OT: 9/1 Tigers' Open Thread

Submitted by Moleskyn on

Tigers vs. Royals @ 1:05

This is the finale of a 4-game set with the Royals, the Tigers are looking to take some momentum into their weekend series with Chicago.

The Tigers called up Jacob Turner to start today's game, giving Verlander an extra day of rest and enabling him to start off the series against the White Sox tomorrow. Remember a couple weeks ago when everyone was saying our series with the Indians was "the biggest of the year?" Well, I'm not going to say this weekend's series is the biggest, but it's definitely bigger than that series against the Indians. Hopefully we come out with the same end result.

At any rate, what are your thoughts about Jacob Turner starting? Do you think it was the right move? Are the Tigers hindering his development by moving him too fast, or is this a good thing? Also, for you White Sox fans out there, how are you feeling about this weekend's series? Both teams are playing pretty well lately, but are you confident heading into this weekend?

MGoBoard
Baseball/Softball
Detroit Tigers
Jacob Turner
Only 2 more days!

Moleskyn

September 1st, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^

For the Tigers:

  1. Jackson, 8
  2. Ordonez, 9
  3. Young, 7
  4. Cabrera, 3
  5. Martinez, DH
  6. Avila, 2
  7. Peralta, 6
  8. Raburn, 4
  9. Inge, 5

For the Royals:

  • Danny Duffy, 1
  1. Alex Gordon, 7
  2. Melky Cabrera, 8
  3. Billy Butler, DH
  4. Eric Hosmer, 3
  5. Jeff Francoeur, 9
  6. Mike Moustakas, 5
  7. Johnny Giavotella, 4
  8. Brayan Pena, 2
  9. Alcides Escobar, 6

Joined: 06/28/2010

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MGoBender

September 1st, 2011 at 1:00 PM ^

Well, they're not hindering his development by moving him too fast with a spot start.  I'm sure he'll see a little action in September, but it's September call up time.  Come back to me in one year if JT has 200 MLB innings on his arm, and then we could discuss whether they're moving him too fast.

Joined: 03/26/2010

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maizeandblue21

September 1st, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^

a couple of spot starts aren't going to hurt him, he will likely be shut down after this start anyways. he has an out pitch which is what porcello lacks and he has great life on his fastball. this kid is the real deal and should be in the rotation next year taking brad penny's spot. this offseason if max fails to produce for the rest of the year, should be traded for an elite 2nd baseman like a brandon philips or howie kendrick

Joined: 01/20/2011

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Moleskyn

September 1st, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^

I agree that Turner definitely seems to be the real deal. I would challenge you on two points, though:

  • The kid is still barely 20 years old. Isn't it still a little premature to think that he'll have a permanent spot in the rotation next year?
  • If we get rid of Scherzer, how does that improve our current situation? Sure, if they were able to get a top infielder for him, our infield would improve, but I feel like that would really hurt our rotation. Who fills Scherzer's spot in the rotation, assuming, as you said, that Turner would take Penny's spot? I just don't think that's a wise move. Keep in mind that this season is only Scherzer's third full ML season of his career.

Joined: 06/28/2010

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Moleskyn

September 1st, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^

Is Wilson going to be a FA after this season? I hadn't heard his name mentioned before. And there's just no way Smyly is in the ML rotation next year. He's still in AA right now and he's barely thrown 100 professional innings in his career so far. I'd say he's still a ways off, unless they bring him into the bullpen.

Joined: 06/28/2010

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maizeandblue21

September 1st, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^

is a college pitcher so he is fine on the innings thing and is ready for the rotation, he is already 22/23. you also have to remember with pitchers they can be young and good if they have life of their fastball and an out pitch, clayton kershaw is only 23 and has been in the majors for 4 years, turner will be fine he is a lot like kershaw in that he will develop his arsenal as he goes because he already has the pitches to be successful. the reason porcello struggles is because he never had an out pitch and theyve forced him to be something he is not, a flame thrower then they wanting him to be a sinker ball pitcher which he never fully developed. look for him to be really good next year, he should have mastered his sinker by then and be a successful gorundball pitcher, our infield doesnt help either

Joined: 01/20/2011

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Yinka Double Dare

September 1st, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^

Our manager currently bats the worst hitter on the team in the cleanup spot, and sends in the second worst for pinch hit duty in the 9th with runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out.  If the manager is going to submarine their chances by not putting the best players on the field in the right spots in the order, I'm not going to like our chances very much.  Frankly, my ideal lineup right now (accepting that Ozzie refuses to bat Viciedo in the cleanup spot) with Quentin out is Pierre-7, De Aza-8, Konerko-3, Ramirez-6, Viciedo-9, AJP-2, Flowers-DH, Morel-5, Beckham-4.  Or throw Lillibridge in right and Viciedo as the DH if need be.  Whatever.  As long as it doesn't involve Rios.  Dunn's already been benched.

That being said, the lousy Sox lineup has been better against Verlander than most teams (he's started 4 games against the Sox and they have put up 4.34 runs per 9 off of him -- pretty damn good considering his overall stats are 2.63 runs per 9), so who knows, they'll have a shot, particularly if Danks pitches like he has the last few starts.  And if they win the game against Verlander it might give them some momentum.

Realistically though, to have a decent shot at the division the Sox need to win 5 of the remaining 6 with Detroit.  That's not very likely.  4 out of 6 still leaves them needing to make up 4 games in the 20 others remaining, which could happen but will probably require a chokejob by the Tigers.

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Should Be Working

September 1st, 2011 at 1:57 PM ^

When I see Inge in the lineup, all I think of is a coach continually playing his own kid despite wretched numbers at the plate at the Pony League level. He is an automatic out at the plate. What Betemit did yesterday should of been a testimate to full time duties at 3B.

Joined: 06/03/2011

MGoPoints: 262

Sambojangles

September 1st, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^

Against lefties, Betemit has a .230 average and .556 OPS, including 35 strikeouts in 87 AB. Inge has a .200 average and .589 OPS--not great, but a little better. Only 16 Ks in 80 ABs. Plus Inge's defense is way better.

When I see Inge in the lineup, I see a coach playing a guy he thinks gives the team the best chance to win the game, taking into account defense and the opposing pitcher. I think it's working well that Betemit gets most of the starts with Inge in as a defensive replacement, but starting against lefties.

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Moleskyn

September 1st, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^

This has been a crazy game. I doubt it's over yet. What are your thoughts on Leyland pulling Ordonez for Kelly with a 2-run lead? I guess it wasn't unreasonable for him to think Coke wouldn't crap his pants, but that still seems a little premature.

BTW, welcome to the show Luis Marte.

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