Detroit Tigers 2013 Season

[CONN CHRIS]

For those of you on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/NoWayJoseV

[RandyTiger]

Roster update:

OF Avisail Garcia optioned to Toledo.
OF Austin Jackson activated from disabled list.

Bummer. They didn't release Valverde and recall Rondon.

Roster list updated.

[RandyTiger]

... and looking over the list of players suspended from the Dodgers-Diamondback brawl, I was disappointed to see Valverde wasn't on it.

Damn.

I was hoping Henning's Twitter (above) wasn't a joke.

DAMN!

Where's my blood pressure meds? And antacids?

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

Roster update:

OF Avisail Garcia optioned to Toledo.
OF Austin Jackson activated from disabled list.

Bummer. They didn't release Valverde and recall Rondon.

Roster list updated.

I knew someone had to go down with Jackson coming up, but I like Garcia. That's the game though.

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

I knew someone had to go down with Jackson coming up, but I like Garcia. That's the game though.

So do I, and I think he could play a vital part. Unfortunately, he won't see that many at-bats with the roster they have, and the Tigers would prefer he play every day, so... Toledo.

Personally, I'd have taken Martinez off the roster by whatever means I could and arrange it so Garcia could play every day. Certainly couldn't hurt, given the way Martinez is playing, and he might even do better.

Edit: And the DetNews is reporting that Skipper says he's sticking with Valverde as his closer. Okay. That's his decision. If the Tigers don't make the play-offs... fans will call for Leyland's head on a platter, and rightfully so.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 4, Twins 0. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers bounce past Twinkies behind pitching, doubles.

Pitching: Porcello had a quality start, tossing a solid 7 innings and giving up only 3 hits and collecting 5 more notches on his glove in one of his best, if not the best, start of his career. With the win, he goes to 4-3, 4.37, 1.14 WHIP. On many a team, he'd be the ace. On the Tigers, merely the 5th starter.

Smyly took over in the 8th, getting a ground out, and then walking a batter and having another one awarded first on Avila's catcher interference.

Benoit was summoned, and he handily got the last two outs of the inning with a K and ground-out to Infante. For his efforts, he was awarded his 9th hold.

Then came in Valverde. I had to turn the TV off at this point - I was sure he would blow this one and didn't want to watch the Cats lose another game thanks to that... [unprintable in polite company].

He apparently walked the first batter he faced, got a double play, hit the next batter, and then struck out the last one. I'm glad I didn't watch, because I don't need the aggravation his minor-league abilities produce.

Offense: Interesting that all 5 hits the Tigers' limping offense scratched out were doubles! I don't think I've ever seen a game where that's happened.

Let's get a bit of a rundown: the 6th inning is when they did all their damage, getting 3 doubles in a row to do all their damage, starting with Fielder's 2-run double, followed by Martinez (surprised!), and Peralta.

Ultimately, Fielder went 2-4 (.289), 2 doubles (2) and had 2 RBI (54), Martinez 1-4 (.236), a double (11), and RBI (32), and Peralta 2-3 (.333), 2 doubles (18), a walk (21), and RBI (27).

Rest of the team did diddly-squat except for Jackson (15) and Miggy (41), who had a walk apiece.

Solid game on both sides of the plate.

Next game: Tigers (37-28, 15-18 away) @ Twins (29-35, 15-16 home), 7:15 Eastern. TV: Fox (national broadcasters, ugh). Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: Sanchez (6-5, 2.65) vs. Deduno (2-1, 3.47).

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

Then came in Valverde. I had to turn the TV off at this point - I was sure he would blow this one and didn't want to watch the Cats lose another game thanks to that... [unprintable in polite company].

He apparently walked the first batter he faced, got a double play, hit the next batter, and then struck out the last one. I'm glad I didn't watch, because I don't need the aggravation his minor-league abilities produce.
.

He really needs to go. Release him and bring up anybody (quite litterally, anybody) to fill the slot. Use Benoit as the closer until he blows one, cycle in someone else (Smyly?) until he blows one, rinse repeat until Rondon is ready. Get rid of the Potato, his stupid antics when he actually gets the job done and his can of gasoline. Now!

[RandyTiger]

You know that ain't gonna happen as long as Dombrowski and Leyland are in control. >:|

I sincerely hope this is Leyland's last season, because I'm getting really fed up with the way he does things. The Tigers don't win because of the lineup choices (Martinez, anyone?) he makes and his "loyalty" to players.

[DamPenguin]

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

I sincerely hope this is Leyland's last season, because I'm getting really fed up with the way he does things.

Have to agree with you Randy. I look more at our losses in close games and just not playing good, smart baseball overall. But boy would I love to send him out with a championship ring though (but with the way things are going I just can't see that happening this year).

[RandyTiger]

Twins 6, Tigers 3. [Boxscore]

Summary: Offensive and pitching woes sink Tigers yet again.

Pitching: Sanchez struggled a bit in his return from a missed start due to a stiff shoulder, lasting only 3 2/3 innings. He gave up 2 runs on 5 hits (1 HR) and 4 walks while whiffing 3. Reports insist that he was just rusty and there is nothing wrong with his shoulder, but we'll see.

Downs took over, and in just 2.1 innings, he gave up 3 runs on 5 hits, but on the bright side, he punched out 4 Twinkies. In taking the loss, his record goes to 0-2, 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, with 31 K's in 25.1 IP. Every pitcher has a bad night once in a while.

Reed took over in the 7th, and sad to say, he really underperformed with 3 hits (2 doubles) and 1 run given up. He hasn't really impressed with his work so far: 0-0, 3.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP; 1 K in 5 IP. In all 3 appearances he's made, the Tigers have lost.

Putkonen threw the last inning, and the best thing to be said was that he was the only Tiger pitcher not to give up a run, altho' he allowed a single and got a Twin to strikeout.

Offense: Apparently the Twins pitching is of all-star caliber, just like most of the teams the Tigers have faced. They only got 8 hits and 2 walks, and scored a lousy 3 runs.

Best offensive player tonight was The donkelly 2-3 (.227) with a double (3). Others of mention were Jackson, 2-4 (.272), Fielder, 2-4 (.292) with a double (18), and Miggy collected his 16th double of the season (hitting .354).

RISP: 2-10, LOB: 6.

It was a thoroughly unimpressive effort on both sides of the plate, and on national television to boot. Seems like every time they play on NatTV, they lose. Not a good sign.

Next game: Tigers (37-29, 15-19 away) @ Twins (30-35, 16-16 home), 2:10 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: (no-run-support) Fister (5-4, 3.28) vs Walters (2-1). 2.49).

[CONN CHRIS]

Great to see Action Jackson back and a little run support for Fister!

Maybe if we all channel our thoughts, it will end well.

No potato.
No potato.
No potato.
No potato.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 5, Twins 2. [Boxscore]

Summary: Fister, Hunter, and Jackson lead Cats past Twins.

Pitching: Another gem (and quality start) from Doug Fister! Going 7.2 innings, Doug gave up both of the Twins' runs on 2 hits (1 HR) and 2 walks. He also whiffed 7 Twins to bring his record to 6-4, 3.21 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 76 K's in 92.2 IP. Here's the video summary of his exploits.

Benoit took over at that point, and he was lights out, going 1.1 innings and yielding just one hit and getting a punchout for the save. He stand at 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP; 4 saves (no blown saves) and 9 Holds; 35 K's in 30 innings. He's quietly having a solid year.

Think it's a bit significant Valverde wasn't in? Skipper says "no, he just liked the match-up better". You decide...

Offense: It was nice to see Fister get some run support for once, and even better for Torii Hunter!

In the 1st, to lead off the scoring for the Big Cats, Hunter struck for a 363-foot, 2-run homer to left field (3) [video] - and that's not all it was the 300th homer of his career! Congrats to you, big guy!

He also hit a run-scoring, ground-rule double (18) to finish 2-5 (.292) with 3 RBI (27) for the day.

Austin "Action" Jackson let loose in the 4th with a blast of his own, sending a ball soaring 407 feet into the LF 2nd deck for 2-run HR (3). [Video]. He finished 2-5 (.276) with 2 RBI (13) and a SB (6).

Other than that, Infante went 2-4 (.296) and Avila 2-4 (.172) with a double (4). Miggy had an off-day with just 1 hit and 3 K's.

It was a solid game from both sides of the plate, something everyone likes to see!

Bit of news: Sanchez appears to have returned home early to have his right shoulder looked at. Betcha he goes on the DL. If that's the case, hope they recall Jose Alvarez (who will hit his 10-day recall limit on the 19th) to take his place.

Next game: Monday, Baltimore (40-30, 20-15 away) @ Detroit (38-29, 22-10 home), 7:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: Arrieta (1-1, 6.63) vs Scherzer (9-0, 3.19).

[RandyTiger]

Roster moves:

- SP Anibal Sanchez placed on 15-day DL retroactive to 6/16 with right shoulder strain.

- C Alex Avila placed on 15-day DL with left forearm contusion.

- OF Avisail Garcia recalled from Toledo.

- C Bryan Holaday recalled from Toledo.

- P Jose Alvarez will start against the Red Sox on Thursday; roster move will be made before then.

Roster section updated.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 5, Orioles 1. [Boxscore]

Summary: SCHERZERED! Tigers romp past Birds as Max throws his way into the history books.

Pitching: Max is an elite pitcher, and he proved that tonight by doing something no Tiger (George Mullin) has done since 1916: go 10-0 to start a season. He's also the first to do so since 1996 (Roger Clemens), and only the 13th since 1916. It's a truly impressive feat, and he did it with the type of solid performance the Tigers have come to expect. Right now, he's the best pitcher the Cats have. (Sorry, J.V.!)

Tossing 6 innings, Max surrendered his only run on a Chili Davis homer in the 2nd, and wound up scattering 7 hits and 2 walks throughout his time on the mound, whiffing 10 Birds in the process.

But the most enduring memory of the game came in the 5th, when the Birds loaded the bases with 2 outs against Max. Beginning with a 1-2 count on Chili Davis, Max threw a blazing 97-mph fastball that umpire Tim Timmons ruled was outside. He decided, 'Okay, I'll just do it again.' And he did, at the same speed, a little closer to the edge of the plate.

Again, ruled outside. Max didn't exactly like the call - you could see the frustration on his face, and for a few seconds, I thought he was going to yell at the ump.

I mean, you're up against the MLB leader in HR, a guy who had already taken you deep once in the game, and your back is up against the wall. Who in their right mind would want to pitch to the guy again?

But Max didn't let it rattle him - he threw a change-up, which was fouled off, and followed that up with a 96-mph fireball that Davis swung at - and missed! End of inning, end of jam, and the Orioles never threatened again in this game.

Max now stands at 10-0 (1st in MLB), 3.08 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts (2nd in MLB) in 96.1 innings.

Smyly took over in the 7th and tossed a perfect 3 innings with 3 punch-outs to earn his 2nd save of the season. He's now 2-0, 1.94 ERA, 1.01 WHIP; 2 SV (1 Blown), 7 Holds; 42 K in 41.1 IP. This guy is a solid blue-collar workhorse, and I'm extremely glad he's on the team. Things could have been much worse if he wasn't around, to say the least.

Offense: A number of Tigers had stellar nights, so let's run them down. Totals for the team: 14 hits, 1 walk, 5 K's.

1. Infante went 4-4 (.308), and swiped a stolen base (3).
2. Jackson, 3-4 (.287), 2 Runs and a RBI (14).
3. Miggy, 3-4 (.358 (1st in MLB)) with a 420-foot, 2-run dinger (19th, T-3rd in MLB) to RF in the 2nd. RBI: MLB-leading 71.
4. Peralta, 2-4 (.332, 6th in MLB) with a 2-bagger (19) and RBI (30).

This was an absolutely gorgeous and fun game to watch, one of the best I've seen in a while, with a terrific drama to boot (Davis-Scherzer).

Next game: O's (40-31, 20-16 away) @ Tigers (39-29, 23-10 home), 7:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: Britton (0-1, 9.00) vs. Verlander (8-4, 3.41).

[CONN CHRIS]

Good write up Randy.

It sure is nice to have Action Jackson back.

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Good write up Randy.

It sure is nice to have Action Jackson back.

Thanks, Chris.

Since his return, in 4 games, AJ has batted .438 (1.096 OPS), with a HR, 3 RBI, 1 walk, 5 runs scored, and a SB.

I went through the game logs to find out how the Tigers did with and without AJ (this includes his time on the DL):

With: 23-15 (.605).
Without: 16-14 (.533).

Table-setters are so nice to have, eh? Hopefully, they'll do better now that he's back.

[RandyTiger]

Orioles 5, Tigers 2. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers struggle on both ends in loss.

Pitching: Verlander remains a puzzle - at times he's brilliant, showing the stuff that made him so great over the last few years, and then there's games like this, where he looks merely ordinary.

He managed just 5 innings, yielding 5 runs (2 HR) on 7 hits and 4 walks while netting 5 K's. Record: 8-5, 3.72 ERA, 1.35 WHIP.

The bullpen did their job tonight, holding the line to give the offense time to work its magic. In order, Downs, Putkonen, and Coke combined for 4 innings, giving up just 2 hits and collecting 1 K. Excellent work by these lads.

Offense: Another off-night, it seems, where they faced an all-star pitching staff. Man, the AL is just loaded with those, isn't it?

Despite 9 hits and 4 walks, they managed a measly 2 runs. The best of the night for the Tigers:

1. Tuiasosopo, 1-3 (.333), 360-foot solo-shot to RF (3). [Video] RBI: 15.
2. Cabrera, 2-5 (.359).
3. Hunter, 2-5 (.294).
4. Peralta, 1-4 (.331), 2-bagger (20).
5. Jackson, 1-3 (.288), 2 walks (17) and RBI (15).

RISP: 1-8, LOB: 10.

Next game: Wednesday, Orioles (41-31, 21-16 away) @ Tigers (39-30, 23-11 home), 1:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D, MLBN. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: Tillman (7-2, 3.61) vs. Porcello (4-3, 4.37)

[David Watts]

Ouch!

[RandyTiger]

Orioles 13, Tigers 3. [Boxscore]

Summary: Shades of Hitchcock, "The Birds" swarmed (and killed) the Cats.

Pitching: I ain't got nothing good to say about these boys, so I'm just gonna lay it out plain and simple.

Porcello got rocked by a couple of homers. In 6 innings of work, he yielded 6 runs on 9 hits while striking out 4. He now stands at 4-4, 4.74.

Downs came on in the 7th, and only managed 1 out, giving up a double and walk. He was charged with 2 runs when the next pitcher failed to hold the line.

Reed came on in relief, and promptly permitted a double steal, infield single, ground-rule double, and a sacrifice fly to permit 3 runs to score, only 1 which was charged to him. Ultimately, he threw 1.2 innings, gave up 2 hits and 1 run, and collected 3 punch-outs.

Valverde came on in the 9th, and put on a very ugly display - 5 hits and 4 runs (1 HR). I'd say more, but I'm afraid I'd get a very stiff warning for a very ugly display of extremely salty language.

Offense: The Cats' offense is in a deep funk. While they've struggled to perform consistently all season, they've really stunk up the field in the last 10 games.

They've not scored more than 5 runs in a game since June 8th (when they beat the Indians 6-5), and have only scored 33 runs since then in 10 games. They've gone 5-5 in that span. For an offense that's built to score lots of runs, well...

They managed 11 hits and 3 walks, yet only 3 runs resulted from that bounty as they went 2-9 RISP and left 10 runners on base.

Jackson went 2-4 (.291) and got caught stealing (1) on a botched hit-and-run play (Dirks batting).

Miggy went 2-4 (.361), both singles.

Peralta (21), Infante (11), and Tuiasosopo (7, pinch-hit) all collected one hit and a double.

And that's all they did.

Thoughts: It's time for a line-up revision, and you can start by getting rid of Martinez, who is 5-34 (.147, 1 double) in his last 10 games (.229 for the season, .218 RISP). He's really hurting their scoring chances. He has a -1.3 WAR, lowest on the team. Why is he batting 5th? He should be hitting 9th or not at all. It's come to the point whenever I see him come up to bat with runners on, I think, "Automatic double-play (10 so far this year) or an out", and I'm usually right.

If Leyland can't see the need for some changes, then he isn't the manager everyone thinks he is. How many of us would have yanked the guy by now? Ditto for some of the pitching staff, such as Valverde and Coke.

Next game: Boston (44-30, 21-15 away) @ Detroit (39-31, 23-12 home), 7:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D, MLBN. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: Lackey (4-5, 3.08) vs. Alvarez (1-0, 1.50).

[RandyTiger]

Roster move:

OF Avisail Garcia optioned to Toledo.
LHP Jose Alvarez recalled from Toledo.

Roster section updated.