8/23/09 -- Detroit Tigers (Porcello) vs. Oakland A's (Tomko) -- 4:05

tigerbomb13 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 12:20 PM

Corky · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 12:25 PM

Here we go!

JOliver · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 12:47 PM

I'm really intersted in seeing if Rick is going to touch 93 with his fastball like he did after his 5 game suspension.

During that broadcast they said that J.V. was working with Rick and "took him under his wing" so to speak. If that's really true then this kid is going to be something special for many years to come.

JayVee7777 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 12:53 PM

As bad as last night was, a win here would pretty much erase that loss, in my mind...

Antrat · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:04 PM

Need this win if they have any chance of going .500 on this trip.

JayVee7777 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:11 PM

Joe Posnanski:

Quote:

The Royals — and I’ve noticed that a lot of local baseball channels do this — have a poll every night where they ask the fans some kind of question and ask them to text in one of the four multiple choice answers. I always wish they would ask really fun questions like “Which Royals player do you think could eat the most hot dogs without getting sick?” or “Which Royals player do you think has an actual superpower?” or “Which Royals player do you honestly believe you could beat out in a fair tryout?” But no, the questions tend to be quite sensible and this night’s question was, “Who is the best closer in the American League Central?”

Now, you knew that the viewers — the overwhelming majority of them being Royals fans — would probably pick Joakim Soria, and he’s certainly a defensible choice. I don’t think he’s the RIGHT choice, and I say that as a huge Soria fan. I mean, Joe Nathan — since he became closer of the Twins — is 22-11, 1.81 ERA, a .923 WHIP, 491 Ks in 398 innings, I mean, this is a pretty serious body of work. But Soria has been mostly sensational in his two years as the Royals closer and he gets the hometown discount. Fine.

And Soria did get the most votes. But here’s the thing: Detroit’s Fernando Rodney finished second. Fernando Freaking Rodney. I mean no offense — Rodney can look dazzling at times, and he has great stuff, and he’s had a pretty nice year — but honestly, best closer? Would you trust him to close your car windows in case of a surprise rainstorm? The Tigers have been trying for YEARS to keep him away the closer’s role — they just kept bringing in pitchers like Ugueth Urbina and Troy Percival and Kyle Farnsworth and that guy who is just about MY AGE and throws only slightly harder than me, Todd Jones. Anyone. If Joel Zumaya could stay healthy for more than four innings at a time, he would be the closer.

And more people really chose Fernando Rodney over Joe Nathan? It can only be two things. (1) It was an overreaction to Nathan’s struggles Friday night against the Royals. I suspect that’s what it is. Because if that’s not it, then the only other possibility is (2) …

Eric Cioe · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:22 PM

Anyone who would take Rodney over Joe Nathan is insane. Rodney hasn't been bad at all for the Tigers this year, but Joe Nathan is great year in and year out.

ToledoTigerFan · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

Anyone who would take Rodney over Joe Nathan is insane. Rodney hasn't been bad at all for the Tigers this year, but Joe Nathan is great year in and year out.

Exactly. Nathan is heads and shoulders(and legs and toes) better than Fernando.

ToledoTigerFan · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:35 PM

Tomko is another one of those players who seems like he's been around forever. You'd swear he was pitching in the 70's. There must be like a dozen or so players like that in MLB.

ToledoTigerFan · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:37 PM

Well, today, the offense will show up, runs will be scored, and a game will be won. Final score.......

Tigers 7
A's 5

sportz4life · #11 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOliver

I'm really intersted in seeing if Rick is going to touch 93 with his fastball like he did after his 5 game suspension.

During that broadcast they said that J.V. was working with Rick and "took him under his wing" so to speak. If that's really true then this kid is going to be something special for many years to come.

Porcello has been 93-96 with his 4 seamer for the last 4 starts. It's not a one time thing.

Antrat · #12 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:41 PM

Zumaya would not be the closer if he was healthy. He has consistently shown that he can't handle pressure situations past the 8th inning.
Hell, this season not even past the 6th.

Now Zach Miner. That would be my choice.

ToledoTigerFan · #13 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antrat

Zumaya would not be the closer if he was healthy. He has consistently shown that he can't handle pressure situations past the 8th inning.
Hell, this season not even past the 6th.

Now Zach Miner. That would be my choice.

I don't think there's enough data on Zumaya to say he can't handle pressure situations past the 8th inning. How many opportunites has he had to close games in his career? Certainly less than 20. That's not enough to draw any conclusions.

apabruce · #14 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:01 PM

Every time the opposition throws up a pitcher who's been struggling, or a rookie, or a journeyman claimed on waivers, I think, oh boy the offense will shine tonight. It rarely happens with this team. Thank you Detroit pitchers.

Please give us five runs [on knees begging].

waffel · #15 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:07 PM

The Sawks are down 1-4 in the 4th.

Antrat · #16 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToledoTigerFan

I don't think there's enough data on Zumaya to say he can't handle pressure situations past the 8th inning. How many opportunites has he had to close games in his career? Certainly less than 20. That's not enough to draw any conclusions.

True enough but as much as Rodney frightens me, Zumaya terrifies me.
You could almost call what guy was gonna' launch one out this year when he came into a game.

Antrat · #17 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:15 PM

Carlos Quentin got hit by a pitch last night with runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out. He acted like he was thinking about charging the mound. Obviously he wasn't being thrown at. The freakin' creep hangs over the plate more than anyone I've ever seen and then gets insulted when he gets hit.
He is quickly rising up the DB list.

tigersrok · #18 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apabruce

Every time the opposition throws up a pitcher who's been struggling, or a rookie, or a journeyman claimed on waivers, I think, oh boy the offense will shine tonight. It rarely happens with this team. Thank you Detroit pitchers.

Please give us five runs [on knees begging].

I thought the same thing when I saw Tomko was the A's starting pitcher today. You would expect the Tigers to be able to score some runs today, but Tomko will probably own them.

Scottwood · #19 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:24 PM

I think we take this game and series today.

Eric Cioe · #20 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antrat

Carlos Quentin got hit by a pitch last night with runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out. He acted like he was thinking about charging the mound. Obviously he wasn't being thrown at. The freakin' creep hangs over the plate more than anyone I've ever seen and then gets insulted when he gets hit.
He is quickly rising up the DB list.

Agreed. I don't mind when guys lean over the plate if they don't mind when they get hit. Inge leans over the plate a ton and gets hit a lot because he's too slow/dumb to move. But he doesn't act like Youkalis when he gets pegged, either. Quentin stands right over the plate, never attempts to get out of the way, and then gets angry at the pitcher because he's trying to use the whole plate to pitch to him.

Antrat · #21 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:40 PM

I know I should be watching the Sux-Orioles game but I can't pass up watching Lincecum pitch. The kid is awesome.

shauntacular · #22 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:44 PM

must win, but even more than must win MUST SEE SOME IMPRESSIVE OFFENSE. A 3-2 win isn't going to make anyone feel that much better. At some point your first place Tigers have to start putting away last place teams convincingly. I'm not expecting Nintendo numbers, but Bert's six runs should suffice.

The Truman Show · #23 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

Agreed. I don't mind when guys lean over the plate if they don't mind when they get hit. Inge leans over the plate a ton and gets hit a lot because he's too slow/dumb to move. But he doesn't act like Youkalis when he gets pegged, either. Quentin stands right over the plate, never attempts to get out of the way, and then gets angry at the pitcher because he's trying to use the whole plate to pitch to him.

I don't think Inge gets hit because he's slow or dumb. I think he gets hit because he knows getting hit = getting on-base, and getting on-base = better offense.

Eric Cioe · #24 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shauntacular

must win, but even more than must win MUST SEE SOME IMPRESSIVE OFFENSE. A 3-2 win isn't going to make anyone feel that much better.

If the White Sox lose and the Tigers win 3-2, I will feel exactly one game ahead better.

FloridaTigers · #25 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:50 PM

CF Curtis Granderson
RF Clete Thomas
LF Carlos Guillen
1B Miguel Cabrera
DH Aubrey Huff
3B Brandon Inge
C Alex Avila
SS Adam Everett
2B Ramon Santiago

Seriously?

Sports_Freak · #26 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shauntacular

must win, but even more than must win MUST SEE SOME IMPRESSIVE OFFENSE. A 3-2 win isn't going to make anyone feel that much better. At some point your first place Tigers have to start putting away last place teams convincingly. I'm not expecting Nintendo numbers, but Bert's six runs should suffice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

If the White Sox lose and the Tigers win 3-2, I will feel exactly one game ahead better.

Actually, I like to see our pitching staff hold other teams under 2 or 3 runs. It really gives us a chance to win. And, I remember last year when our pitching staff couldn't hold off any teams.

JayVee7777 · #27 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:53 PM

At least Avila's getting some more PT...

sportz4life · #28 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shauntacular

must win, but even more than must win MUST SEE SOME IMPRESSIVE OFFENSE. A 3-2 win isn't going to make anyone feel that much better. At some point your first place Tigers have to start putting away last place teams convincingly. I'm not expecting Nintendo numbers, but Bert's six runs should suffice.

Wins dont contain style points. No statement could be less true, especially on the road than this one.

ToledoTigerFan · #29 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:03 PM

LOSING IS NOT AN OPTION! PLAY BALL!!!!!!!

Lbh24 · #30 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:08 PM

hi-ohhhh!!!

lindappel · #31 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:08 PM

HR!!!!!!!! GRANDY!!!!!!!!

Hart · #32 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:09 PM

Clete must swing and miss more than anybody else in baseball.

ScrubBeaterUpper · #33 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hart

Clete must swing and miss more than anybody else in baseball.

My guess is he does not lead the team.

Baltimore 5 Chi-Sox 3. 7th inning.

Hart · #34 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrubBeaterUpper

My guess is he does not lead the team.

Baltimore 5 Chi-Sox 3. 7th inning.

Only because he hasn't played everyday all season. But percentage wise, I am guessing he leads the team. Grandy might be a close second.

ScrubBeaterUpper · #35 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:15 PM

Depressing end to the inning.

Eric Cioe · #36 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:23 PM

Porcello looks sharp.

jaymo · #37 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 03:24 PM

Minnesota puts up 8 in the 7th.

Farnsworth left in to take a beating once it got out of hand. (Well I guess he started the getting out of hand, too.)

Anderson with an awkward play in the corner again- not as bad as the other day.