Bless You Boys - Game 49: Athletics 3, Tigers 1A detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2014-05-29T07:30:02-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/55242552014-05-29T07:30:02-04:002014-05-29T07:30:02-04:00Poll: Should Ausmus have pulled Sanchez?
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<figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Hindsight is 20/20, but a different decision could have had a major impact on last night's walk-off loss.</p> <p><span>Anibal Sanchez</span> was brilliant last night, tossing eight shutout innings before allowing a one-out double to <span>Coco Crisp</span> in the bottom of the ninth inning. Following the double, <span>Brad Ausmus</span> visited the mound and made the decision to pull Sanchez in lieu of closer <span>Joe Nathan</span>. We all know how that turned out. Nathan blew the save, allowing a walk-off home run to early AL MVP candidate <span>Josh Donaldson</span>.</p>
<p>Did Brad Ausmus make the correct decision?</p>
<p>On one hand, Sanchez was nearly untouchable last night. He struck out nine hitters and had only allowed three hits (including Crisp's double). Of his season-high 111 pitches, Sanchez generated 11 whiffs, a healthy 10% swing-and-miss rate. He had already struck out each of the next three hitters earlier in the game, and generally made the A's lineup look foolish all night.</p>
<p>On the other hand, there are several reasons why pulling Sanchez may have been the better option. Getting through any major league lineup -- let alone the top offense in the American League -- four times is a challenge. Both John Jaso and Donaldson already had hits against Sanchez earlier in the game. Sanchez's pitch count was his highest total of the season, and he hasn't exactly been a beacon of health in 2014. Plus, it's not like the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> were bringing in <span>Phil Coke</span> to face the heart of Oakland's lineup. The team is paying Joe Nathan a lot of money to thrive in situations just like this.</p>
<p>So, what do you think? Did Ausmus make the right decision?</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/29/5760676/poll-did-brad-ausmus-make-the-correct-decision-to-pull-anibal-sanchezRob Rogacki2014-05-29T02:10:08-04:002014-05-29T02:10:08-04:00Did Nathan throw Castellanos under the bus?
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<p>Joe Nathan gave up a no-doubt home run to allow the A's to end the game in a loud way, but did he put too much blame on his rookie third baseman afterward?</p> <p><span>With the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> leading 1-0 and one out in the ninth, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> designed hitter <span>John Jaso</span> singled to left field. At least that's what the box score tells you. What actually happened was Tigers third baseman <span>Nick Castellanos</span> got a glove on a soft line drive and should have come down with at least one out -- Fox Sports Detroit believed he could have doubled up <span>Coco Crisp</span> at second base, but that's neither here nor there. The key point: Tigers closer <span>Joe Nathan</span> gave up a walk-off home run to <span>Josh Donaldson</span> a batter later, costing the Tigers a 3-1 decision, then proceeded to answer questions about it from Fox Sports Detroit. </span></p>
<p><span>Q: "Joe, what's the difference coming in with a clean inning or with a runner in scoring position...". </span></p>
<p><span>A: "It's all the same. ... Still about getting outs. The big out there was getting Jaso. You get him and it changes everything. Changes how your approach is against ... Donaldson. Changes how you can pitch to him. Gives me a chance to play with him a little bit. When we didn't get Jaso, puts you in a tough spot. First and third, real good hitter at the plate. Kinda forces me to go after one of their better hitters. So Jaso was the out ... that we thought we had, but unfortunately it didn't happen"</span></p>
<p>Castellanos, for his part, admitted he should have made the catch. The scorer ruled it a hit but it seems like it could have been called an error instead.</p>
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<p>I'm hoping that Nathan didn't throw Castellanos under the bus as badly as it seemed on TV. Going after a tough hitter is the closer's job.</p>
— Dave Hogg (@Stareagle) <a href="https://twitter.com/Stareagle/statuses/471882837012905984">May 29, 2014</a>
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<p><span>Going by the comments made by Nathan on FSD about being forced to change his approach because Castellanos missed Jaso's liner, it sure sounded as if he was pointing a finger at his rookie third baseman. Not cool when you served up a meatball to end the game, making the play a bit moot. </span></p>
<p><span>Tigers manager <span>Brad Ausmus</span> also walked the same line, as he brought the Castellanos play up as a possible inning changer. </span></p>
<p><span>Jim Leyland never would have said anything about the play.</span></p>
<p><em>So: Did Nathan put the blame on Castellanos? </em></p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/29/5760432/joe-nathan-nick-castellanos-tigers-athletics-ughAl Beaton2014-05-29T01:43:01-04:002014-05-29T01:43:01-04:00A's 3, Tigers 1: Buyer's remorse
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>A marvelous effort by Anibal Sanchez went up in smoke when Joe Nathan served up a a three run walk-off home run to Josh Donaldson in the bottom of the ninth. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> were two outs away from winning their second straight game with a 1-0 scored. But one <span>Nick Castellanos</span> misplay and <span>Joe Nathan</span> implosion later, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> walked off 3-1 victors.</p>
<p>The difference in the game was <span>Josh Donaldson's</span> three run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth, allowing the A's to walk-off and <span>Brad Ausmus</span> to be second guessed for removing his starter.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"It was really a tough spot to bring Joe in." "There was no margin for error." <span>-Brad Ausmus on bringing in his closer</span>
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<p>That starter was <span>Anibal Sanchez</span>, who recorded his best start of the season. Sanchez was pulled after season highs of 8 1/3 innings and 111 pitches, allowing just three hits, striking out ten and walking only one. He was charged with one run, which scored on Nathan's watch.</p>
<p>Nathan became the goat when he was asked to get the final two outs with a runner in scoring position. Helped by a nick Castellanos misplay, Nathan didn't retire a batter, taking the loss and his fourth blown save. Post game, both Ausmus and Nathan pointed to a misplay by rookie third baseman as the turning point in the inning, forcing a change as to how Donaldson was approached.</p>
<p>Obviously, the approach didn't work.</p>
<p>A's starter <span>Scott Kazmir</span> was just as good as Sanchez. Kazmir recorded his first complete game in eight years, givng up just one run on six hits, striking out eight while not allowing a walk. Two outs away from being a hard-luck loser, Donaldson's homer gave the resurrected left-hander his sixth victory.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"It was time to get him out." <span>-Ausmus justifying his pulling Anibal Sanchez</span>
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<p><span>Torii Hunter</span> supplied all the Tigers' offense with a fourth inning solo home run.</p>
<p>Donaldson supplied all the A's offense with his ninth inning three run shot.</p>
<p>You do the math.</p>
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<p>After a scoreless first inning, the Tigers threatened against A's starter Scott Kazmir in the second.</p>
<p><span>J.D. Martinez</span> on first after a Brad Aumus replay challenge overturned a what would have been an inning ending double play, Kazmir wild pitched him into scoring position. <span>Alex Avila</span> was then bit by the shift. His hard one-hopper over the second base bag was handled by the shifted shortstop, ending the threat.</p>
<p>Anibal Sanchez retired the first six A's he faced, four of them caught by <span>Rajai Davis</span> in center. Only one was a difficult play, Davis using his speed to rob <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> of extra bases with a diving catch in left center in the second inning. Seems some center fielders will dive when the occasion calls for it.</p>
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<p>Rajai just flat out-ran that ball. Replay shows that he also accidentally caught a fly ball in Minnesota en route.</p>
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys/statuses/471842686492631040">May 29, 2014</a>
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<p>The A's held scoreless by Sanchez for six outs, this was only the second time in the past 11 games the Tigers haven't allowed runs in the first two innings.</p>
<p>Kazmir pitched out of a two out jam in the third. Davis (who entered the game with a career 1.400 OPS off Kazmir) doubled off the left field wall with two down. But Kazmir completed striking out the side, <span>Ian Kinsler</span> going down swinging.</p>
<p>Sanchez allowed his first base runner in the bottom of the third, a one out walk to Josh Reddick. But <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> started a slick 3-6-1 inning ending double play, meaning Sanchez had faced the minimum through through three.</p>
<p>While Sanchez was motoring along and in spite of the Tigers having scoring opportunities in two of the first three innings, the score remained 0-0 heading into the fourth.</p>
<p>It didn't remain 0-0 for long.</p>
<p>One strike away from a 1-2-3 inning, Kazmir's full count breaking ball hung in the zone for Torii Hunter. He got all of it, clearing the high wall near the 388 mark in right center. Hunter's second home run in as many games was his eighth of the season, putting the Tigers up 1-0 (<a target="_blank" href="http://t.co/BrNtfpB5Wu">MLB.com video</a>).</p>
<div class="pullquote">"If Nick catches that ball at third, maybe it's a different inning." <span>-Ausmus on the Nick Castellanos play in the ninth</span>
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<p>Thoughts of a Sanchez no-hitter were dashed with two down in the fourth on a Josh Donaldson single. Nothing more would come of it, the shift eating up <span>Brandon Moss</span>' line drive to end another scoreless inning for Sanchez.</p>
<p>Four scoreless innings would normally be shrugged off as unsurprising for a Tigers' rotation member. But after the past week and change, it was a notable accomplishment.</p>
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<p>This is the first time since May 17 that a Tigers starter has made it 4 innings without giving up a run.</p>
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys/statuses/471851068943396864">May 29, 2014</a>
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<p>Kazmir was doing his part in the pitcher's duel by pounding the strike zone, his only mistake through five innings being the Hunter gopher ball.</p>
<p>It was more of the same for the A's in the fifth. Sanchez retired the side in order, striking out a pair. His pitch count at a mere 60 through five, Sanchez was on track to give the bullpen some needed rest.</p>
<p>Bottom of six, Sanchez found his first bit of trouble. Eric Sorgard slapped a looping liner down the left field line for a one out double. He pitched around the two base hit, Coco Crisp flying out to shallow left, John Jaso bouncing out to second.</p>
<p>The seventh went quickly for both pitchers. A very efficient Kazmir allowed a <span>Victor Martinez</span> single, but a double play made it just a three batter inning. Bottom half of the inning, Sanchez recorded his seventh strikeout while needing only 13 pitches to retire the A's in order.</p>
<p>The eighth was another Kazmir-Sanchez showcase, both recording 1-2-3 frames. After eight full, Kazmir was at 89 pitches. Sanchez reached the 100 mark, ending the inning with back-to-back strikeouts.</p>
<p>The game remained in the hands of both starters in the ninth. Top of nine, Joe Nathan was stirring in the bullpen, but wasn't yet warming up. Sanchez was going to take the mound in the ninth.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"The big out was getting Jaso. You get him, it changes everything." <span>-Joe Nathan on the Castellanos play</span>
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<p>Two down in the ninth, Kazmir was one strike away from a complete game. Cabrera down 1-2 in the count, Cabrera hit a line dirve off the left field fence. Cespedes got a perfect bounce, and fired to second. Cabrera did a gymnastics routine to avoid the tag, and was called safe.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4525723/miggy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Miggy_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4525723/miggy_medium.png"></a> <br id="1401337296924"></p>
<p>With absolutely nothing to lose, A's manager Bob Melvin challenged the call. Replays showed Sogard did manage to tag Cabrera, ending the inning.</p>
<p>Sanchez started the ninth, but was likely on a short leash. <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> pinch-hit for Sorgard, and went down on a ground ball.</p>
<p>But Crisp snapped Sanchez's out streak at eight, slapping a ground ball just inside the third base bag, good for a double. Sanchez had thrown a season high 111 pitches 8 1/3 innings, and Ausmus was immediately out of the dugout. Nathan would enter the game in an unfamiliar situation for a closer - the winning run already on base.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"It was definitely a catchable ball." <span>-Nick Castellanos</span>
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<p>Jaso hit a very catchable soft line drive to Castellanos, but the rookie just plain whiffed on the ball. It went off the top of his glove and into left field. It was scored a hit but should have been an error. Regardless, instead of a possible double play, the "hit" put runners on the corners.</p>
<p>Didn't make a difference, as Donaldson yanked the first pitch he saw from Nathan well into the left field seats.Hang a breaking ball, you pay the consequences. The Tigers did, with a very, bad, very upsetting loss.</p>
<p>Game over.</p>
<p>Your final score is A's 3, Tigers 1.</p>
<p>Think the Tigers currently have buyer's remorse on Joe Nathan?</p>
<p>On the bright side, the Tigers have an afternoon game on Thursday, They won't have time to stew over a very bad loss.</p>
<p>The series finale has the Tigers' Rick Porcello (7-2, 3.88 ERA) looking for his eighth win of the season. The A's send right-hander <span>Jesse Chavez</span> (4-2, 2.61 ERA) to the mound, where he'll look to continue out-racing the regression monster.</p>
<p>Pitching for his 14th team since 2003, the 30-year-old Chavez is off to the best start of his career. Owner of a career 4.88 ERA and having only two starting nods in six previous MLB seasons, injuries forced Chavez into the A's 2014 rotation. He's pitched well, the A's winning eight of his ten appearances.</p>
<p>Porcello had won six consecutive starts before the wheels fell off last Saturday. In a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>, Porcello allowed season highs in hits (12) and runs (8), his ERA rising by almost a full run, in just 5 1/3 innings. But he previous start was a gem, giving up only one run and six hits over eight innings in beating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>.</p>
<p>It's getaway day at the O.co, first pitch is set for 3:35 PM.</p>
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<p><b>WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2014-05-28&team=Athletics&dh=0" scrolling="no" style="border:1px solid black;" frameborder="0" height="450" width="450"></iframe><br><span>Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2014-05-28&team=Athletics&dh=0&season=2014">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
<p><b>BULLETS:</b></p>
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<p>In a change of pace for the Tigers, <span>Max Scherzer</span> was keeping busy on his day off by manning the replay phone.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4524909/max.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Max_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4524909/max_medium.png"></a> <br id="1401330616964"></p>
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<p>Call overturned. Amazing, considering Max was actually on the phone with the Bernsteins.</p>
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys/statuses/471839991497109504">May 29, 2014</a>
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<p>To be honest, I was disappointed someone named Max wasn't using a different kind of phone...</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4524937/ShoePhone.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Shoephone_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4524937/ShoePhone_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1401330817678"></p>
<p>Just another confirmation weird things go down on the west coast when we in the eastern time zone are normally in bed.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4525595/race.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Race_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4525595/race_medium.png"></a> <br id="1401335312845"></p>
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<p>Did that giant-headed hall of famer's race just happen, or did I accidentally get into the absinthe?</p>
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys/statuses/471859561528180736">May 29, 2014</a>
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<p>The FSD crew were wondering why Rajai Davis didn't replace J.D. Martinez in left field when <span>Austin Jackson</span> took over in center in the seventh. Maybe it's because Davis isn't a very good defensive outfielder? Earlier in the game, Davis made a few putouts in center look more difficult than they really were. Later in the game, the Tigers announced he was left the game due to a left shoulder contusion. Davis, as are we all, is day-to-day.</p>
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<p>Austin Jackson takes over in center, muttering, "that's why you don't dive."</p>
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys/statuses/471864252836220928">May 29, 2014</a>
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<p><b>STREAKS AND STATS:</b></p>
<p>With a 2-for-3 night, Rajai Davis has a career batting average of .500 (9-for-18) against Scott Kazmir.</p>
<p>Coming into tonight, Kazmir had just one complete game in his career. It was eight years ago, beating the Red Sox on July 3, 2006. You can now credit him with two.</p>
<p>The Tigers have not won back-to-back games since the end of their six game winning streak, which was ten days ago.</p>
<p>The loss drops the Tigers to 2-8 in their last ten games.</p>
<p><b>THREE ROARS:</b></p>
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<p><b>Anibal Sanchez: </b>Deserved far, far better fate than a no-decision.</p>
<p><b>Rajai Davis:</b> Continues his pwnage of Scott Kazmir with a 2-for-3 night, added a nice diving catch in center field.</p>
<p><b>Torii Hunter: </b>Supplied all the Tigers' offense with a solo home run.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>THREE HISSES:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Joe Nathan:</b> Four blown saves in 16 attempts and two in eight days is not what the Tigers were paying for when they inked Nathan to an expensive free agent deal. Converting only 75% of your saves is not going to cut it long-term. Considering the money involved, the Tigers have to be hoping, "This too, shall pass."</p>
<p><b>Nick Castellanos:</b> His inability to make a routine play on <span>John Jaso's</span> liner in the bottom of the ninth extended the game. It may not have caused the loss, but it did play a part. It's a play every MLB third baseman should make.Post-game, both Ausmus and Nathan both called it an inning changing play in regard to how they approached Donaldson. Thing is, should they have said it publicly?</p>
<p><b>Brad Ausmus:</b> Let the second guessing begin. Should he have replaced Sanchez? His starter showed no sign of being gassed, yet immediately went to his closer on <span>Coco Crisp's</span> double. In today's game, closers rarely enter the game in the middle of an inning. Regardless, it's not hard to see Sanchez is the better pitcher. You also have to wonder if Asumus should have kept his mouth shut about the Castellanos play.</p>
<p><b>BONUS HISS:</b></p>
<p><b>Throwing Castellanos under the bus: </b>Going by the comments made by Nathan on FSD about being forced to change his approach because Castellanos missed Jaso's liner, it sure sounded as if he was pointing a finger at his rookie third baseman. Not cool when you served up a meatball to end the game, making the play a bit moot. Asumus also walked the same line, as he brought the Castellanos play up as a possible inning changer. Jim Leyland never would have said anything about Castellanos' misplay.</p>
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<p><b>ROLL CALL:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
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<td>Commenter list</td>
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<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AwesomeJackson">AwesomeJackson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bent82">Bent82</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dale%20S">Dale S</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Designated%20for%20Assignment">Designated for Assignment</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ExTeeBallPitcher">ExTeeBallPitcher</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Fielder%27sChoice">Fielder'sChoice</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FrogTownFan">FrogTownFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/HaiderIsWriting">HaiderIsWriting</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/HookSlide">HookSlide</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JWurm">JWurm</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/J_the_Man">J_the_Man</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jacob30">Jacob30</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Klesher32">Klesher32</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kwisatz%20Haderach">Kwisatz Haderach</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MSUDersh">MSUDersh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Michigan%26TrumbullinLA">Michigan&TrumbullinLA</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mr.Rogers">Mr.Rogers</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Muttcutts">Muttcutts</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Naysayer%20N%20San%20Diego">Naysayer N San Diego</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Nonsuch%20Ned">Nonsuch Ned</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rafael%20Tigers">Rafael Tigers</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RedWingedLigerFan">RedWingedLigerFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Singledigit">Singledigit</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheLegacyofJordanTata">TheLegacyofJordanTata</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/There%20Can%20Only%20Be%20One%20Verlander">There Can Only Be One Verlander</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Toivo">Toivo</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Trout%20Jefferson">Trout Jefferson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/aelix">aelix</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ahtrap">ahtrap</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bluesabriel">bluesabriel</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dimes5">dimes5</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dominator039">dominator039</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/draykov44">draykov44</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/frisbeepilot">frisbeepilot</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jgrubbs">jgrubbs</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kland83">kland83</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/knucklescarbone">knucklescarbone</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/loswr86">loswr86</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/rbbaker">rbbaker</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/subic%20sailor">subic sailor</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Story URLs</td>
<td>
<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5757592/game-49-tigers-at-as-10-05-p-m">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5757592/game-49-tigers-at-as-10-05-p-m</a><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5760096/game-49-overflow">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5760096/game-49-overflow</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>TOP TEN COMMENTERS:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments </th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RedWingedLigerFan">RedWingedLigerFan</a></td>
<td>83</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a></td>
<td>76</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FrogTownFan">FrogTownFan</a></td>
<td>57</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jgrubbs">jgrubbs</a></td>
<td>52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Fielder%27sChoice">Fielder'sChoice</a></td>
<td>48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JWurm">JWurm</a></td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a></td>
<td>28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/rbbaker">rbbaker</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Singledigit">Singledigit</a></td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>TOP RECS:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link </th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5757592/game-49-tigers-at-as-10-05-p-m#236749557">Scherzer on the replay phone</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Fielder%27sChoice">Fielder'sChoice</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5757592/game-49-tigers-at-as-10-05-p-m#236756225">[no title]</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Fielder%27sChoice">Fielder'sChoice</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5760096/game-49-overflow#236775861">Either way, I think Miggy's been taking sliding lessons from Victor.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Michigan%26TrumbullinLA">Michigan&TrumbullinLA</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5757592/game-49-tigers-at-as-10-05-p-m#236757417">I wonder if it's a...</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5757592/game-49-tigers-at-as-10-05-p-m#236762707">I'm an UZR baby, so why don't you kill me</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5756374/tigers-6-as-5-rajai-davis-manufactures-game-winning-run-max-scherzer-bullpen" target="new">GAME 48</a> PLAYER OF THE GAME:</b></p>
<p><b> </b> Rajai Davis never touched a bat or recorded a putout, but left a huge impression on the game nonetheless. His speed manufacturing the game-winning run in the eighth made Davis the top choice for PotG with 54% of the vote.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/29/5759826/as-3-tigers-1-joe-nathan-blown-save-anibal-sanchez-scott-kazmir-complete-gameAl Beaton2014-05-28T23:18:17-04:002014-05-28T23:18:17-04:00Game 49 Overflow
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fQrh0rAi5iUdArke0kloCS_19mQ=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827729/large_blessyouboys.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Baseball.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5760096/game-49-overflowNCDee2014-05-28T09:00:15-04:002014-05-28T09:00:15-04:00Game 49 Preview: Tigers at Athletics
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D6_fZdPxuw3lDdyvlnn8P8j8Ml8=/0x140:4000x2807/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33460495/20140429_tcb_ac5_192.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Anibal Sanchez has won his last two starts for the Tigers, and is the only starter to record a quality start in his previous outing. Tonight he faces lefty Scott Kazmir of the Oakland A's.</p> <h4>
<a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> (29-19) at <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> (31-21)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 10:05 p.m., O.Co Coliseum</p>
<p><b>SB Nation blog:</b> <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com" target="_blank">Athletics Nation</a></p>
<p><b>Media:</b> Fox Sports Detroit, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=5/28/2014" target="_blank">MLB.TV</a>, <a href="http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/schedule/radioaffiliates.jsp" target="_blank">Tigers Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Pitching Matchup:</b> RHP <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> (2-2, 2.83 ERA) vs. LHP <span>Scott Kazmir</span> (5-2, 2.56 ERA)</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pitcher</td>
<td>GS</td>
<td>IP</td>
<td>K/9</td>
<td>BB/9</td>
<td>HR/9</td>
<td>WHIP</td>
<td>FIP</td>
<td>SIERA</td>
<td>fWAR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sanchez</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>35.0</td>
<td>8.23</td>
<td>3.60</td>
<td>0.00</td>
<td>1.11</td>
<td>2.42</td>
<td>3.78</td>
<td>1.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kazmir</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>59.2</td>
<td>6.79</td>
<td>1.96</td>
<td>0.45</td>
<td>1.01</td>
<td>3.05</td>
<td>3.59</td>
<td>1.3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Scott Kazmir resurrected his career out of thin air in 2013, logging 158 innings with a 4.04 ERA for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> during their improbable run to the postseason. He was even better than the superficial numbers indicated, with a 3.51 FIP and a 3.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The results have matched the underlying numbers so far this season. However, things have changed slightly. Kazmir is no longer striking out a batter per inning, but his walk rate has also dipped sharply. This has left him with a nearly identical strikeout-to-walk ratio as last season. His home run rate has also declined, and it's not just home-cooking. In six road starts, Kazmir has only allowed one long ball.</p>
<p>Oddly, Kazmir has thrown fewer first pitch strikes and fewer pitches within the strike zone than he did last year, yet his walk rate has decreased from 7.0% last season to 5.5% this year. He has also gotten fewer swings and misses as well, leading to a 5.1% difference in strikeout rate from 2013. The culprit seems to be his fastball. His velocity has dropped by nearly 2 mph on both his four- and two-seam fastballs, leading to a sharp decline in whiff rate. He is also throwing them less often, instead relying on off-speed pitches. He is throwing his changeup a whopping 26% of the time against right-handed hitters, including 41% of the time with two strikes. This is part of the reason why they are hitting .193/.249/.295 against him this season -- though a .228 BABIP also helps.</p>
<p>Anibal Sanchez is the only Tigers starter to have escaped the recent funk that the entire team is in. While the rest of the rotation has been giving up runs like Halloween candy, Sanchez allowed just two runs in seven innings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> on Friday for the team's only victory since their series in Boston. He displayed better command than his victory in Boston -- yes, he owned the Tigers' last two wins before yesterday -- striking out five without a walk. He still has yet to top 100 pitches since coming off the disabled list, but his early exit last time out could also have been by design. The Tigers were up by five runs at that point, and there was little reason to stress him unnecessarily.</p>
<p><b>Hitter to fear:</b> <span>Coco Crisp</span> (.455/.417/.909 in 12 plate appearances)<br><b>Hitter to fail:</b> <span>Jed Lowrie</span> (.077/.200/.077 in 15 plate appearances)</p>
<p>A's hitters have had a wide range of success (or lack thereof) against Sanchez in his career. Coco Crisp has been unstoppable, reaching base five times in 11 at-bats He has a pair of doubles and a home run to boot. <span>Josh Donaldson</span> has also added five base hits, but all are singles. He has reached base safely in seven-of-15 plate appearances against Sanchez overall. Jed Lowrie's numbers are poor, but he is joined by <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span>, <span>John Jaso</span>, and Josh Reddick. All four have a career OPS under .600 against Sanchez.</p>
<h5>Outlook</h5>
<p>It's worth noting that the Tigers have only had one day off since May 1, and are essentially on their fifth stop of a six-city road trip. This does not explain the starting rotation's woes -- no one has pitched on short rest, and some are getting extra days between starts -- but the mental lapses make some sense given the grind of the recent schedule. Sanchez has pitched well against the A's, but his career 5.09 ERA against them belies a .651 OPS allowed. Meanwhile, the Tigers have hit for a .770 OPS against left-handed starters this season.</p>
<h5>Prediction</h5>
<p>The Tigers make it two in a row, but in less stressful fashion tonight.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/5/28/5747834/2014-game-49-preview-detroit-tigers-at-oakland-athleticsRob Rogacki