Bless You Boys - Game 80: Tigers 3, Athletics 0 A detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2014-07-02T12:00:06-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/56243352014-07-02T12:00:06-04:002014-07-02T12:00:06-04:00Rick Porcello is getting better
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<figcaption>Leon Halip</figcaption>
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<p>Get strike one, ask questions later. This has been Porcello's mantra over his last few starts.</p> <p>There are currently two starting pitchers in baseball with scoreless streaks totaling 25 innings or more. One is <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> ace <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, current Best Pitcher in Baseball™ and a near-lock to win his third Cy Young award in four years. The other is <span>Rick Porcello</span>, who, for all his faults, is making a late push for his first All-Star appearance. Porcello has tossed back-to-back shutouts <span>—</span> the first two of his career <span>—</span> and has not allowed a run in his last 25 innings. His ERA has dropped by almost a full run, from 4.03 to 3.12.</p>
<p>His latest effort, Tuesday night's four-hitter against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a>, was especially impressive because of one peculiar stat line: zero strikeouts. Porcello recorded 17 ground ball outs (and no double plays), none of which required a sparkling effort from his infield defense. He was ruthlessly efficient, needing just 95 pitches to record his 27 outs.</p>
<p>So what has made Porcello so effective during this stretch?</p>
<p>For one, Porcello has done a fantastic job of getting strike one. He has thrown 56 of 84 first-pitch strikes in his last three outings, a 66 percent clip. Opposing batters are hitting .248/.278/.366 when they go down 0<span>–</span>1 against Porcello in his career, and .243/.269/.381 this season.</p>
<p>Despite all those first pitch strikes, Porcello also has done a great job of keeping the ball out of the middle of the plate. He has pounded the lower half of the strike zone, hitting the lower outside corner with ease.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4699718/Porcello_zone_profile.png"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4699718/Porcello_zone_profile.png" class="photo" alt="Porcello_zone_profile_medium"></a></p>
<p>One of the major talking points about Porcello's performance this season is his improvement against left-handed hitters. He has gone up against 18 lefties in his last three starts, allowing just nine hits. This recent dominance has actually given Porcello some mild reverse splits in 2014. Lefties are hitting .236/.291/.360 this year, while righties have a slightly higher .683 OPS. Lefties are pounding the ball into the dirt at a 50.5 percent rate this year with a pop-up rate close to 20 percent.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, certain aspects of Porcello's numbers are probably not sustainable. Only 5.4 percent of fly balls hit by lefties have resulted in home runs (league average is around 10 percent) and their .259 BABIP probably will not last. His 6.9 percent whiff rate and 5.23 strikeouts per nine innings are his worst rates since 2011. His ground ball rate is improving, but is still the lowest of his career.</p>
<p>While Porcello's run of dominance may not last, his improved ability to throw strike one and stay out of the middle of the plate are pitching staples that will serve him well throughout the rest of the season. He is pounding the strike zone with all of his pitches and keeping hitters off balance, resulting in some startling efficiency.</p>
<p>Is this the new Rick Porcello? That part remains to be seen, but it's not out of the question after what he has showed in his past few starts.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/2/5863819/rick-porcello-scoreless-streak-tigersRob Rogacki2014-07-01T22:58:11-04:002014-07-01T22:58:11-04:00Tigers 3, A's 0: Back-to-back shutout wins
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rick Porcello was dominant as he pitched his second straight shutout, extending his scoreless streak to 25 1/3 innings. J.D. Martinez backed up Porcello when he hit his 10th home run of the season, a two-run home run.</p> <p>DETROIT <span>—</span> Not since 1986 has a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Tigers</a> pitcher pitched back-to-back shutouts, until Tuesday night. Coming off a wild win Monday night, The Tigers picked up their second straight win before the sun set on Comerica Park by a score of 3-0 in support of a dominant Rick Porcello.</p>
<p>Porcello needed just 95 pitches to shut down the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> despite only two whiffs and no strikeouts. Porcello walked no one, got 17 groundball outs and pitched four 1-2-3 innings. Only one A's batter reached scoring position, <span>Jed Lowrie</span>, who doubled in the second and advanced to third on a flyout. The last Tigers pitcher to have no walks and no strikeouts in a game was Jeff Ballard in 1989.</p>
<p>"(Porcello's) sinker was excellent tonight, he kept it down in the zone almost every single time he threw it," Tigers manager <span>Brad Ausmus</span> said. "Curveball was good today, but I thought his changeup was exceptional. He got a lot of popups on his changeup and got a lot of guys out in front of it. The offspeed pitches were very complimentary too, that's why he was so effective."</p>
<p>A's starting pitcher <span>Brad Mills</span> kept the Tigers off the basepaths for the first three innings, resulting in five strikeouts, but it may have been a little more to do with outside elements than anything else. "The hitters were having a tough time seeing the ball with the shadow and the sun in center field," Ausmus said. "That might have played into it. We also hadn't seen this guy, a lot of guys haven't faced Mills before, that played into it. I think all those factors played in."</p>
<p>That's as far as Mills' luck would take him, however, as the Tigers reached base safely for the next four innings. They scored in the fourth on a groundout RBI off the bat of <span>Torii Hunter</span> and <span>J.D. Martinez</span> hit his 10th home run of the season with a two-run home run in the sixth inning.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>ROARS:</b></p>
<p><b>Rick Porcello: </b>Pitched a complete game shutout, needing only 95 pitches and finished Tuesday's night game before it was dark. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2014/1/9/5292016/maddux-kimbrel-baseball-name-words" target="_blank">Maddux'd</a>. (<a href="http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/70087564/v34208725/oakdet-porcello-retires-moss-to-complete-shutout/?team_id=116" target="_blank">MLB.com video</a>)</p>
<p><b>J.D. Martinez: </b>Hit a two-run home run to left field with one out in the sixth inning, which gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead. (<a href="http://m.tigers.mlb.com/det/video/v34205815/oakdet-jd-martinez-adds-to-lead-with-tworun-shot/?partnerId=as_tor_20140702_27098556" target="_blank">MLB.com video</a>)</p>
<p><b>Team Effort: </b><span>Miguel Cabrera</span> drew a walk in the fourth and J.D hit a double before Torii Hunter put the Tigers on the board with an RBI groundout, making it 1-0 at the time. (<a href="http://m.tigers.mlb.com/det/video/v34203881/oakdet-hunter-opens-up-scoring-with-rbi-groundout/?team_id=116" target="_blank">MLB.com video</a>)</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>HISSES:</b></p>
<p><b>First three innings: </b>The Tigers offense struck out five times collectively in the first three innings, going down in order until a single by <span>Rajai Davis</span> with two outs in the third.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Game time: </b>Entirely too short with absolutely no dramatics. Two hours and 13 minutes to be exact, the shortest of the season for the Tigers. Wait, that's a good thing. As you were.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p>There's still time for another game tonight! Quick, get Cleveland or one of the other make-up game opponents to Detroit!</p>
— HookSlide (@HookSlideBYB) <a href="https://twitter.com/HookSlideBYB/statuses/484145741556756481">July 2, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Press box temperature: </b>Freezing, felt like an ice box. Oh, you're talking about the game. See above.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>NOTES:</b></p>
<p><span>Victor Martinez</span> took batting practice, trying to convince Ausmus and head athletic trainer Kevin Rand that he was good to go, but Ausmus decided to keep him out of the lineup for an additional day as a precaution.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>STREAKS AND STATS:</b></p>
<li>Rick Porcello has 25 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, which is the longest streak for a Tigers pitcher since <span>Jose Valverde</span> when he went 25 1/3 innings (4/8-6/12/2010). </li>
<li><span><span>Rick Porcello's</span> 17 groundouts through nine innings gave him a new career-high.</span></li>
<li>Rick Porcello became the first Tiger to throw back-to-back complete game shutouts since Jack Morris threw three straight from July 9-18, 1986.</li>
<li>The last Tiger to pitch a complete game shutout under 100 pitches was <span>Armando Galarraga</span> in 2010 with 88.</li>
<li>With Tuesday's win, Porcello's record improves to 11-4 with a 3.12 ERA. Porcello is currently tied with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> starting pitcher <span>Masahiro Tanaka</span> for the most wins in MLB.</li>
<p><b> </b></p>
<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=2014-07-01&team=Tigers&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=2014-07-01&team=Tigers&dh=0&season=2014">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>ROLL CALL:</b></p>
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<th colspan="2">Roll Call Info</th>
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<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>358</td>
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<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>32</td>
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<td>Commenter list</td>
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<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/42jeff">42jeff</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Alex%20Baker">Alex Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bent82">Bent82</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BigAl">BigAl</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ClevelandJames">ClevelandJames</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DJ%20Screw">DJ Screw</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Daddybeel">Daddybeel</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ExTeeBallPitcher">ExTeeBallPitcher</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GeauxAstros">GeauxAstros</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GhostOfBigRed">GhostOfBigRed</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/JakeJustice65">JakeJustice65</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Klesher32">Klesher32</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MSUDersh">MSUDersh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Nonsuch%20Ned">Nonsuch Ned</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</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/Tigersalltheway">Tigersalltheway</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ahtrap">ahtrap</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/draykov44">draykov44</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ja_zz">ja_zz</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/lesmanalim">lesmanalim</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a>
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<td>Story URLs</td>
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<div><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5860626/game-80-tigers-vs-as-7-08-p-m">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5860626/game-80-tigers-vs-as-7-08-p-m</a></div>
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<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>TOP TEN COMMENTERS:</b></p>
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<th width="20">#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
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<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a></td>
<td>52</td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Alex%20Baker">Alex Baker</a></td>
<td>44</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a></td>
<td>30</td>
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<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ja_zz">ja_zz</a></td>
<td>29</td>
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<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JWurm">JWurm</a></td>
<td>25</td>
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<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ClevelandJames">ClevelandJames</a></td>
<td>24</td>
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<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tigersalltheway">Tigersalltheway</a></td>
<td>18</td>
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<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td>14</td>
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<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a></td>
<td>13</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lesmanalim">lesmanalim</a></td>
<td>13</td>
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<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>TOP RECS:</b></p>
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<th width="60"># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link</th>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5860626/game-80-tigers-vs-as-7-08-p-m#243160555">Great game Rick!</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5860626/game-80-tigers-vs-as-7-08-p-m#243160307">HOT DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5860626/game-80-tigers-vs-as-7-08-p-m#243158031">We are going to have to start Porcello-ing out the GOOD starts...</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ExTeeBallPitcher">ExTeeBallPitcher</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5860626/game-80-tigers-vs-as-7-08-p-m#243150561">A's are smacking it into the turf</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5860626/game-80-tigers-vs-as-7-08-p-m#243151777">JV Diamonds , Sanchez Spades, Scherzer Clubs, Porcello Hearts</a></td>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5862710/tigers-3-as-0-rick-porcello-dominates-pitches-back-to-back-completeCatherine Slonksnis2014-07-01T21:22:59-04:002014-07-01T21:22:59-04:00Game 80 Afterglow
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<p>Bask in ANOTHER CG Victory!!!!!!</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5862958/game-80-afterglowNCDee2014-07-01T09:00:12-04:002014-07-01T09:00:12-04:00Game 80 Preview: Athletics at Tigers
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rick Porcello goes for a league leading 11th win against Oakland's Brad Mills at Comerica Park. </p> <h4>
<a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> (51-31) at <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> (45-34)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 7:08 p.m., Comerica Park</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, MLB Network, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=6/30/2014" target="_blank">MLB.TV</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/schedule/radioaffiliates.jsp">Tigers Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Pitching Matchup:</b> LHP <span>Brad Mills</span> (1-0, 4.35 ERA) vs. RHP <span>Rick Porcello</span> (10- 4, 3.41 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>
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<td>Mills</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>10.1</td>
<td>6.97</td>
<td>3.48</td>
<td>0.87</td>
<td>1.65</td>
<td>4.26</td>
<td>4.36</td>
<td>0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Porcello</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>97.2</td>
<td>5.71</td>
<td>2.21</td>
<td>0.83</td>
<td>1.19</td>
<td>3.80</td>
<td>4.04</td>
<td>1.6</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Rick Porcello not only leads the Tigers with ten wins for the 2014 season -- and is going for a league leading eleventh victory -- he leads all American League pitchers with 19 wins over the past calendar year. Only the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a>' <span>Masahiro Tanaka</span> has reached eleven wins for the 2014 season. The 25 year old former first round draft choice is showing signs of having a breakout season.</p>
<p>The Athletics will be starting left-hander Brad Mills, who is making just his third start of the season after being acquired by the A's for just one dollar from the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Brewers</a> on June 17. He had signed a minor league contract with the right to opt out if he wasn't promoted to the major leagues. The Brewers hadn't called Mills up, but the A's were in need of at least a temporary replacement for the injured <span>Drew Pomeranz</span>, so Mills got the break that he was looking for. A former fourth round draft pick of the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a>, he has had a rocky road thus far in his major league career.</p>
<p>In his last start, Mills went 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits and no walks against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Mets</a>, picking up his first victory since 2012. His previous outing against the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> did not go as well for him, lasting just four innings, allowing three runs in a no-decision. Over his career, Mills has made a dozen starts, going 4-3 with a 7.21 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.70. Prior to pitching for the A's this season, he played in Japan, having made his last start with the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> in 2012.</p>
<p><b>Hitter to fear:</b> <span>Coco Crisp</span> (.375/.412/.438 in 17 plate appearances)<br><b>Hitter to fail:</b> <span>Josh Donaldson</span> (.000/.000/.000 in 4 plate appearances)</p>
<p>One of the big keys to Porcello's success this season has been his ability to get left handers out. After allowing left-handers to hit over .300 against him in his career through last season, he has held them to a batting line of just .248/.309/.383 this season. It's hard to understate how important this has been for Porcello.</p>
<h5>Outlook</h5>
<p>The Tigers have the advantage on paper, with Porcello going against Mills, but the right-handed heavy Tiger lineup ranks just 13th in the league in wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season. They should get to a pitcher like Mills early and often if they show some plate discipline.</p>
<h5>Prediction</h5>
<p>A big inning gives Porcello the run support that he needs, with the Tiger bullpen barely hanging on for the win as the Tigers close the gap against the AL's winningest team.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/1/5859578/2014-game-80-preview-oakland-athletics-at-detroit-tigersPatrick OKennedy