Game 6: White Sox (3-2) at Tigers (0-5)
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 6:45 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintChicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, Apr 6, 2008 8:05 PM EDT
Mark Buehrle (0-0, 37.50) vs. 
Justin Verlander (0-0, 6.00)
So let's try to think of tonight as a do-over Opening Day. I realize that doesn't quite work. The five games the Tigers have already lost count in the standings, and this contest will be played under the lights (the first night game for Detroit this season). But with Justin Verlander starting for the home team and the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball crew shining a national spotlight onto Comerica Park, tonight's game has the trappings of something special.
Of course, it would be nice if the Tigers didn't carry that "only winless team in the majors" distinction into the game, and that will surely come up more than a few times during the broadcast jibber-jabber between Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. No one expected this kind of start leading up to a national showcase. But as the kids like to say these days, it is what it is, and the Tigers will have to see about getting that first win of the season tonight.
Mark Buehrle was brutal in his Opening Day start against the Indians, giving up seven runs on seven hits (including two home runs) in just 1 2/3 innings. Amazingly, he didn't take the loss. And he was mediocre in three appearances against the Tigers last year, posting a 1-1 record and 4.64 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. Most of that damage occurred in one game, however.
Gary Sheffield returns to the lineup tonight, but Placido Polanco will sit out with a stiff lower back. Was sending Ryan Raburn back down to Toledo really the right decision? Maybe it doesn't matter, since Raburn hasn't played much second base, anyway.
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Starting Lineups
CHI WHITE SOX
CF N. Swisher
SS O. Cabrera
DH J. Thome
1B P. Konerko
RF J. Dye
C A. Pierzynski
LF C. Quentin
3B J. Crede
2B J. Uribe
DETROIT
C I. Rodriguez
LF M. Thames
DH G. Sheffield
RF M. Ordonez
3B M. Cabrera
1B C. Guillen
SS E. Renteria
CF B. Inge
2B R. Santiago
3B B. Inge
Thames
Why is Thames batting second instead of Renteria. Is it because Lelyand likes power in the 2 hole if Polanco isnt in there?
Exactly
I think that's it. Power from the #2 spot is something he and La Russa seem to share a belief on.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
C'mon...
Most people haven't even sat down yet.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Fits him perfectly.
Let's go boys. Bring the bucket of chicken. Get Jobu some rum. Whatever it friggin takes.
Shoot
Bad cut-and-paste. Sorry about that.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Verlander's change-up
That's looking like a nasty pitch tonight. Two punchouts with it. Take notes, Bondo.
Man it is sick tonight, was just tellin my buddy that.
by rossjohnson87 on Apr 6, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
We can also agree
That Tressel owned Lloyd. It only hurts us 'cuz it's true.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully between Tressel and RR they can bring the Big 10 back to respectablity
but back to the game
Peter Gammons
He's so wasted as a sideline reporter, giving little anecdotes and asking "tell us how it felt" questions.
Let Erin Andrews do that. Baseball Tonight really misses him in the studio.
Exhale
That looked like trouble when Verlander walked Uribe.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
My wife
just walked into the room and aske what the hell is that on his face, he must not have a woman in is life
Inge
They just can't get Inge out, even when he grounds the ball to one of the better fielding 3B in the league
Kind of a dumb mistake
But I like Santiago being aggressive.
... even though you have the top of the order coming up. Blurgh.
and...
Trying to do too much can lead you to make bad mistakes.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Maggs Will Take It
That has to be the first time a hit has dropped over the infield or into the gap in this series for the Tigers.
Some good news?
Curtis Granderson's hand is healing nicely, and he can "resume baseball activities" tomorrow.
Ugh.
This is pathetic.
I'm trying real hard to stay positive, but plays like Guillen's do not help.
He's going to get hurt
Guillen keeps straddling first base like a shortstop taking a relay from second base.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking Mr. Furley
The landlord from Three's Company. All he needs is the ascot around his neck.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully, his neck is still stiff
He must've strained it while turning to look at all the hits he gave up.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I cannot go to class tomorrow and listen to all the fans of other teams remind that the Tigers are still winless
This team is
worse than any Tiger team in history because they're expensive. At least we had virtually no payroll back in 2003.
Fans booing
A couple of games ago, I thought that was too harsh, but the fans are entirely justified tonight. This is some crap baseball.
I am going to have to quit drinking beer
during games and find something harder if these keeps up much longer.
Pudge
I am continuing to watch to see if Pudge swings at every pitch he sees tonite. He's 5-5 so far. Great leadoff hitter approach.
I know
the whole team has do it so far this year even Polanco, Leyland needs to make everyone take the frist strike just like in little league.
That avatar is so wrong
But it only hurts because it's true.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Fans waving at the camera
I think I want to respect that they're having fun, but I'd go Kenny Rogers on that cameraman if he got near me right now.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:08 PM EDT reply actions
While the home plate umpire is dazed...
Kevin Rand should tell him the score should be Tigers 9, White Sox 1.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions
Buehrle
Last year, the Tigers pounded soft-tossing lefties.
But he's exactly the type of guy to give a lineup pressing to score runs big problems tonight.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions
Home vs. Road
Do you guys give any credence to the media's excuse for the Tigers that playing at home to start the season was detrimental to their success?
Because I've always thought playing at home is supposed to help a team. Call me crazy.
I think that once a slump starts you feel more pressure to do things at home
...perhaps a spell together, away from home will help. Who knows. Couldn't be worse.
Grilli Time
These sorts of games are the only ones in which Grill should be pitching.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice throw!
That was a sweet play at 3rd, though. Rocket throw.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Clete
pinch hitting for Pudge. So Pudge did swing at every pitch he saw tonite. At least he didn't hit into a DP.
I'm sure if he was batting anything other than leadoff he wouldn't have let us down by not hitting into a DP
by rossjohnson87 on Apr 6, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan seems to care alot about Ozzie Guillen.... and also seems to think Justin Verlander has a "sinker"... what a joke of a broadcaster
Anyone else sick of the Planters ad?
Though the woman is an interesting representation of the Tigers' play tonight.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:31 PM EDT reply actions
Orbitz
Not as sick as I am of that Orbitz ad
by pfuhrmeister on Apr 6, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea, its annoying
it's probably a combo of ESPN showing it 37 times and the Tigers playing like shit
by rossjohnson87 on Apr 6, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Inge at catcher!
And boy, does he look happy to be there.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:32 PM EDT reply actions
What's next?
I'm not sure where the Tigers go from here. (Don't say Boston.)
Anything to snap a losing streak
Maybe all of the Tigers should dye their facial hair douchebag blonde...
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:34 PM EDT reply actions
The Tigs are 0-6
and Bill Self actually won a big game. I feel like I am taking crazy pills.
I haven't drunk enough
to make this bearable.
by pfuhrmeister on Apr 6, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
That guy in the Tiger suit
He has to want to punch someone in the face right now. Or someone should punch him; I'm not sure.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions
Tomorrow.
I can't imagine sports talk hosts will be telling their listeners to stop panicking tomorrow.
The topic du jour
They'll probably want to talk NFL Draft.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone have a rally cap on?
Dare I hope for this bottom of the ninth to get interesting?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:53 PM EDT reply actions
About the only chance
Would be a quick trade of Grilli and have him take the mound for the Sox.
by pfuhrmeister on Apr 6, 2008 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, I've been writing it
This one didn't take long.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:57 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks for sticking it out
I know it wasn't easy, but I think everyone appreciates the shoulders to cry on.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions
We should've watched women's basketball
At least they play the game fundamentally.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 10:59 PM EDT reply actions
I live in Connecticut
I DID watch the women play basketball, so it's a doubly disgusting evening for me.
by pfuhrmeister on Apr 6, 2008 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
You have permission
Go out and hurt a small animal, Peter. You might feel better.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2008 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, there is this chicken
I could choke
by pfuhrmeister on Apr 6, 2008 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
When Fantasy Meets Reality...
When i see Jim Leyland look strategically at a situation and come to the same conclusion that I do in my Fantasy Leagues,I know that we're in serious dog shit!! Last night..".get Clete into the game and have Inge catch..." YIKES!!!
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