenway, instead of the Trop (which is considered the second least-friendly hitters park in MLB.)  It just feel like, even with their meltdown, Boston has more weapons and a higher ceiling than Tampa and if that slip gets switched, they could be real dangerous.

Michael From TC

September 28th, 2011 at 12:38 AM ^

I see what you did there.

 

That being said, I would much rather them both win tomorrow, or both lose, and play in a 1 game playoff. If Price throws tomorrow (he should) he will be out for game 1, and I would imagine Beckett would pitch on short rest for the 1 game playoff as he is the Ace.  That would leave both Aces out for the first game which would be HUGE!

 

On the other hand, they could just as easily be playing Texas since the Angels appear to be laying down for them to have an easier route to the World Series.

a2_electricboogaloo

September 27th, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^

This takes away the dilemma that Tigers fans would have been facing for Weaver's last game of the season.  I was worried it would come down to seeing Weaver get the win (and possibly the league ERA title) and have the Rangers (who they are playing lose), or have Weaver pitch terribly (saving Verlander's triple crown) but risking another win for the Rangers, which could take away the possibility of us having home field advantage.

mackbru

September 27th, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^

I think you're kinda missing the forest for thr trees. Who cares about ERA The llarger issue that the Angels, by scratching their two best starters, are screwing the Tigers' chances to gain home-field advantage.

goblue7612

September 27th, 2011 at 10:53 PM ^

Pioneer grad, and former Michigan pitcher/dh/star/etc Zach Putnam just came in and threw a 1-2-3 inning. He struck out Inge (anyone can do that), but also got Miguel to hit a harmless fly ball to center field.

kevin holt

September 28th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^

That seemed close, after he gave up like 5 runs (?) the other night. Wasn't he only winning ERA by a small margin?

Also, did he get the crown in the whole MLB or just the AL? if it's the MLB he's like the 9th or 10th person to do it. amazing.