Detroit Tigers (5-7) at Oakland Athletics (6-6)
Probable Pitchers:
LHP Phil Coke (0-1, 2.69) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (2-0, .69)
Lineup Notes:
Jim Leyland has said that Magglio Ordonez will likely return to the lineup during the west coast trip. Don't expect him back just yet but look for him to be DH towards the end of the Oakland series. Raburn and Boesch will likely patrol corner outfield again.
To Fear or Fail:
DET - Phil Coke (1-0, 6.00 ERA, 4 K vs. Oakland)
Hitter to Fear: Daric Barton (3 for 4, 1 HR, 3 RBI vs. Coke)
Hitter to Fail: David DeJesus (0 for 3, 1 K vs. Coke)
OAK - Gio Gonzalez (0-3, 10.22 ERA, 8 BB, 15 K vs. Detroit)
Hitter to Fear: Ryan Raburn (4 for 5, 2 HR, 3 RBI vs. Gonzalez)
Hitter to Fail: Brandon Inge (1 for 6, 3 K vs. Gonzalez)
Analysis:
Both teams are coming off exciting wins, Detroit in walk-off fashion and Oakland in extra innings. Athletic's pitcher Gio Gonzalez has been lights out in his two starts this season. Only giving up 1 run on 10 hits striking out 8. But he has walked 6 so his strikeout to walk ratio is not so impressive, he walked a career high 92 last season. If the Tigers can show patience at the plate, they can slow down the 25 year old.
Tiger's pitcher Phil Coke is coming off an above average performance against the Royals last Saturday, only giving up 3 hits while striking out 7. If he can continue that performance into Oakland and the Tigers can be patient at the plate, they should start the series off with a win.