Game 61: Indians (28-33) at Tigers (24-36)
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 7, 2008 11:01 AM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintCleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers, Jun 7, 2008 3:55 PM EDT
Aaron Laffey (3-3, 3.02) vs. 
Kenny Rogers (4-4, 5.54)
This could be wishful thinking on my part (and a big dose of that could go a long way), but the next three games might provide something the Tigers' lineup sorely needs. Detroit hasn't faced many left-handed starting pitchers this season, and it's one of the (many) reasons Tigers batters have performed so feebly. Last year, left-handers were pounded into mush by this lineup. And the Indians' will be starting lefties for the final three games of this series.
Aaron Laffey was blown up in his last start, giving up eight runs and 11 hits (two of them homers) in five innings against the Rangers at Ameriquest Field. Thanks to some late-inning fireworks from his lineup, however, Laffey didn't have to take the loss in that game. But that may have been an anomaly. In his five starts before this last outing, Laffey had been outstanding, allowing a combined six runs (three earned) in 28 innings. This will be his first appearance against the Tigers.
Kenny Rogers has pitched quite well himself recently, posting two straight quality starts in which he allowed two runs over 14 innings. Unfortunately, he didn't earn a win for his efforts in either of those games, as the Tigers could only manage two total runs on Rogers' behalf. (Stop me if you've heard that one before.) Rogers has pitched seven innings in his last two outings, so either he's getting stronger as the season progresses or perhaps the Tigers will have to keep an eye out for fatigue this afternoon.
It looks like today's game is third on the FOX totem pole as far as national coverage goes, so I don't know how many of you will get to watch the telecast outside of Detroit and Cleveland. (Otherwise, it's either Cubs-Dodgers or Mariners-Red Sox for you.) Considering how the Tigers have played on national TV this season, maybe that's a good thing. But we'll try to keep you apprised of the action here in the GameThread.
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Ugh. More bad news.
DTW is all over the Bonderman situation. The latest? Out for the season with the same blood clot that Kenny had last year. No roster move yet. Ian, you were right on with the “when it rains, it pours” comment.
Freep – http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080607/SPORTS02/80607024/1048/sports
MLive – http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2008/06/bonderman_likely_out_for_the_s.html
DTW – http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/06/jeremy-bonderman-out-for-season/
Get Well Bondo
Boy, it can’t get much worse. Let’s hope these guys can win one for Bondo today.
I know he’s frustrated us all with his pitch development and early inning struggles, but he’s always taken the ball and done his best.
lineup
has anyone seen the lineup yet? i just tuned in to notice there is no granderson, pudge or mags in the field? think maybe leyland is ready to just roll over and play dead for the rest of the year?
I mean honestly, here is a list of who I’d consider untouchable on the Tigers.
Verlander
Granderson
Ordonez
Polanco
That’s it. Every one is expendable. Trade Cabrera for a speed-type outfielder who can steal a bunch of bases and hit for average. Trade Sheff for middle relief, trade Guillen for an adequent third baseman.
Go Tigers
Only reason I left Maggs and Polly off is that they might be able to get us more in return.
I’d trade Sheff for a bag of balls right now, if the owner of said bag of balls would pick up any of that contract.
Guillen, well, if we have to keep him, at least he occasionally drives in a run.
Miggy-I agree, but we’re stuck with him unless Mr. I buys out half of that contract.
If you're talking about a true rebuilding
Then Ordonez isn’t part of it, and neither is Polanco.
Verlander, Grandy, Bonderman, Zumaya, D-Train, Cabrera are your keepers.
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 7, 2008 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
However
You’re really not going to get a lot of talent back for quite a few of the guys and you’re going to go sub-.500 and piss off the recently refreshed fan base, and it’s a bad idea. I think they have to look to 2010, which is a totally different bag of potatoes.
Trade what you get something you need for, otherwise, keep em around and stay as competitive as possible.
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 7, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
flexibility
Contracts that come off the books (but trades would do that), young players still at their higher levels before going on the backside of the career slope, possibility of some of the position players in the organization developing, maybe trading for guys who aren’t major league ready in 2009 but can contribute in 2010, etc.
Here’s a link to the payroll, Bilfer put it in spreadsheet form.
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 7, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
uhoh
strike out or groundout for cabrera? i say make him bunt ordonez over. He is not exactly killin the ball right now
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