Detroit @ Kansas City GameThread, Jul 23, 2008 2:10 PM EDT

Game 101: Tigers (51-49) at Royals (45-56)

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 23, 2008 12:00 PM EDT in News

Detroit @ Kansas City

Armando Galarraga (7-4, 3.41) vs. Zack Greinke (7-6, 3.90)

Winning the first two games of this series so impressively (combined score of 26-5) has certainly been encouraging, wouldn't it be so much better if the Tigers finished off this series with a sweep. I don't want to seem greedy. But the Royals swept the first two series of the season with Detroit. How about returning the favor, and returning home for a big weekend clash with the White Sox flexing some muscles?

I'm not sure how much swagger the Tigers' lineup will have today, however, with last night's game ending late due to a two-and-a-half hour rain delay, today's afternoon start time, and a getaway flight back to Detroit. Do we think the skipper might be resting a few guys? Maybe not as much as he normally would, with tomorrow's off-day, but we'll see about that.

Has Armando Galarraga really gone winless in his previous five starts? Yes, and he's also taken the loss in his last two games. Galarraga didn't pitch very well against Baltimore, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits (including three home runs), but one encouraging thing about the performance is that he didn't walk anyone. And his control had been a concern beforehand. This will be Galarraga's first start against the Royals this season.

Which Zack Greinke will the Tigers see today? The guy who gave up seven runs and 11 hits in his last start? Or the pitcher who allowed just one run and six hits before that? Greinke has been very good in both of his starts against Detroit this season, however. In 13 innings, he's allowed just three runs.

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Comments

Lets keep it rolling!! Go Tigers

by PBURGTIGER on Jul 23, 2008 2:07 PM EDT 0 recs

dang. shoulda been to third. that’s alright tho, he’ll get around!

by wepri31 on Jul 23, 2008 2:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Maggs!

beautiful start to this game. the more pitches for Greinke, the better.

by LosTigres on Jul 23, 2008 2:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Dedication and devotion

Just got back to work…... I had to race home to get Joyce in my fantasy line-up. I thought for sure Thames would be starting today. I guess Leyland is sticking with the lefty vs righty match up. Hard to believe the player leading the team in HR’s is sitting two days in a row.

by MSU4LIF on Jul 23, 2008 2:20 PM EDT 0 recs

turning all the night time into the day....

sorry, been listening to dire straits today….

by ahtrap on Jul 23, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

How I wish

the Royals would go with all powder blue. The white pants just don’t work. Okay, back to the game…

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by MikeMcClary on Jul 23, 2008 2:21 PM EDT 0 recs

I don’t know, it’s kind of cool. Those are some sick uni’s.

Go Tigers!
Detroit Red Wings - 2008 Stanley Cup Champions

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

I thought we were playing the throwback BlueJays

Not a huge fan….

by gf206 on Jul 23, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'll take the run

although i wish we coulda gotten more there.

by LosTigres on Jul 23, 2008 2:22 PM EDT 0 recs

Good break for Joyce, one out, let’s get him home.

Go Tigers!
Detroit Red Wings - 2008 Stanley Cup Champions

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 2:33 PM EDT 0 recs

I know I'm crazy...

...but I still like Sheff.

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by MikeMcClary on Jul 23, 2008 2:33 PM EDT 0 recs

He still has a little pop, but you can’t say he is helping us more than Thames could be.

Go Tigers!
Detroit Red Wings - 2008 Stanley Cup Champions

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Very true

I was at the game a week or so ago when the Tigers came back from 6-0 down to the Indians. A guy in front of me was there with his son and he was on an “anti-Sheff/it should be Marcus” rampage all game long. I mean he was a bitter man. Then Marcus came up in the ninth and got a single I thought the guy was going to pass out he was so excited. And he got to yell “See, I told you so!”

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by MikeMcClary on Jul 23, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

It’s better than the people I usually sit around. Remember that 7IP, 1ER Verlander game against the Twins that Mr. Cruceta destroyed by giving up a grand slam? This guy behind me said we should get Barry Bonds and thought you could still get a save when your team is losing.

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

I went to a game against the Tribe last year...

My friend and I just got standing-room-only tix. We were next to some homeless guy who must have snuck into the CoPa. He “knew” every pitch that was going to come next and spent the entire nine innings screaming incomprehensibly about it.

“I’m tellin’ you man, if he throw dat pitch, he gonna hit it over da fence, you won’t see him throw dat pitch again! See, whad I tellya!”

by Grant E. on Jul 23, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Was it the “Eat ‘em up Tigers” guy? He’s the man.

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Not quite.

That guy is awesome, and so was the guy we stood next to.

by Grant E. on Jul 23, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

If homeless people can, then I am def. going to try and sneak into CoPa.

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

That’s all Renteria can do these days but it was enough

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by MikeMcClary on Jul 23, 2008 2:34 PM EDT 0 recs

you are crazy..lol

by PBURGTIGER on Jul 23, 2008 2:35 PM EDT 0 recs

“M. Cabrera struck out swinging, P. Polanco caught stealingM. Ordonez out at second”

This is one single line from the yahoo play by play for the Tigers’ first inning….did the Royals pull off some bizarre triple play, or did someone at yahoo forget to hit the ‘enter’ key between lines?

by ahtrap on Jul 23, 2008 2:45 PM EDT 0 recs

Cabrera struck out

and then Mags got caught in a run down between first and second, and Polanco scored during that pickle.

by TFerg1103 on Jul 23, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

I like this kind of party…

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 2:51 PM EDT 0 recs

This is what I'm talkin about, people!

Let’s hope we can keep it up this weekend

by explosivo2k2 on Jul 23, 2008 2:54 PM EDT 0 recs

Let’s get at least one in every inning.

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 2:54 PM EDT 0 recs

I get back from a meeting....

And Renteria has a single and RBI?

That’s awesome.

by TFerg1103 on Jul 23, 2008 2:56 PM EDT 0 recs

that’s damn near unheard of!

Jeff

by cannonad03 on Jul 23, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

perfect through 3

Hope I didn’t just jinx anything….

by ahtrap on Jul 23, 2008 2:59 PM EDT 0 recs

Really?

Dude, really?

You already threw it out there?

Just know that it’s on your head…..

by TFerg1103 on Jul 23, 2008 3:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

Beautiful game so far…

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 3:00 PM EDT 0 recs

fountain city

vegas?

by wepri31 on Jul 23, 2008 3:01 PM EDT 0 recs

nope.

by wepri31 on Jul 23, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

I got it right...

Hint: It’s a European City.

by Brian8603 on Jul 23, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

Paris/ munich?

are my guesses

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

what was the answer?

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by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Rome

by Brian8603 on Jul 23, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

Man...

The KC TV guys are boring to listen to. They sound as beat down as the club.

Jeff

by cannonad03 on Jul 23, 2008 3:03 PM EDT 0 recs

Seriously though...

...what to do with Renteria? If you cut him, it essentially becomes a two-for-none trade (insert punch line). Can the Tigers make do with a Hollimon/Santiago combo?

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by MikeMcClary on Jul 23, 2008 3:03 PM EDT 0 recs

Well

You let him finish out the year. If he never turns it around, let’s assume then he stays about .255 – .265.

If the Tigers believe that they can get the same production out of that duo (and in my opinion, more power from Hollimon), then you HAVE to move Renteria.

You will essentially get the same production with a tad more power, and a lot more range on defense.

Sometimes you just have to cut your losses when you’ve made a bad investment.

by TFerg1103 on Jul 23, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

i don’t think they do a thing with him this year, they wouldn’t get much in a trade and there’s really no sense waisting the money they already paid him. I figure they will just platoon him and Ramon for the rest of the season to see if they can get him going. Maybe he’ll turn it on in the playoffs, huh?

Jeff

by cannonad03 on Jul 23, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

You're Right...

His only real value for the Tigers is the hope that he can get hot the last third of the season.

by Brian8603 on Jul 23, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

don't forget the intagibles

His clubhouse influence must be amazing!

by Oost on Jul 23, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

I agree

But if that is the case, and he continues to struggle at the dish, then he will set a great example by taking his demotion without complaint.

by TFerg1103 on Jul 23, 2008 3:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

tongue-in-cheek

I forgot to indicate the sarcasm :)

by Oost on Jul 23, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Nice

I get it.

by TFerg1103 on Jul 23, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think I read they consider Holliman a second basemen anyway

by explosivo2k2 on Jul 23, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

Correct

by Brian8603 on Jul 23, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think there’s a guy out there with very large temples that has that position all locked up for a while. Holliman might want to learn short in a hurry.

Jeff

by cannonad03 on Jul 23, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

Would be nice if Holliman could stick at shortstop

His bat would be nice asset at SS, but I’ve heard that the range just isn’t there.

by Brian8603 on Jul 23, 2008 3:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

compensation picks

Correct me if I’m wrong, but can’t the tigers give him his buyout then offer him arbitration, thus guaranteeing compensation picks if he signs with someone else?

by Oost on Jul 23, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

Oh hey der boy's, how's it goin today?

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:05 PM EDT 0 recs

holliman

was very shakey at 2nd when i watched he almost got himslf killed, plua polly is sick and ramon is the balls, Belliard says ramon has the best hands and hollimon wasn’t very great at 2nd short ok

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:15 PM EDT 0 recs

I’ve heard he’s adequate at both. I’m sure he had some nerves when he first came up. If he hits well, it’ll be difficult to keep him out of the lineup, though

by Oost on Jul 23, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

The thing is

Hollimon we have to ask ourselves will he produce? Look at ramon he’s batting freaking .320 and he seems to always score runs and can run the bases

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:18 PM EDT 0 recs

That’ll go down if he plays everyday though. And are you going to the game tonight, Jimbo?

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

GRENKKKKKKIE

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 3:20 PM EDT 0 recs

GALAAGA (No R’s for Runs)

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by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 3:21 PM EDT 0 recs

time to break into the KC bullpen!

by wepri31 on Jul 23, 2008 3:22 PM EDT 0 recs

The best part about this week

is the fact that Minnesota is about to get swept by NY. Never thought I’d cheer for the Yankees this much.

by Oost on Jul 23, 2008 3:22 PM EDT 0 recs

The east is really taking it to the twins this year. 7-14.

Jeff

by cannonad03 on Jul 23, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Go Tigers / Yanks / Rangers!

gumtime.mllblogs.com

by Tony K on Jul 23, 2008 3:23 PM EDT 0 recs

yeseree BOB! can u drive me dare?

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

STEINKEE GREINKEEE!!!

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:25 PM EDT 0 recs

NO NO through 5

by gf206 on Jul 23, 2008 3:30 PM EDT 0 recs

why would you 9say that everybody knows not to say that dmmmit

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by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

Wow, am I glad the Rangers let Galarraga get away..

He’s been our most consistent starter all year.

by explosivo2k2 on Jul 23, 2008 3:31 PM EDT 0 recs

arMANdo

looking good so far

by gf206 on Jul 23, 2008 3:32 PM EDT 0 recs

There, that's better.

There will be no further specific mentions of the above until after the game.

by explosivo2k2 on Jul 23, 2008 3:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

plz delete last comment

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:32 PM EDT 0 recs

nvm you can't but i think you've learned your lesson

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:34 PM EDT 0 recs

IAN Help

How do I get that comment outta here?

by gf206 on Jul 23, 2008 3:35 PM EDT 0 recs

geezz...

Grienke is dealin’.. 8ks

Jeff

by cannonad03 on Jul 23, 2008 3:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah, he really has a decent line, just some bad breaks behind him

by explosivo2k2 on Jul 23, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

I’m glad we got to him when we did.. although sooner or later they’ll have to go to their pen.. they have to be gassed out there.

Jeff

by cannonad03 on Jul 23, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

if he blows it

ahtrap and I are going to get pummeled after the game

by gf206 on Jul 23, 2008 3:38 PM EDT 0 recs

u got that right!

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 23, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

i said it after three cuz…well, it don’t mean a darn thing after three innings…..I bet if you looked it up, there are tons of that kind of stuff after three….and I’m not a particularly superstitous type anyway…

by ahtrap on Jul 23, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up 0 recs