Bless You Boys - Game 116: Pirates 11, Tigers 6A detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2014-08-11T23:30:16-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/57573962014-08-11T23:30:16-04:002014-08-11T23:30:16-04:00Pirates 11, Tigers 6: 2nd place
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NcDsUEF3RwyKxNhK_w8cNi7xfDk=/0x370:2892x2298/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36819902/453496848.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>Justin Verlander allowed five runs, departing after just one inning for right shoulder soreness. Fresh bullpen arms Justin Miller and Kevin Whelan gave up a combined five runs one day after the Tigers' longest game of the season.</p> <p>After a marathon loss on Sunday, the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> needed a strong start out of Justin Verlander, but all they got was one inning. Verlander gave up five runs before being pulled for right shoulder soreness. Forced to go to the bullpen early, the Tigers lost 11-6 and dropped to second place in the American League Central Division as the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> won 3-2 over the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>.</p>
<p>A visibly frustrated and angry Verlander was seen entering the dugout when he departed after one inning into his start, but two fresh arms from Triple-A Toledo didn't help the Tigers any. <span>Justin Miller</span> and <span>Kevin Whelan</span> allowed five runs over the course of a combined 3 1/3 innings.</p>
<p>Post-game Tigers manager <span>Brad Ausmus</span> said Verlander said he wasn't in any pain, however, Ausmus said he wasn't taking any chances. Verlander said an MRI would be conducted and that the issue had been lingering for some time, although he would not state specifically how long that meant.</p>
<p>"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous," Verlander said. "I've never been through this before."</p>
<p><span>Ian Krol</span> came on to pitch a scoreless two innings, the only Tigers pitcher who did not allow a run. <span>Phil Coke</span> put the last nail in the coffin of a game that was over almost before it began, giving up a solo home run to <span>Travis Snider</span> in the eighth to give the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pirates</a> their final score.</p>
<p>The Tigers offense would not give up though. After repeated games where they couldn't get more than a couple of runs all series against the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blue Jays</a> and the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> before that, the Tigers kept fighting. Despite being outhit several times, the Tigers refused to give up and while they took the loss, matched the Pirates for hits in the end.</p>
<p>With the exception of <span>Ian Kinsler</span> — who failed to record a hit — very member of the Tigers starting rotation had a hit. <span>Rajai Davis</span>, <span>Miguel Cabrera</span>, <span>Victor Martinez</span>, <span>Torii Hunter</span> and <span>Alex Avila</span> all finished with multi-hit nights. Davis and Cabrera finished 3-5, Victor Martinez was 2-5, Hunter finished 2-4 and Avila had a 2-3 night. Suarez finished 1-3 with a walk but his one hit was a crushed double.</p>
<p>The loss tonight, coupled with a win by the Royals, puts the Tigers in second place by a half-game for the first time since June 17 when the Tigers trailed by the same distance. After the game the Tigers clubhouse remained closed as changes to the roster were made. Buck Farmer will start for the Tigers on Wedneday, <span>Max Scherzer</span> pitches on Thursday, <span>Rick Porcello</span> on Friday and <span>David Price</span> starts on Saturday.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>ROARS:</strong></p>
<p><b>Ian Krol: </b>He pitched two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and striking out two.</p>
<p><b>Miguel Cabrera: </b>He put an 0-2 pitch into right field for an RBI single, scoring Davis in the first inning. Cabrera hit a leadoff single in the six inning and later came around to score off the bat of Torii Hunter. He also hit a line drive single in the eighth and finished 3-5 for the night.</p>
<p><b>Rajai Davis: </b>Basically manufactured the Tigers first run in the first inning himself. Davis hit a leadoff single and Ian Kinsler got him to second base on a sacrifice bunt. With Cabrera batting Davis then stole third base and Davis scored on the RBI single by Cabrera. Davis also hit a two-run RBI double in the eighth, finishing 3-5 for the night. The glaring tally against Davis landed in the same inning when he tried coming home on the line drive single by Cabrera.</p>
<p><b>Torii Hunter: </b>The Tigers needed something of a pick-me-up in the sixth inning, so with two on and no one out, Hunter hit an RBI double that gave the Tigers their first run of the night since the first inning. Hunter also hit a double down the left field line in the seventh inning and drew a walk in the first.</p>
<p><b>Alex Avila: </b>Laced an RBI single over the outstretched glove of the third baseman for an RBI single in the sixth to make it an 8-3 deficit. His only misplay was in the sixth inning when he failed to glove a high throw by Whelan in the bottom of the sixth, but Avila did a good job behind the plate overall despite the carousel going on at the mound.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>HISSES:</strong></p>
<p><b>Justin Verlander: </b>The Tigers couldn't afford a starter to have a bad outing after Sunday's marathon game, but that's just what Verlander did. Verlander faced 10 batters in the first inning alone, allowing five runs on four hits, walking two and striking out the side. The damage was done and Verlander ended the first inning with 40 pitches. He came on to bat in the second inning and got a sacrifice bunt that advanced runners to second and third, but Verlander's evening was done at that point.</p>
<p><b><span>Justin Miller</span>: </b>He came out to relieve Verlander and lasted just two innings before being pulled. Miller gave up three runs on five hits, a home run and he walked one. He threw 39 pitches and only 23 landed in the strike zone.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Whelan: </b>The Tigers got within reaching distance of the Pirates in the top of the sixth when they scored three. Whelan, making his debut with the Tigers, gave it right back to the Pirates. He served up back-to-back home runs to left and right field respectively, making it 10-4 in favor of the Pirates. Whelan lasted just 1 1/2 innings before being pulled.</p>
<p><b>Tigers defense/baserunning: </b>It was a rough day on Sunday and the effects carried over into Monday night's game. They played a sloppy defense, tacking on three errors by Victor Martinez, Rajai Davis and Alex Avila, and two misplays by <span>J.D. Martinez</span> and Hunter. Mistakes by the Tigers also cost them on the basepaths, ending innings and handed the Pirates free outs.</p>
<p><b>Phil Coke: </b>He went two innings and struck out two while allowing just one hit, but that one hit was a monster home run by Travis Snider, his second homer of the game. What was originally a roar quickly turned into a hiss performance on a night when the bullpen couldn't afford to allow the Pirates any free passes.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>NOTES::</strong></p>
<p>Verlander exited the game after just one inning and an at-bat to <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5993151/tigers-justin-verlander-leaves-game-with-right-shoulder-soreness" target="_blank">right shoulder soreness</a>. He will be further evaluated on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The Tigers bat boy slipped and fell along the first base coaching box in foul territory, sustaining a left knee injury. He had to be helped off the field by both Rand and Tigers assistant athletic trainer Doug Teter and was visibly in a significant amount of pain. He will be further evaluated by Pirates doctors and receive an MRI on Tuesday.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>STREAKS AND STATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span><span>Coming into Monday's start, Justin Verlander had given up seven earned runs on 17 hits combined in his previous four starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Monday he allowed five in the first inning alone but he also struck out the side.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span>Justin Verlander's</span> one inning appearance was the shortest of his career.</span></span></li>
<li>Justin Verlander has made 291 consecutive starts without a trip to the disabled list, good enough for second-most among active pitchers. Only Mark Buehrle of the Toronto Blue Jays has more. Verlander's ongoing streak is now in jeopardy.</li>
<li><span><span>Kevin Whelan allowed back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning. He hadn't given up a home run all season in Triple-A Toledo.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span>Justin Verlander took the loss Monday night, snapping his streak of 14 consecutive interleague wins and dropping his record to 10-11 with a 4.76 ERA.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span>Justin Verlander will return to Detroit on Tuesday for an MRI. It is the first injury-related MRI of his MLB career.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2014-08-11&team=Pirates&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span>Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2014-08-11&team=Pirates&dh=0&season=2014">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>ROLL CALL:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
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<th colspan="2">Roll Call Info</th>
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<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>817</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>54</td>
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<td>Commenter list</td>
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<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/13194013">13194013</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AlohaTigersFan">AlohaTigersFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AurelioFan">AurelioFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bent82">Bent82</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/C5wynn">C5wynn</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Cabbylander">Cabbylander</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Combo%20Guard%20City">Combo Guard City</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DJ%20Screw">DJ Screw</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DavisonTigerfan">DavisonTigerfan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Designated%20for%20Assignment">Designated for Assignment</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DetroitSports">DetroitSports</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Drummp">Drummp</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Flying%20J">Flying J</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GVLaker09">GVLaker09</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GhostOfBigRed">GhostOfBigRed</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Grand%20Rapids%20Howie">Grand Rapids Howie</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/House%20by%20the%20Side%20of%20the%20Road">House by the Side of the Road</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/I.P.%20Knightly">I.P. Knightly</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/Jeff%20Price">Jeff Price</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JerseyTigerFan">JerseyTigerFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Joaquin%20on%20Sunshine">Joaquin on Sunshine</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kazoonole">Kazoonole</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Keith-Allen">Keith-Allen</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kwisatz%20Haderach">Kwisatz Haderach</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/RoverTO">RoverTO</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SabreRoseTiger">SabreRoseTiger</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/SpartanBoiler">SpartanBoiler</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Thorpac">Thorpac</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tigerdog1">Tigerdog1</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Toll%20Booth%20Willie">Toll Booth Willie</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/V.">V.</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Wolfgang97">Wolfgang97</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/aelix">aelix</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/doctor%20hans">doctor hans</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/ja_zz">ja_zz</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/knucklescarbone">knucklescarbone</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lithium">lithium</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lowandoutside">lowandoutside</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mrsunshine">mrsunshine</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nicolas08">nicolas08</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/sluggonauts">sluggonauts</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/subic%20sailor">subic sailor</a>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>Story URLs</td>
<td>
<div><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5991639/game-115-tigers-at-pirates-7-05-p-m/in/5757396">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5991639/game-115-tigers-at-pirates-7-05-p-m/in/5757396</a></div>
<div><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5993247/game-116-overflow">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5993247/game-116-overflow</a></div>
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<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>TOP TEN COMMENTERS:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p> </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>104</td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kwisatz%20Haderach">Kwisatz Haderach</a></td>
<td>62</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/House%20by%20the%20Side%20of%20the%20Road">House by the Side of the Road</a></td>
<td>56</td>
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<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SabreRoseTiger">SabreRoseTiger</a></td>
<td>55</td>
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<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td>43</td>
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<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DetroitSports">DetroitSports</a></td>
<td>39</td>
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<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/sluggonauts">sluggonauts</a></td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JerseyTigerFan">JerseyTigerFan</a></td>
<td>37</td>
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<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GhostOfBigRed">GhostOfBigRed</a></td>
<td>34</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Cabbylander">Cabbylander</a></td>
<td>31</td>
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<td><br></td>
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<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>TOP RECS:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p> </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/Muttcutts">Muttcutts</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5991639/game-115-tigers-at-pirates-7-05-p-m/in/5757396#250620724">What's Verlander's excuse?</a></td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/sluggonauts">sluggonauts</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5991639/game-115-tigers-at-pirates-7-05-p-m/in/5757396#250633212">Dk slept in his own bed last nite.....doesn't count as his own bed if he lives with Leyland</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SabreRoseTiger">SabreRoseTiger</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5993247/game-116-overflow#250639070">No, it's a glitch in the matrix</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Joaquin%20on%20Sunshine">Joaquin on Sunshine</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5991639/game-115-tigers-at-pirates-7-05-p-m/in/5757396#250610876">"I don't care about numbers telling me otherwise, I'm right"</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JakeJustice65">JakeJustice65</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5991639/game-115-tigers-at-pirates-7-05-p-m/in/5757396#250624938">the beauty of baseball</a></td>
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<td><br></td>
<td><br></td>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5992859/pirates-11-tigers-6-verlander-exits-early-injury-tigers-second-placeCatherine Slonksnis2014-08-11T22:37:33-04:002014-08-11T22:37:33-04:00Game 116 Thread of Shame
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<p>Not that we have any energy left for it...</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5993503/game-116-thread-of-shameNCDee2014-08-11T21:18:59-04:002014-08-11T21:18:59-04:00Game 116 Overflow
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wILY9FuvbPjr3aSY3b7BwkowvTU=/63x0:711x432/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36815932/puppy-dog-ice-cream-face.0.jpg" />
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<p>Because we need some.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5993247/game-116-overflowNCDee2014-08-11T21:00:54-04:002014-08-11T21:00:54-04:00Verlander exits early with shoulder pain, will have MRI
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Justin Verlander was pulled from his start against the Pirates after just one inning, having allowed five runs on four hits. He will undergo an MRI. </p> <p><b>Update: </b>Justin Verlander will undergo an MRI Tuesday in Detroit. He told the media he felt pain, but not sharp pain, and he'd felt pain for a while, but didn't define "a while."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Justin Verlander: "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous. I've never been through this before."</p>
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/statuses/499031112371675138">August 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p><b>Original: </b> The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Detroit Tigers</a> entered tonight's game against the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> with their bullpen in disarray and in dire need of a vintage <span>Justin Verlander</span> performance.</p>
<p>What the Tigers received from their former ace was one inning of work, five runs allowed on four hits, two walks, and three strikeouts over a strenuous 40 pitches. An extremely frustrated Verlander was pulled from the game after laying down a sacrifice bunt in the top of the second.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitTigersPR/status/498988069748736000" target="_blank">Tigers later announced</a> Verlander was removed from the game due to suffering from right shoulder soreness. The former Cy Young winner will be further evaluated tomorrow.</p>
<p>There were signs something was amiss when trainer Kevin Rand took a mound visit mid-first inning. Verlander remained in the game and was due to bat with two on and no one out in the top of the second.</p>
<p>In a chaotic dugout scene, it first appeared <span>Rick Porcello</span> would pinch-hit, then <span>Max Scherzer</span> grabbed a bat. But it would be Verlander who would ultimately make the plate appearance. The right-hander got the bunt down on the first pitch, made a half-hearted attempt at heading toward first base before pulling off to the dugout halfway down the line, having never dropped his bat.</p>
<p>A visibly angry Verlander then marched straight into the clubhouse, to be replaced on the mound by recently called up <span>Justin Miller</span>.</p>
<p>This is uncharted territory for Verlander, who exited tonight's game with a season ERA of 4.76 and the status of his next start in doubt. Verlander has a deserved reputation as the Tigers' workhorse, having made at least 30 starts in every season of his career.</p>
<p>Depending on the severity of the shoulder issue, that streak may now be in jeopardy.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5993151/tigers-justin-verlander-leaves-game-with-right-shoulder-sorenessAl Beaton2014-08-11T09:00:09-04:002014-08-11T09:00:09-04:00Game 116 Preview: Tigers at Pirates
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JmySMrNWAyTmPmqSxeddDWV9PBk=/0x170:4000x2837/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36759456/453267664.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Tigers' annual home-and-home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates kicks off tonight at PNC Park.</p> <h4>
<a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> (63-52) at <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> (62-55)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 7:05 p.m., PNC Park</p>
<p><b>SB Nation blog:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsdugout.com">Bucs Dugout</a></p>
<p><b>Media:</b> Fox Sports Detroit, <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=8/11/2014">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> RHP <span>Justin Verlander</span> (10-10, 4.57 ERA) vs. LHP <span>Jeff Locke</span> (3-3, 3.78 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>Verlander</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>157.2</td>
<td>6.56</td>
<td>3.03</td>
<td>0.91</td>
<td>1.40</td>
<td>4.08</td>
<td>4.35</td>
<td>2.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Locke</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>81.0</td>
<td>6.22</td>
<td>1.44</td>
<td>1.22</td>
<td>1.16</td>
<td>4.07</td>
<td>3.65</td>
<td>0.3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Last season, Jeff Locke was a BABIP darling in the first half, winning eight of his first 10 decisions with a 2.15 ERA in 109 innings before the All-Star break. These great numbers earned him a trip to the 2013 All-Star Game -- and rightfully so -- but a 3.80 FIP suggested that things were going to crash back to earth at some point. Locke's BABIP rose from .231 in the first half to .374 in the second, resulting in a 6.12 second half ERA. He was even left off of the Pirates' playoff roster by manager Clint Hurdle. And at the end of the day, the difference in his xFIP from first half (4.21) to second half (4.14) was .07.</p>
<p>This season, things got off to a slower start. Locke suffered an oblique strain in Spring Training, resulting in him spending the first month of the season in the minor leagues. He was called up for a start in mid-May, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> tagged him for six runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Locke went back to the minors for another month, but was recalled when <span>Gerrit Cole</span> went on the disabled list in June. Since then, Locke has made 11 starts, allowing a 3.33 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. His 4.27 FIP during this stretch is a bit high thanks to an iffy home run rate, which is much worse on the road. His 3.54 xFIP since coming up to the majors in June is closer to the pitcher we will see tonight, as Locke is much stingier in PNC Park's spacious confines.</p>
<p>In fact, the home/road splits go beyond his home run rate. He has a higher strikeout-to-walk ratio at PNC Park as well, and is holding batters to a wOBA over 120 points lower than on the road. Left-handed hitters have had no chance for success* against Locke in Pittsburgh, hitting just .146/.150/.263. He has yet to walk a left-handed batter at home this season. Righties have fared much better, hitting .241/.277/.336 at PNC with a .757 OPS overall.</p>
<p>Everyone wants to, but it's still too early to say that Justin Verlander is back. Verlander turned in his fourth consecutive quality start in his last outing, the first time he has done so since April. He only allowed five hits in seven innings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a>, but a pair of those hits were solo home runs. The dingers, combined with an inept Tigers offense, resulted in Verlander taking his 10th loss of the season. He only struck out five, his highest total since the last time we tried to say that he was "back" in late June. However, the one walk he issued is his only one in the month of August.</p>
<p><i>*Yes, this is a subtle way of saying that <span>Alex Avila</span> has no business being in the lineup tonight.</i></p>
<p><b>Hitter to fear:</b> <span>Travis Snider</span> (.385/.385/.923 in 13 plate appearances)<br><b>Hitter to fail:</b> <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> (.154/.250/.308 in 16 plate appearances)</p>
<p>Thanks to the annual series between these two clubs, the Pirates have been able to build up a decent sample of plate appearances against Tigers pitchers. <span>Russell Martin</span>, Andrew McCutchen, <span>Jayson Nix</span>, Travis Snider, <span>Neil Walker</span>, and <span>Pedro Alvarez</span> all have 10 or more career plate appearances against Verlander, though many of Martin's came with the New York Yankees in 2011 and 2012. Things get much dicier for Verlander if we take out his postseason numbers, though. Martin is 6 for 14 with a home run in the regular season. Unforunately, Verlander will not get to feast on the likes of McCutchen -- who is just 2 for 13 -- due to an avulsion fracture McCutchen suffered to his rib cage just over a week ago. He hasn't landed on the disabled list yet, but it would be surprising to see the reigning National League MVP in this series.</p>
<h5>Outlook</h5>
<p>I'm not sure exactly what kind of an effect a 20 inning game and subsequent trip through customs is going to have on the team's effort tonight, but there's a decent chance that Jeff Locke and his 3.39 home FIP keeps the Tigers' offense at bay. Sure, the Tigers have handled left-handed pitching with ease -- see: <span>Mark Buehrle</span> yesterday -- but the travel may present an extra degree of difficulty for a team searching for answers at the moment. The Pirates have the best home record in the National League, where they are allowing just 3.8 runs per game. If the bats don't get going against Locke early, it could be another disappointing night for a Tigers fanbase already on edge.</p>
<h5>Prediction</h5>
<p>Another strong Verlander outing is wasted in a low scoring affair.</p>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/11/5988689/2014-game-116-preview-detroit-tigers-at-pittsburgh-piratesRob Rogacki