Game 33: Red Sox (20-13) at Tigers (14-18)
by Ian Casselberry on May 5, 2008 5:16 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintBoston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers, May 5, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
Daisuke Matsuzaka (4-0, 2.52) vs. 
Jeremy Bonderman (2-2, 3.86)
Usually I try to make these GameThreads all about the pitching match-up, but the big story coming into tonight's opener with the Red Sox is about the new batting order Jim Leyland promised we'd see. "Drastic," remember? Here is the starting lineup for your Detroit Tigers this evening:
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez, DH
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Gary Sheffield, LF
7. Matt Joyce, RF
8. Edgar Renteria, SS
9. Pudge Rodriguez, C
"Drastic"? Well, maybe not so much. Though I suppose that depends on what you expected. Releasing Jacque Jones and calling up Matt Joyce weren't entirely insignificant moves. And playing left field might feel like more of a drastic move to Gary Sheffield (though Mike McClary tells me, via ESPN, that Sheff requested this move) than hitting sixth. Maybe he can tear more of that scar tissue in his right shoulder playing long toss or throwing the ball to the cut-off man. (And unlike Jones, maybe Sheff's throws will actually reach the cut-off man.)
The question becomes whether or not Joyce will stay in the lineup. I'd guess yes, since the Tigers went to the trouble of calling him up to Detroit. But playing right field regularly is doubtful. So if he stays, he'll probably move to left tomorrow, with Sheffield going back to DH (or rotating among two or three guys), and Ordonez taking his usual place in right.
Is this going to be enough to score some runs against Dice-K? Boston has won Matsuzaka's last eight starts, and Daisuke has given up three runs or more in only two of his six appearances this season. In his last start, he shut out the Blue Jays (who have been struggling to score runs) over seven innings.
But if Jeremy Bonderman pitches as well tonight as he did last week at Yankee Stadium, things might work out just fine.
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WHOOO HOOOO, oh wait...
Now I don’t have anybody to torment! In all seriousness, Jacque Strap stunk. I am a little perplexed by the Joyce move though, I really wanted to see Clete get some love. Also, too bad that we really need a lefty as Clevlen is hitting pretty well too. Maybe with Sheff playing the field will help him stay in the game mentally and in turn effect his bat.
Game on!
Clete, RE:
Ya his numbers are bad, but he showed he can hit big boi pitching while he was up, plus his speed is desirable. I have no problem with Joyce getting a shot. It will be fun to watch, hopefully!
Unless you believe Carlos hates DH-ing
My guess is that it’ll rotate among Sheff, Maggs, Guillen, and Cabrera.
And yes, I think a lot of people were hoping Inge would be back at 3rd.
One would have to think
that allowing Sheff to play the field is an experiment to see Carlos can move into the DH spot for Inge to play the field…wouldn’t one?
Sheff asked to play LF
I’m almost expecting Leyland to use the DH position as just a way to give guys a “day off”
Re: Sheff
The reports say that he asked. I would think, as a team player, Sheff probably said this after/during the release of “The Strap” as he would want to help the team in any way. It could also be a jumpstart and he is grasping at straws to figure it out…
Red Sox starting lineup
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
7. J.D. Drew, RF
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Julio Lugo, SS
Rod and Mario or the ESPN telecast?
I thought tonight would be blacked out on ESPN, but maybe not, since it’s a home game?
Are you kidding?
This drive me nucking futs…more than anything this team does.
But hey...
I bet those Red Sox hitters are intimidated by what Bondo did to that ESPN camera lens.
by Ian Casselberry on May 5, 2008 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Steve Phillips or Joe Morgan
right now I’d choose pointy stick in ear
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
They are actually discussing Ol'e
Tigers stadium. A nice discussion, of course there were a few jack ass comments. Phillips claims he was in the house for the all star game when Reggie had the light tower power!
Sheff in left
He’s certainly getting the opportunity to run up to the fence with the long balls Bondo is giving up.
Crap.
Letting him off the hook
You can’t let Dice-K get away with walking that many batters and not drive in a run.
by Ian Casselberry on May 5, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
No, really,
you can’t. It doesn’t seem possible.
FINALLY
And THAT, ladies and gentleman, is why it wouldn’t have been a bad idea to move Granderson down the order a bit. His hits can drive in runs.
yes, yes
But, no one else has his speed and smarts on the base paths or his average at this point. Sheff is not good at running the bases. Polanco, yah, but don’t you feel comfortable with him second. Pudge, uh NO. Renterria, I don’t ike that either. INGE! I digress…..hmmm, who do you want up there?
Leyland says Curtis is leading off - period
So I suppose it was a moot point to even bring up. I’d disagree with you about Sheff running the bases, though.
I agree with you on both points, Ian
Granderson is a middle of the order, 100+ RBI hitter waiting to happen. Sheffield is the smartest baserunner on the Tigers. He has highest baseball IQ on the team.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
I forgot to add...
Unfortunately, Granderson is the one of the few Tigers who could be a legit lead off man. Which is I really liked Billfer’s idea of batting Sheff lead off.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
Not to come off like Lynn Henning, but...
Sometimes, Comerica Park pisses me off. In how many other ballparks is that drive to left center by Magglio a home run?
There's a difference between being a pitcher's park...
and being unfair to your own batters. CoPa’s insane power alleys are unfair. Henning’s problem is harping on it seemingly once a week.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
Tough break
Like you said, Joyce smoked that ball. Had a chance to be a hero. Hit it right at Drew, though.
by Ian Casselberry on May 5, 2008 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Potent offense.
Eight f** walks and they score once. That’s pathetic.
This team’s in a bad spot right now. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another.
Bad throw by Renteria
But another example of bad footwork by Cabrera. If his left foot is on the bag, maybe he has a chance to stop that ball, even if he can’t make the out. By using the right foot, he has to cross over and stretch for the ball.
We'd like to welcome
all those viewers/readers who just watched the Detroit Pistons defeat the Orlando Magic. Unfortunately, Magglio Ordonez just grounded into a double play, so you’re not missing much.
I switched, too
Over to FSN Detroit.
by Ian Casselberry on May 5, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
That move sure worked. Nice job, Marcus!
by Ian Casselberry on May 5, 2008 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Manny bare handed Thames single...
I’d pay big $ to watch Manny play 81 games in a spacious park like Comerica. The hilarity would never end…
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
My earlier complaint about the CoPa
is hereby withdrawn. Saved a home run by Drew there.
by Ian Casselberry on May 5, 2008 10:06 PM EDT reply actions
I was going to express my love, too
But I’m glad you did first, Matt. :-)
by Ian Casselberry on May 5, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok you saved a run with that catch
now it’s time to create them Mr. Granderson
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
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