Game 146: Athletics (66-78) at Tigers (70-75)

Sean Gallagher (4-6, 5.23) vs. Armando Galarraga (12-5, 3.39)

After the bullpen blew a terrific start by Nate Robertson last night, the Tigers try to salvage a series win this afternoon from the Oakland A's.  And since the A's aren't the Minnesota Twins, Armando Galarraga stands a decent chance of giving Detroit a chance to win today.

Despite allowing only three hits on Friday night, Galarraga had one of his worst games of the season by walking a career-high six batters that the Twins turned into six runs.  It was his fourth loss of the season to Minnesota.  Against the other teams in the major leagues, however, Galarraga is 12-1.  And one of those wins came in early August against the A's, when he gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings. 

But Galarraga isn't the only pitcher who's struggled against the Twins.  In his last start, Sean Gallagher was blasted for 10 runs and 11 hits in just five innings at the Metrodome.  That was easily his worst game of the season, let alone his worst in the American League since coming over from the Cubs in the Rich Harden trade.  After that, Gallagher went on the disabled list with a tired arm, and this will be his first start since being activated. 

Rumor has it I'll be at today's game, which might just help the Tigers' chances since they haven't lost with me in attendance this season.  (Small sample size, though.)  Hey, maybe I'll post updates on Twitter during the game!  Click over, and you can read things like "Lopez warming up; I am outta here," "Bumped into Billfer at the Mucho Nachos stand," or "Help - I'm really thinking of ordering one of those pink daiquiris."