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Game 89: Indians (37-51) at Tigers (44-44)

Watchmen_button_tiny by Ian Casselberry on in News

Cleveland @ Detroit


Jeremy Sowers (0-4, 7.53) vs. Justin Verlander (5-9, 4.34)

So much for pre-season predictions.  This series isn't quite what we thought it would be, eh?  Cleveland vs. Detroit, with the AL Central lead on the line, right?  Heck, tonight's game isn't what you thought it would be on Saturday.  A couple of days ago, it was a pitching heavyweight title fight.  (And that is not meant as a whack against C.C. Sabathia.)  Now, it's Justin Verlander against a different guy that throws left-handed.

Jeremy Sowers was pounded in his last start for eight runs and six hits by the White Sox.  Two of those Chicago hits were a three-run homer by Jim Thome and a grand slam from Nick Swisher.  The long ball's been something of a problem for Sowers, as he's given up eight of them in seven games.  Each of Sowers' last two starts against Detroit have been almost identical, with him giving up five runs on seven hits in four innings of work.  And yes, both of those were losses. 

Verlander has allowed two runs or less in his last five starts.  Pitch counts have been a problem for him, however, as he's exceeded 100 pitches within six innings in his last three appearances.  The Indians haven't been so easy on Verlander lately, as he's lost his last four starts against him, including two this year.  Two Tribe hitters who have given Verlander some trouble are Franklin Gutierrez (.455/.455/.909 in 11 at-bats) and Casey Blake (.348/.464/.478 in 28 plate appearances).

No Carlos Guillen in the lineup tonight, as his wife gave birth to their daughter yesterday.  Ryan Raburn will be subbing for him at third base. 

And if you haven't heard, Dontrelle Willis was diagnosed with patellar tendinitis in his aching right knee and received a cortisone shot earlier today.  He was also outfitted with a brace, which he'll wear as he resumes his rehabilitation in Lakeland.  (Thanks to explosivo2k2 for posting the news in the comments of the last entry.)

Let's Go Tribe has your SB Nation opposing view for this quickie two-game series.

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Starting Lineups

CLEVELAND

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Jamie Carroll, 2B
3. Casey Blake, 3B
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
6. Kelly Shoppach, C
7. David Dellucci, DH
8. Ryan Garko, 1B
9. Frankin Gutierrez, LF

DETROIT

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

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 6:20 PM EDT   0 recs

It'd be great...

if Renteria could get at least one hit tonight. Just so we know he’s alive.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 7:01 PM EDT   0 recs

Something I forgot to mention in the original post

Renteria against Cleveland this year:

.364 /.440/.636 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 25 plate appearances.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

Casey Blake = Tigers Killer

They just cannot get that guy out. Geez.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 7:16 PM EDT   0 recs

yikes

rough start.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 7:18 PM EDT   0 recs

someone

had to take over horrible first innings since JB went on the DL

by wepri31 on Jul 8, 2008 7:19 PM EDT   0 recs

verlander

looks like he isn’t going to help himself tonight 26 pitches come on

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 8, 2008 7:20 PM EDT   0 recs

26 pitches

Lose Blake after 0-2 and put a change up on a tee? Glad to see Bondo is back.

by TFerg1103 on Jul 8, 2008 7:21 PM EDT   0 recs

they should jump all over Sowers

let’s see if they actually do…

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 8, 2008 7:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Did he even throw 10 pitches??

by Wingz on Jul 8, 2008 7:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

OMG

1 2 3 for the most pathetic team in baseball

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 8, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

nope

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 8, 2008 7:26 PM EDT   0 recs

The Cubs got Harden AND Gaudin?

Take THAT, Milwaukee!

I’ve been away from the computer too long today.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 7:29 PM EDT   0 recs

The A's always give away their aces Harden, Harren, and one more I cant remember

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 8, 2008 7:31 PM EDT   0 recs

actually 2

If you want to go back to Mulder and Hudson (plus they let Zito walk…)

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 8, 2008 7:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think...

it’s fair to say they “give away” their aces. They usually get quite a haul in return. I think Zito is the only one they let walk. However, when you let a guy like that walk you get two first round picks as compensation. I like the way the A’s do business.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 7:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

don’t think they gave them away at all

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 8, 2008 7:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Man

I take little Maybin for a walk, come back and already down 2-0….damn

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 7:34 PM EDT   0 recs

You haven’t changed that dog’s name to Porcello yet? ;-)

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 7:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually liked Polly, but….Little Mayb’s wouldn’t be the same without the name…

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The love affair with X-Mo resumes!

Rod sounded just giggly on that replay.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 7:39 PM EDT   0 recs

Good thing you didn't have to endure the

“Tracker” The Seattle folks threw that up at least 3 times every at bat….

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we got some of that

Was that the blue line that followed the path of each pitch?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 7:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That was an important part of it!

They didn’t use that portion of it everytime. But, anytime there was a close call one way or the other, it was up there.

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 7:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Renteria

needs a freaking hit….he has been hooooorrible

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 7:40 PM EDT   0 recs

renteria

Is starting to make me sick

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 8, 2008 7:41 PM EDT   0 recs

He couldn't hot the ocean

if he fell out of a boat

by TFerg1103 on Jul 8, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

So...

if I’m understanding Rod/Mario/Leyland correctly….

since Renteria has 2,000 hits he should always be a good hitter?

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 7:41 PM EDT   0 recs

Easy

big fella, easy…we already have the explosive Santiago coming

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 7:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

what is this disrespect?

Ramon “the savior” Santiago cures all ills. He is Chuck Norris in baseball pants.

Have a little faith!

by ahtrap on Jul 8, 2008 7:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I like that

“The Savior”....what is savior in Espanol….He could be El _!

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 7:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He also

commits an error, almost every game

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 8, 2008 7:42 PM EDT   0 recs

haha

Neifi, got busted juicing, correct?

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 8, 2008 7:42 PM EDT   0 recs

thank god carrol

Is the size of my little brother, that thing was hanging

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

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 8, 2008 7:48 PM EDT   0 recs

work blows

gonna be one o’ them late nights, but at least I’ll have the tigers to keep me awake, and either happy or foaming at the computer screen…

by ahtrap on Jul 8, 2008 7:52 PM EDT   0 recs

What's the deal...

Is JV way off or did they just hit good pitches?

by rook34 on Jul 8, 2008 7:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Outside of the Ks

Verlander is on another planet right now

by TFerg1103 on Jul 8, 2008 7:52 PM EDT   0 recs

ummm….is that a good thing or not? I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic….

by ahtrap on Jul 8, 2008 7:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Definitely sarcastic

He never looked at Seizmore once when he stole

by TFerg1103 on Jul 8, 2008 7:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

At least...

Clete took him to a full count. The offense is back to early May production.

by rook34 on Jul 8, 2008 7:56 PM EDT   0 recs

to be fair

they are missing Guillen and Ordonez in the lineup, those guys were hitting #3 and #4 a week ago…

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 8, 2008 7:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed....

And their absence makes it easier to pitch Marcus and Miggy.

by rook34 on Jul 8, 2008 8:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

against a lefty to boot

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 7:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Man..

Thames should hit two homers off of this joker tonight. I’m banking on it.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:00 PM EDT   0 recs

CRAP!!

I was close to calling that one.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:00 PM EDT   0 recs

And WE'RE BACK!

WOW.

That didn’t even look like that hard a swing from Cabrera. Showed his power on that one.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 8:02 PM EDT   0 recs

It Gone.

Man I hate that, but it’s true!

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 8:02 PM EDT   0 recs

That is...

A nice, big, crooked number on the board.

by rook34 on Jul 8, 2008 8:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Off topic....

but if Harden is healthy, the Cubs may be impossible to beat in the NL. Some kind of deal.

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

Yup.

CC was the closest thing to a sure thing as far as production on the trade market. Anyone think the Tigers will bid for him in the offseason?

by rook34 on Jul 8, 2008 8:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

With one swing...

that damn Seattle series seems like a distant memory.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 8:04 PM EDT   0 recs

JINX ALERT!!

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

OK JV...

Stand it up, big guy.

by rook34 on Jul 8, 2008 8:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Agreed

Keeping the Tribe off the board this next inning is important.

Bless You Boys

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

Question for you all...

I have tickets tomorrow that are in the “On Deck” section right behind home plate. On Stub Hub it said the tickets include “club access”, anyone have a guess as to what that might mean?

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Access to the Tigers Den?

Or whatever the restaurant down the right field line is called…

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 8:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

cool

thanks.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That was a guess on my part.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2008 8:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You're right, but

It’s is just access I believe…the food and libation is still cash money, homey….

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 8:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

AFLAC question....

Thome or Belle?

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

That’s were I was leaning

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 8:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

if it's not too annoying...

what was the Q?

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Last Indian to lead the league in HR’s

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 8:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Now that...

is an ace half-inning.

by rook34 on Jul 8, 2008 8:10 PM EDT   0 recs

STEROIDS

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:10 PM EDT   0 recs

or...

at least the corked bat.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Duck!

There may be a baseball getting slung your way!

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 8:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Belle=Steroids?

Is that what you are saying…that would explain his mental status

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 8:12 PM EDT   0 recs

That commercial

makes me feel like a bacardi

by Wingz on Jul 8, 2008 8:19 PM EDT   0 recs

Verlander is on...

too bad he needs to throw so many pitches.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:23 PM EDT   0 recs

Probably not going to happen

...but why not put Polanco at short next year? He’s appeared in 122 games at short in his career. Then you could start Raburn at second.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 8, 2008 8:28 PM EDT   0 recs

I really dislike Sizemore

very, very, very much.

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2008 8:28 PM EDT   0 recs

here comes the homer for thames.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jul 8, 2008 8:29 PM EDT   0 recs