Game Thread - Game 2: Blue Jays vs. Tigers, 1:05 p.m. EST

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 4, 2007 8:49 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

A.J. Burnett (0-0, 0.00) vs. Nate Robertson (0-0, 0.00).

No more celebrations, no more flag raisings, no more basking in how wonderful last year was. That's what Opening Day was all about, and the Blue Jays showed how much they enjoyed having to sit around and watch all that. Let's see how the Tigers will do with that stuff (hopefully) out of their system.

We might find out pretty quickly how the Tigers will do without Kenny Rogers in the starting rotation, as this would've been his turn today. Nate Robertson leapfrogs Justin Verlander for the #2 spot, and faces a Toronto team that appears to have smacked him around a bit last season. (1-1, 9.31)

Craig Monroe? Fernando Rodney? It's only the second game of the season, so you're not on notice. However, you guys might deserve a wag of the finger for your performances on Monday. Monroe's day was especially ugly, with four strikeouts and allowing an easy fly ball to drop for Toronto's second run. Rodney, meanwhile, might want to hold off on throwing so many change-ups. Those other batters seem to be sitting on the pitch.

A brand new season officially starts... NOW.

EDIT: I forgot that the Tigers would receive their American League Championship rings before the game today. At least this pre-game ceremony didn't appear to leave the Tigers as sluggish.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I haven't been paying

super-close attention, but what's the reasoning behind slotting Robertson ahead of Verlander? Are they health-related or is it based on his general struggles in ST?

by mparks on Apr 4, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

RLRLR

I'll field this one. Leyland likes to go back and forth with righties and lefties in his rotation. Verlander (R), Maroth (L), Durbin (R) follow. Of course, that stacks two righties, but no way around that.

by Kurt Mensching on Apr 4, 2007 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

Makes sense

Although isn't it the case that we won't necessarily see a lot of Durbin the first month of the season? Maybe four starts (five at the most)?

I know most teams have a number of off days in April. It seems like fifth starters don't get a lot of work early on.

by mparks on Apr 4, 2007 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

we'll see the 5

Oftentimes, you're right. In this case, no. The Tigers have one day off between now and May 3. That's April 19. They have a pretty brutal April schedule overall. So we're going to see a lot of the 5 guy.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/det/schedule

by Kurt Mensching on Apr 4, 2007 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

So far so good

Patience pays off. 5 hits and 4 BB chase Burnett in the 3rd...and the bases are still loaded

by from the copa on Apr 4, 2007 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

CURTIS...

GRANDSLAMERSON...and Polanco's 3 for 3

by from the copa on Apr 4, 2007 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Lovin' this game so far...

8-0, and bases loaded once again!

They've been patient, stolen bases and got timely hits. Way to bounce back from the opening day loss!

by FLATigersFan on Apr 4, 2007 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Robertson to last one more inning?

Seems like that will put him at about 100 pitches. Give the llloooonnngggg relief a chance to get in some work.

by mparks on Apr 4, 2007 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a bad idea...

We'll see how this inning plays out. One on, no out thus far.

by FLATigersFan on Apr 4, 2007 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Ledezma and Grilli warming...

by FLATigersFan on Apr 4, 2007 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Speaking of Ledezma

What is his likely role this season? Long-ish relief, behind Jones and Guitar Hero on the depth chart?

by mparks on Apr 4, 2007 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

That'll be it for Nate...

9-2 after the Jays homer.

by FLATigersFan on Apr 4, 2007 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

The Pen is blowing it...

10-7 now

2 on, 1 out.

by FLATigersFan on Apr 4, 2007 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

Make that 10-9.

Uh. Oh.

by FLATigersFan on Apr 4, 2007 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Isn't this about the time

that Jones gets the first two guys out (one on a long fly ball), then gives up a hit and a walk before getting the save?

by mparks on Apr 4, 2007 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Is this the point...

... where someone asks you for tomorrow's lotto numbers?

by EricV on Apr 4, 2007 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Close...

...but no cigar. I thought he would get the first two guys out. He only got the first guy out before the hit/walk. ;-)

Plus, it's not like Jones didn't do that about 28 times last year. How many 1-2-3 ninth inning saves did Jones have in 2006?

by mparks on Apr 4, 2007 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

That's why...

He's the "coaster"

by FLATigersFan on Apr 4, 2007 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Rodney

So for those of us not able to get local insight on the Tigers, are there any suggestions about Rodney? Just a run of bad luck or is there something to it?

by EricV on Apr 4, 2007 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably..

just some early season jitters.

by FLATigersFan on Apr 4, 2007 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I didnt see today....

.... but I was there on Opening Day, and it was more bad luck than bad pitching. He was doing a good job of getting ahead of hitters overall. After a single to L.overbay, Wells fouled off like 5 pitches with 2 strikes and eventually drew a walk, and then he got Thomas down 0-2 but beaned him after a very good pitch on 0-2. Then Glaus singled with an 0-2 count to drive in the lead run. Overall he looked very good that game, just a few things didnt go his way. The bean was the killer.

He'll come around and be fine. Just a short bad stretch.

by grozzy on Apr 4, 2007 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions