Detroit Tigers 2014 Season Thread

[RandyTiger]

The real story of the Tigers rotation isn't the front three, but Rick and Drew. Any team can throw up quality #1, 2, and even #3 starters, but how many can do quality #4 and #5 starters to round out the bunch? Rick's having the best season of his career, and Drew's coming along nicely.

Dombrowski and the entire Tiger organization deserve a lot of credit for making all of this happen.

[RandyTiger]

Anyone remember Jose Alvarez, the lefty who was traded for Andrew Romine?

Well, last night, he gave up 4 consecutive HR's pitching for the Angels' AAA affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees. His final line for the game:

4.1 IP, 11 hits (5 HR), 7 runs, 5 K's. Ouch.

For the season, he's 0-2, 6.75 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, with 17/15 K/BB in 30.2 IP.

Oi vey! Looks like Dombrowski has pulled off another steal, considering Romine has solidified the Tigers infield defense.

[RandyTiger]

Twins 2, Tigers 1. [Boxscore]

Summary: Great pitching and blown opportunties cost Tigers.

Pitching: Verlander was vintage in this one as he tossed 114 pitches (70 strikes) over 7 innings for his 7th quality start in 8 games.

He yielded 2 runs on 7 hits (all singles) and 2 walks, punching out 5 along the way. Unfortunately, his terrific effort wasn't enough, and he was saddled with the loss. [Video overview of start]

Would you believe it was the first time in 4 years the Twins have beaten him?

- Season line: 4-2, 2.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, with 43/31 K/BB in 54.0 IP.

Alburquerque started the 8th, and after punching out 2 and walking 1, he was pulled for a lefty-lefty match-up.

- Season line: 1-0, 1 Sv/Opp, 3 Holds, 4.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, with 16/4 K/BB in 12.2 IP.

Krol faced 3 batters - two in the 8th, the third in the 9th, and gave up a single while whiffing 2.

- Season line: 0-0, 0/1 Sv/Opp, 2.53 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, with 8/0 K/BB in 10.2 IP.

Reed finished off the 9th, allowing a single and holding the line as the runner was caught stealing 2nd and the last batter flied out.

- Season line: 0-1, 2 Holds, 3.14 ERA, 1.26 Whip, with 7/3 K/BB in 14.1 IP.

Offense: With 10 hits, the Boys had their chances to break the game open several times, most notably in the 4th, 5th, and 9th, but just couldn't do it as they stranded 8 on 1-9 hitting with RISP. Kudos to Hughes and the Twins' staff for handcuffing the potent Tigers offense.

Here's how they did:

Kinsler: 1-4 (.305).
- Single in the 5th.

Hunter: 1-5 (.315).
- Single in the 5th.

Cabrera: 1-4 (.281).
- Single in the 4th.

Martinez: 0-4 (.322), GIDP (2).
- GIDP in the 4th.

Jackson: 3-4 (.305), Double (8), SB (5), RS (18).
- Single in the 4th; Single and SB in the 6th; Double and RS in the 9th.

Castellanos: 2-4 (.248).
- Single in the 2nd; Single in the 4th.

Avila: 1-4 (.235), Double (6), RBI (7).
- RBI double in the 9th. [Video of RBI double]

Davis: 1-4 (.313), Double (4).
- Double in the 3rd.

Defense: SB allowed/attempted: 0/1 (Reed/Avila, OUT), 9th inning. (Season: Avila is 9-27 (33.3 %) in throwing out runners.)

Noteworthy catch: Castellanos in the 3rd with runners on the corners that saved the Tigers a run. [Video of play]

Next game: Saturday, May 10th: Minnesota (16-18, 8-9 Away) @ Detroit (20-11, 12-7 Home. Season series: 1-2), 1:08 Eastern.

Projected starters: RHP Kyle Gibson (3-2, 3.50 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (4-1, 1.72 ERA).

- Gibson has never faced Detroit. Career away: 2-3, 5.06 ERA, 1.48 WHIP in 8 games.
- Scherzer's record vs. Minnesota: 6-2, 4.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP in 12 games. Career home: 44-20, 3.46 ERA, 1.18 WHIP in 90 games.

Minnesota TV: FS-N. Radio: 96.3 K-TWIN, TIBN
Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Subscription TV: MLBN.

Divisional standing: 1st place, 4 games over Chicago.

[RandyTiger]

Injury and notable roster news:

1. Luke Putkonen: His rehab stints on Wednesday (at WMI) and Friday (at Toledo) went well, and he reported no discomfort in his elbow. He is eligible to come off the 15-day list.

2. Anibal Sanchez: Threw a long-toss session on Thursday and worked out in the bullpen Friday. No issues reported. Should return next week, which gives Ray at least another start.

3. Corey Knebel, the 22-year-old RHP reliever prospect, has been promoted from Erie to Toledo. The Cats will likely give him a look in September, barring any significant injuries to the bullpen that would force an earlier call-up. (Pity he's not a lefty, he would get a serious look much, much faster.)

By all reports, he throws some serious heat (mid-to-upper 90's) and a plus curveball, but seems to have some control issues to master. One positive is that he appears to be effective against hitters on both sides of the plate.

Erie stats: 3-0, 1 Save, 1.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, with 23/8 K/BB in 15.0 IP (11 games).

His groundball/flyball ratio is 1.75, and opponents are hitting .154 off him.

Let's hope he does well at Toledo.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 9, Twins 3. [Boxscore]

Summary: Power binge leads Cats past Twinkies.

Pitching: This was not one of Scherzer's better games, but he thew well enough to eke out the win. Over 6 innings, he tossed 116 pitches (73 strikes), yielding 3 runs on 5 hits (two doubles and a homer) and 4 walks while striking out 6. [Video overview of performance]

Sadly, his 7-game streak in which he fanned at least 7 to start the season ended.

- Season line: 5-1, 2.04 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, with 66/16 K/BB in 53.0 IP.

Alburquerque took over in the 7th and performed very well, picking up a hold while giving up a single and striking out 2.

- Season line: 1-0, 1/1 Sv/Opp, 4 Holds, 3.95 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, with 18/4 K/BB in 13.2 IP.

Chamberlain took the mound in the 8th and allowed a double while striking out two.

- Season line: 1-1. 1/1 Sv/Opp, 6 Holds, 3.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, with 20/3 K/BB in 13.2 IP.

Coke was summoned to close out the game, and after giving up a lead-off single that was promptly erased by a double play, he had no problems putting away the last batter on a flyball to RF. Out of his 8 pitches, 6 went for strikes.

- Season line: 0-0, 1 Hold, 8.31 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, with 4/3 K/BB in 8.2 IP.

Offense: They did it again - every starter had at least 1 hit, the 6th time this season they've managed this feat. All together, they came up with 11 hits, a walk, and a HBP, leaving 4 on base with 4-13 hitting with RISP. Here's the long list:

Kinsler: 1-5 (.301), SB (4).
- Single and SB in the 1st.

Hunter: 1-3 (.316), BB (4), 2 RS (17).
- Walk in the 1st; Grounded into FC and RS, 2nd; Single and RS in the 7th.

Cabrera: 1-3 (.282), HBP (1), HR (5), 2 RS (17), 3 RBI (28).
- 3-run HR to RF (375 feet) in the 2nd; HBP and RS in the 7th. [Video of HR]

V. Martinez: 2-4 (.328), Double (7), HR (8), GIDP (3), RS (15), 3 RBI (22).
- GIDP in the 1st; Double in the 2nd; 3-run HR to RF (402 feet) in the 7th. [Video of HR]

Jackson: 1-4 (.303).
- Single in the 2nd (out at home on Castellanos FC).

The donkelly: 2-4 (.355), Double (2), RS (4).
- Double and RS in the 2nd; Single in the 6th.

Castellanos: 1-4 (.248), Double (6), RS (11).
- Grounded into FC and RS, 2nd; Double in the 8th.

Avila: 1-4 (.230), RS (11), RBI (8).
- RBI single and RS in the 2nd. [Video of RBI single]

Romine: 1-4 (.220), RS (9), RBI (2).
- RBI single and RS in the 2nd. [Video of RBI single]

Defense: Errors, 1: Castellanos (2), ground ball in the 4th inning.

Double plays, 1: 3-6-3 (Cabrera-Romine-Cabrera), 9th inning. [Video of play]

SB allowed/attempted: 0/1 (Scherzer-Avila), 2nd inning. Avila now has thrown out 35.7% of base stealers (10 out of 28 chances). [Video of play]

Notable catch: The donkelly made a terrific leaping catch at the LF wall to rob the Twins' Kurt Suzuki of a HR in the 1st inning. [Video of play]

Next game: Sunday, May 11th: Minnesota (16-19, 8-10 hway) @ Detroit (21-11, 13-7 home. Season series: 2-2.), 1:08 Eastern.

Projected starters: Samuel Deduno (0-2, 3.42 ERA) vs. Robbie Ray (1-0, 1.69 ERA).

- Deduno's record vs. Detroit: 2-2, 7.48 ERA, 1.85 WHIP in 4 games. Career away: 7-9, 4.38 ERA, 1.63 WHIP in 23 games.
- Ray has never faced Minnesota. Career home: 1-0, 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in 1 game.

Minnesota TV: FS-N. Radio: 96.3 K-TWIN, TIBN
Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Divisional standing: 1st place, 5 games over Chicago.

Notes: The Tigers honored former manager Jim Leyland in a pre-game ceremony today for his work as the Tigers manager.

Whether you liked him, hated him, or were often exasperated with him, he was still one of the Tigers' best managers and the only one to lead them to 4 post-season appearances.

He threw out the ceremonial first pitch. [Long video of ceremony and pitch]

[CONN CHRIS]

It is really fun watching them play this well. Coke is still a fly in the ointment though.

[RandyTiger]

I really cannot wait to see how they fare against Baltimore (good test) and especially Boston (hard test) during this next week.

As for Coke, he'll probably stay around for a bit longer, despite the fact that both Putkonen and Sanchez will be coming off the DL this coming week (barring any setbacks).

Miller will probably be the guy to go back down when Putkonen comes back on line, if only for the reason that the Tigers have already used an option on him. No sense in burning more unless it's necessary.

As for the rumor that Ray will replace Coke when Sanchez returns, no chance. Ray is a starter and needs more seasoning, especially since it's Scherzer's last year with Detroit. Ray is considered the heir-apparent, so to speak, for a starting position.

We're stuck with Coke unless he really loses it (or goes on the DL after a starting pitcher takes a bat to him) and a lefty at Toledo gets hot. Every 'pen has a clunker in it, and the Tigers haven't really been hurt with having him pitch occasionally. Could be far worse.

[cephasjames]

I get to see how well they do against Boston on Sanchez's return on Saturday. My wife and I are headed out that way to celebrate 15 years, so we're catching a Tigers' game at Fenway.

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

I get to see how well they do against Boston on Sanchez's return on Saturday. My wife and I are headed out that way to celebrate 15 years, so we're catching a Tigers' game at Fenway.

My daughter and I will be there that day as well!

[RandyTiger]

Twins 4, Tigers 3. [Boxscore]

Summary: Twins scratch past Cats.

Pitching: Robbie Ray is making the most of his opportunity and impressing more than a few people with his poise and maturity. The only thing lacking right now is his control. Otherwise, I'd say he's close to being on the roster.

In this game, he turned in a quality start, throwing a scoreless 6 innings (93 pitches, 54 strikes), giving up just 4 hits (one double) and a walk while striking out 2. [Video overview of start]

- Season line: 1-0, 0.79 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, with 7/2 K/BB in 11.1 IP.

Alburquerque began the 7th, but failed to finish it as he gave up a run on a hit and earned a hold. I should note the run was the result of an hit off Krol.

- Season line: 1-0, 1/1 Sv/Opp, 4.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, with 18/4 K/BB in 14.1 IP.

Krol took over with 2 outs in the 7th in a lefty/lefty match-up and failed to hold the line as he gave up 2 consecutive singles and allowed an inherited runner to score. He whiffed Escobar to finally end the inning - and got a hold.

- Season line: 0-0, 0/1 Sv/Opp, 5 Holds, 2.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, with 9/0 K/BB in 11.0 IP.

Chamberlain took the mound in the 8th, and it was a nightmare inning worthy of a Valverde or a Coke.

To summarize, he hit Dozier with a pitch, walked Mauer, got 2 K's, and then gave up two consecutive singles resulting in 3 runs (2 earned), hindered by a careless error from Davis.

The loss and a blown save was credited to his account.

- Season line: 1-2, 1/2 Sv/Opp, 6 Holds, 4.30 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, with 22/4 K/BB in 14.2 IP.

Reed trotted out for the 9th, and he did very well, punching out the first 2 batters he faced. Escobar then singled off him, but that was erased when he was caught stealing second.

- Season line: 0-1, 2 holds, 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, with 9/3 K/BB in 15.1 IP.

Offense: The Twinkies' pitching staff did quite a job here as they held the Cats to just 7 hits and a walk. The Boys stranded 5 on 2-7 hitting with RISP. Here's how they did.

Kinsler: 2-4 (.307), 2B (9), HR (3), 2 RS (23), RBI (17).
- Double and RS in the 1st; Solo HR to left center (389 feet) in the 5th. [Video of HR]

Cabrera: 2-3 (.291), SF (1), RS (18), RBI (29).
- RBI SF in the 1st; Single and RS in the 4th; Single in the 8th. [Video of RBI SF]

V. Martinez: 1-4 (.325).
- Single in the 4th.

Jackson: 1-4 (.301), RBI (11).
- RBI single in the 4th. [Video of RBI single]

Avila: 0-2 (.224), HBP (1), BB (13).
- Walk in the 2nd; HBP in the 4th.

Romine: 1-3 (.226).
- Infield single in the 4th.

Defense: Errors, 1: Davis (2), bobble in the 8th. [Video of play]

Double plays, 1: 1-4-3 (Ray-Kinsler-Cabrera), 6th inning.

Outfield assist: Jackson (nabbing Nunez at 2b), 8th inning.

SB attempted/allowed: 2/4: (Ray-Cabrera-Romine), 3rd inning: picked off Hicks, thrown out at 2B; (Ray-Avila), success by Nunez in the 5th; (Chamberlain-Avila), success by Dozier in the 8th; (Reed-Avila), Escobar thrown out.

For the season, Avila is throwing out 37.5% of stealers (12-32).

Next game: Monday, May 12th: Detroit (21-12, 8-4 away. Season series: 2-1) @ Baltimore (20-15, 9-7 home), 7:05 Eastern.

Projected starters: Rick Porcello (5-1, 3.49 ERA) vs. RHP Bud Norris (2-2, 3.82 ERA).

Porcello's record vs. Baltimore: 2-5, 4.62 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 8 games. Career away: 33-29, 4.44 ERA, 1.39 WHIP in 80 games.
Norris's record vs. Detroit: 0-2, 7.41 ERA, 1.90 WHIP in 5 games. Career home: 24-19, 3.53 ERA, 1.32 WHIP in 68 games.

Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Baltimore TV: MASN. Radio: 1090 WBAL, Orioles Radio Net.

Divisional standing: 1st place, 5 games over Chicago and Kansas City.

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

I get to see how well they do against Boston on Sanchez's return on Saturday. My wife and I are headed out that way to celebrate 15 years, so we're catching a Tigers' game at Fenway.

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

My daughter and I will be there that day as well!

Hope you two have a chance to meet!

And a report from both of you about the game would be appreciated; it's always fascinating to see how different folks perceive the same thing.

At this point, ESPN is projecting the starting pitchers as Porcello and Lackey, but that should change. Should be Sanchez (or Ray, if Anibal has a setback) to start vs. Lackey.

[RandyTiger]

Update on the Saturday game for CJ and Chris: It will be Porcello starting, since Sanchez will do Sunday's game.

[RandyTiger]

Today is "Sweet Lou" Whitaker's birthday - and he just turned 57.

That makes me feel... old. Eh, I'll always remember him as a young guy, more than capably manning Second in the glory days of the early-to-mid 80's.

But where has the time GONE? :s

Edit: Terrific pic of Lou:

https://twitter.com/MLBMilestones/st...387968/photo/1

[RandyTiger]

Sanchez threw 60 pitches in a simulated game at Camden Yards today, and everything went without a hitch. Looks like he'll start Sunday in Boston, barring any complications that crop up on Tuesday from today's session.

Ray will be going back down to Toledo, as expected. He'll be back if any of the starters get injured, of course - that's a given.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 4, Orioles 1. [Boxscore]

Summary: Porcello and Kinsler shine in win.

Pitching: Starting pitching has carried the Cats all year, and Porcello continued that tradition in this game.

Tossing 83 pitches (69 strikes) over 6 innings, Rick yielded just 1 run on 5 hits (one double) and struck out 2 for the win. [Video overview of start]

He left after the 6th inning after reporting "tightness in his side". He wanted to stay in the game, but Ausmus put his foot down, and that was that.

- Season line: 6-1, 3.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, with 29/6 K/BB in 44.2 IP.

Krol took the mound for the 7th, gave up a double, and got out of the inning with no damage done. A hold was credited to him.

- Season line: 0-0, 0/1 Sv/Opp, 6 Holds, 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, with 9/0 K/BB in 12.0 IP.

Alburquerque tossed the 8th, roasting two Birds in the sole inning he worked, collecting another hold for his performance.

- Season line: 1-0, 1/1 Sv/Opp, 6 Holds, 4.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, with 20/4 K/BB in 15.1 IP.

Nathan worked a masterful 9th, only taking 6 pitches (5 strikes) to nail the door shut on a Tigers victory, picking up his 8th save as he did so.

- Season line: 2-0, 8/10 Sv/Opp, 3.95 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, with 14/7 K/BB in 13.2 IP.

Here's a little fact about the starting pitching as of late: They have allowed 3 runs or fewer in 14 straight games, amassing a stellar 2.07 ERA in that span. Impressive!

Offense: The Orioles kept the offense from running loose, but they couldn't stop them from collecting 5 hits and drawing 2 walks to provide just enough offense to win. They stranded 2 on 1-3 hitting with RISP. Here's how they did:

Kinsler: 2-3 (.315), HR (4), BB (7), SB (5), CS (3), 2 RS (25), 2 RBI (19).
- Walk, SB, and RS in the 4th; Single and CS in the 6th; 2-run HR to LF (364 feet) in the 8th. [Video of HR]

Hunter: 0-3 (.298), HBP (2).
- HBP in the 8th - a 93-mph fastball to the ribs 2 pitches after the Kinsler HR, for which Orioles starter Bud Norris was ejected. [Video of play]

More on the whole brouhaha, including an ump putting a hand on Hunter's face: [Tom Gage and Tony Paul DetNews article]

Cabrera: 1-4 (.290), RS (19), RBI (30).
- RBI single and RS in the 4th. [Video of RBI single]

V. Martinez: 2-4 (.331), Double (8).
- Double in the 4th; Single in the 7th.

Jackson: 0-3 (.293), SF (5), RBI (12).
- RBI SF in the 4th; Grounded into FC and out at 2B on batter interference in the 7th. [Video of SF]

Avila: 0-2 (.218), BB (14), RS (12).
- Walk and RS in the 8th.

K Hat trick: Castellanos.

Defense: Errors, 1: Romine (3), throw in the 2nd.

Next game: Tuesday, May 13th: Detroit (22-12, 9-4 away. Season series: 3-1) @ Baltimore (20-16, 9-8 home), 7:05 Eastern.

Projected starters: Drew Smyly (2-2, 2.96 ERA) vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez 2-4, 4.73 ERA).

Smyly's record vs. Baltimore: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.500 WHIP in 3 games. (Has never started against Baltimore). Career away: 7-1, 2.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP in 48 games.
Jimenez's record vs. Detroit: 5-9, 5.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP in 16 games. Career home: 43-34, 3.71 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 104 games.

Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Baltimore TV: MASN. Radio: 1090 WBAL, Orioles Radio Net.
Subscription TV: MLBN.

Divisional standing: 1st place, 5.5 games over KC (6 over the rest of the division. The Cats are the only ones with a winning record.)

[CONN CHRIS]

Is Miggy back yet? :-)

[gbwitheyes]

I'm still smiling from that back to back in the ninth. Is there still anyone that believes Prince would have been better protecting Miggy than V-Mart?

[CONN CHRIS]

The bottom of the order is blasting away today!

[CONN CHRIS]

Nearly Joba'd again.

At least they didn't get Coke warming up when he loaded them in the eighth.

[CONN CHRIS]

The games seem distant without Randy's posts. :sad: