Game 112: Tigers (55-56) at White Sox (65-44)
Detroit @ Chicago
Nate Robertson (6-8, 6.06) vs.
Gavin Floyd (11-6, 3.43)
Though it seems as if the Tigers are effectively out of the AL Central and playoff race after getting swept in Tampa, this three-game series with the White Sox could either put a more definitive note on that sentiment or keep this team in the limbo it's been swimming in for the past couple of months. Perhaps it's delusional thinking, but what if Detroit wins two out of three games? Are they squarely in the division race or is it just another hope-tantalizing tease? Of course, if the Sox win or sweep, the bus toward 2009 can probably start moving. (It's already warmed up.)
Nate Robertson might find himself in a similar limbo after tonight. Given his abominable performance recently (7.77 ERA in his last four outings), this could very well be his last start for the Tigers. But what if Nate goes out and throws one of those games that shows just how good he can be when it all comes together? Or what if it's just good enough, as it was the last time he faced the White Sox?
Honestly, what would be more frustrating: For Robertson to blow up yet again tonight or to pitch well? A terrible game would mean a loss, yet perhaps push the Tigers into making a decision. A good game might help, but really wouldn't really answer anything. (Though it could possibly boost any trade value he might have.)
For the White Sox, Gavin Floyd is 3-0 with a 3.77 ERA in seven career starts against Detroit. At first glance, this looks like a brutal series-opening match-up.
Those waiting for big changes in tonight's lineup will likely be disappointed. Ryan Raburn gets the start in left field, but that's probably because he's 5-for-12 against Floyd. No word on the bullpen, however. Also, Ozzie Guillen has been suspended for two games for his role in Sunday's brawl with Kansas City.
South Side Sox has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series.
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Nate Robinson
I like Nate I just dont like his abilities..he seems like a good clubshouse guy, and mild mannered guy…early on his career he always seemed to never get any run support…now he just doesnt seem reliable..this match-up has me feeling the same way I did before his last match up against Cliff Lee..very low..(hopefully it works out like that game did)
by PBURGTIGER on
Aug 5, 2008 6:25 PM EDT
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I don't feel as strongly as I did five days ago
But I feel like I can’t even look at Nate right now.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:01 PM EDT
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LINE-UPS
Tigers
C Granderson CF
P Polanco 2B
C Guillen 3B
M Ordonez RF
M Cabrera 1B
G Sheffield DH
R Raburn LF
B Inge C
E Renteria SS
White Sox’s
O Cabrera SS
A Pierzynski C
C Quentin LF
J Dye RF
J Thome DH
P Konerko 1B
K Griffey Jr. CF
A Ramirez 2B
J Uribe 3B
by PBURGTIGER on
Aug 5, 2008 7:36 PM EDT
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I thought that Leyland was pissed...
I was promised changes. Why is Renteria still playing? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
by Grant E. on
Aug 5, 2008 7:40 PM EDT
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I'd love to read into Thames not playing
But Raburn in LF must be a match-up thing. Otherwise, why not Joyce?
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:00 PM EDT
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Interesting Matchup
If you go over to the South Side Sox, they’ve got the stat line for both Gavin Floyd and Nate. Nate’s K rate is about the same, and his walk rate is better. The HR rate is about the same as well.
Looking at BABIP (Batting Avg for Balls In Play), hitters are apparently crushing the ball vs. Nate, to the tune of .346. (We knew this, of course…sigh) His career average is .308-worse than league average-but still, maybe some bad luck there. Or crappier defense. A little of Column A, a little of Column B.
Floyd, on the other hand, is carrying a .236 BABIP, compared to his .282 career mark. Good luck? Sox better hope it’s not defense, if they plan to play Griffey in CF for the rest of the year.
by cherub_daemon on
Aug 5, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
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Renteria, changes?
I just dont think its much of an upgrade putting Santiago at short…now as far as Sheffield goes I really dont see how he is ever in the line up over Matt Joyce, righty or lefty I dont care Joyce has been rock solid this year..not to mention Marcus Thames??? why would Rayburn be in the line-up over Joyce or Thames? WTF
by PBURGTIGER on
Aug 5, 2008 7:58 PM EDT
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Don't know if you guys caught this
But Leyland says Zumaya will pitch the ninth tonight, if the Tigers have a lead.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:05 PM EDT
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I thought Zoom was out a few days?
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:06 PM EDT
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Well, he had three days off, right?
Saturday through Monday.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
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fair enough...
that time is a blur to me.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:11 PM EDT
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I like what I'm seeing from Floyd so far...
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by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:13 PM EDT
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Although...
I won’t feel comfortable with Nate on the mound unless the Tigers are up 14 or more.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:14 PM EDT
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sweet.
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by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:14 PM EDT
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Wow...
it looked like Placido muscled that one out.
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by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:15 PM EDT
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Magnificent
When Polanco hits it out, it could be a good night.
Of course, as Blake just noted, Nate hasn’t taken the mound yet.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:15 PM EDT
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Ryan Rayburn IN 60 games, 105 at-bats, 25 hits, 8 doubles, 4 home-runs, 13 Rbi’s,and A .238 BATTING AVERAGE
Marcus Thames IN 75 games, 224 at-bats, 55 hits, 10 doubles, 20 home runs, 44 Rbi’s, and a .236 average..
Matt Joyce IN 46 games, 140 at -bats, 39 hits, 10 doubles, 10 Homerun’s and 25 Rbi’s..and is batting .279
kinda of interesting comparison to me..if you double Rayburn’s at bats and his other numbers they would be close to Thames in most catergory’s except homers and Rbi’s..
so they lose power with Rayburn in Left instead of Thames BUT AND A MAJOR BUT..YOU DOUBLE JOYCE’S numbers and he hits for power and probably plays left as good or better then Thames…I dont see with the roster we have why joyce is not starting every day??
by PBURGTIGER on
Aug 5, 2008 8:15 PM EDT
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better question is why is sheff allowed to touch a bat at all?? Joyce should be in his lineup spot.
by HavocRox on
Aug 5, 2008 8:18 PM EDT
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so...
tonight’s game, first one to ten wins?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on
Aug 5, 2008 8:20 PM EDT
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Oh, man
I don’t know if I have it in me.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:21 PM EDT
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yeah I feel like every out is a chore with not so nasty nate on the mound
by PBURGTIGER on
Aug 5, 2008 8:24 PM EDT
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The wind must’ve been blowing in on that O. Cabrera drive to right field.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:26 PM EDT
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Batting practice has begun
Everyone’s stroking it to right field.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:28 PM EDT
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Let me be the first to say:
Free Chris Lambert!
by ThaWalrus9 on
Aug 5, 2008 8:36 PM EDT
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Stupid Inge...
and all of his swinging and missing. Fly ball does the job there.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:40 PM EDT
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My condolences...
To anyone stuck watching Extra Innings with Hawk. I missed Polonco’s HR, so I just checked it out on MLB Gameday. Hawk sounded like he’d been munching on Ambien all day. God, the Sox broadcasts are boring.
by Grant E. on
Aug 5, 2008 8:41 PM EDT
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well, poo
Stranding Raburn on 3rd is hopefully not an omen for the rest of the game.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:42 PM EDT
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How about one inning where a guy does not reach second, be nice to see that..it seems like a week since A Tiger pitcher went 1-2-3…
by PBURGTIGER on
Aug 5, 2008 8:44 PM EDT
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nice inning there for nate
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by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:50 PM EDT
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I'm a mess
I think a great game from Nate could piss me off almost as much as a bad one tonight.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 8:52 PM EDT
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man, you are a mess...
if it happens, take as a sign of things changing. you’d take a bad 110 games out of him if it meant a good next two seasons right? positive ian, positive.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 8:53 PM EDT
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Love seeing Raburn playing
Personally, I think Joyce has cooled off a little bit. Raburn is better when he plays more often, but the skipper isn’t going for that. At least he can lay down a decent bunt and has some speed, plus he’s got a pretty good glove. My God, Carlos is cold as ice lately.
by densogirl on
Aug 5, 2008 8:56 PM EDT
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I have an ingrown toenail
but it doesn’t annoy me as much as Gavin Floyd
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 8:59 PM EDT
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Think so?
Never thought about him that way but I can see where some would. He hustles a little more than Brandon.
by densogirl on
Aug 5, 2008 9:02 PM EDT
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well
if you really look at it
they both are “super subs” right? Raburn put up a solid batting average in limited duty last season while Inge has always struggled with batting average. Raburn and Inge have shown flases of power and they’re both average to above average defenders in the field.
I think they both bring the same thing to the table, but I think Raburn is a little more clutch.
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 9:06 PM EDT
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all we need now is
Uribe’s cockyass to hit a bomb and watch it leave the park
god, I’ve never disliked a .220 hitter more than I do Uribe
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 9:07 PM EDT
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I bet..
Robertson gives up at least five runs tonight. I know he’s at 0 right now, but he just looks like the same ol’ nate to me.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on
Aug 5, 2008 9:08 PM EDT
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nice Nate
walk the free-est swinger on the entire roster
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 9:10 PM EDT
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Wow no matter how manny times
I’ve seen sheff take a huge rip like that… im still amazed
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on
Aug 5, 2008 9:16 PM EDT
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damn
Too hard!
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on
Aug 5, 2008 9:20 PM EDT
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Gavin Floyd sucks
I’d take Nate over him 7 days a week
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 9:21 PM EDT
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you're
an idiot ^
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on
Aug 5, 2008 9:26 PM EDT
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how am I an idiot?
at least Nate has been decent in his career
Gavin Floyd sucks and is pitching way over his head
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 9:28 PM EDT
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Step off bro.
You don’t know who your dealing with here…
gumtime.mlblogs.com
by Tony K on
Aug 5, 2008 9:30 PM EDT
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Still pretty sure Nate sucks
Walking Konerko makes me grind my teeth.
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 9:31 PM EDT
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Careful Ian, you’re going to need dentures soon
by explosivo2k2 on
Aug 5, 2008 9:32 PM EDT
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I know
I need to watch with a mouthpiece
by Ian Casselberry on
Aug 5, 2008 9:34 PM EDT
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I was kidding, BTW. Nate and Gavin suck. We need more runs.
gumtime.mlblogs.com
by Tony K on
Aug 5, 2008 9:33 PM EDT
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haha
I haven’t seen anyone say “step off” since the late 80s
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 9:33 PM EDT
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step off
i’m doin’ the hump…
the humpty dance is yo chance to do tha hump
oh oh, do me babaaaaaaaaaaay
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 9:34 PM EDT
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LOL Griffey, 0-2 2K against Nate Robertson. Terrible.
gumtime.mlblogs.com
by Tony K on
Aug 5, 2008 9:33 PM EDT
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at least neither nate nor gavin is as bad as edgar
uh nvm
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on
Aug 5, 2008 9:35 PM EDT
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hahahaha
I’d rather watch “Jail” on the CW channel than watch Nate pitch…
“you don’t know me… you have no right to arrest me… WHAT ARE YOU DOING GET YO HANDS OFF ME”
by Boney on
Aug 5, 2008 9:36 PM EDT
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alright boney
time to shut the fuck up kk thanks
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on
Aug 5, 2008 9:36 PM EDT
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Hey
Had to come in just to celebrate Renteria’s two bagger.
by MSU4LIF on
Aug 5, 2008 9:36 PM EDT
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if ur serious
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on
Aug 5, 2008 9:37 PM EDT
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if not i apologize
grandy land nvm my bad for f bomb dont care anymore
Check out Tony K and (tigs) jimdale's blog at baseballbrew.blogspot.com
by (TIGS) JIMDALE on
Aug 5, 2008 9:37 PM EDT
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