Game 163: Tigers at Twins
by Ian Casselberry on Oct 6, 2009 4:25 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintDetroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins, Oct 6, 2009 5:07 PM EDT
Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.04) vs. 
Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36), 5:07 p.m. EST
Writing this in the regular GameThread format doesn't quite feel right, does it? After all, this is hardly just another game on the schedule. But the number "163" is a pretty big indicator. The regular season just could not contain this AL Central race.
And so, just when you thought the Tigers were out of the Metrodome, a first-place tie pulls them back in. But isn't this the way it should be?
Sure, Detroit should've won the AL Central when it was fully in its grasp. Their stumble (along with the Twins' red-hot surge) has brought the season to this point. But every hero needs a villain. And to finish the story, the arch-enemy must be vanquished. Has there been any greater adversary to the Tigers this season than these pesky, never-say-die Minnesota Twins?
This is the stuff of mythology, man. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? How about doing what should've been done last Thursday at Comerica Park?
You know all about Scott Baker. You've seen him pitch against the Tigers enough now, including last Thursday. Never mind that Detroit's lineup once again played like squanderers. Baker held the Tigers to just one run over five innings, so it probably means he's going to do it again, right? Right? He's the Twins' best starting pitcher!
What? The Tigers' season comes down to their rookie starter? Hey, Rick Porcello isn't a rookie anymore. The kid has pitched in 30 major league games now. His shoulders are plenty strong for this. Kid Rick has been Detroit's second-best starting pitcher since late August. And he's not afraid of these Minnesota Twins. Just look at his last two starts against them.
Ryan Raburn is in the lineup today, starting in left field and batting sixth. Carlos Guillen is the designated hitter, while Ramon Santiago gets the nod at shortstop. And Denard Span's quote about the Tigers' choking is on the clubhouse wall:
"I don't want to say they've choked, but, yeah, they have choked," Span said. "They've choked a little bit, but they have the opportunity to not choke, I guess."
Twinkie Town has your SB Nation opposing view for this one-game tiebreaker for the AL Central championship.
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Can we eat Twinkies?
Is that good karma?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
"Denard Span" is the distance between the media and Brett Favre's testicles.
Sorry, but that’s too good to leave behind.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
Did anyone ask Favre to pick a winner for today’s game? I’ve been pretty curious.
by Ian Casselberry on Oct 6, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Starting Lineups
These were posted in other threads, but for the sake of the GameThread, we post them again:
TIGERS
1. Curtis Granderson CF
2. Placido Polanco 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez RF
4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
5. Carlos Guillen DH
6. Ryan Raburn LF
7. Brandon Inge 3B
8. Gerald Laird C
9. Ramon Santiago SS
TWINS
1. Denard Span CF
2. Orlando Cabrera SS
3. Joe Mauer C
4. Jason Kubel RF
5. Michael Cuddyer 1B
6. Delmon Young LF
7. Jose Morales DH
8. Matt Tolbert 3B
9. Nick Punto 2B
Grandy @ 1st
I would like see Raburn as lead-off.
But is one good things – NO HUFF
After last days Huff probable be have 0-for-4 or 0-for-5
From Steve Phillips at ESPN:
This game has a chance to be very exciting despite the fact that the odds are stacked against the Tigers. But I look for Porcello and the Tigers to pull off the upset and win the AL Central title.
I did like him
Now I want to throw at him.
I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
www.twitter.com/zajareich
Ah, thanks.
None of the usual suspects have the Tigers game listed on the tv guide (yes, I still have basic cable).
by okie for michigan on Oct 6, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
You know what I think is great
Forcing the “experts” to pick the winner of a one-game series. The probability of one team winning in any game is roughly a coin-flip.
I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
www.twitter.com/zajareich
cant decide
Should I listen to the game on XM on the way home or wait until I’m home and start from the beginning on DVR?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
by rock n rye on Oct 6, 2009 4:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
tough call
if it were me I couldnt wait and I would just listen to it and rewatch it tonight if all goes well.
Oh you must listen.
No way you get out of this, young man. You’ll tear up your guts just like the rest of us!
radio it is
It better not be a stressful first few innings. I get pissy enough as it is in Atlanta traffic
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
by rock n rye on Oct 6, 2009 4:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm out of cigarettes and tobacco
Good god, I can’t even roll my own. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through this game.
Yes, I’m Jim Leyland.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
on my way
Should just get to my spot for the game. So pumped! And want to puke all at the same time…
by PBURGTIGER on Oct 6, 2009 4:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
This is why I hate this goddamn country sometimes
Don’t get me wrong, I loves me the government healthcare and the whole “our flag isn’t burnt too often in demonstrations in foreign countries” and all, but…
Rogers Sportsnet, the equivalent of Fox Sports Net over here, is only showing the game in a few places in Canada, and NOT IN ONTARIO. Can you fucking believe this? A Tiger fan in WINDSOR GODDAMN ONTARIO can’t watch this game unless they fork out a mint for a satellite dish or digital cable.
You better believed I called Customer Relations and left… well, in my polite Canadian way, I was rather curt but kept it far short of yelling.
In conclusion, I can’t follow this game along with you folks, because I’ll be up the street at the local sports bar, which has just assured me via telephone that they’ll carry this game.
And hey, on the off-chance anyone else in midtown Toronto needs a place to watch the game, McSorley’s on Bayview is where I’ll be. C’mon over if you’re around.
Sucks for you, but...
“the whole ‘our flag isn’t burnt too often in demonstrations in foreign countries’ and all”
has got me falling over right now.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
Rant of the year?
I think this is the darkhorse to win.
I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
www.twitter.com/zajareich
Going to be listening to the game on the way home from work
I AM SO PSYCHED!!! HERE WE GO TIGERS HERE WE GO!!! I AM THE BAT-DAD!!! OHHHH YEAHHHH
Stranded in Twins Territory...
…but sporting my Tigers hat. Got a wicked stare at the gas station this morning. Then got to work and my boss asked me if I was going to be using it tomorrow to wipe up my tears.
“Please Dear God…for all that is holy. Let me rub his nose in it tomorrow morning….”
Dove made that little girl look damn near suicidal on the couch
Yikes, I’m scared for little girls now
2100 Woodward and Twitter
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
i someone asks to use the 3 seashells
I’m leaving
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
by rock n rye on Oct 6, 2009 5:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
My heart has been pounding since five minutes ago.
I would utterly fail as a major league baseball player.
Mine is starting now
I am not cut out for this.
by kendra.michelle on Oct 6, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
What is the deal here?
Still According to Jim? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
by okie for michigan on Oct 6, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions
I have a doctor's appointment next week.
She’s going to ask me if I’ve cut down on my smoking.
I’m going to laugh.
one game. a chance to slay the dragon.
Imagine the fun if we can close down the hellhole with a victory. This will be the toghest one to win all year, but we are fully capable. Give ’em hell guys, and bring that flag home.
by rook34 on Oct 6, 2009 5:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
If we win tonight...
Porcello wins ROY.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH
MY SIGNAL JUST DIED
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
STUPID PRIVATE SCHOOL
WHY THE HELL DO I PAY 50 GRAND A YEAR FOR NO TBS AT THE BIGGEST MOMENT OF THE YEAR?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
No time
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
making a break for it
if all goes well should be in front of a TV by the 3rd inning
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
by rock n rye on Oct 6, 2009 5:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Oh please
These morons couldn’t string a real story together to save their lives, so they went with the easy one.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
leaving work now - let's see how fast I can get home
hopefully without throwing up
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
God
Maintenance just waltzed into my apartment. What an opportune time, douche.
by okie for michigan on Oct 6, 2009 5:11 PM EDT reply actions
Man, don't you guys just love this PERFECT GAME?
What a time to throw a PERFECT GAME. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see a PERFECT GAME?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
since when
are umpires endorsing crap?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Dear everyone:
Can we leave the Cabrera drinking jokes at the door? Seriously. Skip Bayless comes up with this shit, I expect better here.
Signed…
Well, probably just me.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
fair enough
Unless he goes 0-for
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
And I'm confidently nervous.
I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
www.twitter.com/zajareich
ok, miggy, let's see what you got
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Dear announcers
I can’t hear the game over all the slurping of Joe Mauer. Please shut up.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
alright folks
i’m off to work. gonna hopefully have a radio so i can keep up with the game.
GO TIGERS!!
WOO CABBY DOUBLE
I Like Pie
a few more of those, please
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
greetings, btw
stupid work held me up…
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
The ESPN radio announcers are so into the Miggy Friday night story
They did not mention that he got a double. They are still talking about it, I have no idea who is up or the count. This is ridiculous.
Fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Inge did his part...unfortunately, so did the OC
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Gotta service the rest of the Twins
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
I never really noticed that Porcello is a qt.
Hope I still think that at the end of the game.
by okie for michigan on Oct 6, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions
I'm glad to see him pitching really good though...
I didn’t think he was going to pitch bad, but I figured a 4 ER game and our bullpen gives up 1 or 2 more…
Now it looks like a 0-2 ER game.
DONT JINX IT
JESUS TAPDANCING CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Club Baker in the head witht the ball?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
if he managed both at the same time
I’d vote for him for President
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Hey lets score one of those things that gives up a number next to DET
Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider!
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