Game 42: Tigers (16-25) at D-Backs (26-15)
by Ian Casselberry
on May 16, 2008 8:26 PM EDT
in News
Detroit @ Arizona
Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.80) vs. 
Dan Haren (4-2, 3.04)
Oh, this looked like it would be such a great series when the 2008 schedule was first released. And maybe it still will be. But the Tigers weren't supposed to be shuffling into Arizona with hunched shoulders, avoiding everyone's gaze. Their record wasn't supposed to be a virtual mirror opposite of the Diamondbacks'. And Bonderman vs. Haren was supposed to be a clash of pitching titans.
By the way, are you already sick of hearing "Well, at least Detroit doesn't have to face Brandon Webb in this series"? I sure am. Is that how far it's already fallen for the Tigers, when we're happy to avoid an ace pitcher? Remember when we wanted to see how elite pitchers might fare against this lineup?
Besides, it's not like the Tigers catch a break in facing Dan Haren. On several other teams, he'd be the staff ace. And that's pretty much how he's been pitching so far this season. Haren has allowed more than three runs in just three of his eight starts. In his last two appearances, he's given up four total runs over 13 innings. Amazingly, Haren didn't win either of those games. He also hasn't pitched that well against the Tigers in six career starts, posting a 1-4 record and 5.12 ERA.
Someone else who hasn't been pitching well, in a much broader sense, is Jeremy Bonderman. He lasted just four innings against the Yankees last Saturday, giving up five runs, six hits, and four walks. Some blame Bondo's ineptness on an ill-fated attempt to grow a mustache. I still think he should see how far he can take the 'stache, but if he stinks tonight, there probably needs to be a clubhouse intervention with a shaving kit.
While watching tonight's game, I'll be lamenting not joining The Daily Fungo summit in Arizona this weekend, an unfortunate casualty of my travel plans to Malaysia. Hopefully, Mike and the rest of Team Fungo share some of their experiences from Chase Field here at BYB. Given how well Detroit has performed in Interleague Play over the past couple of seasons, maybe they'll be witness to a Tigers resurgence.
AZ Snakepit has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game interleague series.
Short Hops:
- Joe Sheehan examines whether or not the DH really gives AL teams an advantage at Baseball Prospectus.
- Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan has some suggestions to spruce up Interleague Play, and some of them are pretty creative.
- We know at least two Tigers will be in uniform at the All-Star Game. Jim Leyland has been named as one of Terry Francona's coaches.
- Buster Olney ($$) wonders if the Tigers might have to enter the C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes.
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buster olney
If only I could get this man to have some baloney, sorry I listen to mike and mike, I just can’t help myself… No CC, no Bonds, No reanimated ted williams head on a cyborg body, please, just bring some of the young guys up from AAA if the season doesn’t turn around…
by busta on May 16, 2008 8:56 PM EDT 0 recs
Starting Lineups
DETROIT
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Gary Shefield, LF
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Carlos Guillen, 3B
7. Edgar Renteria, SS
8. Pudge Rodriguez, C
9. Jeremy Bonderman, P
ARIZONA
1. Chris Young, CF
2. Stephen Drew, SS
3. Orlando Hudson, 2B
4. Conor Jackson, 1B
5. Justin Upton, RF
6. Chris Snyder, C
7. Eric Byrnes, LF
8. Augie Ojeda, 3B
9. Dan Haren, P
by Ian Casselberry on May 16, 2008 8:58 PM EDT 0 recs
fantasy team
I picked up Mark Reynolds early this year, at least I don’t have to be conflicted tonight… Ian on a serious note, thanks for what you do, I found this blog a week or so ago, I really enjoy it…
by busta on May 16, 2008 9:14 PM EDT 0 recs
Thanks!
I appreciate the kind words. Despite the Tigers’ play this season, writing here has been a lot of fun with all of the participation we’ve had from regular readers thus far. So thank you for chiming in, and I hope you stick around.
by Ian Casselberry on
May 16, 2008 9:34 PM EDT
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DON'T
praise him too much…..(his ego is already HUUUUGE)
Joking, I concur, it takes a lot of work to do what Ian does, even when it hurts…and I for one, appreciate it.
by Zappatista on May 16, 2008 9:16 PM EDT 0 recs
It IS pretty large
Might have to check it in for my flight tomorrow.
by Ian Casselberry on
May 16, 2008 9:35 PM EDT
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Where the hell is Joyce?
Must have need a break, got winded from rounding those bases.
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 9:18 PM EDT 0 recs
or batting 3rd
... or maybe not.
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 9:22 PM EDT
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whatever
I’m so disheartened I almost don’t care. Hit Ramon Santiago cleanup, I don’t care, just get a win.
by ThaWalrus9 on
May 16, 2008 9:25 PM EDT
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Hey it with a try
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 9:26 PM EDT
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Sheffield vs. Haren
.200/.250/.467, one home run, three RBIs, two strikeouts in 16 plate appearances.
by Ian Casselberry on
May 16, 2008 9:33 PM EDT
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I have a dilemma.
SO PLEASE HELP!!!
Newcastle, Pete’s Wicked, or Orberon?
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 9:26 PM EDT 0 recs
Newcastle it is!!!
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 9:36 PM EDT
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I am 110% ready
to blame the mustache if it’s still present and Bondo struggles tonight.
by Roar of the Tigers on May 16, 2008 9:27 PM EDT 0 recs
Newcastle, Pete's, or Orberon
Are they mutually exclusive?
by busta on May 16, 2008 9:31 PM EDT 0 recs
I could mixed them I guess
depends on how the game goes
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 9:34 PM EDT
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Doesn't seem like you could go wrong
Although I LOVE Oberon when it’s hot. Since the Tigers are playing in 90-degree weather, that’s the way to go?
by Ian Casselberry on
May 16, 2008 9:36 PM EDT
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Maybe round 2
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 9:39 PM EDT
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with Haren on the mound
on the Tigers O struggling against the Royals, I think we’ll all need plenty of alcohol to get through this one
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 16, 2008 9:36 PM EDT 0 recs
Like I stated earlier
I am going to send DD my alcohol bill, the Tigers are costing me to much
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 9:38 PM EDT
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That a hesitation
isn’t good for Miggy, it gives him time to stop and make a sandwhich
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 9:42 PM EDT 0 recs
mlb tv
I couldn’t get mine to work till now, looks like I didn’t miss anything…
by busta on May 16, 2008 9:45 PM EDT 0 recs
not unless
you were expecting the Tigers to NOT be retired in order in the first, but I think most of us were expecting that.
by ThaWalrus9 on
May 16, 2008 9:48 PM EDT
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expecting, fearing it's just semantics at this part
My subject line took up all my thoughts for the next 10 minutes, must refuel… Dominoes, where are you?
by busta on
May 16, 2008 9:53 PM EDT
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The saddest part of each new series
is hearing the announcers for the other team introduce the players the Tigers have. The D’backs announcers just mentioned the 41 All Star teams, and Polanco’s .341 average last year. Makes their struggles all the more painful to be reminded of how good an offense this should be.
by ThaWalrus9 on May 16, 2008 9:45 PM EDT 0 recs
The D'backs voice just said,
“With Pudge’s buttery hands….”
I don’t even know what came after that….still not sure where he could have went with that.
by Zappatista on May 16, 2008 9:53 PM EDT 0 recs
Daron Sutton and Mark Grace?
Is that who you guys get?
Ugh. They were one reason I didn’t sign on for MLB Extra Innings.
by Ian Casselberry on May 16, 2008 9:54 PM EDT 0 recs
To this day, I think the Tigers called up Maybin last year because of Justin Upton. They saw one 20-year-old outfielder tearing it up, and wondered if theirs could do the same thing.
by Ian Casselberry on
May 16, 2008 10:01 PM EDT
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Dang!
Justin Upton guns down Maggs at 2nd. Love the aggressive baserunning, but Upton took Maggs to the gun show.
by Ian Casselberry on May 16, 2008 9:58 PM EDT 0 recs
wow, that throw was on the money
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 9:58 PM EDT 0 recs
yep
mark “slump buster” grace on the mic…..are the white sox on??
by Zappatista on May 16, 2008 9:59 PM EDT 0 recs
at least everyone is making contact
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 10:01 PM EDT 0 recs
yes
that is a silver lining. Plus, Haren is tough, but at least the Tigers have seen him before.
by ThaWalrus9 on
May 16, 2008 10:03 PM EDT
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the crowd there
obviously doesn’t know Grandy that well. The were a’cheering that hit like it was hitting the ground!
by Zappatista on May 16, 2008 10:04 PM EDT 0 recs
under 30
Their montage 30s ago didn’t show anyone under 30
by busta on May 16, 2008 10:04 PM EDT 0 recs
ARGH
What was Miggy doing on that foul ball? Did he misjudge where the fence was? He absolutely should’ve had that.
by Ian Casselberry on May 16, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs
Bondo wanted the K anyway
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs
wow
half ass attempt by cabrera yeah hes worth all that money
by HavocRox on May 16, 2008 10:07 PM EDT 0 recs
Stood there like a house on the side of the road.
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 10:10 PM EDT 0 recs
This is the best Bondo has pitched
since 2006, in my opinion
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 10:11 PM EDT
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Hey
I wonder what Thunder Dan Majerle’s been up to lately…
by ThaWalrus9 on May 16, 2008 10:12 PM EDT 0 recs
I am calling it
Bondo is going big fly
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 10:13 PM EDT 0 recs
opps
or not, nicely done
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 10:14 PM EDT
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stupid question
when was the last time we had a lead?
by ThaWalrus9 on May 16, 2008 10:15 PM EDT 0 recs
1984
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 10:16 PM EDT
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all 9 hitter made contact
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 10:15 PM EDT 0 recs
bondo
seems to be getting ahead of hitters more tonight
by ThaWalrus9 on May 16, 2008 10:21 PM EDT 0 recs
pitch count
From D-backs blog Bondy 47, Haren 41 through 3…
by busta on May 16, 2008 10:33 PM EDT 0 recs
about frock time
that dog is dancing
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on May 16, 2008 10:37 PM EDT 0 recs
and a fist full of cash
"When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch." - Ty Cobb
by miggy4mvp on
May 16, 2008 10:40 PM EDT
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verry niiiiiicee......
I think my mlbtv is a bit behind…
by busta on May 16, 2008 10:39 PM EDT 0 recs
Bondo
3 Innings no hits, one walk, 4 Ks? Who is this guy?
by pfuhrmeister on May 16, 2008 10:43 PM EDT 0 recs
so let's hope all it took to fix Miggy
was NL pitching
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 16, 2008 10:45 PM EDT 0 recs
DAMN!
I was watching it with a five minute delay!
by pfuhrmeister on May 16, 2008 10:53 PM EDT 0 recs
sorry, my jinx
I got off work and went “whoa, a no hitter” and then the Dbags got a hit, and I said well, hey, maybe a shutout still? and they got a really far hit.
my bad.
by MackAveKurt on May 16, 2008 11:05 PM EDT 0 recs
Big Red
Chris Shelton just hit a HR for the Texas Rangers
by ThaWalrus9 on May 16, 2008 11:06 PM EDT 0 recs
Rejoining the GameThread already in progress
Had to take a phone call, but kept up on the action. Wasn’t exactly an attentive listener when Cabrera’s home run went out.
Then whatever it was that Byrnesie did after hitting his home run… blurgh.
by Ian Casselberry on May 16, 2008 11:21 PM EDT 0 recs
that rattlesnake noise is annoying
and seems pointlessly timed
by MackAveKurt on May 16, 2008 11:28 PM EDT 0 recs
Sort of like the toilet flush the Lions call a roar.
by Ian Casselberry on
May 16, 2008 11:29 PM EDT
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Byrnes
Does he get plunked this inning for raising his arm when he hit his home run?
by Ian Casselberry on May 16, 2008 11:30 PM EDT 0 recs
Mark Grace is kind of an idiot
Just said that Bondo “has been a Cy Young candidate, many times.” What times were those?
by ThaWalrus9 on May 16, 2008 11:33 PM EDT 0 recs
hey now, don't sell him short
Mark Grace is a full blown idiot
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on
May 16, 2008 11:39 PM EDT
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Pizza
Is it too much to ask that the lead be intact while the pizza is being picked up?
And I may be late to the party, but I vote oberon. Always oberon.
by Juskimo on May 16, 2008 11:36 PM EDT 0 recs
WTF?
What is with the foul balls tonight? Three guys are there, and no one catches the ball?!?
by Ian Casselberry on May 16, 2008 11:39 PM EDT 0 recs