Game 36: Red Sox (22-14) at Tigers (15-20)
by Ian Casselberry
on May 8, 2008 5:30 PM EDT
in News
Boston @ Detroit
Josh Beckett (3-2, 4.19) vs. 
Justin Verlander (1-5, 6.28)
I joked about saying this last night, so jeer me if you must, but could that walk-off win have given the Tigers a much-needed kick in the pants? Or was it just a speed bump against the semi-truck that might be the Boston Red Sox? Regardless of what happens tonight, I won't mind seeing Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell leave town after what they've done to Detroit pitching in this series. (Yes, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez have been good, too, but didn't you kind of expect that?)
Josh Beckett was knocked around in his last start by those pesky Tampa Bay Rays, but the four runs he allowed were easily surpassed by the 12 his lineup scored for him. (Funny how that works, eh?) Beckett hasn't been lights-out, however, giving up three runs or more in four of his five starts this season. In his only start against the Tigers, back in 2006 at Fenway, Beckett gave up five runs and six walks in six innings.
Depending on who you consult, an injury might be the reason Justin Verlander has struggled in his seven starts this season. He hasn't been very good, allowing four runs or more in six of those seven appearances, but Verlander has also been victimized by the fourth-worst run support among AL starting pitchers. In one start vs. the Red Sox last year, Verlander gave up only two runs in 7 2/3 innings in Boston.
Both team's left fielders are getting the night off, with Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffield each sitting out. Jacoby Ellsbury will fill in for Ramirez, while Matt Joyce starts in left for the Tigers, along with Marcus Thames batting at designated hitter. Edgar Renteria will get a rest, as well, with Ramon Santiago filling in at shortstop.
Over the Monster has your SB Nation opposing view for tonight's series finale.
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Starting Lineups
BOSTON
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, LF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Coco Crisp, CF
9. Julio Lugo, SS
DETROIT
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Matt Joyce, LF
7. Marcus Thames, DH
8. Brandon Inge, C
9. Ramon Santiago, SS
by Ian Casselberry on May 8, 2008 5:32 PM EDT 0 recs
More puzzling start to the season – Cabrera or Verlander?
by tbliggins on May 8, 2008 7:30 PM EDT 0 recs
At least Cabrera is somewhat producing...
He’s 2nd in HR’s and RBI on the Tigers..
Verlander is a total mystery. He much better than this. It has me wondering if Jack Morris was on to something when he suspected there is some sort of arm issue with Verlander.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
May 8, 2008 7:46 PM EDT
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All they gotta do
is score ten runs again. With Beckett on the mound.
Yeah, sigh.
by Matt in Toledo on May 8, 2008 7:34 PM EDT 0 recs
Yet another hole the starting pitching has gotten the offense into. There has been all the talk of the offense sitting around waiting for someone else to carry the load, but the starting pitching is even more guilty of that. They have consistently pitched as though they expect (need?) 10 runs of support every night. And this was the strength of the team less than 2 years ago.
by tbliggins on
May 8, 2008 7:43 PM EDT
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At least the Red Wings are off to a good start
1-0 lead on a Rafalski goal!
Now if the Tigers would come to life…
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on May 8, 2008 7:49 PM EDT 0 recs
just got home from work
At by the looks of things, is it safe to assume that Justin Verlander is continuing his transformation into Justin Thompson?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 8, 2008 7:52 PM EDT 0 recs
That's just damn depressing...
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
May 8, 2008 8:01 PM EDT
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Tonight's theme
will be getting runners at the corners, then flying out to end the inning. Miggy in the first, now Maggs in the third. Sigh.
by ThaWalrus9 on May 8, 2008 8:06 PM EDT 0 recs
Good Lord the Wings are playing well!
Franzen scores his 12th! 2-0 Wings.
The Wings are flying, while the Tigers look dead in the water. Last night’s win hasn’t carried over. Then again Josh Beckett might have something to do with it.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on May 8, 2008 8:11 PM EDT 0 recs
So do I come in optimistically... ?
And say, hey, this game could be 8-0 with all the baserunners Boston has had?
by Ian Casselberry on May 8, 2008 8:18 PM EDT 0 recs
So far
It’s all about batting with RISP.
Celtics finally leading.
by pfuhrmeister on May 8, 2008 8:20 PM EDT 0 recs
Free Ramon Santiago!
Dude is getting it done. That’s all I’m sayin’.
by Ian Casselberry on May 8, 2008 8:24 PM EDT 0 recs
Ramon has been one of my favorites this year.
one run down, nine to go.
by LosTigres on May 8, 2008 8:24 PM EDT 0 recs
Free beer
Time to hit the hotel bar for happy hour. Keep it close and I’ll be back for the end of the rollercoaster ride.
by pfuhrmeister on May 8, 2008 8:28 PM EDT 0 recs
The only thing better than beer,
is FREE beer!
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
May 8, 2008 8:29 PM EDT
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how many K's is that for Curtis this series?
around 7 isn’t it?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 8, 2008 8:29 PM EDT 0 recs
Yeah, he’s had a rough series. Especially the last two nights.
by Ian Casselberry on
May 8, 2008 8:30 PM EDT
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I have been waiting for this pitching matchup for the last two years. My two, all-time favorite pitchers matched up. I have homework, but the game is getting Tivo’d, and I’ll be back later.
Go Tigers
by Tony K on May 8, 2008 8:32 PM EDT 0 recs
Web Gem!
The other guy who’s been playing left this week probably wouldn’t have made that play.
by Ian Casselberry on May 8, 2008 8:35 PM EDT 0 recs
Sheff doesn't make that catch.
Or he breaks a bone diving for it.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on May 8, 2008 8:36 PM EDT 0 recs
Thats the best play
one of our LF’s have made all year
by miggy4mvp on May 8, 2008 8:37 PM EDT 0 recs
Damn, We need to walk that man
no matter what the situation is
by miggy4mvp on May 8, 2008 8:39 PM EDT 0 recs
Just like Sparky used to walk George Brett
no matter if there were men on base, or not.
Why not revive that strategy, as Youklis is KILLING Tigers pitching.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
May 8, 2008 8:41 PM EDT
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Then a again
why waste 4 pitches, put the him one with just one
by miggy4mvp on
May 8, 2008 8:43 PM EDT
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Dean Wormer!
Did he put the Tigers on “Double secret probation?”
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
May 8, 2008 8:47 PM EDT
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By the way...
That pic cracked me up! Quite fitting, to say the very least.
Youklis = Neidermeyer
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
May 8, 2008 8:49 PM EDT
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I wish Verlander would go Belushi in the dugout, telling his teammates to score some frickin’ runs for him.
by Ian Casselberry on
May 8, 2008 8:52 PM EDT
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What was he called in "Moneyball"?
The Greek God of Walks? More like the Greek God of I want to stab him in the face
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 8, 2008 8:43 PM EDT 0 recs
3-0 Red Wings, under 10:00 left in the 2nd
At least one team is meeting expectations tonight.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on May 8, 2008 8:56 PM EDT 0 recs
If only Marty Turco was pitching for the Red Sox…
by Ian Casselberry on
May 8, 2008 8:58 PM EDT
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Interference on Guillen?
If anyone’s watching at this point…
by Ian Casselberry on May 8, 2008 9:08 PM EDT 0 recs
To be honest...
I’m only checking in occasionally. I’m writing a blog post and watching the Red Wings. 4-1 after 2.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
May 8, 2008 9:12 PM EDT
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I smell something....
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on
May 8, 2008 9:33 PM EDT
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What a sad, sad game thread...
But who can bear to watch such an ineffectual performance?
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on May 8, 2008 9:34 PM EDT 0 recs
Thought I'd say...
At what point do Lloyd McClendon and to a greater extent Chuck Hernandez get held accountable for these players slumping? While I think that hitting coaches are obviously not to blame for hitters not hitting, they ARE responsible for getting hitters out of slumps (adjusting stance, etc..) Same goes for pitching. I just wonder when these guys will start to get questioned.
by Tigsfan on May 8, 2008 9:35 PM EDT 0 recs
I feel like...
Yelling for everyone to be fired gets kind of nonsensical, but in this case, I agree that you have to look at the coaches (Hernandez, especially) and wonder whether or not their message is getting through or they’re providing the sort of tutelage needed right now. A lot of things just aren’t working.
by Ian Casselberry on
May 8, 2008 10:14 PM EDT
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Screw this
I left free beer for this?
So much for them getting a lift from yesterday’s game. They’ve tried pretty much everything except firing a coach or two. I really don’t like to be radical, but the boys are 36 games into the season, and something has to give. They can’t go on like this and have any hope. Does that mean Bonds? I would have said no as recently as 4 hours ago. Now, I don’t think that there is much of anything I wouldn’t try. I’m getting to be like Hillary Clinton – whatever it takes, never give up!
by pfuhrmeister on May 8, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs
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