Bless You Boys - Game 127: Twins 12, Tigers 4A detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2014-08-23T17:02:11-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/58245442014-08-23T17:02:11-04:002014-08-23T17:02:11-04:00Twins 12, Tigers 4 (game 1): Deja vu
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<figcaption>Adam Bettcher</figcaption>
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<p>It was deja vu all over again. Another game, another loss to Minnesota in blowout fashion. After losing by 14 runs to the Twins Friday night, The Tigers fell by a mere eight runs in game one of today's day-night doubleheader. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> needed to recover quickly after Friday night's 20-6 debacle of a loss to the last place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a>. Instead, Detroit stumbled about like they were still hung over and ready to go on another bender, finding themselves eight runs down after the game was just three innings old, ultimately falling to the Twins 12-4.</p>
<p>The loss drops the Tigers three games behind the first place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> in the AL Central, the furthest back they have been in the standings all season. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> own a big lead late in their game this afternoon, meaning Detroit will likely drop a 1 1/2 games out of the second wild card spot.</p>
<p>Desperate for pitching, the Tigers called up three arms from Triple-A Toledo for game one of today's twin-bill. All three would take the mound, but only one pitched well.</p>
<p>Starting in place of injured <span>Anibal Sanchez</span>, Buck Farmer (L, 0-1) looked just like a kid who was pitching in Single-A three short weeks ago and suddenly realized he was in over his head. The rookie was pounded in his second career start, taking the loss by serving up seven runs on five hits and two walks in just 1 1/3 innings.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"We had a couple of young guys pitching, so we knew this was a possible outcome." "Worked out in the worst possible way." <span>-<span>Brad Ausmus</span> on back-to-back blowout losses</span>
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<p>Fellow rookie <span>Pat McCoy</span> wasn't any better in relief of Farmer, rocked for five hits and two runs in one inning. <span>Kyle Lobstein</span> was forced to be the sacrificial arm in his major league debut, but he would actually stem the severe bleeding. The Tigers' flaccid offense couldn't take advantage, unable to make up an eight run deficit. Lobstein would run afoul of the Twins' offense in the seventh, allowing his only three runs in what would end up as 5 2/3 innings of work.</p>
<p>Despite a second game on tap tonight, the Twins were forced to use three relievers due to starter <span>Yohan Pino</span> (W, 2-5) lasting just five innings. Despite giving up four runs on six hits, being mediocre was more than enough for Pino to earn his second win of the season.</p>
<p>The Twins would end the day with 14 hits, seven for extra bases. Rookie first sacker <span>Kennys Vargas</span> had a monster afternoon for the winners, driving in five runs thanks to a pair of doubles. Veteran <span>Joe Mauer</span> drove in three runs on two hits, while <span>Jordan Schafer</span> made the most of his one hit, driving in three with a bases loaded triple. <span>Brian Dozier</span> reached base four times on a single and three walks, scoring three runs.</p>
<p>Save for a small uprising in the fifth, Detroit's offense was not up to the task of helping out their young arms. Ezequiel Carrera and <span>Nick Castellanos</span> were the only Tigers with two hits, both driving in a run.</p>
<p>The less said about the last 24 hours, the better. But at the moment, this Tigers team looks nothing like a playoff contender.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Final score: not as bad as yesterday</p>
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys/statuses/503276462154473472">August 23, 2014</a>
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<p><b>ROARS:</b></p>
<p><b>Kyle Lobstein: </b>In dire need of someone stepping up in the bullpen, Lobstein did just that by eating 5 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits and walked another four, but the number of innings pitched were by far the most important thing Lobstein brought to the table.</p>
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<p><b>HISSES:</b></p>
<p><b>Any member of the Tigers not named Lobstein: </b>Hard to give anyone a ROAR when you're outscored, outhit, outplayed, out-managed and out-you name it in the first two games of the series.</p>
<p><b>Dave Dombrowski: </b>Brad Ausmus gets his fair share of the blame for the Tigers' rotten play, and much of it is deserved. But he was given a crap hand by his general manager over the past 24 hours. Expecting his team to succeed with a pair of not-ready-for-prime-time pitchers was a fool's errand.</p>
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<p>Last night and tonight is why mediocre fifth starters are more valuable than fans think.</p>
— Lee Panas (@tiger337) <a href="https://twitter.com/tiger337/statuses/503239135969423360">August 23, 2014</a>
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<p><b>FOX Sports Detroit: </b>Their player of the game was ... <span>Miguel Cabrera</span>? He was 1-for-5 with an RBI. What a dominating performance!</p>
<p><b>NOTES:</b></p>
<p>Prior to today's doubleheader, the Tigers not only called up game one starter Buck Farmer, who would be considered the 26th man on the roster for today's doubleheader, but also a pair of left-handed pitchers from Triple-A Toledo - Pat McCoy and Kyle Lobstein. The Tigers sent down two lefty pitchers who took part in Friday's debacle to make room - <span>Robbie Ray</span> and <span>Ian Krol</span>.</p>
<p>The Twins first run (of many) featured Brian Dozier scoring from first base ... on a single. Dozier got a huge jump on <span>Buck Farmer's</span> pitch to Joe Mauer, who slapped it into center. The speedy Dozier was nearly to second base when the ball landed, and easily beat <span>Ezequiel Carrera's</span> throw home.</p>
<p>Nick Castellanos drove in the Tigers' first run by doubling to left center, plating Victor Martinez. But he made a glaring base running mistake despite the play happening in front of him. Castellanos was thrown out at third base when the relay throw was cut off by first baseman Kennys Vargas. The throw home was well off-line, and Martinez would have scored either way.</p>
<p>Unlike his first career start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>, Farmer wasn't fooling anyone today. The Twins rocked the rookie right-hander for a run in the first and six more in the second. Brad Ausmus was forced to go to his bullpen working early on, throwing the newly called up McCoy to the wolves while yanking Farmer after just 1 1/3 innings.</p>
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<p>This is painful</p>
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys/statuses/503237703207354368">August 23, 2014</a>
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<p>A shell-shocked Farmer could only manage a thousand yard stare.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4925290/farmer.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Farmer_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4925290/farmer_medium.png"></a> <br id="1408817412859"></p>
<p>Unfortunately, McCoy couldn't save the bullpen. He surrendered a run on five hits pulled mid-third after an inning of work.</p>
<p>Over the first few innings, the Tigers' performance on offense wasn't any better than their pitching. Eight Twins had at least one base hit and the team had 11 hits total through four innings. Meanwhile, the Tigers had generated a whole two hits through four frames.</p>
<p>The Tigers did muster three runs in the fifth against Twins' starter Yohan Pino, thanks to a pair of RBI bloops and a seeing eye single. It was something we haven't seen much of late, a few bounces going the Tigers' way. But given a shot to make it an actual game, Detroit batted around but could not break through in a two down, bases loaded situation. <span>J.D. Martinez</span> bounced weakly to third, ending the inning.</p>
<p>Lobstein was next i line after McCoy and in just saving the bullpen from further harm it proved to be a solid outing for the rookie lefty. Making his major league debut in the third inning, Lobstein held the Twins scoreless through the sixth before running into trouble in the seventh. Lobstein would find himself in a bases loaded, one out situation, before Vargas doubled to clear the bases. The three runs made for the final, insurmountable score of 12-4.</p>
<p>McCoy and Lobstein had little time to think about the situation they walked into. Turns out the rookies did not realize the correct start time of the game. They thought first pitch was 1:10 Central, not 12:10.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Patrick McCoy and Kyle Lobstein arrived after the game started today. Flight delayed out of Indianapolis.</p>
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/statuses/503284713591934977">August 23, 2014</a>
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<p>Kyle Lobstein said he was in the game 20 or 25 minutes after leaving the clubhouse. McCoy, obviously, had even less time.</p>
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/statuses/503285325343784961">August 23, 2014</a>
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<p><b>STREAKS AND STATS:</b></p>
<p>From the Department of the Ridiculous to the Sublime - The Tigers received back-to-back complete games from <span>Rick Porcello</span> and Davis Price in Tampa, combining to allow one run on five hits in 17 innings. In the first two games of their series with the Twins, Tigers rookie starters Robbie Ray and Buck Farmer combined for just 2 2/3 innings of work, allowing 13 earned runs on 11 hits.</p>
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<p>If Justin Verlander gets 5 outs tonight he’s our best starter of the weekend</p>
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys/statuses/503239929837940736">August 23, 2014</a>
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<p>Lobstein is the first Tigers reliever to throw at least 5 2/3 innings in his major league debut since Roger Mason on September 4, 1984.</p>
<p>Lobstein ended his MLB debut having thrown 100 pitches in his 5 2/3 innings. That is the most pitches thrown by a Tiger in a relief appearance since knuckleballer <span>Steve Sparks</span> tossed 100 in 4 1/3 innings in a 13-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on July 30, 2003.</p>
<p>In the first two games of the series, the Twins have outscored the Tigers 32-10, while outhitting them just 34-25.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:</b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2014-08-23&team=Twins&dh=1" 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=2014-08-23&team=Twins&dh=1&season=2014">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
<p><b>ROLL CALL:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
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<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>437</td>
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<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>38</td>
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<td>Commenter list</td>
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<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Al%20Beaton">Al Beaton</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AriTwice">AriTwice</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/Catherine%20Slonksnis">Catherine Slonksnis</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Designated%20for%20Assignment">Designated for Assignment</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Grzesio">Grzesio</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/H2OPoloPunk">H2OPoloPunk</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Herndonknees">Herndonknees</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/J_the_Man">J_the_Man</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jack%20Beckman">Jack Beckman</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/Kurt%20Mensching">Kurt Mensching</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/LarryLive">LarryLive</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Max%27sFangirl">Max'sFangirl</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Miggy%20Smalls">Miggy Smalls</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/RoverTO">RoverTO</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/Thorpac">Thorpac</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/ap62">ap62</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bettynoire">bettynoire</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/doctor%20hans">doctor hans</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/frisbeepilot">frisbeepilot</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kaiser1118">kaiser1118</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/lithium">lithium</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/skysix">skysix</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/subic%20sailor">subic sailor</a>
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<td>Story URLs</td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6059889/game-127-tigers-at-twins-1-10-p-m">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6059889/game-127-tigers-at-twins-1-10-p-m</a></td>
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<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>TOP TEN COMMENTERS:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
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<th>#</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>70</td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td>45</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AurelioFan">AurelioFan</a></td>
<td>42</td>
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<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Catherine%20Slonksnis">Catherine Slonksnis</a></td>
<td>27</td>
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<td>5</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>26</td>
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<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jack%20Beckman">Jack Beckman</a></td>
<td>24</td>
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<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JakeJustice65">JakeJustice65</a></td>
<td>22</td>
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<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kland83">kland83</a></td>
<td>21</td>
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<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/frisbeepilot">frisbeepilot</a></td>
<td>19</td>
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<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/knucklescarbone">knucklescarbone</a></td>
<td>17</td>
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<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>TOP RECS:<br><br></b></p>
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<th># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link </th>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jack%20Beckman">Jack Beckman</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6059889/game-127-tigers-at-twins-1-10-p-m#252734872">I thought they were playing a double-header today</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/2014/8/23/6059889/game-127-tigers-at-twins-1-10-p-m#252749060">Truth</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6059889/game-127-tigers-at-twins-1-10-p-m#252744350">A Lobstein is a Lobster being eaten by a Bernstein I do believe</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RoverTO">RoverTO</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6059889/game-127-tigers-at-twins-1-10-p-m#252742638">The Tigers should file a protest with the Commissioner's office.</a></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Al%20Beaton">Al Beaton</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6059889/game-127-tigers-at-twins-1-10-p-m#252734732">I took Friday night away from baseball to go out with the GF, missing all of the 20-6 debacle</a></td>
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<p><b></b></p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6060237/twins-12-tigers-4-karl-lobstein-debutAl Beaton2014-08-23T16:23:51-04:002014-08-23T16:23:51-04:00Game 127 Thread of Shame
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<p>Equal Opportunity Shame.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6060647/game-127-thread-of-shameNCDee2014-08-23T09:18:05-04:002014-08-23T09:18:05-04:00Game 127 Preview: Tigers at Twins
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers try to pick themselves up after last night's beating with a doubleheader today. First, Buck Farmer faces Venezuelan journeyman Yohan Pino.</p> <h4>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> (68-58) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> (57-70)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 1:10 p.m., Target Field</p>
<p><b>SB Nation blog:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twinkietown.com/">Twinkie Town</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=8/23/2014" 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>Buck Farmer</span> (0-0, 7.20 ERA) vs. RHP <span>Yohan Pino</span> (1-5, 5.37 ERA)</p>
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<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>Farmer</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>5.0</td>
<td>7.20</td>
<td>1.80</td>
<td>1.80</td>
<td>1.40</td>
<td>5.33</td>
<td>4.05</td>
<td>0.0</td>
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<td>Pino</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>55.1</td>
<td>7.16</td>
<td>1.95</td>
<td>1.30</td>
<td>1.30</td>
<td>4.12</td>
<td>4.08</td>
<td>0.6</td>
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</tbody>
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<p>Yohan Pino is a 30 year old right-hander who was signed by the Twins as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela in 2004. He toiled throughout the minor leagues for a decade, pitching for the Twins, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a>, Twins (again), Indians (again), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a>, Indians (again), Blue Jays (again), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a>, and Twins (again). The AL Central can't quit this guy, apparently. He finally got called up to the majors this season and has largely been better than his ERA suggests. Prior to his last start -- where the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> put up seven runs in 4 1/3 innings -- his ERA was 4.59.</p>
<p>Pino's long climb to the majors wasn't due to a lack of results, but rather a lack of stuff. His fastball has averaged 89-90 miles per hour, topping out at 91.4 on the radar gun according to Fangraphs. He also relies on a slider against right-handers, throwing it nearly 40 percent of the time. The slider has been decent -- righties are hitting just .167 against it -- but it hasn't stopped them from putting up a .761 OPS overall. Pino also throws the slider against lefties, but far less often. He will also mix in a change-up and curveball, neither of which have been very good. In fact, the slider has been his best pitch against lefties too. They are hitting just .136 with a .182 slugging average while whiffing on it nearly 19 percent of the time.</p>
<p>Buck Farmer looked better in his first big league start than his ERA indicates, and far better than <span>Robbie Ray</span> did last night. Aside from one bad pitch to <span>Travis Snider</span>, Farmer demonstrated decent command and only walked one batter in five innings (though he hit another). He struck out four, including a pair of lefties swinging in the second inning. Since then? Things... haven't gone well. Farmer made a brief appearance in Triple-A -- emphasis on "brief" -- allowing eight runs (seven earned) in one-third of an inning. That's an ERA of 189.00. For comparison's sake, Rick Porcello's ERA in his awful start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> was 121.44. Yeah, it was that bad.</p>
<h5>If we have nothing else, then at least we have this</h5>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4896264/BuckFarmerDad.gif"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4896264/BuckFarmerDad.gif" class="photo" alt="Buckfarmerdad_medium"></a><br id="1408798532335"></p>
<h5>Outlook</h5>
<p>It's hard to be positive about the Tigers after last night's performance. From starting pitching depth to anything that comes out of the bullpen, that game exposed just about every weakness the Tigers have as a team. Today, they have to navigate a doubleheader with a depleted bullpen and a pair of starters that may be fortunate to get through five or six innings. This might be as close to rock bottom as this season can offer.</p>
<p>That said, the Tigers have been in this position before. They had the same record in both 2011 and 2012 after 126 games, and were facing a 2 1/2 game deficit in the division in 2012. The unbalanced schedule gives the Tigers a shot to storm back and take the AL Central crown, even if the results right now show no signs of that happening. So enjoy watching Buck Farmer today, pray for <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> to get healthy, and know that this season is far from being over.</p>
<h5>Prediction</h5>
<p>Farmer's MLB ERA eclipses his Triple-A ERA. Every Twins player homers, even the pitchers. Ron Gardenhire puts <span>Joe Mauer</span> in center field and <span>Oswaldo Arcia</span> on the mound "just to give them a chance." The first game takes so long that the second one gets pushed back to tomorrow. The Tigers recall <span>Ian Krol</span> in the sixth inning just to watch him give up nine runs. <span>Phil Coke</span> throws a scoreless inning.</p>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/23/6059595/2014-game-127-preview-detroit-tigers-at-minnesota-twinsRob Rogacki