Game 77: Tigers at Twins, 1:10pm

Andrew Oliver

#41 / Pitcher / Detroit Tigers

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Dec 03, 1987

vs.

Kevin Slowey

#59 / Pitcher / Those Damned Twins

Height: 6-3

Weight: 205

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: May 04, 1984

I need to get something off my chest...

I HATE THE TWINS!

Seriously, I despise all things Minnesota, thanks to those damned Twins. That damn team is EVIL, and the Tigers are jinxed when it comes to playing against them.

100 year old Jim Thome legging out a TRIPLE? Denard Span tripling 3 times in ONE game? The immortal Nick Punto playing like a freaking ALL-STAR? Joel Zumaya BREAKING HIS ELBOW?

Only in Minnesota.

In the rubber game of the 3 games series, 1st place in the AL Central is at stake. Andy Oliver makes his 2nd career big league start against those damned Twins, hoping to help the Tigers bounce back from yesterday's ugly, embarrassing 11-4 loss.

Pregame linkage:

SI's Tom Verducci picks his All-Overlooked All-Star team, and his left fielder is...Brennan Boesch. Verducci calls Boesch "the best rookie in the big leagues."

At Roar of the Tigers, Samara continues her quest to get Miguel Cabrera voted into the All-Star game. She asks us all to do our Tigerly duty, and VOTE! Today's is the final day for fan voting, so please vote early and vote often!

Tigers Talk makes the case for Ryan Perry being the key arm in replacing Joel Zumaya.

The Daily Fungo has put up a poll asking which starting pitcher the Tigers should pursue...if any. The current leader is Cliff Lee, followed by "none of the above."

You'll also want to check out The Detroit Tigers Podcast hosted at The Daily Fungo, as it's co-hosted by some dude named Ian who used to hang around BYB.

The Detroit News has the quotes from Joel Zumaya's meeting with the media Right now, everyone is optimistic, and talking about the best case scenario. No surgery is needed and Zoom will be pitching again next year. //knock on wood

Pregame news and notes:

The Tigers have one thing going for them this afternoon. They have a 22-12 record in day games this season.

Fu-Te Ni has been a gas can as of late. The LOOGY has allowed 13 runs in his past 6 appearances.

Twins starter Kevin Slowey is 4-0 in 8 career starts against the Tigers, with a not so good 5.93 ERA.

The schedule gets easier after today. The Tigers return home for a long home stand leading up to the All-Star break. Their next 6 games are against the last place Mariners, and the worst team in baseball, the Orioles. Of course, those damned Twins come to Comerica Park for a 3 games series once the bottom feeders leave town.

I HATE THE TWINS!