Game 37: Yankees (18-18) at Tigers (15-21)
New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers, May 9, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
Kei Igawa (0-0, -.--) vs.
Kenny Rogers (2-3, 6.27)
Well, this doesn't quite have that same "Clash of American League Titans" feel to it that we may have imagined when the 2008 schedule was released, does it? And would you have ever thought that you might be relieved to see the New York Yankees come to town? Cue up Tim Kurkjian and his stand-by "That's the beauty of baseball; you never know what's going to happen" explanation for everything.
Kenny Rogers has pitched pretty well in his last two starts, one of which was a win over these same Yankees in the Bronx. And really, he should have won Sunday's start at the Metrodome (Carlos Guillen, I'm lookin' at you), a game that's still rather painful to think about. So maybe he can play the role of stopper that the Tigers really need right now.
I realize I have no business talking any kind of trash about any pitcher the Tigers face these days. And I might even be risking some sort of jinx from what I'm about to say. But Kei Igawa stinks, and the Tigers should really pound him into fertilizer tonight and use him to re-seed the Comerica Park infield. Igawa was just called up from Triple-A Scranton to replace the demoted Ian Kennedy, and even Joe Girardi says he's just pitching "OK."
If Detroit isn't able to hang some runs on this guy, Jim Leyland should have his players run laps and do sit-ups on the field right after the game, in full view of the fans that stuck around to the very end. And I might be filled with enough rage to overturn my car in the driveway. (It's a Honda; it shouldn't be that heavy.)
Our friends at Pinstripe Alley have your SB Nation opposing view for this weekend's series. Hopefully, I don't have to choke on my own bravado over there.
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Starting Lineups
DETROIT
1. Pudge Rodriguez, C
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Gary Sheffield, LF
7. Edgar Renteria, SS
8. Marcus Thames, DH
9. Ryan Raburn, CF
NY YANKEES
1. Melky Cabrera, CF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Hideki Matsui, LF
5. Shelley Duncan, 1B
6. Jason Giambi, DH
7. Wilson Betemit, 3B
8. Robinson Cano, 2B
9. Chad Moeller, C
They better play better tonight
because I am out of beer, and if they don’t it could be a long night for me.
Every night I see the posted line-up
I just have to shake my head, and wonder why they aren’t scoring 40 runs a game.
Unexpected
I certainly didn’t intend to be sitting on the floor of the airport in Las Vegas waiting for a delayed-and-as-yet-unscheduled flight, but here I am, and glad to be able to talk Tigers with you guys!
I'm in a softball league right now.
We are a first-year team in a league that is waaaaay over our heads. We played twice last night and again tonight. I would have to recommend this for all Tigers fans right now. We lost 22-1 and 14-2 last night and I came home and thought “Tigers lost 5-1? Not to shabby.”
Kenny makes the right play
And the Tigers are on the good end of an inning-ending rally-killing double play
He's been a bit better than last year
Pudge isn’t worth his salary, but I think he’s been a bit better this year than last. Heck, he’s already got 6 walks, when he had 9 all of last season. That OPS keeps slipping downward though…
I hate watching Kenny pitch
He’s got virtually no stuff these days. He’s surviving almost exclusively on guile and deception. I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop…
Which is not to say
that I think he can’t be effective. It’s just that his margin for error is so thin, every game is a tightrope walk.
sadly, no
but the thing about some of the other guys, like Bonderman, is that there’s hope that he’ll have his good stuff and be able to blow hitters away. Kenny’s good stuff still ain’t that good, so every start is a struggle.
Well
Rogers throws junk, yes. And when Bondo and Justin are throwing a lot of heat (which they aren’t this season) it’s like his outing is a giant changeup.
Yeah
Maybe I’m just frustrated because nothing has come easy for the Tigers this season. If they’d had a few more blowouts, and if Verlander had had a few dominant outings, I’d have an easier time sitting through a Kenny outing. I just want a few easy wins dammit!
In the future...
You’ll be able to check in while in the air, Peter.
We might all be traveling by jetpack by then, but I’m hopeful.
by Ian Casselberry on May 9, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Fluffy Rod Allen
I’m of course hopelessly biased, but I think Mario and Rod are one of the better pairings of local announcers I’ve heard, having to watch the Tigers on the Extra Innings package the last 6 years. Bottom of the list: “Hawk” Harrelson and Darrin Jackson.
Hawk and DJ
Easily the worst part of my two years in Iowa City (2003-2005) was having to listen to Hawk and DJ if I wanted to watch any baseball. The only way I could see the Tigers was when they played the White Sox.
by Ian Casselberry on May 9, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I mentioned it last time the Tigers played the Yanks
But Susan Waldman is quite possibly the worst person in the world.
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
Get to the bullpen!
With this being game 1, getting to the bullpen in the 4th will be the gift that keeps on giving….
Albaladejo
is that actually his name, or did someone drop something on the keyboard?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
Chris Shelton just doubled
for the Texas Rangers. Good to see him getting another shot in the majors.
Burn
Sometimes you just get burned with that aggressive base running. Dang.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
Tivo
Just remembered I was watching the game on my Tivo and that I’m a few innings behind. I just made myself fast forward to the current action so I don’t make a fool of myself again.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
Dirty
Isn’t it nice when he just gets on base. Don’t get me wrong, I love his power, but he is so valuable on the paths.
Was that so hard?
I wish we could just get a start like that every couple of days out of the rotation. Is that really too much to ask?
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
Mario: "It gets away from Pudge"
C’mon! It bounced in front of the plate!
Miner is on my last nerve.
Miner
I think Miner is officially the new Grilli.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
Most definitely. And Bautista should be coming back pretty soon…
by Ian Casselberry on May 9, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I assume it was because a right-handed pitcher came into the game for the Yankees. But I agree; why not just let Raburn play?
Maybe Leyland wanted to add more runs, knowing his bullpen.
by Ian Casselberry on May 9, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Granderson
Granderson has just looked fooled by about every pitch he’s seen the past few days. I wonder what the deal is?
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
I was talking with Kurt earlier today, and he wonders if Granderson re-injured his hand when he made that diving catch on Monday night. Although like you said, Blake, it looks like more of a timing thing right now.
by Ian Casselberry on May 9, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Jones
And the roller coaster begins. we know the drill let in enough runs to ensure the save to pad his stats….....
it's a non save situation when you come in with four runs
no matter how many you surrender
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
Yeesh...
If Todd blows this game I might have to take a break from the Tigers. This could really hurt.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
What’s with the wildness? Giving up base hits is one thing from Jonesy, but that’s usually because he’s over the plate.
by Ian Casselberry on May 9, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
He is garbage. This is sabotage.
(beasties!)
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
Exhale, Tiger Town
That was ridiculous. Even for Todd Jones.
by Ian Casselberry on May 9, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions
alright everyone
put the torches and pitchforks away…Jonesy is safe for another night
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

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