Game 156: Twins at Tigers
Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers, Sep 29, 2009 12:05 PM EDT
Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.18) vs.
Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.14), 12:05 p.m. EST
So as we were saying last night...
Is advance build-up for this one really necessary? You know what's at stake for the Detroit Tigers during these next four games. And if you don't, hey, thanks for joining us. Hop on, and we'll explain as it goes along.
Among the many reasons the Minnesota Twins have played so well in September is the performance of Nick Blackburn. In three of his four starts this month, he's allowed three runs or fewer. And in his past two starts, he's given up two runs in 13.1 innings. That includes seven innings of shutout baseball versus the White Sox last week.
On the road this season, Blackburn is 4-7 with a 4.07 ERA in 16 starts. He's split his two starts against the Tigers this season, but the last time he pitched at Comerica Park, Blackburn gave up nine runs (six earned) in less than four innings.
Technically, Rick Porcello is still a rookie. And the idea of the Tigers' youngest pitcher starting one of their biggest games of the season is a little bit scary. But after 29 major league starts, is Kid Rick really some fresh-faced upstart anymore? He's gotten better as the season has progressed, as his last start showed. Porcello held the Indians to one run in five innings of work.
Porcello is 1-2 with a 3.71 ERA against Minnesota in three starts this year. But he pitched well enough to win when he faced the Twins last weekend at the Metrodome. And Kid Rick's only scoreless effort of the season was against these Twins, back in early May when he opposed Blackburn in the aforementioned blowout.
Twinkie Town has your SB Nation opposing view for this four-game series.
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why is clete batting third
In the biggest game of the year?
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 11:07 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
why did alexis gomez play so much in the postseason 2006?
Mad Hatter at work.
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 29, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Not saying I agree with the move...
But he is 6-for-12 off Blackburn including HR
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 11:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Looks like snow
probably a good thing the Tigers play downstate
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 29, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions
scares me to death.
I know clete had the pinch hit single in chicago, but he hasn’t exactly been swinging a hot bat.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 11:15 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
How scared am I?
I’m not at all superstitious, and yet I found myself wondering which was luckier: cheese sticks from Pizza Hut or almond chicken from Magic Wok. I went with cheese sticks.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 11:18 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I can't thjnk of a better reason not to get anything accomplished at work today than to sit here and watch stinkin Gameday.
Stupid work anyway. Who needs it?
Why is Laird playing in the first game?
Shouldn’t Leyland play Avila against the RH and then use Laird tonight against the LH.
Also, is Inge really going to play both games?
Cheer for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Sep 29, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions
Agreed
I would MUCH rather see Maggs or Raburn than Clete today, despite his good numbers against Blackburn.
Also, we should DEFINITELY have Avila in this game… otherwise we end up with Laird for both games. That’s a lot of not hitting for one day.
A lifelong Tigers fan
I guess that means Laird's gonna catch both games
And I’d imagine we’ll see Raburn in the nightcap.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 11:28 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
avila never, ever.....
Catches JV.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 11:28 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I want Avila to play
as much as anyone but I think Leyland just wants to be sure the Twins running game is shut down … especially considering Rick’s game is groundballs keeping the GIDP in effect … and those fools are free to run at their own risk (then again last time Alex played he looked good throwing out … was it Choo?)
Only reason I can think of is Leyland thinks Lauird might handle Porcello better…calm him down if he gets too juiced for the big game.
by Wayne Comer on Sep 29, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I'll buy that.
Leyland always does says it’s about managing people more than stats.
by StringTheory on Sep 29, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I had a dream we lost this game 40-21.
Clearly my unconscious mind has no interest in probable outcomes. With that nonsense out of the way, I’m curious to see how each pitchers’ control is in the cold — I’m remembering the Miner vs. Floyd game where neither had any idea where the ball was going.
I haven't dreamed about the Tigers in a while
In the last dream I had about them, they were in Oakland but there was a junkyard beyond the right field fence with big mounds of garbage and Magglio kept setting them on fire. There’s something wrong with me.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 11:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
oh shit, that just helped me to remember
I had a dream we won 5-0? I don’t really remember it though, or who was pitching.. not sure what game the dream was supposed to represent.
My dream was that Porcello bodyslammed Gardie
No, but really.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
that's a football score
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
Geez
Good gravy the bottom third of our lineup looks bad… would look much better with Raburn at 3rd and Avila at C…
A lifelong Tigers fan
Raburn + third base =
aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
::covers eyes::
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 29, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
God, I know
I just posted his stats a GameThread or two ago, and they’re fresh in my head.
Leyland going full court press for the nightcap.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Good point
Yeah, good point. Too bad Huff can’t do anything in the field. If he could play a decent 3rd, that would really open up some options.
A lifelong Tigers fan
nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
At 3B this year for Raburn, he’s played six games (four started) over 33 innings. In that service he’s had 10 chances. He errored four times for a .600 fielding percentage. His range factor per nine innings is 1.64 (league average 2.67) and per game is 1.00 (league average 2.40).
Raburn is garbage at 3B.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
just a thought, and maybe I'm crazy....
why doesn’t Carlos spell Inge at 3rd for a game? He’s played the position. I know he’s not the best at it but he has spent most of his career as an infielder.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
Yes, you're crazy
biggest game of the year (until tonight) and you wanna put a guy at a position he hasn’t played in a year?
by Wayne Comer on Sep 29, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm just wondering why it hasn't been an option...
he’s not horrible there. He’s probably better than raburn there. And we keep a strong bat in the lineup without sacrificing to much defense.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
His knees are really bad
He doesn’t have the range he used to.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
DOUBLE HEADER BASEBALL TODAY!!!!!
In the name of productivity, I will work on my song during the game.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
BASEBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
I have class at 1. Seriously considering leaving it to just watch the effing game. Probably won’t, though. This will be paid attention to via GameDay and the radio once I’m out of class around 2:30.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
I really like Ramon at short and batting 9th
Razor ramon has speed and a decent bat, if he gets on it sets up some nice stealing options with grandy and him on base…its like having two lead-off guys I think,…plus I dont care much for everette batting or in the field…
I was surprised to see that when he’s hitting lefty, his average is actually 17 points lower. His OBP is up about 50 points and his power up about 30.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Santiago has been great in September, at least as far as his year has gone. He’s .333/.404/.357 but only one of those was for extra bases (double against Tampa Sept. 5). For the rest of the year he’s hitting .259/.309/.408. His power is down (last HR was agains Kansas City Aug. 15) but is OBP is much improved, so I dig it.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
and he's so solid defensively
I like that against the Twins.
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
Yep.
He’s .974 fielding at SS this year, 2 points north of average. His range factor per game is way north of average, and that’ll help.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I've got a feeling
that today’s game is going to swing on how Clete performs. Batting him third could be genius or madness.
A lifelong Tigers fan
I guess the other thing to consider...
Blackburn’s a sinkerballer. If there’s a ground ball, Clete’s got a better shot at beating it out.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 11:47 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
CLETE THOMAS
I WILL HEAR NO ILL SPEAKINGS OF CLETE
(Unless you’re saying he’s garbage in LF. Since he is.)
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Jason Beck says it's windy
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 11:45 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I wasn't dreaming about baseball
But this morning I woke up with some lyrics “Tonight’s gonna be a good night, tonight’s gonna be a good good night – I feel it” running through my head like a toddler on a sugar high.
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
FFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU----
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, end of season and the only real pennant race in the league
Pretty much forced their hand.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
a buddy of mine at work
Decided that the chances of either team taking both games was about 50:50. We also decided that the double header has increased our stress levels exponentially.
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
I woke up
with “I’ve got a peacefuuuuul, easy feeeeeeling” stuck in my head. Maybe that will help me get through this stressful day.
It’s pretty crazy that by the end of today we could have the postseason pretty much locked up, or be in very perilous straights…
A lifelong Tigers fan
I've had the chimney sweep song from Mary Poppins stuck in my head ever since I posted a photo for someone
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 11:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So, wearing my Polly jersey
It’s about 55 here in Lansing, so I didn’t know what to do about keeping warm. I dug through my winter clothes and found my Tigers blue (is there an actual name for it?) thermal. Not only do I match, but I’m rocking the jersey. Better carry me.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
Smart money going on Tigers
The spread in Vegas has been goin’ up all morning. It’s -132 or so now most places. It was -110 only a couple hours ago.
Before I read the subject
I thought for sure you had just peed yourself
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
not yet anyway
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
Will be commenting when possible
Watching the game via gameday on the DL in class.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Same here
Just not on the DL. I’ll scream if something awesome happens.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I may do that too
I really should ask out for religious reasons.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm gonna be watching at my desk
I’ve given up trying to hide it. I think my boss understands. or at least pretends to and has yet to fire me
I wish my boss was like that
The pharmacist who let me follow games got transferred
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 12:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm going to disappear shortly
Class is about to start. I’ll be able to postagain once I get home. I really don’t want to go to work.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 11:57 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I'll still have my iPod up
I just can’t comment
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 12:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Me too
Outta here……I’m a jinx when I comment during a game.
GO TIGERS!!!!!!
by Wayne Comer on Sep 29, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I've been feeling like dry heaving pretty much all day
Isn’t playoff baseball fantabulous!!!!!
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
Bye
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Sep 29, 2009 12:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hello Everyone
This is my first post here, I’m usually at turfshowtimes.com the Rams board… been a Tiger fan since 1983, was blessed enough to see Sparky and the boys win the WS… still dry heaving on our disaster against the cards, and ready for us to take this series and the Yankees by surprise once again…
“Bless You Boys”
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
Welcome!
And please, beat the Lions when the Rams play them. I have a bet to win.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
welcome to the asylum
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
PLAYOFF BEARD
Think my girlfriend would flip if I did that again (I did one for the Wings)
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
WANT BEARD!!!
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
If we can take these 2 games
We’ll be up 4 with 5 left… but you guys knew that already eh? C’MON TIGERS!!!!!
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
*bounces around*
His jersey bringeth good luck.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
ARE YOU LISTENING DOMBROWSKI?!
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
MAYBE WE NEED TO PICKET HIS OFFICE!!!
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
Free Scott Sizemore
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone have a link to the game(s)???
Is it on nationally???
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
here
First download this:
http://groups.google.com/group/streamtorrent
Click the latest installation. Then go to the next link
http://www.myp2pforum.eu/mlb-baseball/44111-baseball-today-tuesday-september-29th-streaming.html
Next to the 12:00 game click that IceTV 360k link
Let it load. You will be slightly delayed compared to others, but if you don’t follow on here the whole time it’s still live.
GOOD
You’re a better man than I.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
The Postseason Starts Today For Us
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
Dagnabit, I got work to do
oh well
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
apparently not polly, not yet
Clete, I have a spare cracker here…how’s about it, buddy?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
I tried to get a group to go to a sports bar, at least for the first couple of innings
but no takers
/fair weather fans :(
would have been nice had Polly done the same
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
Up to you, Huffy
show us what we got you for
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
no jinxing
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
STOP JINXING IT
You’re gonna make him better
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
That's 2 LOB in the first inning
here we go again?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
crap
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
New strategy for the Tigers: don't hit it to Punto
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
I do, but...
Not a good idea to link it here. Don’t want to get Ian in trouble
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't get the pitching strategy
out of 28 pitches he has thrown 1 change up and 27 FB (2 or 4 seam)
whatever it is is working, but they must be sitting on the FB sooner or later
maybe
all FB the first time through the order and switching gears and dropping nothing but breaking balls the second time.
innings count
we’ll go to the pen
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Might work
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody on 1st
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Blackburn found his control there
All but the third pitch were in the exact same spot. Filthy.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
crap.
Now, the scary portion of the order.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 12:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
+1
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
COTN
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
at this point,
It is impossible for me to feel good about inge at the plate.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 12:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I was just about to say.
Blackburn doesn’t have much horizontal movement on his off-speed pitch, and that bodes well for Inge.
+1
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Worse: he gave up a hit to Brandon Inge
by happydrifter on Sep 29, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
No skin off my arse
Hate Blackburn, even if he’s shaky today.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Good to see
Thanks for posting
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
What he said
Santiago has been great in September, at least as far as his year has gone. He’s .333/.404/.357 but only one of those was for extra bases (double against Tampa Sept. 5). For the rest of the year he’s hitting .259/.309/.408. His power is down (last HR was agains Kansas City Aug. 15) but is OBP is much improved, so I dig it.
:D
That’s me! Someone actually reads my stats! Yay!
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
should have been more
But we will take a lead.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 12:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Just as long as we don't give it back
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
2-seamer inside to the lefty.
Greg Maddux’s signature pitch.
by StringTheory on Sep 29, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
My favorite type of Rod-speak
“They have one of the best pitchers in baseball going tonight, does Detroit”
binging at 12:45...
always a good thing…
Is this legal?
I don't know. It's fun, though...
by moonshineboy on Sep 29, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Shame
He gets some control on that, and he’ll go far.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
but when he figures it out he's going to be damn near unhittable
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 29, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Did he drop the slider?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he did
For now anyway. Don’t want him to ruin his elbow .
That curve is just incredibly beautiful though, I hope he learns to control it.
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 29, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
hey gang... score?
I’ve been AWK
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
1-0 Tigers
I think.
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
yes'um...
Is this legal?
I don't know. It's fun, though...
by moonshineboy on Sep 29, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
description rocks
Big help to have quick score updates when it changes.
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
just an emphasis
because the efforts of all are much appreciated. :)
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
huff is miserable.
You’re a dh. Put the ball in the air.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 12:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
+1
Huff sucks
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
blackburn will be gone after 5
But we have to tag him with some more.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 12:59 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I just did an image search for "anti squandering" pics...
and google linked this site.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
no one squanders like we do.
That was fing horrible.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 1:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
He's just confused by this whole pennant race thing
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
No kidding
So long with the Orioles he’s got to be wondering why this last week is so big for his team
He said it himself, he's never been in a pennant race
Maybe there’s a reason why :)
by explosivo2k2 on Sep 29, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
That's two squandered innings
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
here is where mauer hits one out
And a huge inning results. We should have sent blackburn to the showers by now.
by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 1:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Laird deserves some hate too
At least Huff drove the count up and fought it off.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
of course...
Laird’s not paid to hit, Huff is…
Is this legal?
I don't know. It's fun, though...
by moonshineboy on Sep 29, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Huff will get no credit.
Laird was a couple feet away from a single.
by StringTheory on Sep 29, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

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