Game 162: White Sox at Tigers
by Ian Casselberry on Oct 4, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintChicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, Oct 4, 2009 1:05 PM EDT
John Danks (13-10, 3.69) vs. 
Justin Verlander (18-9, 3.45), 1:05 p.m. EST
And so, it has all come to this. The Detroit Tigers have played 161 games in this 2009 season, and it will take the final one on the schedule to determine this team's ultimate fate.
If the Tigers win today, they will assure themselves of at least extending their season to a one-game tiebreaker on Tuesday. If they win and the Twins lose, Detroit will be home to the AL Central champions. If the Tigers lose and the Twins lose, the division title will be decided early Tuesday evening at the Metrodome.
So the Tigers really need to win today. And with that, it's best that Justin Verlander is pitching for them. Games like this are why teams need a stud starting pitcher. You want to use your best in your most important game. Verlander has carried the Tigers all season, so he might as well be the guy to hoist his team into the postseason.
Verlander has been spectacular against the White Sox this season, winning two starts and allowing only one earned run in 18 innings. Over his career, however, they've roughed him up, tagging him with a 4-9 record and 4.97 ERA in 16 starts.
Standing between the Tigers and a possible postseason bid is John Danks, who broke a five-game winless streak in his last start. Facing the Indians, Danks allowed one run and three hits while pitching a complete game, the first of his major league career.
He lost his lone start against the Tigers this year, despite giving up just two runs and five hits in 7.1 innings. In seven career starts versus Detroit, Danks is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA. He's 8-3 with a 3.08 ERA in 17 road starts this season.
Something that might work in the Tigers' favor, as Billfer loves to point out, is Amber Grand singing today's National Anthem. Detroit is 6-1 when she performs the Star-Spangled Banner.
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LET'S GO TIGERS!!!
Optimism shall reign supreme right now. If we can’t win with JV on the hill, it probably was not meant to be, but the boys have given us a heck of a season and we could not ask for more today.
we got that boom boom pow /them tigers jackin’ that ball /twins tryin’ to copy our swagger but we’re gonna clinch it now /we so two thousand and nine they so sit down and die /we got that boom boom pow /championship boom boom boom. Let’s get it now!
OK, negativity out of our systems right?
power of positive thought for the next 5 hours! we can do this!
I even changed my sig for the special event. :)
Which is why I can never have a tattoo. You can’t erase it when you change your mind and decide you like something else better. :D
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
I'll be here for like an hour...
unless I fall asleep. Yesterday destroyed me. (and it’s not even the loss that destroyed me.)
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
is that the caffiene episode?
cause she don’t wanna know how much caffiene I got in me right now!
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 4, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm going to get it out of the way and admit
I shed some tears driving earlier (the music didn’t help). so yes, hopefully it’s out of my system.
I bought one of those commemoritive books that year...
and it has a description of every players highlights for the season and (of course) amazing pictures. it’s got my Pudge on the cover screaming.
Plus my dad got me a commemorative thing from the Post Office.
I have very fond memories from that year. Granted, I was a bandwagon fan that year but boy was that a great way to fall in love with the Tigers.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
every fan has to start somewhere
I despise, DESPISE people who figure that a fan who started following a team when it was already good didn’t “pay their dues” or something. Last I checked, no one died and named them the sports-fan-god.
You’re only a bandwagon fan if you abandon them as soon as they start to struggle. You’re still here.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
I've been a Tigers fan my whole life
…but I didn’t watch them heavily until late in ’06, and I only started watching them religiously in ’07. But I still wore the T-shirts no matter where I went. In college (2001-2005), I wore them so much that everyone assumed I was from Detroit.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
let me rephrase...
I jumped on the bandwagon that year. Strangely enough I was covered in Gorilla glue and JB Weld when I got on. Having a hard time getting off. I won’t complain though. =)
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
funny how sometimes that happens
It starts as just an innocent flirtation, you tell yourself you can quit any time – then WHAM! Trapped for good.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Justin Verlander. Luke Hochevar.
A #2 overall pick and a #1 overall pick. Let’s hope that they pitch like their pedigrees.
A facebook quiz told me I'm only 20% mean...
that number is going to jump dramatically if we lose today.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
watch soccer!
C’mon you Scousers! Kick their ass!
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 4, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
on second thought
that can be frustrating too.
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 4, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I figured we needed something inspirational or motivational
And by happy accident, I found this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI
Let’s kick some Chicago booty!
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
this also works for me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgsoJrzplUI
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
That's another good selection
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
awesome
only because I have XM and do not have to listen to Cock Harrelson
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
Changed my profile pic to an actual pic of me.
I’m killing time here in anticipation.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
I'm sorry Huff...
You’re a nice guy and all….but you’re bat, it’s kinda small.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
this is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill / fifteen percent concentrated power of will /
five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain / and a hundred percent reason to remember the name!
also roughly 85% justin verlander.
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 4, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
hehe
I wish I could have mlb network, but I don’t wanna switch to time warner or satellite and give up FSD.
i love this team.
No matter how maddening or panic-inducing they have been. One more time, guys. One more time. Come through when its all gone to hell. You have one last great effort in you.
by rook34 on Oct 4, 2009 12:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
ditto
Remember way back at the beginning of the season when we first started this season and people started trickling onto this site? I’ll miss you guys in the offseason. :(
//GROUP HUG!!!
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
yeah, this could be the last one
or almost last one. I plan to stick around through the winter though, through the inevitable trades and such.
and of course for planning our get-together next summer
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
I'm gonna stick around, too
It won’t be the same, though. It won’t be the same (mostly) unified front when we’re debating trades and FA signings.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
This is all my fault
I realized the root of this madness. I have a postcard on my fridge from a trip to Minneapolis featuring the Metrodome. It will be burned in effigy.
Much like the actual building...IT WON'T BURN
<img src=“”http://www.flickr.com/photos/43178726@N02/3980020787/" title=“2009_09040023 by CBTDTX, on Flickr”>
"/>
I can help...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPshFanNZhk
Fire + propane + a .22 caliber bullet = boom
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
another by me...
don’t know if you guys can see this one though.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/video/video.php?v=1170289699699
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
I've been waiting for this game to start since I woke up four hours ago.
The suspense is killing me.
do not cross the Verlander
He will slay you with laser beams from his eyeballs.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
oh, by the way
Pop over to Roar of the Tigers to see Samara’s latest effort for an actually laugh out loud, for real.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Ah, that's creepy!
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
but hilarious too!
Perfectly reflects our our inner panic.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
4 minutes
and I can legally open my first beer. OK, it would be legal to do it now, but the waiting till noon thing should be abided by…
you can only buy it at a liquor store
and they close at 9pm. sundays you may only purchase beer/wine (which they obvs have at the grocery), after noon. I think. not sure about the sunday law.
so basically stock up when you can because you can't make emergency beer runs?
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
I live in Holland MI and we just allowed beer wine sales on Sunday earlier this year
we had to go to Saugatuck for it before that
Oh, I hate it when they play dramatic music when they sign off
Bad things seem to happen.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
Oh, Justin, let this not be the last game I see you in this year
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
I feel like it's a seven game series
And we are down 3-2. Win and play another day, lose and go home.
Come on TIGERS!!!!
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
we'll see how long I can handle hawk.
I’m guessing watching this on WGN will last half an hour maybe.
Checking in for the deathwatch
I mean celebration countdown! I hope.
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING A POSITIVITY ZONE!
Listen to Cicero. :)
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
MLB network studio talkers talking about Joe Nathan
One of ’em referred to him as “the best closer no one knows about”. Are they kidding? Or is he really not on the national radar?
They did also point out that he’s worked three days in a row…
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
I think they're being dramatic
he’s possibly the best closer in baseball and I’m sure even the east coast bias knows it.
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 4, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
People know about him, I'm sure.
But I think he’s been better than Rivera, at least in the last 5 years. If he played in NY, I’m sure there would be the same ridiculous fawning that goes on with Rivera.
I hear about him when the conversation turns to closers
He can’t be that unknown.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
was yesterday's game in HD?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Oh yeah, there's a Lions game on, too
and I can watch it on tv….oh well, I guess that’s what commercials are for
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
I'm surprised he doesn't get to boo AJ, considering his numbers against Verlander
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
*she
Sorry, I’m not trying to change her gender
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
double play opportunity
Careful, here comes Quentin. :(
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Not conventional, but I'll take it
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
a K and a double play....for the good guys????
Things are looking up already!
(I’m trying the positivity thing….it just goes against everything I am :)
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
it goes against my natural cynicism and pessimism, too
But it does have a certain appeal. And it gets easier with practice.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Raburn
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
The lettering on the back of Granderson's jersey looks bigger today, for some reason
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
On the negative side
apparently, I’m doomed to watching Twins/KC, since I’m looking at a Red Sox game from the 70s on MLB Network.
Can you say M’n F’n BS, kids? I knew you could
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
NO WAIT....HAWK HARRELSON TO THE RESCUE!
i can deal with him for two hours, I think I can I thin I can
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
I'm in Wisconsin
Jim and Dan are but a distant crackle in the ether
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
I remember doing that for Tigers games years ago
We would put Ernie on the radio and turn off the TV sound
Yeah, it's weird
Because, last I looked at a map, I’m closer to Chicago than I am to Minnesota…must be WGN territorial issues
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Hey, don't complain about it
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Magglio counting in TWOs today?
is that hope that I feel?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
4-9 lifetime
how about an even 500 on danks?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
please no squander please no squander please no squander
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
that's ok, pop it up backwards
it’s safe
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
don't be greedy
I would just be happy to see some number
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Guillen is about the only guy I could think of patient enough to take that.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
d time to rediscover that homer stroke, Brandon
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
And the first pitch looked inside
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
how'd he lay off that one?
make up call?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
straighten that one out a bit
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
take the bat off your effin shoulders
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
but then again, Hawk and the other guy calling it inside
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
That's a squander, I don't care if we scored a run
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
so much for working the count...
maybe you can learn something from Miggy Curtis.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
At least they made Danks throw what would have been 3 innings worth of pitches.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
I think Twins and Lions wins
I HATE BEARS
I don’t belive in miracle , but Pavano has ERA over 6 vs Kansas this season
just think about it
The Tigers are putting their season in the hands of Justin Verlander.
The Twins are putting theirs in the hands of….Carl Pavano????
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
1-2-3
funny thing, every time I click over to the Lions game, JV gets the White sox out before I change the channel back…and the Lions have scored TDs….I might have to keep not watching the white sox at bats
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
it happens once in a while
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
I wouldn't mind a bunt the guy over here
and I got it…though, I looked over a split second too late, saw the bounce, and thought he’d popped it up
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
RABURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRNED!
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Okay, forget my statements about Raburn being 0-for-8 against Danks with 5 Ks
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
Danks took care of Polanco so easily the first inning....he doesn't have a chance!
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Polanco hits. 190 against Danks
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Y'all, my computer just tried to jump off my lap to its death whilst i celebrated.
good thing i have an observant roommate.
i'm too lazy to scroll up and look if someone said it
is this on tv? other than FSND?
by okie for michigan on Oct 4, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions
It's on WGN
If you can stomach Hawk
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 4, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Why Leyland
Put Grandy on first when Raburn has .327 and 10 HR in September ??
Maybe Grandy has 5 , but play worse a lot
I like having both of them in the lineup and the outfield
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Has anyone else noticed?
ESPN.com shows the game at 3-0 in the bottom of the second. As does the score scrolling at the bottom of the screen. Foreshadowing?
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