05-14-11--DETROIT VS. KANSAS CITY--4:10 PM

**IdahoBert** · 05-14-2011, 01:55 AM

From Detroit, Michigan

It's the Detroit Tigers
vs
the Kansas City Royals

May 14, 2010 4:10 PM

**IdahoBert** · 05-14-2011, 01:56 AM

Jeff Francis, LHP vs. Brad Penny, RHP

**IdahoBert** · 05-14-2011, 02:03 AM

**FloridaTigers** · 05-14-2011, 02:16 AM

Cleveland starting to annoy me. You are not the 2006 Tigers. Please stop this.

**catswithbats** · 05-14-2011, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by FloridaTigers

Cleveland starting to annoy me. You are not the 2006 Tigers. Please stop this.

That means Cleveland will lose the division to us on the final day.

**Sting** · 05-14-2011, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by FloridaTigers

Cleveland starting to annoy me. You are not the 2006 Tigers. Please stop this.

Cleveland will fold like a cheap umbrella soon enough.

**Casimir** · 05-14-2011, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Sting

Cleveland will fold like a cheap umbrella soon enough.

Baseball is a funny game. A lot of the baseball world was waiting for the same thing to happen to the 2006 Tigers. It happened, but not before securing a playoff spot, and then again in the World Series. I remember a buddy saying to me back then "at what point do we start believing this" rather than just simply being pleased to be playing well. The Clevelands have played well for a while now. Maybe they aren't as good as they've played so far this season, but at the same time, maybe they aren't as bad as they were presumed to be either?

I tell you what, I would love for a pennant chase between Detroit & Cleveland (with Detroit winning of course) given my location. That would make for a really fun summer, especially considering the two teams have rarely if ever contended for a pennant (division/league).

**mmwatkin** · 05-14-2011, 10:13 AM

My guess at the lineup:

Jackson 8, Sizemore 4, Boesch D, Cabrera 3, Martinez 2, Peralta 6, Raburn 7, Wells 9, Inge 5

Basically the same lineup the last time Penny took the mound except for Boesch at DH instead of Ordonez. Perhaps Leyland starts Dirks against the lefty?

**MSUBrian11** · 05-14-2011, 10:25 AM

Yikes, I thought this was a 7pm start, hopefully they get it in. I'd like to see Dirks play today, but I doubt he plays with the lefty. He will get the nod Sunday and Monday with the RHP on the mound

**DaYooperASBDT** · 05-14-2011, 11:16 AM

Jeff Francis? Well as long as they don't try to pull him, might be another W here.

**T&P_Fan** · 05-14-2011, 11:46 AM

All I am doing today is waiting for the Tigers game to start.

**toadhunter911** · 05-14-2011, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by T&P_Fan

All I am doing today is waiting for the Tigers game to start.

Maybe you should check out your Legends of Motown fantasy team on Yahoo. You actually have a pretty nice team there...

**IdahoBert** · 05-14-2011, 12:13 PM

Penny deals to keep Tigers hot against Royals
By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 5/14/2011 12:17 AM ET

It's pretty easy to understand why Brad Penny's 1.32 ERA and three wins in four starts have flown relatively under the radar as of late.

Slotted in the rotation just behind the seemingly unhittable Justin Verlander, Penny has quietly recovered from a series of shaky starts to start the season. The right-hander has gone at least six innings in his last four starts...

MLB.com Gameday | tigers.com: Gameday

**mmwatkin** · 05-14-2011, 12:44 PM

Official

Jackson 8
Sizemore 4
Raburn 7
Cabrera 3
Martinez 2
Peralta 6
Boesch D
Wells 9
Inge 5

**T&P_Fan** · 05-14-2011, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by toadhunter911

Maybe you should check out your Legends of Motown fantasy team on Yahoo. You actually have a pretty nice team there...

Thanks for reminding me. I will have to bookmark it so I dont forget to check it. Never done fantasy before.

**IdahoBert** · 05-14-2011, 12:56 PM

Raburn batting third, eh? The Royals must feel utterly doomed. They'll probably just forfeit the game.

**mmwatkin** · 05-14-2011, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

Raburn batting third, eh? The Royals must feel utterly doomed. They'll probably just forfeit the game.

Apparently Leyland thinks batting Boesch third against lefties is the equivalent of dividing by zero.

**Just Some Dude** · 05-14-2011, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

Raburn batting third, eh? The Royals must feel utterly doomed. They'll probably just forfeit the game.

I think Peralta has earned the chance to be in the 3 slot when a lefty is on the mound. But Jimmy loves him some Ryan Raburn.

**IdahoBert** · 05-14-2011, 01:03 PM

My thought was Peralta too--even if just for the "hot bat" fetish that Leyland might go for, but no go.

**Eric Cioe** · 05-14-2011, 01:04 PM

If you believe in lineup protection, isn't batting Raburn third a good way of getting him jumpstarted, seeing lots of fastballs? Raburn isn't usually one to get blown away by heat. He'll flail at breaking balls, that's his downfall.

**JonBenke** · 05-14-2011, 01:09 PM

I agree with Eric, putting Raburn 3rd against a lefty can't hurt .. hope it works.

**Mr. Bigglesworth** · 05-14-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Just Some Dude

But Jimmy loves him some Ryan Raburn.

I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work, there, Lou.

**Just Some Dude** · 05-14-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

If you believe in lineup protection, isn't batting Raburn third a good way of getting him jumpstarted, seeing lots of fastballs? Raburn isn't usually one to get blown away by heat. He'll flail at breaking balls, that's his downfall.

It might be, and after thinking about it he could have a good game. They may also just throw him a bunch of junk until he proves he won't swing at it. I'd expect the first AB to be a test of tactics. In the end though we need to keep on winning games and Peralta being hot would be better in the 3 slot for this game IMO. I hope they all have a great day at the plate.

**DaYooperASBDT** · 05-14-2011, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by T&P_Fan

Thanks for reminding me. I will have to bookmark it so I dont forget to check it. Never done fantasy before.

Yes, please try to check at least weekly. The boss has spoken!

(I check almost daily due to things like injury robbing your lineup of players on a frequent basis - I have three guys on the DL already, sigh)

**waffel** · 05-14-2011, 01:32 PM

Raburn has 1 RBI this month.

**Cecil** · 05-14-2011, 01:35 PM

I think this is one of the best lineups Leyland has put out. With the way Jackson and Sizemore are getting on base and with Cabrera batting behind him, Raburn should get pitches to hit. Peralta is fine batting 6th. With Martinez and Cabrera batting ahead of him he'll have opportunities with men on base plus he has Boesch behind him.

**pyrotigers** · 05-14-2011, 01:36 PM

I never thought I'd see the day people thought Jim Leyland liked Raburn too much.

It must be because Raburn is a worse player this year, when he was good Leyland wouldn't want to play him, now that he's bad he should play every day. That seems very Leyland like

**Cecil** · 05-14-2011, 01:40 PM

For the life of me I don't get this Leyland-Raburn thing. He sucked the first half of last year. He had a 637 OPS the first half and got 137 PA. He had a 900 OPS the second half and got 273 PA. It's a no win situation for Leyland. He gets blamed for not playing Raburn last year even though he was awful the first half, this year he gets blamed for playing Raburn because Raburn is awful. If he sits Raburn like he did last year and he hits like he did the second half, Leyland will get blamed for not playing Raburn.

**Walt** · 05-14-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Cecil

For the life of me I don't get this Leyland-Raburn thing. He sucked the first half of last year. He had a 637 OPS the first half and got 137 PA. He had a 900 OPS the second half and got 273 PA. It's a no win situation for Leyland. He gets blamed for not playing Raburn last year even though he was awful the first half, this year he gets blamed for playing Raburn because Raburn is awful. If he sits Raburn like he did last year and he hits like he did the second half, Leyland will get blamed for not playing Raburn.

So, it looks like this is going to be your next cause. Good luck with that.

**Eric Cioe** · 05-14-2011, 01:45 PM

I'm watching Jurrjens pitch right now and I just don't get it. He's missing his spots by 6 inches on 3 out of 4 pitches. He's constantly behind in the count. And no one can hit him.

**Cecil** · 05-14-2011, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Walt

So, it looks like this is going to be your next cause. Good luck with that.

I never liked Raburn so i could care less if he gets benched.

**Walt** · 05-14-2011, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Cecil

I never liked Raburn so i could care less if he gets benched.

I was talking about the Leyland thing. Good choice, you should be able to work it into any thread you want to argue in.

**Cecil** · 05-14-2011, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Walt

I was talking about the Leyland thing. Good choice, you should be able to work it into any thread you want to argue in.

So what you are saying is I can't like Leyland and if I want to post counter points to people saying Leyland sucks, that's wrong?

**Walt** · 05-14-2011, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Cecil

So what you are saying is I can't like Leyland and if I want to post counter points to people saying Leyland sucks, that's wrong?

Never said anything of the like. You seem to like arguing, and the Rhymes thing seems to be dying off. This new Leyland thing of yours should give you plenty of opportunities to do what makes you happy. Good choice.

**mmwatkin** · 05-14-2011, 01:58 PM

I don't care if Raburn plays.

I just think that throwing him into the three spot is a bit much. I understand he will get better pitches to see, but Boesch would get those same good pitches and he has been actually hitting the ball this year.

**IdahoBert** · 05-14-2011, 02:01 PM

What's the weather situation in Detroit? I see the game in Cleveland has been delayed in the bottom of the first due to rain.

**Cecil** · 05-14-2011, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Walt

Never said anything of the like. You seem to like arguing, and the Rhymes thing seems to be dying off. This new Leyland thing of yours should give you plenty of opportunities to do what makes you happy. Good choice.

How about you quit following me and saying I like to argue after every post I make? I have supported Leyland long before this. Seriously give it a rest. Everyone else is bagging on Leyland so I wanted to support him because I think he is doing a good job.

**mmwatkin** · 05-14-2011, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

What's the weather situation in Detroit? I see the game in Cleveland has been delayed in the bottom of the first due to rain.

Looks like they'll be dodging raindrops

Interactive Local Weather Map for Detroit - weather.com

**dadair6** · 05-14-2011, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

What's the weather situation in Detroit? I see the game in Cleveland has been delayed in the bottom of the first due to rain.

Depends on the weather service. It rained earlier this morning, but just overcast, cool and muggy now. There's not much of a wind right now so I could see them getting a good chunk of the game in. The 4pm start should help if there are any delays.

**Walt** · 05-14-2011, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Cecil

How about you quit following me and saying I like to argue after every post I make? I have supported Leyland long before this. Seriously give it a rest. Everyone else is bagging on Leyland so I wanted to support him because I think he is doing a good job.

FWIW, I don't think he has been doing a bad job lately. I don't really see Leyland being bagged on in this thread. I will admit that he gets quite a bit of **** here from time to time, but that is part of the gig, and sometimes it is well deserved, and other times not as much.