Bless You Boys - Game 33: Detroit Tigers 2, Minnesota Twins 1A detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2015-05-12T22:11:59-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/83613662015-05-12T22:11:59-04:002015-05-12T22:11:59-04:00Tigers 2, Twins 1: Walk-off heroics!
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<figcaption>Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn't pretty, but the Tigers picked up their 20th win of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Twins on Tuesday night.</p> <p>DETROIT -- After 31 nine-inning games, the Detroit Tigers played back-to-back games into extra innings. But unlike Opening Week when the Minnesota Twins were clobbered, the Tigers couldn't get more than a handful of hits off starter Kyle Gibson. Alfredo Simon's stellar start, combined with a key home run from J.D. Martinez gave the Tigers a close walk-off 2-1 win over the Twins. <span>Ian Kinsler's</span> bloop single into right-center field scored <span>Anthony Gose</span> for the game-winning run in the 10th.</p>
<p>Simon was sharp. The righthander gave up just six hits, two that were doubles, and a walk. The other, a single by <span>Brian Dozier</span>, put the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> second baseman in scoring position on a stolen base in the sixth, but all three hits were stranded. Simon was particularly effective at working around the baserunners he did allow, and the six strikeouts fell one shy of his season high seven strikeouts in a game. Even the one-out single to left field in the seventh never left first base.</p>
<p>In the eighth, though, a leadoff triple ended Simon's night. After getting the first batter to lineout, former Tiger Torii Hunter tied the game on a sacrifice fly that Gose had a chance to throw out ... but he threw it well off-target and the run scored. <span>Joba Chamberlain</span> replaced Simon after 7 2/3 innings of work after Simon gave up a single following the sac fly. Asked to get the final out, Chamberlain struck out <span>Trevor Plouffe</span> on four pitches on a 94 mph fastball.</p>
<p><span>Joakim Soria</span> and <span>Angel Nesbitt</span> then gave the Tigers two strong innings, striking out three to keep the Twins from taking the win. Nesbitt pitched a scoreless 10th inning to pick up the first win of his MLB career.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> were tattooing the ball all over Comerica Park, but they had nothing to show for it until <span>J.D. Martinez's</span> home run in the fourth. They had just five hits, but there were several well-struck pitches that just went to the wrong part of the ballpark, including a deep flyout to right-center field by Miguel Cabrera -- he missed it by mere feet -- and an opposite field flyout by <span>Victor Martinez</span> (batting left-handed).</p>
<p>With the exception of Gose, Detroit's defense was stellar, particularly the outfield corners. <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> and J.D both made sliding grabs, and J.D. held the Twins at third in the eighth inning on a lineout after Danny Santana's leadoff triple. <span>Jose Iglesias</span> returned to the lineup after being out of the lineup since May 7 for left groin tightness and delivered his usual stellar defense.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>ROARS:</strong></p>
<p><b><span>Alfredo Simon</span>: </b>Went 7 2/3 strong innings of one-run ball, striking out six and allowing just six hits and a walk.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><b>J.D Martinez: </b>After hitting a ball to the warning track in right field in the second inning, Martinez smoked a 93 mph fastball deep into the seats for an opposite field home run.</p>
<p><b>Ian Kinsler:</b> When you walk it off, you get a roar. Kinsler collected his 15th multi-hit game of the year, tying him for the American League lead with none other than <span>Prince Fielder</span>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>HISSES:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><b>Miguel Cabrera: </b>As good as he is, Cabrera's in a funk right now and he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and an intentional walk.</p>
<p><b>The offense ... again: </b>It's getting old, but right now the Tigers offense is cold. Might as well be in a deep freeze. They had six hits, but they were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>STREAKS AND STATS:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span>J.D. Martinez's solo home run in the fourth inning was his seventh of the season, and his first since April 29, also against the Twins. It's also his first extra-base hit since his last home run and his first night game homer -- the other six occurred during day games. Five of Martinez's home runs have also been hit the opposite way this year.</span></li>
<li><span>The home run by Martinez was the first home run since May 6, and the 26th of the season, which is 20th in MLB. </span></li>
<li><span><span>Nick Castellanos</span>' second-inning double was his sixth of the season, and his first since May 3 at Kansas City against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>.</span></li>
<li><span>The double play grounded into in the fifth inning was the 32nd for the Tigers, retaking the MLB lead for most double plays.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Miguel Cabrera's</span> intentional walk in the eighth inning was his sixth of the season. The walk ties Cabrera for the MLB lead, along with teammate Victor Martinez. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a>' <span>Jose Altuve</span> is second, with five.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><iframe style="border:1px solid black;" width="450" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2015-05-12&team=Tigers&dh=0"></iframe><br><span>Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2015-05-12&team=Tigers&dh=0&season=2015">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2015/5/12/8595637/detroit-tigers-minnesota-twins-recap-alfredo-simonCatherine Slonksnis2015-05-12T09:00:10-04:002015-05-12T09:00:10-04:00Game 33 Preview: Twins at Tigers
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<figcaption>Jennifer Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers have scored plenty of runs against Kyle Gibson in the past, but aren't scoring many this season. One of these narratives has to give tonight.</p> <h4>
<a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> (18-14) at <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> (19-13)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 7:08 p.m., Comerica Park</p>
<p><b>SB Nation blog:</b> <a href="http://www.twinkietown.com/" target="_blank">Twinkie Town</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=5/12/2015">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>Kyle Gibson</span> (3-2, 2.97 ERA) vs. RHP <span>Alfredo Simon</span> (4-1, 3.44 ERA)</p>
<table>
<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>Gibson</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>36.1</td>
<td>2.72</td>
<td>3.72</td>
<td>0.50</td>
<td>1.35</td>
<td>4.67</td>
<td>5.50</td>
<td>0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Simon</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>36.2</td>
<td>5.65</td>
<td>2.45</td>
<td>0.74</td>
<td>1.25</td>
<td>3.86</td>
<td>4.35</td>
<td>0.5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Kyle Gibson is living proof that ERA isn't everything when it comes to pitching analysis. The 27-year-old righthander has a solid 2.97 ERA in six starts, four of which resulted in Twins victories. He has a 0.86 ERA in his last three starts, and has pitched into the eighth inning twice. He is averaging over six innings per start, a figure that resonates more with the Twins, whose bullpen pitched the fourth-most innings in baseball last season. On the surface, Gibson is having a breakout season.</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix sidebar">
<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
<div class="lineup">
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th align="left">MINNESOTA TWINS</th> <th align="left">DETROIT TIGERS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Brian Dozier</span> - 2B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Anthony Gose</span> - CF</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Torii Hunter</span> - RF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Ian Kinsler</span> - 2B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Joe Mauer</span> - 1B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Miguel Cabrera</span> - 1B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Trevor Plouffe</span> - 3B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Victor Martinez</span> - DH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Kurt Suzuki</span> - C</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>J.D. Martinez</span> - RF</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Kennys Vargas</span> - DH</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> - LF</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Eduardo Escobar</span> - LF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Nick Castellanos</span> - 3B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Aaron Hicks</span> - CF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>James McCann</span> - C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Danny Santana</span> - SS</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Jose Iglesias</span> - SS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name"></td>
<td class="td-first td-name"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-last td-name">
<span>Kyle Gibson</span> - RHP</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">
<span>Alfredo Simon</span> - RHP</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<p>Then, I saw his strikeout rate. Gibson has just 11 strikeouts to 15 walks this season, the worst strikeout-to-walk ratio among qualified MLB pitchers. He has a .256 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) for the season, and .185 in his past three starts. He has stranded 78 percent of baserunners allowed this year, and his 23.4 percent line drive rate is one of the higher figures in the game.</p>
<p>It's easy to point at the above paragraph and say that regression is coming, and in the end, it probably is. However, there are some encouraging signs. Gibson is inducing twice as many ground balls as fly balls, one of 21 qualified MLB pitchers who can make that claim. His two-seam fastball is generating grounders at a 58 percent clip, and his changeup and slider are both above 50 percent. Eight of his 11 strikeouts are against left-handed batters, who have a .661 OPS against him this year (though a .243 BABIP). Most importantly, he is staying out of the middle of the strike zone.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Kyle Gibson pitch location" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TG_d2tRJJ1YPZTkGhVhrZvHXPKM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3688330/Gibson_pitch_location.0.png">
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</p>
<p>Alfredo Simon would be wise to follow the lead of <span>Shane Greene</span>, who has seemingly been one step ahead of the 34-year-old righthander all season. Greene got off to his hot start just before Simon, and also hit a major slide before the Dominican product. Granted, Simon's lows haven't been quite so low -- he has just one start with more than three runs allowed this season -- but an outing reminiscent of the three-start stretch he had from April 15 to 25 would be a good sign for the Tigers. Simon's peripherals aren't pretty either, but he has shown an occasional strikeout touch. He has struck out six batters or more in a pair of starts already this season, something he only did six times all last season.</p>
<p><b>Hitter to fear:</b> <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> (.429/.429/1.286 in 7 plate appearances)<br><b>Hitter to fail:</b> <span>Joe Mauer</span> (.000/.000/.000 in 5 plate appearances)</p>
<p>Simon only has one career start against the Twins, and it came back in 2011. As you might expect, only two players from that day's lineup -- Joe Mauer and <span>Trevor Plouffe</span> -- are still around today. Mauer is hitless in five career at-bats against Simon, while the red-hot Plouffe is 1 for 3. As a team, the Twins rank fourth in the AL with 4.72 runs scored per game despite a .678 team OPS that ranks below the league average.</p>
<p>Gibson has seen plenty of the Tigers in his three year career, making six starts. He is probably already sick of them, though. Gibson has allowed a 7.04 ERA and .829 OPS in 30 2/3 innings against the Tigers, and has a 2-4 record. Three Tigers hitters have an OPS of 1.000 or better in at least 14 plate appearances, with the ready-to-breakout <span>J.D. Martinez</span> leading the way.</p>
<h5>Outlook</h5>
<p>The Tigers are entering the final series of an early season gauntlet against the AL Central, and, all things considered, they are sitting in a good spot. No one expected the Twins to roar back into contention after getting whitewashed by the Tigers to open the season -- Twinkie Town's Jesse Lund called it the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twinkietown.com/2015/5/11/8586443/twins-vs-tigers-series-preview">baseball version of an atomic wedgie</a> -- but here they are. The Tigers don't need to start jostling for divisional positioning yet, but wins against AL Central rivals are always important in the grand scheme of things. With an off day behind them and a favorable opponent ahead, expect a bit more life out of the offense tonight.</p>
<h5>Prediction</h5>
<p>Runs. Lots of runs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" class="p1"><span class="s1">★★★</span></p>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2015/5/12/8589261/detroit-tigers-minnesota-twins-game-33-preview-2015Rob Rogacki