Detroit Tigers vs Oakland Athletics - Open Thread

Submitted by NYC Fan on

Big elimination game tonight.  Lineups are set.

Tigers lineup:
 

Jackson 8,
Hunter 9,
Cabrera 5,
Fielder 3,
Martinez DH,
Peralta 6,
Avila 2,
Infante 4,
Kelly 7.

Verlander is starting.

 

ERA W-L SO WHIP BAA
3.46 13-12 217 1.31 .253

A's lineup:

Crisp 8,
Donaldson 5,
Lowrie 6,
Cespedes 7,
Smith DH,
Moss 3,
Callaspo 4,
Reddick 9,
Vogt 2.

 Gray is starting.

 

ERA W-L SO WHIP BAA
2.67 5-3 67 1.11 .214

Interesting move in starting Gray over 18-6, 2.65 ERA regular season Colon.  I am going to miss Iglesias and hope that Peralta's defense doesn't cost us.

I predict Tigers roll 5-1. Thoughts? Predictions?

LSAClassOf2000

October 10th, 2013 at 5:09 PM ^

Normally, these don't go up three hours early, but I will say that there is major excitement about if you're a Tigers fan (and I am), so well done all the same. Everyone take note, of course, that this will be the only such thread for the evening to prevent board clutter. 

It looks like a few sites are essentially taking this as a pick-em game - TeamRankings gives a less than 1% edge to Oakland, but I like the lineup and I think this is a good setup for Verlander this evening. 

HipsterCat

October 10th, 2013 at 5:09 PM ^

i think peralta at shortstop vs peralta in left is better for peralta, he'sbeen playing the position for years and we need his bat in the lineup. obviously iggy is better defensively but i think kelly in left with peralta at ss is marginally better for the team as a whole. i wonder why kelly is getting the start over dirks, havent been following super close this season but my impression was dirks was rather solid all season and kelly is better off the bench as a defensive replacement.

Blue Since B.C.

October 10th, 2013 at 5:16 PM ^

I like the lineup.  Dirks is a liability in left...already misplayed that Cespedes liner in game 1 that turned into a triple, should have caught a foul ball by the bullpen but overran it, and there's just no room for that in a Game 5.

Peralta at SS worries me just a bit (no range on the left side of the infield at all) but Tigers need to score runs to get the victory and he gives them a better chance at that.

The only thing that worries me is that Verlander has been so lights out against the A's (and in his last 3 games), that he returns a bit to earth in this one.

If the Tigers can get him 4 or more runs, I think it's a comfortable win.

victors2000

October 10th, 2013 at 5:50 PM ^

sense to me; he's lights out because he's that good and he's pitching as well as he has all year right now. I'm sure this year has been a tad frustrating, making all that money and suddenly not being able to perform at the level that got him that money. These past few weeks though he's been rounding into the pitcher that has been the 'Ace' of the staff. I believe this is the proper use of 'irony' but ironically I feel 3 runs will be enough for us tonight if he's on, I think Justin is going to bring it.

2heartedUM

October 10th, 2013 at 5:24 PM ^

Leyland is getting Kelly in the lineup. He was 2 for 3 against Gray in game 2. And peralta is a better bat then Iglesias right now. And oaklands outfield is too large to throw a slow peralta out there. 

victors2000

October 10th, 2013 at 6:04 PM ^

I'm sold on the decision to start Kelly. Iglesias, I love his defense but that bat of his has vanished. I'm willing to settle on Justin being our 'defense'; I don't think Jhonny will be that much of a liability if Justin is on. Also, Peralta is fresh; I'm sure those 50 days off did his body good. Sure liked how he swung the bat Tuesday!

I can't believe how much things have changed since before game 4, Go Tigers!

victors2000

October 10th, 2013 at 6:21 PM ^

There will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth. Hide yo daughters, hide yo wife! 1- 12 in close out games, I hate when that happens! Still, it's not going to be easy, this is going to be a game with a lot of tension! Both Gray and Justin will have good games but I think the Tiger bats will finally come to life. Sort of: They will get a run in the third, then the fifth, then finally the eight. That run in the eight will be the hammer in the coffin because Justin will keep the A's in check until the ninth when Benoit comes in and gets the save.

Tigers 3 - A's 2

Sllepy81

October 10th, 2013 at 5:47 PM ^

Went to hundreds of roid A's games in the 90s, they're my team. Moneyball is nice but nothing but first round loses in the last 15 years + it seems.

Schembo

October 10th, 2013 at 7:33 PM ^

I'm still fond of the late 80's teams with all the star power they had.  That was back when you would spend your entire allowance every week on packs of Donruss cards looking for a Jose Canseco one.

JamieH

October 10th, 2013 at 6:31 PM ^

Oakland made a mistake going with Gray over Colon. Colon has been lights out other than the 1st inning of game 1 over his last 5 or 6 starts and has been their ace all year.  Yeah, Gray has been great too, but this is pressure like he's never seen before.  I don't see any reason to skip Colon.  I think the Tigers will make them pay for it.

Cold War

October 10th, 2013 at 7:08 PM ^

Peralta at short is a no-brainer. You need his bat in the lineup, and he's a much improved shortstop this year. I wish they's make an attempt to resign him, but that's doubtful. Leyland has a helluva lot on the line going with Verlander in Game 5 when Max has just been ridiculously good all season.

JamieH

October 11th, 2013 at 10:32 AM ^

You're talking about the best starting pitcher to wear a Tiger Uniform in probably 40 years.   Yeah he had a mediocre season.  That is rather irrelevant at this point.  He's clearly gotten his s*** together at the right time.   He entered the game on a  3-game shutout streak.  With him on fire like this, putting him out there for your biggest game wasn't a risky move.  It was practically a NO BRAINER.  It speaks volumes about the Tigers pitching depth that there were fans actually complaining before the game that a former Cy-Young/MVP who was on a 3-game shutout streak was starting for them in game 5.  Geez.

Scherzer has been great all year no doubt.  But Justin Verlander is still Justin Verlander.  When he is on, and he is ON right now, I'll take him over every pitcher in MLB. 

Now he has a 4-game shutout streak. 

 

Lionsfan

October 10th, 2013 at 7:25 PM ^

With Miggy at 3rd, the Tiger's D needs someone with more range at SS. Iglesias cann always improve his bat a little, but you can't give Jhonny more range.

And plus Verlander is the teams ace. Leyland doesn't have "a lot on the line" pitching one of the best pitchers in baseball

Cold War

October 10th, 2013 at 7:32 PM ^

 Iglesias will never be as effective a player as Jhonny is right now. It's nice he has a great glove, but if you've been watching all year you know Peralta has improved a good bit bit. Verlander clearly isn't our ace this season, nowhere close. If you're honest, he's been our fourth best starter.

JamieH

October 11th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^

people overvalue flashy defense.

 

Iglesias for sure has super flashy defense.  And there is no question he saves more runs than Peralta does, no question.  But what is REALLY valuable and rare is consistent power and run production from your SS.

 

Peralta is NOT a bad SS, because he almost never makes errors.  His range is average.  Not nearly as bad as everyone makes it out to be.  It clearly it not good, but it is not bad.  And he has fantastic hands.

Peralta hitting .300 with 15-20 home runs is WAY more valuable than Iglesias hitting .270 with 0 home runs.  WAY more valuable.  Unless Iglesias adds in a s***ton of walks to get his OBP sky high. And even then Peralta is probably still more valuable.  But Peralta doesn't hit .300 every year--this has been a very good year for him.  His career average is .268.

The thing I'm worried about is Iglesias might not even be a .270 hitter long-term.

WMUgoblue

October 10th, 2013 at 7:50 PM ^

The Tigers need a few players like Iglesias though. They need a few cheap, young, cost controlled players to go with their high paid all-stars. You can't have 5 tool players at every position so guys like Iglesias and Castellanos need to continue to develop so we can stay relevant for more than just these next 2 years.

goblueram

October 10th, 2013 at 7:29 PM ^

A's are 0-5 in ALDS game 5's, time to end that streak.  Sonny should be on a relatively short leash with plenty of help available from the bullpen.  Should be an intense game.