7-3-09: Detroit Tigers (French) vs. Minnesota Twins (Slowey) - 8:10

[FloridaTigers]

From Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the worst stadium in history of organized professional baseball...

It’s the
DETROIT TIGERS

versus the

MINNESOTA TWINS

Pitching Matchup
Kevin Slowey, RHP (10-3, 4.41)


vs.

Lucas French, LHP (0-0, 0.00) FIRST CAREER START

Scouting Report:
Tigers: The Tigers called up the 23-year-old from Triple-A Toledo Sunday to work out of the bullpen before he makes his first Major League start Friday at Minnesota, replacing fellow Tigers prospect Alfredo Figaro. There's more a little bit of strategy involved in putting the left-hander up against a Twins lineup centered around left-handed hitters Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, but French also has a very good case that he's been the best pitcher in the Tigers farm system over the last month. He has given up four earned runs on 16 hits with 26 strikeouts over 23 innings in his last three starts, though he hasn't won any of them. Further back he has lasted at least 6 2/3 innings with two earned runs or less in five of his last six starts.

Twins: The heat and humidity in St. Louis seemed to take a toll on Slowey as he lasted just three innings and allowed five runs on six hits in a start against the Cardinals. The right-hander struggled to find a way to get Albert Pujols out and that was what cost him a chance at picking up a Major League leading 11th win in the contest. The right-hander will get another chance at that number when he faces the Tigers at home in the series opener. Slowey is 3-0 with a 4.57 ERA in four career starts vs. Detroit.


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Rock over London, Rock on Chicago: Wheaties, breakfast of champions.

[Bambino Lino]

like winning in the Metrodome isn't hard enough. Luke French vs. Kevin Slowey.

[KleShreen]

versus the Kansas City Royals, eh?

[Ingefanclub]

well if the Twins threw out a rookie pitcher the Tigers would probably get 2 or 3 hits in 6 innings against him. Maybe the Twins struggle as they do not have any scouting report on French.

Slowey is not that great. Just doesn't walk anyone.

[djhutch]

I've heard just about enough about how the Twins are tough, the Twins are pesky, the Twins this, the Twins that. I say we begin the sweep with a French Revolution.

[Walt]

Originally Posted by djhutch

I've heard just about enough about how the Twins are tough, the Twins are pesky, the Twins this, the Twins that. I say we begin the sweep with a French Revolution.

A sweep would be nice, but I am more worried about avoiding one.

[Ingefanclub]

A sweep loses 3 games in the standings while a 2-1 series only gives 1 game to either team. May the better team win.

I hate the homerdome because the ball flies out of there for lefty batters something which the Tigers have few. I will pick Granderson to knock one out of the park. No way the Twins can stop Cabrera with the missiles he will be hitting on that artificial turf.

[Antrat]

I fear a sweep here. But I am a worry wart.

[Oblong]

Let's not forget the White Sox are only 2 1/2 out and they are playing the Royals.

Tigers could find themselves behind 2 teams when this is all over.

[Scottwood]

Originally Posted by Oblong

Let's not forget the White Sox are only 2 1/2 out and they are playing the Royals.

Tigers could find themselves behind 2 teams when this is all over.

They are going against Greinke tonight. There is some good news.

[baseball3]

It's a L O N G season..............this weekend series IS important, but, the season is a grind with a little more that half the season remaining to be played.

There's a LOT of baseball to be played and this weekend could be a springboard for the winner, but, in no way cements any team's position in September.

Relax, we're in the beginning of the 5th inning of a 9-inning game season..........

[Dunkin Darvin]

The first of 9 straight against AL central foes leading up to the all-star break. Like baseball3 said this won't make or break the season but it would be nice to win 5 or 6 of these games especially considering 6 of them are at home against the Royals and Indians. Plus we all know how important it is to win division games, should be a fun few days coming up!

[Antrat]

Originally Posted by Oblong

Let's not forget the White Sox are only 2 1/2 out and they are playing the Royals.

Tigers could find themselves behind 2 teams when this is all over.

I have the same fears. What a bummer if the Tigers were in third place before the next few days are over with. I know that they would only be a game or so away from first, but still. That just sounds nasty.

[Scottwood]

Originally Posted by Antrat

I have the same fears. What a bummer if the Tigers were in third place before the next few days are over with. I know that they would only be a game or so away from first, but still. That just sounds nasty.

Worst case scenario, we are basically tied with the Sox and Twins with 81 games to go. If you had told me that before the start of the season, I would have taken it. Then, it becomes a 3 team race and a winner-take all. If Jackson and Verlander can continue to pitch like All Stars and we acquire another bat, I like our chances.

I can't wait to see what French has in store for us tonight.

[tigerbomb13]

It's too bad we don't have more lefies in the lineup, as they hit Slowey at a .349/.395/.538 clip. Against righties he's walked a grand total of 2 hitters in 192 PAs. Holy!

[DennisDubay]

game over.

[tigerbomb13]

For those who are counting down to when we no longer have to play in this craphole of a stadium, you can view a live webcam of the progress of Target Field.

New Ballpark Webcam | twinsbaseball.com: Ballpark

[tiger337]

The Tigers are going to win because the Twins are going to make Lucas French look like Cy Young. The Twins will have chances to score but they will have pathetic at bats with runners in scoring position. Morneau will get a meaningless solo home run late in the game but that's about it. Slowey will throw a meatball to Donnie Kelly and he'll get a three run homer. Who's Donnie Kelly anyway? Ballgame over.

[Yoda]

That's gonna be a really nice park, but boy are they dumb for building an open stadium. I can't wait till they have to play in 25 degree weather in April after leaving 90 degree Florida weather.

[Shelton]

Did everyone's dog die this morning?

[Scottwood]

Originally Posted by tiger337

The Tigers are going to win because the Twins are going to make Lucas French look like Cy Young. The Twins will have chances to score but they will have pathetic at bats with runners in scoring position. Morneau will get a meaningless solo home run late in the game but that's about it. Slowey will throw a meatball to Donnie Kelly and he'll get a three run homer. Who's Donnie Kelly anyway? Ballgame over.

If French allows a hit tonight, I'd be shocked. Anything less than a no hitter and he should be sent back to the minors. He should pitch a perfect game but I guess I could settle for a no hitter.

[tigerbomb13]

Originally Posted by Yoda

That's gonna be a really nice park, but boy are they dumb for building an open stadium. I can't wait till they have to play in 25 degree weather in April after leaving 90 degree Florida weather.

I was thinking about that. This could get interesting. How many snowouts are they going to get?

[Corky]

Anyone know if a retractable lid was considered? The one in Seattle works very well.

[djhutch]

Originally Posted by Shelton

Did everyone's dog die this morning?

I think someone's been peeing in our Cheerios. Relax fellas...Tigers will win at least 2 this weekend.

[Walt]

Originally Posted by tigerbomb13

I was thinking about that. This could get interesting. How many snowouts are they going to get?

It doesn't snow as much as you would think here. Usually because it is too cold.

[Oblong]

Originally Posted by Yoda

That's gonna be a really nice park, but boy are they dumb for building an open stadium. I can't wait till they have to play in 25 degree weather in April after leaving 90 degree Florida weather.

They played outside from 1961 to 1981.

[Chili Mac Davis]

Originally Posted by Scottwood

Worst case scenario, we are basically tied with the Sox and Twins with 81 games to go. If you had told me that before the start of the season, I would have taken it. Then, it becomes a 3 team race and a winner-take all. If Jackson and Verlander can continue to pitch like All Stars and we acquire another bat, I like our chances.

I can't wait to see what French has in store for us tonight.

Verlander hasn't pitched like an all star for a while now.

[Chili Mac Davis]

Originally Posted by tigerbomb13

It's too bad we don't have more lefies in the lineup, as they hit Slowey at a .349/.395/.538 clip. Against righties he's walked a grand total of 2 hitters in 192 PAs. Holy!

So we'll have Grandy, Donnie, hopefully Santiago, and maybe Anderson. Is that all we have? No Ordonez tonight, please!

[Tyrus]

Originally Posted by Yoda

That's gonna be a really nice park, but boy are they dumb for building an open stadium. I can't wait till they have to play in 25 degree weather in April after leaving 90 degree Florida weather.

The Twins did just fine in the Met. They had a corking ballclub for awhile there, with Oliva, Carew, Kaat, etc.

[Tyrus]

Originally Posted by Chili Mac Davis

Verlander hasn't pitched like an all star for a while now.

He's forgotten how to scowl.

[Antrat]

Originally Posted by Oblong

They played outside from 1961 to 1981.

And they basically sucked most of those years.

[pyrotigers]

Minnesota's weather in April isn't much different from Detroit's

They'll be fine

[Tyrus]

Originally Posted by Antrat

And they basically sucked most of those years.

During the 1960s, they were one of the best teams in baseball. They may have sucked later, but that had nothing to do with them playing outside.

[IdahoBert]

Originally Posted by Oblong

They played outside from 1961 to 1981.

It didn't hurt my fellow Idahoan Harmon Killebrew when he was hitting 40 plus homer a year.

[Antrat]

Originally Posted by Tyrus

During the 1960s, they were one of the best teams in baseball. They may have sucked later, but that had nothing to do with them playing outside.

That's true but in order to compete in an outside stadium, they'll have to get away from the bouncy, bunty type of guys they have been winning with.
Plus, no more lost balls on the white ceiling background.
It will be very interesting to see how they play next year.

[sabretooth]

Originally Posted by Antrat

It will be very interesting to see how they play next year.

Hopefully worse than ever!

[FloridaTigers]

Originally Posted by Corky

Anyone know if a retractable lid was considered? The one in Seattle works very well.

I'm pretty sure it was, I just don't think they have the money for it, or taxpayers were willing to dish out even more $$$.

Stupid Twins. Why get a new ballpark when you have such homefield advantage?

[sabretooth]

As bad as the Metrodome is, Exhibition Park still ranks as the most ill-suited park for baseball that I can remember. Anybody remember how the LF grandstands just sort of shot out to nowhere and there was this big blank area out in RF?

Milwaukee County Stadium ranks as the worst I've visited personally.

[Chitownsizzle]

Originally Posted by sabretooth

Milwaukee County Stadium ranks as the worst I've visited personally.

Milwaukee was pretty bad. Although they used to charge $1 to sit out in the bleachers.

I also watched a lions/packers game there. The sight lines were terrible. We had a pole in the way, so my brother and I had to switch seats every quarter.

[Chili Mac Davis]

Originally Posted by Tyrus

During the 1960s, they were one of the best teams in baseball. They may have sucked later, but that had nothing to do with them playing outside.

What's worse: Minneapolis in April or Phoenix, Texas or Florida in July/August?