04-08-10--DETROIT VS KANSAS CITY--2:10 PM

[IdahoBert]

Kansas City's Union Station

From Kansas City, Missouri
It's the Detroit Tigers vs the Kansas City Royals


April 8, 2010 2:10 PM





Dontrelle Willis
vs.
Brian Bannister




Brought to you by:















"You can't be afraid to make errors! You can't be afraid to be naked before
the crowd, because no one can ever master the game of baseball,
or conquer it. You can only challenge it."

--Lou Brock--
St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer

[treyKemper]

Time to take this series and all will be good in the world.

[TigerFan1984]

Tigers win an ugly one 10-8

Willis 4ip 5 hits 5 walks 6 runs

[kdog]

This is going to be a fun game thread. We
lose 7-4.

[EatEmUpTigers711]

Gotta work at 3:00 tomorrow, but I'll get to stick around for the first 45 minutes or so of the game.

Not going to predict anything, but I am going to hope that Dontrelle pitches well & continues to try and make strides in his comeback.

[jackson_cannery]

Hate wasting good pitching performances. Hate hate hate hate hate it.

Win this one despite what I assume Willis will do and that will sort of make up for game #2.

[djhutch]

Gotta find a way to win today. We will.

[CapitalTigers]

Wllis will go 5 innings, give up 4 walks, but only 3 runs and earn a W.

[Eric Cioe]

It is hard to believe that Willis is the best the Tigs can offer today. I would feel better, much better, about Bonine.

[lesgoblu02]

It is hard to believe that Willis is the best the Tigs can offer today. I would feel better, much better, about Bonine.

Me too. But, let Willis start early, let him get killed early, so we can cut him early. No sense in delaying the inevitable.

[sportz4life]

It is hard to believe that Willis is the best the Tigs can offer today. I would feel better, much better, about Bonine.

It's likely everyone including Leyland agrees. Willis will be on a short leash, both within the game and regarding future starts.

[TheBigD]

For anyone that has the MLB AtBat app - todays game is the free game of the day to watch video of even if you don't have the mlb.tv subscription...

[KleShreen]

You guys are forgetting something...the same thing most were forgetting yesterday. Bannister is borderline bad...which means he's going to dominate.

[sportz4life]

You guys are forgetting something...the same thing most were forgetting yesterday. Bannister is borderline bad...which means he's going to dominate.

Bannister is like most 4/5 starters and exactly like Hochevar, occassionally they are very good, mostly they are very bad. The middle ground is not where the live.

[kdog]

Leyland said before Wednesday night's game that Ryan Raburn would start at second base today. Raburn didn't play second base last season, but he started 12 games there two seasons ago. Leyland emphasized the move doesn't represent any kind of a commentary on Scott Sizemore, the everyday second baseman. Rather, Leyland wants to get all his players into action in these first days of the season....

Back in rotation, Dontrelle Willis is high on the team | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

[apabruce]

Hope for the best, plan for the worst. Bonine, be ready to pitch 4+ innings.

[vannzee]

Back in rotation, Dontrelle Willis is high on the team | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Starting Raburn at second is just dumb. One, Sizemore hasnt got his first hit yet. Let the kid play so he can maybe get his first hit out of the way. That has to be so nerve wrecking for a rookie player. Even if it is just to get Raburn some playing time, the thought could be in Sizemore's mind that Leyland is unhappy with him.

Two, things are already rocky with Willis. If Raburn boots one or simply doesnt get to a ball, that could open the flood gates with Willis' control and everything else. Ive seen him let down by his defense before and it all goes to hell afterwords. Sub Raburn in the outfield or at DH if you like but I rather he not play 2nd, atleast today.

[vannzee]

Also, im going to go out on a limb and say that I think Willis will be "okay" today.

[Nolan]

Willis, ugh. I wish they would have won last night.

[kdog]

Raburn has to get at-bats. There are some political issues with the corner outfield spots, specifically Ordonez, so I don't know what you want them to do.

[Antrat]

By the way, I don't know if anyone's mentioned it yet, but Granderson won the game for the Yankees last night and the Tigers' season is over.

[Corky]

April in the D.

D is for Dontrelle.

A win today.

[eastside billee]

I'm no Raburn fan (as a fielder) but I wouldn't whine too much since Sizemore cost them the game last night.

[ClintD]

Is that a photo of KC? It looks like a painting.

Gotta get the bat's going tonight. First to 10 wins!

[kdog]

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Johnny Damon, DH
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, LF
6. Ryan Raburn, 2B
7. Don Kelly, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Adam Everett, SS

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Raburn has to get at-bats. There are some political issues with the corner outfield spots, specifically Ordonez, so I don't know what you want them to do.

Play Raburn in right.

I don't know what political issues you are referring to, but I wouldn't think giving a 35-year old the day off after an extra inning night game would raise eyebrows.

[Hart]

Bannister is like most 4/5 starters and exactly like Hochevar, occassionally they are very good, mostly they are very bad. The middle ground is not where the live.

Isn't Hochevar a former #1 overall pick? He must have good stuff. It would not surprise me if he develops into a 1 or 2 at some point with that stuff we saw him featuring last night.

[vannzee]

Play Raburn in right.

I don't know what political issues you are referring to, but I wouldn't think giving a 35-year old the day off after an extra inning night game would raise eyebrows.

I think he means the at bats clause in Magglio's contract which is crazy to point out. I mean would you not rest Magglio all season because of that issue?

I think the fact that Sizemore made a error last night, today might have been the perfect chance to give him a mental boost and run him out there again today.

[Hart]

Play Raburn in right.

I don't know what political issues you are referring to, but I wouldn't think giving a 35-year old the day off after an extra inning night game would raise eyebrows.

Ummm...I don't know if there are political issues but there are issues. Ordonez to me looks like our best hitter right now. It seems like everything he hits is hit hard. Besides Cabrera, he is the last guy I would sit right now.

I don't like Raburn at second base over Sizemore either but it has got to be either Damon, Guillen, or Sizemore. Take your pick.

[vannzee]

Isn't Hochevar a former #1 overall pick? He must have good stuff. It would not surprise me if he develops into a 1 or 2 at some point with that stuff we saw him featuring last night.

Rumor has it that he has been close to figuring it all out for sometime and maybe this will be his breakout year.

[rube]

You guys are forgetting something...the same thing most were forgetting yesterday. Bannister is borderline bad...which means he's going to dominate.

He also has a pretty impressive day game record over his career. Not something to put a ridiculous amount of stock in, but not something to just toss out the window either.

They need to get after him early and often and let Willis ease into this one - if the bats go quiet over the first three or four innings today, the Tigs could be in some serious gunk.

[RobSk]

I'm no Raburn fan (as a fielder) but I wouldn't whine too much since Sizemore cost them the game last night.

Cost them the game? You're kidding, right? If he plays that perfectly, the winning run is at third and nobody out. Valverde cost them the game.

Not scoring off Luke Hochevar cost them the game.

Sizemore made an error. He'll make more. Just like every other fielder does..

Rob

[ROMAD1]

hmmm...will he still be in the running for player of the game?

[RobSk]

Play Raburn in right.

I don't know what political issues you are referring to, but I wouldn't think giving a 35-year old the day off after an extra inning night game would raise eyebrows.

I agree, except I'd dh ordonez and sit guillen. IMO, he has a lot more to prove..

Rob

[ROMAD1]

Cost them the game? You're kidding, right? If he plays that perfectly, the winning run is at third and nobody out. Valverde cost them the game.

Not scoring off Luke Hochevar cost them the game.

Sizemore made an error. He'll make more. Just like every other fielder does..

Rob

two things cost them the game....

1. not hitting for 8 and 2/3 innings

2. not adding runs in the 11th when they had 2 on with no outs.

[Euphdude]

Me too. But, let Willis start early, let him get killed early, so we can cut him early. No sense in delaying the inevitable.

As always LGB02 comes through.

[DennisDubay]

I'm no Raburn fan (as a fielder) but I wouldn't whine too much since Sizemore cost them the game last night.

Yeah, Valverde throwing batting practice last night had nothing to do with the Tigers losing.

He must have not finished Todd Jones book "How to save games the hard way.

[RobSk]

two things cost them the game....

1. not hitting for 8 and 2/3 innings

2. not adding runs in the 11th when they had 2 on with no outs.

Agreed, 100%.

Rob

[EppOnite]

two things cost them the game....

1. not hitting for 8 and 2/3 innings

2. not adding runs in the 11th when they had 2 on with no outs.

Agree too. Also Inge HAS GOT TO KNOW to bunt in that situation with 1 run in and runner on 1st and 2nd with none out. I love Brandon but I think his ego gets in the way of him making smarter decisions at the plate.

[lesgoblu02]

Is Leyland the type to just tell a batter "go up there and do whatever you want"?

I honestly don't know the answer, but I do assume a lot. And I am assuming he was given the swing away sign.