Game 30: Tigers (14-15) at Twins (13-14)

by Ian Casselberry on May 2, 2008 6:50 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins, May 2, 2008 8:10 PM EDT

Armando Galarraga (2-0, 1.50) vs. Livan Hernandez (3-1, 5.05)

To the Metrodome we go! After sweeping the Yankees in their final visit to Yankee Stadium (and contributing to an excellent night for Detroit sports), the Tigers roar into Minneapolis looking much more like the team we've been expecting. Last year, Detroit won eight of nine games at Minnesota. Go ahead and read that sentence again; I looked over it a few times after typing it out.

At what point do we stop asking whether or not The Armando Galarraga Experience can continue and just embrace its majesty? Maybe you're already there, and I'm the one who needs to put aside my reservations. Galarraga has allowed just three earned runs in 18 innings as a Tigers starting pitcher. He's also struck out 13 batters during that span. (And that's probably why he was voted the Tigers Pitcher of the Month.) This will be the first time he's faced the Minnesota Twins.

Livan Hernandez hasn't been quite as good, but considering that most observers thought he'd get hammered in the American League (provoking sheer horror at the idea of him possibly coming to the Tigers), he's done pretty well so far with the Twins. But perhaps those initial fears are on their way to being realized, as Hernandez has given up 11 total runs in his last two starts. (Pitching him at Ameriquest Field in Arlington was probably a disaster waiting to happen.) This will be the first time Hernandez has faced the Tigers, as well, but he's 2-0 at the Metrodome to start the season.

The Twins will be without their manager this weekend, as Ron Gardenhire has left

Twinkie Town presents your SB Nation opposing view for this weekend's series.

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Starting Lineups

DETROIT

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Gary Sheffield, DH
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Carlos Guillen, 3B
7. Edgar Renteria, SS
8. Pudge Rodriguez, C
9. Jacque Jones, LF

MINNESOTA

1. Chris Gomez, CF
2. Brendan Harris, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Jason Kubel, DH
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Mike Lamb, 3B
9. Adam Everett, SS

Ron Gardenhire won’t be managing the Twins this weekend, as his brother passed away yesterday, and he’s left the team to be with his family.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 2, 2008 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

Maggs!

Quiet in here tonight…

by Brian8603 on May 2, 2008 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

BS

Jacque beat that throw

by ThaWalrus9 on May 2, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

It was close...

I thought he did at first glance but I wasn’t watching that closely

by Brian8603 on May 2, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

yikes

not a good way to end that inning…hope it doesn’t cost us in the end.

by LosTigres on May 2, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

I know it's easy to say after the fact...

but I had absolutely no confidence that Jacque would do anything other than strike out or GIDP. Why is he still starting games for us while guys like Ryan Raburn, Brandon Inge and Ramon Santiago are on the bench?

by russkiejedi on May 2, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions