Game 119: Blue Jays (60-59) at Tigers (58-60)
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 6:31 PM EDT
in News
145 comments
Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers, Aug 12, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
A.J. Burnett (14-9, 4.62) vs. 
Zach Miner (6-4, 3.57)
What happens when you take a pitcher who's won eight of his previous 10 starts and put him against a team that's gone 3-7 in its last 10 games? That's what we get to find out tonight at Comerica Park. The Tigers better have gotten all the "blah" out of their system last night, because if they bring that kind of effort again, this ballgame could get ugly.
A.J. Burnett hasn't been entirely dominant, however, as he's allowed four runs in each of his last two appearances. He faced the Tigers earlier this season in Toronto, giving up three runs despite issuing six walks in five innings, and earning the win.
Making his fifth start since returning to Detroit from Toledo, Zach Miner has suddenly become one of the Tigers' most reliable pitchers. His ERA is under 2.00 as a starter, and he's gone into the sixth inning in each of his four appearances. If Freddy Garcia joins the Tigers' major league roster in the next couple of weeks, Miner's spot in the starting rotation is not the one he should take.
Gary Sheffield was one of several players the Tigers put on waivers today, but the move seems like more a formality than a statement. Regardless of what's happened the last two days, Sheff probably would've gone on waivers anyway. He's in tonight's lineup as the designated hitter, batting seventh.
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Starting Lineups
Same as last night, across the board.
DETROIT
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Matt Joyce, LF
7. Gary Sheffield, DH
8. Edgar Renteria, SS
9. Brandon Inge, C
TORONTO
1. Joe Inglett, 2B
2. Marco Scutaro, 3B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Matt Stairs, DH
6. Rod Barajas, C
7. Adam Lind, LF
8. Lyle Overbay, 1B
9. John McDonald, SS
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 6:35 PM EDT reply actions
Waivers
Pointless speculation as to who else went on the wire today?
Nate?
Anyone not named Cabrera, Verlander, or Zumaya?
Well, maybe Nate is the only pitcher the Tigers would put on waivers.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Marco Scutaro
I’m just not ready to accept that he’s playing for another team besides the A’s. He seemed like such the right fit there, along with guys like Randy Velarde.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions
They'll put everyone on waivers
worst that can happen is that they get claimed and the Tiger pull them back. Close to 100% of players are put on waivers every August.
I may not be here all night
Tornado warnings in the area down here in Mobile, AL. If I don’t make it, tell Grandy I love him.
He already knows, Matt. He already knows.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I guarantee Sheffield will clear waivers
If anyone put in a claim, the Tigers would gladly let them have him for nothing. (See for instance how the Yankees got stuck with Jose Canseco back in the day).
pitches well and decides to stay
certainly possible, as the Tigers continue to become Team Venezuala, but I’m gunshy about another deal for a 30 something pitcher…
If Verlander keeps pitching as he has...
Maybe Garcia takes over when Justin has a “tired arm.”
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Why sign Garcia, by the way?
Is this an example of Dombrowksi being the last to know that the playoffs aren’t happening this year, or is it more geared towards getting a jump on signing him for 2009?
I think it is more for 2009
And why not? It is a low-risk contract.
He pitched well before the injury. At this point with the uncertainty of Bonderman and Rogers (coming back), why not?
My guess would be the latter
Although maybe he’s thinking if they’re still alive in September, Garcia makes a nice addition.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
it’s minimal investment and creates good will with the pitcher in case he actually can still pitch well.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 12, 2008 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Get a jump on next season
Willis is a huge question mark, so is Robertson. Rogers probably isn’t coming back. Bonderman’s injured, Verlander’s having a very down season. The Tigers need all the pitching they can line up for ‘09. Who knows. Garcia might come at a semi-reasonable price.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
Maybe
Dombrowski wants the Tigers to compete for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Mario, Master of Understatement
He said A.J. Burnett has been injured a few times since signing with Toronto.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions
Sheff just put that baseball on waivers
Boosting his trade value?
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions
trade?
I’m just hoping it boosts his “take the salary off our hands” value
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 12, 2008 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately, .219 hitting DH's
making $14 million a season have no trade value.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
WONDERING
I am stuck at work, anyone watching the game? can you tell me what the crowd did when Sheffield hit that dong?
applause.
Sounded the same as they’d give any home team homer I’d say. Maybe a bit quieter but not much off.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 12, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Waivers!
Love them. How about Todd Jones floats his ass off on one. Renterria fo’sue! I was actually hoping Shef would be around Friday as I am going to the game, but you know…sometimes you eat the bar, and sometimes…it eats you.
nice. you're full of those.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on Aug 12, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
that a boy ZACK!
way to pitch out of that jam
Has to
He’s been everything they could’ve hoped for to this point.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it too early to say that Miner is in next year's rotation?
Verlander, Bondo, Galarraga, Miner, and maybe Garcia?
That doesn’t look bad to me, though there’s no left-hander.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions
D Train will be rolling...again!
I’m not sure, but Miner looked good enough to be in the rotation the last time he was starting, but that didn’t happen. Willis will have to be given another chance, so …..who knows.
in? Too early for sure.
strong candidate? Definitely.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 12, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I would prefer....
Derek Lowe. Veteran innings-eater. Will be available from LA as a free agent.
Unless we want to get into the Burnett bidding war, which I doubt.
another overpaid aging underperformer?
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 12, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
We are going to need a proven innings eater.
Be it Garcia, or Lowe, or someone. Who else is out there?
Ok, I only said that because I said out loud I thought there should be a hit and run
and of course I just jinxed the whole damn innings – I apologize.
What if the Tigers had just held onto Matt Stairs?
Of course, who would’ve guessed he’d still be playing now?
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions
6 strong for Zach
Well done. Nice to see Zach making the most of this shot, whatever happens. He has put up with lots of yo-yoing (some of it his own doing). I have never gotten the impression that he is a JL favorite, but maybe that is changing.
Miner pitch count at 103--invoke the Verlander method
just let him throw a 130 pitches, who cares if he throws out his arm? I just cant stand to see the bull pen F—K this up…
Thumbs up?
Is this just a sign that he has been loafing it? Oh, how do they say it….forcing their hand maybe?
I think sheff is as good as gone
to tampa once he clears waivers…for mat walker or jeremy hellickson..with detroit picking up a lot of his salary
by dettigionswings'stons on Aug 12, 2008 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions
longoria and crawford out for two weeks
they might get desperate if the sawx come knocking
by dettigionswings'stons on Aug 12, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Holy hell...
Sheff and Renteria are hitting tonight. Zach Minor is starting. Freddy Garcia is in the news…what bloody year is this?
Just popped in for some Tigers Trivia
I came across this today…..
What current major leaguer has the most HR’s at Comerica Park?
(pardon me if this was already discussed)
Well well well
Did you both Google it? Did Mario tellyou last night? Or are you both just that damn good?
Give yourselves a pat on the back.
I have no faith in Zumaya right now.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
I like JL’s idea to send him to winter ball.
I have even less faith in Inge catching Zoom right now.
Miner Interview
Wow….has FSN Detroit done this before…...interview a pitcher as soon as he comes out?
They should keep it up
“Kyle Farnsworth, you blew the game by giving up two home runs in the 8th. Can you talk about that?”
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Interview with Zach
Has FSN ever done this during the game before? I like this.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions
Ooh, make Ryan Field do that!
Sheff would flatten that boy’s hair out.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Another good start by our starter
wasted by the bull pen
Son of a biscuit
This is garbage.
If you took the second choice in this week’s poll question, would you like to re-vote?
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 9:28 PM EDT reply actions
Can Zumaya start winter ball now?
I think his confidence is shot, too.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions
They should see what they can get for Zumaya
with an arm like that, they could probably fetch quite a bit…
I think they're all scared.
With what they’ve done lately, they’ve all got to be going “don’t f up…don’t f up” before every pitch. Thing is…they’re paid millions not to think that. Being human sucks, sometimes.
I'm pretty sure
that I hate these guys more than I love them these days.
I don’t think they were saying “Zoooooom”
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Zamaya
In the dug out complaining to Shef. Probably about the strike zone. LOL
Sheff just told him he’s flabbergasted.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2008 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Somehow...
I do not see a comeback in the cards, but we have bounced back (sometimes temporarily) upon bullpen implosions recently. Let’s see if we can do it again.
So...
If Sheffield homers again in the bottom of the 8th, what does he say to the press after the game?
Leyland
Jim would retire before bringing in Seay against three righties. He must think Cito’s crazy with Downs here.
I got fed up, and switched to the Olymipics
I’d rather watch athletes who give their all, all the time, for a fraction of the $, than continue to watch the Tigers sleepwalk thru another loss.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
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