Series Preview Pt. 2: Mariners at Tigers

by MatthewLaFave on Jun 11, 2011 11:41 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers Analysis

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 10: Short Stop Jhonny Peralta #27 of the Detroit Tigers gets set to throw the ball to first base during a MLB game against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park on June 10, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Seattle defeated Detroit 3-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners (33-31) at Detroit Tigers (34-29)

Probable Pitchers:
Saturday June 11, 7:05p:
RHP Michael Pineda (6-3, 2.33, 76 K)
Hitter to Fear: Alex Avila (1 for 3, 1 2B, 2 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Austin Jackson (0 for 3, 2 K)

RHP Max Scherzer (7-2, 4.68, 72 K)
Hitter to Fear: Adam Kennedy (3 for 6, 1 2B, 1 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Miguel Olivo (1 for 6, 4 K)

Sunday June 12 , 1:05p:
RHP Felix Hernandez (6-5, 3.29, 97 K)
Hitter to Fear: Miguel Cabrera (8 for 17, 2 2B, 2 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Alex Avila (0 for 4, 2 K)

RHP Rick Porcello (6-3, 3.58, 38 K)
Hitter to Fear: Ichiro Suzuki (5 for 12, 1 2B, 1 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Franklin Gutierrez (0 for 5, 3 K)

What to Watch For:
1. The bats of Boesch and Peralta - Brennan Boesch is 16 for 41 (.390) with 4 homeruns and 11 RBIs in his last 10 games. Boesch is 1 for 3 with a double against Michael Pineda.
Jhonny Peralta is 13 for 37 (.351) with 3 RBIS in his last 10. He is 7 for 22 with 3 RBIs against Sunday's starter Felix Hernandez.

2. Max Scherzer and his struggling command - Though he got the victory in his last start against the Rangers, Scherzer has still been struggling with his command. Bullpen coach Jeff Jones has said there is a minor mechanical problem that has kept him in front of his pitches. In his last 3 starts, Scherzer has given up 19 runs on 24 hits.

On Deck:
The Tampa Bay Rays come back into town for a make-up game on Monday. Phil Coke will start against rookie Alex Cobb.

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Comments

For those out of towners without MLB.TV

tonight’s game is the free game of the night on MLB.com

"I'm a simple man. I like pretty, dark-haired women and breakfast food" - Ron Swanson

by rock n rye on Jun 11, 2011 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

Michael Pineda

No game thread yet, so I’ll post this comment here.

Seattle’s rookie pitcher today has quietly been one of the best pitchers in MLB this season. He’s 6- 3 with a 2.33 ERA, a WHIP of 1.00, and has 76 K’s in just 77.1 Innings. Opponents are hitting just .197 against him- lefties hit .218 and righties hit just .178. The kid is a total stud

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Jun 11, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

He is a freaking stud

I can’t imagine what that staff would look like today if they would have just resigned lee instead of trading him—-they would be a force, for sure

by Siggzilla on Jun 11, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

ON the other hand, they're hitting just .228 as a team.

True suckage at the plate

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Jun 11, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Uh, they wouldn't have Smoak.

They need Smoak more than Lee. Lee wasn’t assured of staying in Seattle anyhow. The Mariners ended up with the best end of the deal.

I have a grand idea: let's win a game.

by 13194013 on Jun 11, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Scherzer's mechanics

He sure has a hard time keeping his mechanics in line. I’m not so sure he has the most incredible self-assessment OR perhaps he over-thinks his mistakes to the point that he is distracted and goofs his mechanics. Her reminds me of an intermediate golf swing: flashes of glory mixed with marginally bush league flaws that may crop up at any time.

by SkylineSeats on Jun 11, 2011 2:27 PM EDT reply actions