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

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. 

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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

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

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 7:30 PM EDT   0 recs

Quiet

night tonight I see

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 7:38 PM EDT   0 recs

Little bit

Maybe we’re still on our All-Star breaks.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Mario

looks a little chubby standing there, lol

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 7:45 PM EDT   0 recs

C'mon now

Are the Tigers going to hang onto a lead here?

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 7:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Tit for tat, I see…

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 7:48 PM EDT   0 recs

Kenny's

looking a little rough these last 2 innings. Pitch count at 35, not to bad.

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 7:49 PM EDT   0 recs

thanks to the O's baserunning choices

he could be in a lot worse shape

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 17, 2008 7:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks,

two weeks with out the internet and TV. I don’t know how i did it when I was little

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 17, 2008 8:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oakland

getting rid of there team again, Blanton to the Phillies today.

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 7:51 PM EDT   0 recs

What a boatload of prospects Beane has gotten

Look at what he’s traded away this year.

Swisher, Harden, Blanton…

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 7:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

and he was only 5-12 this year to

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmmmm

Pudge to Florida?? Might happen if they are out of it.

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 7:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Well,

it might not even take being out of it.

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 8:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

considering this is probably his last year anyway with Detroit. Might as well get something for him.

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Just watching on the tracker...no TV here...

Is Kenny really getting hammered or are they getting lucky?

by rook34 on Jul 17, 2008 8:03 PM EDT   0 recs

Feels like a quiet three runs, six hits to me. But he’s throwing a lot of pitches.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 8:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, crap

That one was hammered by Melvin Mora.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 8:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Isn't

Kennys night, home run 4-3

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:06 PM EDT   0 recs

Yep

This is looking ugly.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 8:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He got lucky again!!

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The Possum

getting warm, hopefully he can pitch like his last outing…

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 8:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Yeesh.

Need some good innings out of Fossum or Lopez.

by rook34 on Jul 17, 2008 8:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Need

Miggy to come through

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 8:22 PM EDT   0 recs

que the music…

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 8:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

omg

did he get out of a inning without allowing a run or a a major jam?

by PBURGTIGER on Jul 17, 2008 8:31 PM EDT   0 recs

about time

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

he better go another good inning now, 1st hit and I bet he’s pulled

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

2 Mudhens going to Olympics

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:37 PM EDT   0 recs

Pudge

One first class ticket to South Beach, anyone?

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 8:41 PM EDT   0 recs

not so fast

we’re one pillow mishap away from Dane Sardinha, full-time starter

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 17, 2008 8:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I like my Sardinha's in mustard..

I agree, Pudge is more than just the catcher, BUT DD is no bone head. If he can improve the team, he will. Will Inge catching daily be a drop off of significance? I don’t really know, but what he could get for him WOULD make the team better…he do it.

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 8:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

then he will start hitting.

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

good play by Inge

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I still say get rid of Shef and let Guillen DH and Inge back to 3rd

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wow,

I’ve seen amputee little league teams run the bases better than the Orioles

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 17, 2008 8:49 PM EDT   0 recs

W.O.W.

How the hell did we get out that inning? Insane.

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 8:49 PM EDT   0 recs

The Hammer!

With a moon shot to left!

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 8:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Hard to believe hes the team leader in homers

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 8:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

MARCUS!!!!

good to see the break hasn’t slower him

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 17, 2008 8:54 PM EDT   0 recs

slowed him too…

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 17, 2008 8:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

maybe Rodney now??

by Wingz on Jul 17, 2008 9:03 PM EDT   0 recs

Captain Hook!

Wow, that’s a quick hook on Dolsi! Is this a new approach for Leyland?

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 9:04 PM EDT   0 recs

bobby

The mediterainian should Get er done here

Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 17, 2008 9:07 PM EDT   0 recs

4-6-3 dbl play

Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 17, 2008 9:08 PM EDT   0 recs

Their line

13h, 4r looks a lot like a bunch of our lines, except we would only have 2 runs..

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 9:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Ground ball from Rodney

That’s has to be worth a mid-level prospect from someone right?

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 17, 2008 9:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Jay Payton!

ARGH! Nice catch, though.

Gary Sheffield will have words with him after the game.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 9:19 PM EDT   0 recs

The last time an Oriole angered Sheff, it didn't go too well for the O's

right, Daniel Cabrera?

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jul 17, 2008 9:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Inge

Looks like he hasn’t missed a step over there.

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 9:27 PM EDT   0 recs

You can tell he just loves playing third base.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 9:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Looks like

there’s some pop in these Tiger bats tonight.

by pfuhrmeister on Jul 17, 2008 9:29 PM EDT   0 recs

If not for Jay Payton

There would be even more on the scoreboard.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 9:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Holy Crap

Has anyone seen what the Mud Hens are doing tonight? I was trying to get tickets to see them this weekend, but with Ortiz making a rehab start, all four games are SRO.

by pfuhrmeister on Jul 17, 2008 9:31 PM EDT   0 recs

15-1 Pawsox in the 7th

At least Cleven hit an HR, and Clete just got hisself a single.

by pfuhrmeister on Jul 17, 2008 9:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Who the heck is Derek Wathan?

He just hit the salami for the Hens. 15-5

by pfuhrmeister on Jul 17, 2008 9:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Good inning for Zoom.

Lets get Jonesy one more.

by rook34 on Jul 17, 2008 9:33 PM EDT   0 recs

no offense to rook's comment

but I think it’s not to good of a situation, where you have a two run lead and you have to get your closer another one, do yall agree?

Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 17, 2008 9:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Just being greedy.

Jonesy is what he is.

by rook34 on Jul 17, 2008 9:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Is there such a thing

As a comfortable lead with Jones?

by pfuhrmeister on Jul 17, 2008 9:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

true

but if he even makes this close I’ll castrate myself

Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 17, 2008 9:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't do that

Just give yourself a pinch or something.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 9:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was kidding but

Jonesy makes me want to punch drywall

Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 17, 2008 9:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Have you seen

Jonesy pitch? He is the HAM! Heart Attack Man!

by Zappatista on Jul 17, 2008 9:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

unfortunatly i have

Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 17, 2008 9:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I hope Detroit wins tonight

so when I wear my orange Tigers hat tomorrow, noone will boo or throw peanuts at me

god I hate Baltimore

by Boney on Jul 17, 2008 9:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Full pack coming in

Leyland can smoke a full pack of Marlboro reds before Jones will finish the inning

by Boney on Jul 17, 2008 9:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Wow

oriole park is beautiful, and Ian that my friend is halarious

Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 17, 2008 9:46 PM EDT   0 recs

the nice part about it

buying a $9 ticket and sitting front row behind the dugout because noone is there.

The concourse isn’t that great, the seats are uncomfortable and Boog’s BBQ is cold

by Boney on Jul 17, 2008 9:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I enjoyed my trip to Balto years ago

But getting to the lightrail after the game was a pain in the ass.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 9:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Can't take credit for it

That’s from ThaWalrus9 (Matt).

But I giggle every time I see it.

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 17, 2008 9:53 PM EDT to parent up