OT- Tigers-Red Sox Sunday night baseball

Submitted by WMUgoblue on

It's been a bit since we've had one of these so here's your open thread for tonight's game. 

8:05 PM first pitch, ESPN
 

Detroit 

  • Anibal Sanchez
  • 0-2 through 23 IP and a 3.13 ERA
  • FIP of 2.43
  • K/9: 9.39
  • BB/9: 4.30

Boston

  • Jake Peavy
  • 1-1 through 48 IP and a 3.94 ERA
  • FIP: 5.22
  • K/9: 7.69
  • BB/9: 5.06
     
1. I. Kinsler, 2B D. Pedroia, 2B
2. T. Hunter, RF S. Victorino, RF
3. M. Cabrera, 1B D. Ortiz, DH
4. V. Martinez, DH M. Napoli, 1B
5. D. Kelly, 3B G. Sizemore, LF
6. A. Jackson, CF A. Pierzynski, C
7. J. Martinez, LF X. Bogaerts, SS
8. A. Avila, C B. Holt, 3B
9. A. Romine, SS J. Bradley Jr., CF


Sanchez will make his first start after coming off the DL, the interesting news of the day is that it was Justin Miller that was sent down to clear room for Sanchez, and not Robbie Ray. Apparently Rick Porcello has been having lingering soreness on his left side, and as a preventative caution the Tigers have pushed back his next start, thus giving Ray another chance to showcase his talents.

The Tigers look to make it 11 straight road wins tonight, let's hope they get it!

GoBLUinTX

May 18th, 2014 at 6:43 PM ^

The likes of which haven't been seen in...well....long time.  Running, hitting, running, pitching, running, defense...and did I mention running?  I mean hot damn, when is the last time the Detroit Tigers led the AL in stolen bases?

Paly33

May 18th, 2014 at 6:51 PM ^

10 straight road wins while going 14 of 17 overall! This team has been a blast to watch so far this season. Having guys like Davis & Kinsler on the base paths puts a ton a pressure on the opposing defense. Plus the starting rotation has been lights out for the most part. Should be a fun summer!

LSAClassOf2000

May 18th, 2014 at 6:51 PM ^

I will say that it has been nice to see the Tigers catch the eye of ESPN several time a year over what has been nearly a decade now, and especially because it is the Tigers and not the team they are playing necessarily (or a combination of both). I can definitely recall a time in the 1990s and early 2000s when the only reason we showed up on Sunday night baseball was because of the opponent and not the Tigers. 

BlueCube

May 18th, 2014 at 7:26 PM ^

than the Tigers but if you look at the wins against other divisions for all the Central teams, they are holding their own against the East and West. I didn't go into specifics of who they had played.

The Central isn't as bad as most say. There records would look much better if the Tigers weren't killing them.

Blerg

May 18th, 2014 at 7:54 PM ^

As a Sox fan I will be happy once the Tigs are out of town.  If Detroit can get more out of the bullpen I think it will be a very special year for you all.

ilah17

May 18th, 2014 at 8:21 PM ^

Can Brad Ausmus get some cheers?? I admit I was skeptical but Lance Gordon convinced me Ausmus and his staff get credit for how great this season is so far.

johnthesavage

May 19th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^

I was there last night and I agree. In the CF bleachers, which is actually a pretty good spot to watch a game there, despite the fact that I had to rely heavily on binoculars.

The seats are small. There are several sections of the stands that don't even directly fact the field; I mean look at the seats out in foul territory in right field -- terrible. And that's without mentioning the giant Tiger Stadium style metal posts that hold the thing up and often block your view. There are some good places to watch the game there, sure, and maybe you like that corny wall.. I don't. Kinsler's lead-off shot last night is a home run anywhere but here, where it's... a single. Then down right field it's absurdly short at the pole and the wall is three-feet high, resulting in Cabrera hitting the shortest HR in the majors this year over the weekend. I guess that adds character, or something? I think it just makes for some weird baseball.

And then the fans.. man they were awfully happy last night singing Sweet Caroline and chanting Let's Go Red Sox! between innings late in a game in which they were getting swept. Maybe that's dedication, to me it just looked like people more interested in acting drunk than watching/caring about baseball. The place is generally insufferable. It was at least amusing watching the fans heckle Chamberlain as he was warming up in the bullpen last night; they had a pretty rousing "Joba sucks" chant going at one point. But really, Fenway sucks! This is a totally defensable position.

Moleskyn

May 18th, 2014 at 9:36 PM ^

Playing really well in all facets. Cabrera and Martinez just on fire.

Also, I have Peavy on my fantasy team and I benched him tonight. So bombs away boys, bombs away.

Moleskyn

May 18th, 2014 at 9:38 PM ^

Oakland is just as hot. I fully expect that we'll have to get through them again to get to the WS. We've managed it the last couple years, but I always hate it when we play them. They're looking really good right now.

WMUgoblue

May 18th, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^

I agree but I also wonder if Oakland's rotation can keep up their tremendous pace. Outside of Sonny Gray I'm not sure they have anyone that scares me, Kazmir is good but the Tigers wreck lefties and is Jesse Chavez going to continue to contend for a Cy Young? I'm inclined to think no, regardless they can mash the ball with anyone.

TheNema

May 18th, 2014 at 9:40 PM ^

Lead should be even more. Kinsler was robbed of a homer by stupid fucking Fenway (I don't care how unpopular this opinion is, but I DESPISE that park) which tipped off a sequence that cost them another run in that inning.

WMUgoblue

May 18th, 2014 at 10:43 PM ^

Al New Mexico continues to improve, he's already carrying a career best BB/9 rate and if he can keep locating his fastball then he's your 7th inning guy. The bullpen really does seem to be sorting itself out (knock on wood).

Padog

May 18th, 2014 at 10:46 PM ^

How good is this team gonna be when Sanchez is fully healthy, Hanrahan comes back, and Dirks is there to provide a spark? This team is really really good.

Committed

May 18th, 2014 at 10:54 PM ^

Dirks is average...at best. Davis over performed. But is solid, due to speed. Davis should play until he can't. Better fielder and, so far, good hitter.



Dirks is loved by Detroit. Outside of here, he's a 'player to be named later' in a trade. IMO.