Mike Maroth (2-0, 5.40) vs. Jered Weaver (0-1, 4.50)
The Tigers begin what has to be the strangest week on their 2007 schedule with a two-game stop in Anaheim. And tomorrow's match-up will be a day game. As Rod Allen has pointed out several times on the Tigers' telecasts, the team and the crew won't even be there for 48 hours.
(Mike McClary will be attending both games. Yes, I am envious. I'm also wondering why it's not so easy for me to stay up for West Coast start times during the week anymore. Or on weekends, for that matter. I tell myself it's because I look much more handsome when I get some sleep.)
Weaver was extremely impressive (11-2, 2.56) after being called up to the majors last May. But that rookie workload likely resulted in the biceps tendinitis that kept him out of spring training and the first two weeks of this season. He looked okay in his first start last week, however, and might be sharper tonight.
And I'll keep dragging these stats out until Gary Sheffield finally makes me look good, but he has historically hit very well against the Angels (.312, with 14 home runs and 44 RBI). Does such information apply to anyone currently on the Anaheim pitching staff? Who knows? (Magglio Ordonez is another guy who has pounded Angels pitching - .307, 16 HR, 42 RBI - throughout his career.)
Short Hops:
▪▪ Curtis Granderson also discusses the team's travel plans and how he plans to deal with the trip in his latest blog post.)
▪▪ SB Nation broham Halos Heaven will provide the opposing view for this series. The Rev. just posted Part 1 of his interview with Angels VP of Communications Tim Mead.
▪▪ And Sean Casey is off to a bad start, but does the guy deserve this?
Maybe that's what was on his mind when he missed Nate Robertson's pick-off throw on Saturday.