Series Preview: Indians at Tigers

by MatthewLaFave on Aug 19, 2011 4:09 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers Analysis

Cleveland Indians (62-58) at Detroit Tigers (65-58)

Probable Pitchers:
Friday August 19, 7:05p:
RHP Josh Tomlin (12-5, 3.97, 81 K, 20 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Wilson Betemit (7 for 15, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Alex Avila (0 for 3, 1 K)

RHP Max Scherzer (12-7, 4.37, 130 K, 45 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Shin-Soo Choo (7 for 12, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Michael Brantley (1 for 12, 1 K)

Saturday August 20, 7:05p:
LHP David Huff (1-1, 0.51, 15 K, 4 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Delmon Young (6 for 17, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Miguel Cabrera (0 for 2)

RHP Doug Fister (4-13, 3.59, 94 K, 33 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Shin-Soo Choo (5 for 12, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Carlos Santana (0 for 5, 1 K)

Sunday August 21, 1:05p:
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (7-9, 4.48, 136 K, 56 BB
Hitter to Fear: Miguel Cabrera (5 for 14, 1 2B, 2 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Magglio Ordonez (1 for 7, 1 K)

RHP Rick Porcello (11-8, 4.98, 78 K, 31 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Carlos Santana (5 for 9, 1 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Michael Brantley (3 for 13)

What to Watch For:
1. Porcello not an Indians fan - Tigers starter Rick Porcello has not pitched well against the Indians this year. In his last start against them, he gave up 8 earned runs on 11 hits while only lasting 3.2 innings. He is, however, 4-1 with a 3.50 ERA against the Tribe in his career.

2. Iron man Avila - Friday night's game will be the 13th consecutive game Alex Avila has caught. Back-up catcher Victor Martinez is still trying to get his knees back to 100%. Not to worry though, Avila is hitting .390 with 6 RBIs in his previous 12 games.

3. Jimenez looks to rebound - Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez didn't have his best outing in his last start. He gave up 4 earned runs on 9 hits against the White Sox. In his start against Detroit earlier this month he pitched 8 innings, giving up 0 earned runs on 5 hits. He is 2-2 with a 3.75 ERA against Detroit in his career.

On Deck:
Tigers go right to Tampa Bay for a 4-game series starting on Monday. Justin Verlander is scheduled to open the series.

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Comments

As much fun as an August series gets

I hope the Tigers handle this like they did when Chicago pulled even in 2009. Buehrle had just thrown a perfect game.

The Tigers took 3 of 4 when Chicago came to town.

You know I'm right about this.

by HighOPS on Aug 19, 2011 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

Good memory!

I remember it like it was yesterday.

by MatthewLaFave on Aug 19, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

No Verlander, but no Masterson or Fausto, either

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

by Tigerdog1 on Aug 19, 2011 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

Shelling Jimenez on Sunday would be great, too.

“You traded for this guy?”

You know I'm right about this.

by HighOPS on Aug 19, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I like it when we see fausto

so do most this year

God ain't got no use for a 180 lb bag of sugar.

by Siggzilla on Aug 19, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Betemits stats look great against Tomlin

and SURPRISE! Leyleand is starting him!

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Brennan Boesch, RF
3. Delmon Young, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Wilson Betemit, 3B
9. Ryan Raburn, 2B

"i think it will be mostly feast the rest of the year,"

by Honeyman on Aug 19, 2011 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

Not really a surprise

Leyland has been great at cherry picking which games to use Betemit. Offensively speaking. We still need to use a defensive replacement for him in the late innings for when he does start. Unfortunately, we only have one defensive wizard on the roster. When Inge comes back, we’ll have another. September can’t come any sooner.

by Keith-Allen on Aug 19, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously...

Now would be a great time for the pitching staff to not suck ass.

God ain't got no use for a 180 lb bag of sugar.

by Siggzilla on Aug 19, 2011 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

Hooray!

I’ll actually be able to listen to this… first Tiger game in almost three weeks! Being on the road is fun in some ways, but sucks in others. Lack of live baseball is one of those sucky ones.

by frisbeepilot on Aug 19, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions