OT: Tigers vs Twins Open Thread (NEW LINEUP)

Submitted by Fhshockey112002 on

Well Tigers take on the Twins tonight.  Delmon Young starts in LF and bats 3rd (THANK GOD).

1. A. Jackson (CF)

2. R. Raburn (2B)

3. D. Young (LF)

4. M. Cabrera (1B)

5. V. Martinez (DH)

6. J. Peralta (SS)

7. M. Ordonez (RF)

8. A. Avila (C)

9. W. Betemit (3B)

CWoodIsMyBoiii

August 15th, 2011 at 6:23 PM ^

I wish Jimmy Leyland would realize that he is in the middle of a divional race and simply put his best lineup on the field.  I understand guys need a day off here or there, but the way he rests guys is absolutely infuriating.  

This lineup = Central Champs:

1. Jackson

2. Boesch

3. Peralta

4. Cabby

5. Martinez

6. Young

7. Avila

8. Betemit

9. 2nd baseman

kirtip

August 15th, 2011 at 6:33 PM ^

But what he needs to realize is that if we didnt lose all these dinky little games here and there because we throw santiago, raburn, mags, and dirks in the lineup to rest random players, we could be 10 games up by now. He rests players too much, end of story. One key example coming up is him giving Verlander one extra day of rest, meaning he wont pitch against Cleveland. ONE DAY. Come on...give the guy his normal rest and let him pitch against the team on our tail. We need that win. How about some urgency here?!

kirtip

August 15th, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^

Do you honestly think we have a better chance at winning with a lineup that has Dirks, Raburn (who probably has an error a game), and santiago so Leyland can give people like Betemit a rest? We traded for Betemit yet Leyland has been resting him like crazy for Raburn, who is an AWFUL fielder. Look at other teams, Leyland rests players way more than other teams. 

MichFan1997

August 15th, 2011 at 7:26 PM ^

that I started off talking about Dirks, then I should point out that whether he plays or not doesn't affect whether Betemit plays or not (considering that Dirks isn't an infielder. I should also point out that Betemit, like you say about Raburn, is also an awful defender.

jmblue

August 15th, 2011 at 6:52 PM ^

The Tigers had huge leads in 2006 and 2009 and blew them.  The tradeoff of overplaying the regulars from April-August might be worse than the occasional loss here and there. 

MichFan1997

August 15th, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^

team also had a wRC+ of 94, placing them as a 6 percent below average offensive team. In addition the pitchers had an FIP of 4.53, xFIP of 4.45, tERA of 4.67, and Siera of 4.38.

Compare these numbers with 2011 where the offense has a wRC+ of 103. The pitchers have an FIP of 3.94, xFIP of 4.06, tERA of 4.19, and Siera of 3.88.

It seems completely likely that this team is much better than the 2009 version and that in 2009 the Tigers were winning more games than their true ability should have allowed for.

kirtip

August 15th, 2011 at 8:08 PM ^

They probably would have lost that game regardless due to the pitching/defense. It just frustrates me that every time we win the first 2 of a series, Leyland switches the lineup around. But I suppose I should just let the season play out before I harp on it anymore. Thanks for your perspectives guys.

BRCE

August 16th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^

He has rested guys like this every season he's been in Detroit. It has never avoided a late-season collapse.

There is no signs of the Tigers' second-half struggles being a result of physical fatigue. Just like in the 2006 World Series, they choke at the end of the rope.

 

kirtip

August 15th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^

I would not be too upset if Young is where he currently is if he plays alright, but why do that to begin with? Young is batting over 300 since june with the twins in the 6 spot, so why not keep him in the 6 spot in Detroit? If he is a 6 hole batter on the twins, why is he a 3 spot batter with the division leadering Tigers? Plus, Peralta has proved himself on the Tigers. He hits for a little power and a high average, perfect for the third spot.

All Aboard

August 15th, 2011 at 8:20 PM ^

Jackson should be in the 9 hole. I know he looks like the ideal lead off hitter, but he does not get on base enough. Not even close. His runs scored numbers are brutal for a lead off man. Strike outs too much as well. Rooting for him though

Wolverine318

August 15th, 2011 at 9:21 PM ^

wow, raburn made an out without screwing it up. good for him. maybe he will hit a 0.500 fielding percentage. 

edit: I guess Raburn is browing mgoblog while he is sitting on the bench and marking all of the raburn posts trolling.