Game 108: Tigers (55-52) at Indians (46-60)
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 11:30 AM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintDetroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians, Jul 31, 2008 12:05 PM EDT
Justin Verlander (8-10, 4.29) vs. 
Fausto Carmona (4-3, 4.33)
I probably made this joke before, when the Tigers and Cardinals had to return for a matinee after playing long into the previous night, but what are the chances that today's game is one of the worst ever seen? Both the Detroit and Cleveland hitters have to be gassed, and several of them will likely get the day off. And each team's pitching staff is stretched thin, having used six pitchers from their respective bullpens.
But with Justin Verlander's turn coming up in the rotation today, the roulette wheel seems to have spun in Detroit's favor. On a day when the starting pitcher will likely have to go deep into the game - whether he's pitching well or not - it's nice to have the staff ace who can throw seven or eight innings on the mound. Unfortunately, Verlander is coming off his worst start of the season, in which the Orioles shelled him for seven runs and nine hits in just four innings. And he doesn't often pitch well against the Indians, with a 4-7 career record (1-2 this season).
Who else is available to throw today? Joel Zumaya was held out of last night's game, presumably for this very purpose. And Clay Rapada has been called up from Triple-A Toledo to take Todd Jones' spot on the roster (though it's probably for a cup of coffee as Kyle Farnsworth will join the team tomorrow). Also, Freddy Dolsi threw only 11 pitches, so he should be okay to go. Perhaps Armando Galarraga will also be available, as this is his day to throw on the side.
Considering all the Tigers have been through this week, in terms of injuries, transactions, and poor pitching, winning this series (and gaining a game on either the White Sox or Twins) would be something of an accomplishment. (I keep having to remind myself they won last night, because I'm still stewing over Nate Robertson's disastrous performance.)
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Today's Line-ups
Detroit:
Granderson – CF
Santiago – SS
Guillen – 3B
Cabrera – 1B
Joyce – RF
Thames – DH
Renteria – SS
Raburn – LF
Sardinha – C
Indians:
Sizemore – DH
Gutierrez – CF
Francisco – LF
Peralta – SS
Choo – RF
Marte – 3B
Garko – 1B
Fasano – C
Cabrera – 2B
Santiago batting 2nd?
Yeesh. I’d rather see Raburn in that spot today.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I slipped there.
Hit the wrong key once I saw MSU4LIF post the lineups.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey Ian
Hope it wasn’t poor BlessYouBoys etiquette to post the lineups myself. I’ve seen other’s beat you to it – for fun I think, so I thought I would post them since I’ve got nothing going on at the office except for listening to the radio at the moment.
After looking at prior lineup postings…..it looks like I cut some corners. Oops.
I noticed Sheff was out of the lineup today, so I was excited maybe he might be held out for a possible trade…...however Maggs is out, too…....and I don’t think we’re trading Maggs.
Etiquette? Here?
Not at all. I’m always happy when someone beats me to the lineups. I just happened to be doing it at the same time today.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I am SO tired and cranky today, dont care to hear about the poor baseball players that have to come back and play a game today..They didnt have to be up at 6 to get 2 kids ready for school and get to work by 8…
They already used their "tired" excuse
Leyland was serving up that mess on Tuesday, saying they were flat Monday due to “fatigue.”
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Carmona
It would be interesting to see how he comes back from giving up nine runs in 2.1 innings a few days ago.
Sal Fasano
He looks like how I feel this afternoon. Except he looks that way all the time.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 12:11 PM EDT reply actions
thats what I lijke to see
love it when our starting pitcher gets a lead before he even steps on the mound..
it seems after
the Tigers lay a smack down…. they fail to score
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
Verlander's ERA
at Cleveland is 8+ That is not good.
Griffey
i am now officially disapointed in
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
verlander always lets me down
Seriously not a fan
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:30 PM EDT reply actions
He gone
Now im a fan hahahah
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:32 PM EDT reply actions
It’s so nice to get into work and already have the Tigers playing. Looks like no chance of work till this afternoon for me.
Welcome aboard!
Glad you could stop in.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
thats what thames
gets for last night
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions
Nice catch by Francisco
That looked like it would get to the wall, for sure.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions
bunt for base hit?
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions
raburn is sick at bunting
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions
Id raather see verlander
get ground balls, and popouts then strike outs keep the pitch count nice and cozy
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:46 PM EDT reply actions
calm down rod
it’s a suitcase… wow that swing was gross
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 31, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply actions
Just saw this info nugget on Baseball Prospectus
Names popping up at the last minute: Marcus Thames, Huston Street, Jonathan Sanchez, and Paul Byrd.
Nothing on who the Tigers would be shopping for, though.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
I'm not sure how popular that would be
But I’d be in favor for trading Marcus for an arm.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd hate to see Marcus leave
But the Tigers do seem to have a surplus of corner outfielders.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
I'm a big Thames fan
If we trade him, we had better get a young arm that’s going to be around for at least a couple of seasons.
But I’ve thought all you that we have too many outfielders considering our pitching. I’d rather trade Clete Thomas or Matt Joyce. Maybe we could sell high.
how in the hell do you walk asdrubal
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
wow quick feet I am definatly a fairweather fan with Verlander but he's nasty
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
Heads up!
Almost had a brutal collision in right-center.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions
A little better outfield communication out there would ne nice, guys.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
I'm a fan of the results but...
58 pitches through three innings ain’t gonna cut it. Especially not today.
Rogers or Galarraga might have to throw today
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Rapada?
I think Clay is at the game, but I’m not sure. If so, we’d have him and Zumaya… maybe they could go 2 innings each.
Warm up Inge!
Nah, I don’t really see it happening. But it would be fun to see.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
OK, thru 5 whats the pitch count? kinda working here..cant flip around to another page to find it right now
Through 4...
He’s got 76. Maybe he can get through two more innings and leave Clay and Zoom-zoom to pick up the last three.
Speaking of a groove...
Sizemore appears to be in one.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 1:42 PM EDT reply actions
there we go verlander you suck
not comming back from this one you walk 8 and 9 hitter thanks
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
Good gravy
Cabrera and Fasano scoring? Really?
Their crappiest players have been hurting us this series.
I have to watch my language...
...this is a “family friendly” blog.
Not that "friendly"
Just don’t get out of hand is all.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Asdrubal Uggla
Rough couple of plays there.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 1:54 PM EDT reply actions
hahahah asdrubal/ dan ugla are they related
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
get him out of there two bad starts in a row
fasano you can’t be serious… so pesimistic today I don’t care
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
that didn't even get close to touching him
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
well
Renteria has looked a little better at the plate lately… hopefully he can start earning that paycheck before this season is out.
keep DS outta trouble
let the top of the order come chase carmona
I just looked up Bill Freehan as a lark
And was shocked to see he played in 147 games at C in 1967, and 138 in 68. Then again, when your backup is Jim Price…
Careers were shorter back then as well. Freehan’s last season as a regular was at age 33, and he was done at age 34.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
Perez is in now
Let’s hope he’s still hungover from last night
Apropos of nothing
SI’s Jon Heyman says the White Sox are making a play for John Lannan of the Nats. I’ve seen Lannan a few times out here in DC. He’s pretty solid.
that was huge
without that wild pitch, Dane hits into a DP.
Rapada
Why has he been bouncing up and down between here and toledo? He’s looked good every time I’ve tuned in…
I don't get it, either
Maybe it’s an options thing. Or maybe Leyland thinks Fossum and Seay have the lefty thing covered. But he should be on the major league roster.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
..or this series...
he has to have 9 strike outs or so…
Jeff
pinch-hit Inge in the 9th?
I think I would.
Cleveland Pic's
I’m watching the game on mlb gameday – it sure seems like cleveland has some goofy looking boys…
it's been a miserable week so far
what with the Tigers splitting yet another 4 game series against a beatable team, and then the Brewers trying to turn a 1 game deficit into a 5 game bulge for the dratted Cubbies
What is with making the Indians' catchers look like All-Stars?
I’m flabbergasted.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions
Why? Sal Fasano has All-Star...
...facial hair. What a killer Fu Manchu.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
Our whole team
needs to work on throwing strikes.
I forgot who said it in a past game thread, but he called watching the Tigers "grueling."
That is spot on. The Tigers are getting hard to watch. It’s frustrating as Hell.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
Well, at least Rapada won't have to hear about it too long
He’ll go back down to Toledo after the game.
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 31, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
wow
Rapada was frustrating me, so I checked out of the office, rode the elevator down 9 floors, walked down the street to get a slice of pizza, and came all the way back to the office, and we were still putting the fire out!
on the bright side...
...tough loss, but there’s a lot of baseball left, plus we still have 6 key games left with the black sox.
The tampa series is going to be tough, as well (see: Kazmir and Shields), then we’ve got Chicago. But we have a great stretch coming up to make up some ground. Between Aug. 8-31, we face Oakland, Toronto, Baltimore, Texas, KC, Cleveland, and KC again. If we want to get back in the race, this next month is as good of a chance as any.
In fact, the only really tough non-central games left are:
3 vs. the Angels
7 vs. the Rays
1 vs. the Yanks
Meanwhile, the Black Sox have:
3 vs. the Angels
3 vs. the Rays
4 vs. the Yanks
7 vs. the Red Sox
Like I said a few weeks ago
We don’t have the pitching. God, Leland was mad. Now the starters are sucking. It was awful, but not as awful as having to have your dog put to sleep like I did this morning. the game was a cakewalk compared to that:(
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