Game 21: Rangers (7-13) at Tigers (7-13)
by Ian Casselberry
on Apr 22, 2008 6:45 PM EDT
in News
Texas @ Detroit
Vicente Padilla (2-1, 3.12) vs. 
Justin Verlander (0-3, 7.03)
What we have here tonight is a battle to create some separation. Both the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers find themselves with identical won-loss records, at the bottom of their respective divisions, and five games out of the AL Wild Card spot. So who's going to shake loose and who might sink just a bit more?
Vicente Padilla is coming off an excellent performance against Toronto, in which he gave up only one run in seven innings. He also has never lost in each of the four times he's faced the Tigers. Padilla has a 3-0 record and 2.08 ERA, with 15 strikeouts in 26 innings. 20 of those innings have been thrown at Comerica Park, during which he's given up only three runs.
Justin Verlander has lost his last three games, and spent his time between starts working on his arm angle, thinking that dropping it too low has flattened out some of his pitches. (The Detroit Tigers Weblog tried to take a closer look at that through pitch f/x.) We'll see if that makes any difference in his breaking pitches tonight. Verlander has also been very successful in this match-up, winning three of his four starts against the Rangers and giving up just seven runs in 25 1/3 innings.
Both Placido Polanco and Gary Sheffield are sitting out again, though both hitters could return to the lineup soon. No structural damage was found in an exam of Sheffield's shoulder, and he received a cortisone shot (in both shoulders, actually) to alleviate some of the discomfort he's been feeling. Curtis Granderson is also expected to rejoin the Tigers tomorrow after one more rehab start with the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Lone Star Ball has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series.
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Starting Lineups
TEXAS
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Michael Young, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Milton Bradley, DH
5. Hank Blalock, 3B
6. Frank Catalanotto, LF
7. David Murphy, RF
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ben Broussard, 1B
DETROIT
1. Clete Thomas, CF
2. Ivan Rodriguez, C
3. Carlos Guillen, 1B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, DH
6. Jacque Jones, LF
7. Edgar Renteria, SS
8. Brandon Inge, 3B
9. Ramon Santiago, 2B
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 22, 2008 6:51 PM EDT 0 recs
Raburn over Santiago?
Leyland’s reasoning might be that Santiago has a .429 average (3-for-7) against Padilla.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 22, 2008 6:53 PM EDT 0 recs
Santiago has actually looked pretty good at the dish so far this year
5 of 12 with a double, a walk and an RBI
by Grant E. on
Apr 22, 2008 6:59 PM EDT
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Or Santiago over Raburn...
Sorry, it’s been kind of a long day.
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 22, 2008 7:01 PM EDT
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how about Raburn over Jones
what does Jacque bring to the field other than slugging and batting aves of .178 and an OBP of .224
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on
Apr 22, 2008 7:13 PM EDT
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been awhile since Santiago got some PT too hasn't it?
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 6:56 PM EDT 0 recs
True Dat
We know Leyland doesn’t like his guys sitting around too long.
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 22, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
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some observations
1) Grimson has really good hair for a guy coming off the ice between periods of a hockey game.
2) i’m glad they finally stopped explaining what a hold is whenever they do that promotion during the pregame.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 7:01 PM EDT 0 recs
Verlander
I still can’t believe we are this far into the season and Verlander’s era is 7.
by jgrubbs on Apr 22, 2008 7:01 PM EDT 0 recs
Off-topic
I know it’s been rumored for a while, but it’s pretty cool to see that Jake Long is going to be the #1 pick in the NFL Draft.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 22, 2008 7:08 PM EDT 0 recs
Long
He is one large man. It was funny seeing him in the huddle standing next to Mike Hart, quite the size difference.
by jgrubbs on
Apr 22, 2008 7:09 PM EDT
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I'm not a Michigan fan, but...
he sure as hell deserves it. He is as big as a house but has fantastic technique.
by Grant E. on
Apr 22, 2008 7:10 PM EDT
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There’s a whole bunch of WR’s that are disappointed, though.
by Grant E. on
Apr 22, 2008 7:13 PM EDT
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Hey Ian
What is the latest on Francisco Cruceta? I know the Free Press said that he was going to Toledo but didn’t say how he looked so far.
by miggy4mvp on Apr 22, 2008 7:17 PM EDT 0 recs
Kinda sad
I am really excited to hear the Tigers are getting Granderson back tomorrow, but this could be the last time we see Clete for awhile.
by jgrubbs on Apr 22, 2008 7:18 PM EDT 0 recs
Hopefully Not
Hopefully Leyland plays Clete in Left a little bit more and gives Jaque some bench time
by spartyboy40 on
Apr 22, 2008 7:22 PM EDT
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That would be good
But someone has to get sent down to the minors, and I think it would be between Clete and Raburn
by jgrubbs on
Apr 22, 2008 7:25 PM EDT
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Just once
I’d like to see a leadoff double come around to score in the inning.
by Grant E. on Apr 22, 2008 7:27 PM EDT 0 recs
some stats
long as i’m playing around at baseball prospectus
17 of 34 bequethed runners have scored.
when looking only at how many of the starters’ bequethed runners have scored, it’s 17 of 23.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 7:28 PM EDT 0 recs
stupid fan
I don’t agree with Mario, I think the runners ended up where they would have, but I really wish fans would learn to keep their hands to themselves.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 7:44 PM EDT 0 recs
back to back!
poor Mr. Padilla’s ERA is catching up to Verlander all of a sudden
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 8:03 PM EDT 0 recs
Of course!
This game is being played at night, of course the Tigers’ bats are waking up. Great to see!
by ThaWalrus9 on Apr 22, 2008 8:04 PM EDT 0 recs
crud i was in the kitchen making dinner
missed all the fireworks…stupid stomach needing food
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on Apr 22, 2008 8:06 PM EDT 0 recs
Renterria has been STEADY
Solid, what more can be said?
by Zappatista on Apr 22, 2008 8:08 PM EDT 0 recs
Good Call, Ian
Not a bad call on why Santiago is starting tonight, Ian.
Great inning.
by spartyboy40 on Apr 22, 2008 8:10 PM EDT 0 recs
Alright, it's official.
The Tigers are 1-10 so far in day games this season, and are on their way to being 7-3 in night games. Ramon Santiago just hit a home run. It’s official: the majority of the players on the Tigers roster are vampires.
by ThaWalrus9 on Apr 22, 2008 8:10 PM EDT 0 recs
or
have a drinking problem. I don’t function that well during the day either….
by Zappatista on
Apr 22, 2008 8:11 PM EDT
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or Alcoholic vampires
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on
Apr 22, 2008 8:17 PM EDT
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Here we go
This has the feel of a 15-3 ballgame. Getting into the bullpens of mediocre teams early will (hopefully) be their trademark this year…
by ThaWalrus9 on Apr 22, 2008 8:21 PM EDT 0 recs
Granderson 0-2 so far in West MI
Just missed a homer in his second AB, according to the radio.
by Grant E. on Apr 22, 2008 8:26 PM EDT 0 recs
Bring on the bench
I really think Inge should don the catchers gear for the rest of the night. Pudge hasn’t gotten much rest, and even a few innings rest will help.
by ThaWalrus9 on Apr 22, 2008 8:40 PM EDT 0 recs
Damn blogging about the Lions...
is keeping me away from the game thread! Fun game to watch, though. Who knew Jacque Jones would try to knock over the CF wall twice?
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on Apr 22, 2008 8:45 PM EDT 0 recs
Hate to say this but,
How much is there to blog about?
(of course, I am joking..WFE is top notch)
by Zappatista on
Apr 22, 2008 8:58 PM EDT
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man I wish Ernie did fewer commercials
He just sounds like he’s rambling all the time and then they edit it so he seems to change subjects for no apparent reason without taking a breath so he comes across as a crazy old man, rather than Ernie Harwell.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 8:49 PM EDT 0 recs
That's a tough one
As much as it pains me to say it, I’ll go Grilli very slightly over Miner. Grilli has better pure stuff than Miner. Both are pretty combustible in the ‘pen though…
by ThaWalrus9 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:10 PM EDT
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Miner < Cornejo
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on
Apr 22, 2008 9:13 PM EDT
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dude
I loved Conejo, how about a ‘where are they now’?
by Zappatista on
Apr 22, 2008 9:20 PM EDT
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he plays for the Bucks
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on
Apr 22, 2008 9:26 PM EDT
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At least Grilli is relatively effective on the road.
Right now, Miner can’t get anyone out anywhere.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
Apr 22, 2008 9:09 PM EDT
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Miner < Grilli
like, way <
He’ll be the next to go.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 9:09 PM EDT 0 recs
According to the comment you left earlier, Kurt
that was the first inherited runner from a reliever to score
by Grant E. on Apr 22, 2008 9:10 PM EDT 0 recs
So I missed all the fun?
Not that I can watch on TV, as I’m still down south. But I’m enjoying catching up on the game through comments. I don’t suppose anyone wants a Pennsylvania primary update? :-)
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 22, 2008 9:17 PM EDT 0 recs
I just received an NYT breaking news email alert...
saying Clinton won, but they don’t have a margin of victory yet.. Whoo boy, it’s going to get messy for the Dems…
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
Apr 22, 2008 9:20 PM EDT
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Well at least,
us Hoosiers actually matter this time….kind of….i guess….maybe?
by Zappatista on
Apr 22, 2008 9:22 PM EDT
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do we?
I will be traveling to the GR with the special lady friend this weekend. I just filled up for 3.44 regular…worse than that?
by Zappatista on
Apr 22, 2008 9:31 PM EDT
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It was $3.43 a week ago in Allendale (15 mi. west of GR) but it is $3.57 today
by Grant E. on Apr 22, 2008 9:37 PM EDT 0 recs
and way up in the canadian part of the state
it’s 3.70 in Marquette
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 9:40 PM EDT 0 recs
Down here in Charleston...
It’s $3.49. And this is a port town, where gas has often been cheaper, in my experience.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 22, 2008 9:41 PM EDT 0 recs
no fourth place tonight
indians are whuppin up on the royals
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 9:45 PM EDT 0 recs
The standings don't bother me much...
I’m more concerned about the Tigers playing well. If they do, the standings will take care of itself. Hell, I just want them to get back to .500!
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
Apr 22, 2008 9:48 PM EDT
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he wanted no part of Miguel
Or he has no control.
The two may be related.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 22, 2008 10:01 PM EDT 0 recs
I'm not too concered about the DET side of the score the next two days
It’s the TEX side I hope to keep low.
by MackAveKurt on
Apr 22, 2008 10:07 PM EDT
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Site downtime
Just to let everyone know – and there will be something on the front page – and most of us probably won’t be up at this time, BYB and the other new SBN sites will be down for about two hours beginning at 2 a.m. EST.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 22, 2008 10:07 PM EDT 0 recs
wow
Grilli pitching at Comerica and nothing happened except for 3 outs
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on Apr 22, 2008 10:11 PM EDT 0 recs
Switching the corners!
Guillen to 3rd base, and Cabrera to 1st? I just got an IM about this from Mike McClary. Did you guys see anything about this on FSN?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 22, 2008 10:37 PM EDT 0 recs
Hey, Ian
The News just reported this. Wow.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080422/SPORTS0104/804220454
by Grant E. on
Apr 22, 2008 11:07 PM EDT
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I can't get that link to work.
Apparantly, Leyland dropped the bomb in his postgame news conference and then just took off without answering any questions about it.
Tigers Cabrera, Guillen switch positions—for good
Tom Gage / The Detroit News
DETROIT—In a surprising shakeup for the Tigers defensively, manager Jim Leyland has made Miguel Cabrera the team’s new fulltime first baseman and Carlos Guillen the starter at third base.
“It makes us a better team,” Leyland said after the Tigers beat the Rangers, 10-2, in a game Guillen started at first and Cabrera started at designated hitter.
Cabrera, who this year has been playing first base for the first time, has looked very comfortable there.
Guillen, who moved from shortstop to first after the offseason trade for Edgar Renteria, has struggled with his foot work there, often ending up in the runner’s way.
The move is believed to be permanent.
by Grant E. on
Apr 22, 2008 11:14 PM EDT
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