OT: 8/25 Tigers/general baseball open thread
Chat it up, folks. The Tigers vs. Rays are underway for the finale of a 4-game series in Tampa. Detroit is going for the 3-1 series win, Tampa Bay is looking for the split. Fister is on the hill for us, and he's going up against Jeremy Hellickson.
Austin Jackson leads off the game with a homer! Nice way to start off the game.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
Also, as noted in yesterday's thread, Cabrera is out of the lineup so he can be with his wife, who is having labor induced sometime today. Hope it goes well, Cabby!
Here's Detroit's lineup:
- Jackson, 9
- Santiago, 4
- Young, 7
- Martinez, DH
- Betemit, 5
- Kelly, 3
- Peralta, 6
- Raburn, 9
- Santos, 2
Good to see that Avila is getting a day off. I don't care how well he's been hitting the ball, the guy hasn't had a day off in a long time.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^
I think you mean Jackson as 8, unless he and Raburn are both chilling in right field.
Also way to go with a lead-off home run!
August 25th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^
You're right, except I can't go back and edit it now, so just imagine that that's an 8.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^
It was Leyland's way of saying "you think I play things by the book too much? Fine. No center fielder today. Outside-the-box enough for you?"
August 25th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
August 25th, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
What happened to Boesch?
I see you Austin.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^
so he will be out of the lineup for a week or so
August 25th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^
Apparently he re-injured his thumb yesterday. It's the same thumb that gave him issues earlier on.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^
Is this potentially the least interesting September in baseball history, or at least since the league went away from single table?
-3 of the divisional races appear done (NL East and Central, AL Central) [note: not a Tigers fan, so no jinx here.]
-The AL East is close but the loser is assured the wild card.
-Both wild card races are functionally over (Braves and AL East loser).
-Race for home field is functionally over (Phillies and AL East winner).
-Even the race for 2nd seeds is almost done (Brewers by 7, Rangers by 4ish)
-AL West is approaching close, but does a Rangers-Angels pennant drive really excite anyone?
-NL West is close, but only because the Giants and the D'Backs are both trying to give it away.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
It probably will be a relatively quiet September. The sad thing is the NL West is in the same position it was last year, except that instead of the Giants surging to win it on the last day, they can't seem to win a game and neither team wants to win the division.
However, relatively quiet is good. I like where things stand right now (Tigers/Braves fan here).
August 25th, 2011 at 5:55 PM ^
This isn't true. The Rangers are only up 2.5 on the Tigers for the second seed, and only 2.5 on the Angels, which is closer than "approaching close". 2.5 games is close when there are over 30 left to play.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
Doesn't mean much, but Thome and Kubel have been claimed by the White Sox, reportedly to block claims from the Indians.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
Thome was claimed by the Indians.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
Leyland challenged with a decimated lineup today without Boesch, Guillen, Cabrera, and Avila.
So far, so good.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:01 PM ^
FISTER has been money so far
August 25th, 2011 at 2:10 PM ^
Jeremy Hellickson of the Rays has just accomplished the rare feat of recording four strikeouts in one inning.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:17 PM ^
None of them were of Brandon Inge
August 25th, 2011 at 2:20 PM ^
I'm pretty sure Brandon Inge saves all his strikeouts for when there are runners in scoring position.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
I believe Justin Masterson also accomplished that feat earlier this year. Can't remember who it was against though.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:35 PM ^
Masterson did it 8/4 against Boston in the bottom of the 2nd inning:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=310804102
A.J. Burnett also did it 6/24 against Colorado in the top of the 6th:
August 25th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
HOLY SHIT FISTER IS PEEERFECT THRU 4.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^
I hate you so much right now.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^
way to jinx it, jerksauce.
August 25th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^
Permission to use that line sir?
August 25th, 2011 at 3:16 PM ^
Go nuts, I stole it from a high school friend.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:32 PM ^
You never, NEVER, mention how well a pitcher is doing. NEVER!
August 25th, 2011 at 2:36 PM ^
You can say that he is "doing well". If the person you are talking to does not get it, you may emphasize. "he is pitching very well indeed, and perhaps you should go turn on the TV if you're not watching it currently.", you may say. You may even follow that up with a wink, if you deem it appropriate.
YOU DO NOT under any circumstances, however, say "perfect game", "no hitter", or any variation thereof.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:37 PM ^
shuddup ayo mouf stoopid
August 25th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^
I thought you were above that, gordie. I'm really disappointed in you. Just be thankful that negs don't do anything.
August 25th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
So can we conclude that Fister may in fact be a competent pitcher, and wasn't just bailed out by Safeco Field and good Mariner defense?
August 25th, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^
I see that performance, and I ask "how has he lost 29 games?"
Then I remember that he played at Safeco, and got like 0.3 runs per game of support. It's a miracle he won any games there.
August 25th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
August 25th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^
Nice indeed. Think Leyland will bring him back out to start the 8th?
August 25th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
Benoit has really turned it up a notch lately. Really solid performance today.
August 25th, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
Boy there are some lousy hitting teams in the American League. Minnesota looked awful the last time. Cleveland, without that rookie 2B and Hafner, is terrible offensively. Tampa is trash too. The reality is any team Detroit will face in the Playoffs, save the Angels will be a beast offensively. How the 2, 3, 4 starters do in those games is total guesswork. You can make bad pitches against a lot of these teams and it doesn't matter. Against a good hitting team that is prepared, and knows how to work pitchers, it will be tough for our staff.
August 25th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
Of all the playoff contending teams, only the Angels have a rock solid rotation. I could see the Tigers feasting on Yankees, Rangers, and even Red Sox starters.
August 25th, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
I am glad Papa Grande is pitching cuz he never blows a save opportunity. First and third with one out, no problem
August 25th, 2011 at 4:00 PM ^
True to form!
August 25th, 2011 at 4:00 PM ^
August 25th, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^
Did Raburn do something spectacular in RF on the 9th inning double play? I'm ESPN Game-casting at work, and I'm envisioning a Raburn gem that will soon be offset by a Raburn gaffe.
August 25th, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
Not really spectacular other than having the wherewithal to know where the runner was and that he was easy pickings. It was a scary looking liner off the bat but Raburn only needed a few steps to make the play.
August 25th, 2011 at 4:12 PM ^
So not truly a Raburn gem, but we'll take it anyway. Last night's loss was soul-crushing, so maybe the baseball gods were very forgiving this afternoon.
August 25th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^
Master of the game ending outfield flyball double play.
August 25th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^
I wonder if Elias keeps track of saves with drama involved and whether Valverde is approaching the record.
August 25th, 2011 at 4:13 PM ^
By sitting today Alex Avila's season effort rating dropped from its season-long high of 108.1% to 107.7%
August 25th, 2011 at 5:53 PM ^
least effort stats off hand?
August 26th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^
Unfortunately baseball didn't start keeping stats for lolligagging until the 1980s so we can't go back very far. The worst team of lolligaggers ever was the 2003 Royals, who led the league in lolligagging around the infield, and lolligagging around the outfield, making them lolligaggers.
August 25th, 2011 at 5:15 PM ^
If Leyland can't close the deal this year I wonder how many years Dombrowski will add to his contract....
August 25th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
Buzz Killington?