Detroit @ Baltimore GameThread, Jul 17, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

Game 95: Tigers (47-47) at Orioles (45-48)

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 5:30 PM EDT in News

Detroit @ Baltimore

Kenny Rogers (6-6, 4.55) vs. Garrett Olson (6-4, 5.65)

Jim Leyland may not like getting just three days off, when roughly 75% of the other major league teams gets four, but Detroit's All-Star break comes to an end tonight in Baltimore. The Orioles and Tigers will be the only two American League teams playing tonight.

Both teams enter crucial stretches of their season. Tonight begins an 11-game homestand for the O's, and a successful one could put them back in the AL East race. And we know what's at stake for the Tigers over the next 10 games. A nice run puts them squarely in competition for the AL Central. A bad one could render August and September disappointing, with trade rumors as the juice that keeps things interesting.

July hasn't been very good for Garrett Olson, as he's gotten shelled in his two starts this month. In his last nine innings, he's given up 13 runs (12 earned) and 15 hits. However, Olson hasn't lost in Camden Yards this year, going 3-0 with a 4.28 ERA in six starts. This will be his first time facing the Tigers.

Kenny Rogers hasn't won in his two July starts, either, though he's pitched better than Olson. Against Minnesota in his last outing, Rogers had to settle for a no-decision after seven innings. From there, the Twins made the comeback that rocked the Tigers' world, according to Ron Gardenhire. In 14 career starts at Camden Yards, Rogers has a 4-3 record and 4.22 ERA.

Carlos Guillen won't be in the lineup tonight, as he's back in Detroit to take care of his wife, who just had surgery. Reportedly, everyone is doing fine.

Camden Chat has your SB Nation opposing view for this four-game series.

Short Hops:

Jason Beck is reporting that Zach Miner will be the starting pitcher for the Tigers on Monday.
The Daily Fungo discovered some potentially good news for the Tiger Stadium preservation effort at Senator Carl Levin's website.

0 recs | Comment 160 comments

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Sheffield

Here is a hypothetical way to handle Sheff: make him the leadoff hitter. I realize that his 323 obp would not cut it out of the leadoff spot, but that may increase substantially if his primary objective was to get on base. He has proven that he has the ability to draw walks w/ his 395 career obp and 378 obp last year. There is nothing wrong w/ his wheels as he is 25/30 in sb since coming to Detroit. Batting leadoff would reduce his need to hit for power leaving him to concentrate solely on getting on base.

The toughest thing about attempting this would be how long of a leash to give him there. By hitting him leadoff, you are committing to him playing virtually everyday which is taking ABs away from the Toledo crew who have earned them. Getting an OPS+ of 78 out of the leadoff spot would be crippling, so there would have to be a set time (10 games? 15 games?) to see if he has turned it around. By then, their slim playoff hopes may be completely gone.

So, what do you think? Can a player who has been a power hitter for 20 years flip a switch and swing for the gaps rather than the fences?

by tbliggins on Jul 17, 2008 6:22 PM EDT 0 recs

Win Probabilities

Vegas gives the Orioles a slight edge in tonight’s game. My Simulator, which has been predicting games over the past two seasons gives the Tigers a 53.39% chance of winning, while AccuScore gives the Tigers a 57% chance of winning. Run totals range from Vegas:10, Simulator:10.49, AccuScore:10.9
vr, Xeifrank

by Xeifrank on Jul 17, 2008 6:29 PM EDT 0 recs

chef

lol

by PBURGTIGER on Jul 17, 2008 7:23 PM EDT 0 recs

I just knew it!!

I knew after bashing Chef for about ten minutes in the pregame he was going to do something…I was telling my Dad that he should be on the bench for Joyce..I love it when someone from my own team tells me to eat it..

by PBURGTIGER on Jul 17, 2008 7:26 PM EDT 0 recs

Starting Lineups

Little bit late with these…

DETROIT

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

BALTIMORE

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Adam Jones, CF
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Aubrey Huff, DH
5. Kevin Millar, 1B
6. Melvin Mora, 3B
7. Ramon Hernandez, C
8. Jay Payton, LF
9. Brandon Fahey, SS

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Game 95: Tigers (47-47) at Orioles (45-48)

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