Detroit Tigers @ Kansas City Royals GameThread, Aug 22, 2008 8:10 PM EDT

Game 128: Tigers (62-65) at Royals (55-72)

by Ian Casselberry on Aug 22, 2008 6:35 PM EDT in News Comment 39 comments

Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals, Aug 22, 2008 8:10 PM EDT

Justin Verlander (9-13, 4.60) vs. Brian Bannister (7-12, 5.96)

Universal order worked to correct itself the last time the Tigers and Royals met, with Detroit sweeping a three-game match-up at Kauffman Stadium by a combined score of 33-6. But the season series is still tilted 3-6, in favor of Kansas City, so the Tigers still have some evening up to do.

The last time Brian Bannister faced the Tigers, it was the beginning of a new season. Hope and anticipation were still alive in Tiger Town, with the scent of October wishes and championship dreams in the air. But Bannister helped his Royals throw a turd in that season-opening punch bowl, with a masterful seven-inning shutout performance against the lineup that mght score 1,000 runs.

As with the Tigers, a season that began so promisingly for Bannister (with Banny Logs and the like) has fallen on harsh times. That skid was punctuated by his last start, which was so disastrous that even Nate Robertson snickered. Last Sunday at Yankee Stadium, Bannister blew up like a M-80 flushed down a toilet. In just one inning (plus six batters in the second), he gave up 10 runs on 10 hits (three of them home runs), along with three walks. Parents should've been warned to restrict their children from watching such disturbing footage.

Of course, there's no chance Bannister will be that bad two starts in a row, right?

Meanwhile, Justin Verlander will see if he can beat a team not named the Orioles. Against non-Baltimore teams over his last six starts, he's 0-4.

And I'm looking forward to mooning over that new LED, hi-def scoreboard they have in Kauffman Stadium whenever the FSN Detroit crew shows it on TV. I really want to see that thing in person someday.

Royals Review has your SB Nation opposing view for this weekend's series. Maybe he'll break out those photos of Kenny Rogers attacking a cameraman again for Sunday's game. That one hasn't gotten old at all.

UPDATE (6:30 p.m.): If you haven't yet heard, the Tigers are moving Nate Robertson to the bullpen for the time being. No word on who will be replacing him in the starting rotation.

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Hey, Ian, speaking of Nate...

Freep reporting that Nate has lost his spot in the rotation. Leyland didn’t say who would start next time up in his place.

by Grant E. on Aug 22, 2008 6:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BTW, he was moved to the ‘pen, not DFA’d (desigNATEd is the new nickname, right?) or anything. Should have made that a bit more clear.

by Grant E. on Aug 22, 2008 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Either way, good.

gumtime.blogspot.com

by Tony K on Aug 22, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good timing!

You guys juuuuust beat me to it.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Aug 22, 2008 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Starting Lineups

DETROIT

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, 3B
6. Gary Sheffield, DH
7. Matt Joyce, LF
8. Brandon Inge, C
9. Ramon Santiago, SS

KANSAS CITY

1. Mike Aviles, SS
2. Esteban German, 2B
3. David DeJesus, LF
4. Jose Guillen, RF
5. Mark Teahen, 3B
6. Billy Butler, DH
7. Ross Gload, 1B
8. John Buck, C
9. Joey Gathright, CF

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Aug 22, 2008 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why move Nate to the pen?

If his slider isn’t working, he can’t pitch, so isn’t he just taking up space on the roster? Someone should get down there and Tanya Harding him so we can put him in the dl and send him to the minors for some “rehab”

by tricks318 on Aug 22, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed.

gumtime.blogspot.com

by Tony K on Aug 22, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Four pitches, four balls. Let Grandy run…

gumtime.blogspot.com

by Tony K on Aug 22, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Option A

Aquilino Lopez
Option B – Chris Lambert.
Option C – Casey Fossum (I guess he has to be considered since Leyland is his lover)

Personally, I think Francis Beltran is on his way out, and Lambert gets the call-up. If he goes five innings and gives up five runs, he’s already better than Robertson

by Oost on Aug 22, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs