Ian Kinsler knickers, is Nick Castellanos Greek, Drew Smyly ebola, Torii Hunter inflatable furniture: 2014 Tigers

"I ain't going to sign that. A couple of people have tried. I said, 'No. That ain't even me. That's my feet.'"

http://espn.go.com/blog/jayson-stark/post/_/id/617/hunter-paid-a-price-for-fenway-flip

http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/1781c0bea3aa11e39166124a9393de5f_6.jpg

Report: Comerica Park to sell poutine hot dogs at Detroit Tigers games

Shins exploded, ligaments flopping all over the place.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10646038/bruce-rondon-detroit-tigers-torn-elbow-ligament-miss-season

Collecting shortstops now.

@TonyPaul1984
Alex Gonzalez played two more games at short than Omar Vizquel last season.

http://www.thedetroitsportssite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Dave+Dombrowski+Detroit+Tigers+v+Miami+Marlins+yFoVr7pFoFOx.jpg

@beckjason
Dombrowski said they were in a jam, disagreed when asked if they were scrambling. "I'd say busy," he said.

alex gonazalez in 2013: 41 games, -1.0 war, 18 ops+

Source: Cabrera close to deal on long-term extension with Tigers

@TonyPaul1984
Those suggesting #Tigers are spend-happy again, not true. They were deliberately frugal this winter, and loads of cash comes off books soon.

@TonyPaul1984
Simply put, this was a deal the #Tigers had to do. The best hitter in franchise history, and he's showing no signs of slowing.

Maybe he was worth more than he was paid, 2008-2013.

Just because other players are coming off the books doesnt make it a good idea to give 30m to a 35+ yo cabrera

Mike Ilitch is 84 years old and wants the team to win a World Series before he dies. He does not care.

Buster_ESPN
Haven't heard as much disgust over a contract from rival execs since the Jayson Werth contract. Industry is in shock over the Cabrera deal.

Haha -- Illitch bought the team for $82 million.

I wonder how much a star player like Kershaw or Cabrera bring in money, t-shirt sales, ticket sales, etc.

i'd probably pay $250 million to see cabrera in person it balances out

Kershaw is in a market where you don't really need star power but Detroit might..

Had the Tigers let Cabrera walk after 2015, nothing short of hiring Brandon Inge as manager would have repaired the fan base damage.

miketroutdollarsignsineyes.gif

Every 10-year contract up until now has become an embarrassment before year 5 -- you'd think that people wouldn't be so eager to hand them out.

Apparently they can afford the embarrassment for the sake of the next 3-4 years

pray it doesnt pour in DC tomw so Karl Malone and I can heckle Miggy

Guy's a homer but

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/cabreras-millions-and-baseballs-billions/

how do you feel about this situation andy k

I see both sides.

Let's revisit this in 2065, when the contract expires.

http://simlb.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/maxscherzerbobble_033114_blogut.jpg?w=600&h=451

haha

ian kinsler is the new brandon inge

Won two challenges today.

And a game.

Verlander, previously 0-for-career, 2-for-2 off Ian Kennedy thus far tonight.

That's one more hit than the team had last night.

strds

@Tom_Gage
incredible streak - #Tigers Victor Martinez has gone 151 games w/o taking called third strike - 117 last year, 11 post-season, 23 this year

And he's no hacker. Bananas.

Now with Joel Hanrahan

@Tom_Gage
#Tigers Victor Martinez about first called 3rd strike since 5/21/13: "If I'd known (it had been that long), I would have swung."

Really like that the team is running more often, but

T Hunter doubled to left.
T Hunter caught stealing third, catcher to third.
M Cabrera homered to left center.

ROBBIE RAY IS THE FIRST TIGER TO WIN HIS FIRST START AT AGE 22 OR YOUNGER SINCE JEFF WEAVER IN 1999.

take sides: '14 astros vs. '99 twins

So...Paul Nauert...

http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/ToriiSlap051214.gif

jeez louiiizze

Huh.

"That's my guy," Hunter told The Detroit News of Nauert. "He was trying to cover my mouth. I've known him too long [to be upset]. He was just saying to me, 'C'mon, T. You're way better than that.' And he's right.

"I apologize to the fans for my reaction."

2013: 35 SB, 20 CS
2014: 35 SB, 13 CS

Like Verlander, Ausmus seemed intent on answering questions about the pitch in the most direct and brief way possible. What was his view of the pitch?

"My view was from the dugout," Ausmus said.

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2014/05/justin_verlander_on_pitch_he_t.html

lol ausmus

@beckjason
Not only have #Tigers matched last year's SB total, they lead the AL. They've led league at season's end only once in last 80 years.

Word to Milt Cuyler.

Make that Brian Hunter.

@TonyPaul1984
Interesting. #Rangers GM Jon Daniels says neither Fielder, Kinsler took physicals in trade. Showed how badly #Tigers wanted Prince out.

Road warriors

Porcello on his way to a WTF ASG start

Avila's OBP higher than that of Cabrera

Are the Tigers just playing exceptionally well, or are they good enough to win 105-110 games? The rotation would seem to be at least the equal of what the Phillies had that one year.

Even 100 seems unlikely, but...how many times have recent Red Sox teams been swept at home while being held to three or fewer runs (in a three-game series)?

I think you’re overcompensating because it’s your team, Andy. (And I’m jumping the gun, I know.) In the ’85 Abstract, James went through a position-by-position comparison (plus spot starters/bullpen support, plus bench) of the ’84 Tigers to the great teams of the then-recent past: ’77 Yankees, ’76 Reds, ’73 A’s, ’70 Orioles, ’67 Cardinals, and ’61 Yankees. He ended up with the ’84 Tigers in 5th place, 47-43, ahead of the Cardinals and Yankees. Who have been the greatest World-Series winning teams since then? ’98 Yankees, ’95 Braves, ’89 A’s, ’86 Mets, and one of the Blue Jays (sorry), Cardinals, and Red Sox teams. I’ll try a quick match-up of this year’s Tigers against the ’84 team.

C – Parrish vs. Avila: ’84
1B – Dave Bergman vs. Cabrera: I don’t think Cabrera’s ever going to be as dominant again, but obviously not close
2B – Whitaker vs. Kinsler: ’84, not close, but Kinsler is a good player playing well
3B – Howard Johnson vs. Castellanos: ’84, although HoJo wasn’t anywhere near the player he’d become with the Mets
SS – Trammell vs. Romine: lopsided
LF – Larry Herndon vs. Davis: ’84
CF – Chet Lemon vs. Jackson: ’84, but pretty close by WAR (I’m looking at ’84 plus the previous 2-3 seasons)
RF – Gibson vs. Hunter: close again...draw
DH – Darrell Evans vs. Martinez: based solely on this year, ’14; more realistically, either a draw or edge to ’84

Sizable advantage to the ’84 team based on position players—the only clear win for the ’14 team is at first base.

#1 Starter – Morris vs. Verlander (I know you could say Scherzer...trying to step back a bit): ’14
#2 Starter – Petry vs. Scherzer: ’14, but Petry was good for a few years

If you switch Verlander and Scherzer, same result.

#3 Starter – Milt Wilcox vs. Sanchez: ’14
#4 Starter – Juan Berenguer vs. Porcello: ’14
#5 Starter – Dave Rozema vs. Smyley: ’14 (Rozema was quite good early in his career, but by ’84, edge to this year’s team)
Closer – Willie Hernandez vs. Nathan: Hernandez got the two awards he didn’t deserve that year (he did pitch 140 innings, so you could make a non-WAR case for Cy Young...2.5 WAR behind Stieb and Blyleven), but I’d rather have Nathan

Don’t know this year’s Tigers well enough to do bench or rest-of-bullpen. The ’84 team got a great year out of Aurelio Lopez in long relief (10-1, 2.94).

Didn’t really need to do all that, did I? ’84 team, much stronger starting eight + DH; ’14, much stronger pitching. I’ll say this year’s team wins 103.

Still Whitaker, of course, but let me amend Kinsler to very good player playing very well.

That's funny -- a friend of mine and I were comparing this team to the '84 team the other day. I figured the '84 team had a slight edge in offense and a significant edge in defense, with '14 pitching way ahead. Hard to truly compare teams 30 years apart though.

@Dan_Dickerson
The slightly surreal scene on shuttle bus at 3am after plane troubles in Boston sent #Tigers back to hotel...in Zubaz pic.twitter.com/Z6fT8Ghdfb

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BoAX--kIEAA2pDP.jpg

Uh.

@beckjason
#Tigers still at hotel in Boston. First pitch in Cleveland is in 6 1/2 hours. Travel might end up being their toughest test of the trip.

I docked the '14 team many points for those frightening get-ups; '84 Tigers now safely ahead.

Zubaz are this year's beards.

http://sports.yahoo.com/loop/mlb-340518102-991921089

http://mlb.mlb.com/assets/images/0/4/4/76015044/cuts/tigers_zubaz1280_mvu653gf_97s02zfw.jpg

Those two knucklehead throw-ins Dombrowski acquired as part of the Fister deal: combined sub-1.00 WHIP, with only two walks, in 26.2 IP.

Sorry, Detroit, my fault.

bases loaded balk? kewl

Wrap Phil Coke and Tim Timmons in Zubaz, fire them into the sun.

See you in Toledo, Verlander.

Nine runs in 5.1 IP?

I’ll say this year’s team wins 103.
― clemenza, Monday, May 19, 2014 10:14 AM

...posted seconds before the ongoing meltdown. Proving yet again that:

1) it goes to show you never can tell
2) baseball is a funny game
3) the minute you think you have something figured out, you don't

‏@TonyPaul1984
First time #Tigers have allowed 10-plus in three consecutive games since July 2007. They NEVER did that in 2003, by the way.

FITE

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140603/SPORTS0104/306030018

It was an incredible finish, to be sure. The teams had met seven times in the last 11 days of the season, Toronto taking the first three and Detroit the last four. Each game — and this is absolutely amazing — was decided by a single run. And in those seven games, besides the 1-0 shutout, the team that scored first lost every time.

(That's an article about the Tigers-Blue Jays' 1980s rivalry. The quote regards 1987.)

clemenza are those all old-school book titles? I only recognize Garagiola's.

love how you guys are turning into Mets fans in refusal to believe.

(Toronto fans i mean)

refusing to believe what now?

that Jays are playoffs-bound

Nice Sanchez-Hutchison duel: combined 14 innings, five hits, 12 Ks, no walks.

Joba breezed through the eighth on nine pitches. Not sure why struggling Nathan entered to start the ninth.

Probably Ausmus' first true what-the-hell move.

exciting ninth inning

i certainly enjoyed it!

Changing the channel after Nathan walked the first batter was a great idea. (You know a reliever is in bad shape when he wants a call on a pitch well outside the zone.) Unfortunately, I didn't follow through on it.

eugenio suarez time

@TonyPaul1984
Of note, Omar Vizquel's pseudo career as a scout not off to a good start. He recommended both Gonzalez and Romine to #Tigers brass.

Shortstops: .191/.244/.240

still better than jedd gyorko, god bless him

BLOW IT UP

With their seventh round pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, the Detroit Tigers select third baseman Joey Pankake from the University of South Carolina.

Drew Smyly's approach: challenge each hitter with an 0-2 fastball over the heart of the plate.

@jpankake
Pretty upset with this confusing hotel. Couldn't even find my room!

Seems sharp.

@jpankake
I'm 21 and I still don't know how long to put food in the microwave for... smh

Some of Torii's routes have been absolutely bizarre.

Alex Avila is hurt.

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpfaQDBCIAA0sk-.jpg

Torii Hunter and Nick Castellanos hit back-to-back singles.

Harold Reynolds objects to Austin Jackson not bunting.

Austin Jackson walks.

Ausmus just played for one run...in the fifth...at the Cell.

(That run did not happen.)

Which team would like Justin Verlander?

i will give you edinson volquez for him, no questions asked

Also, he just threw over 120 pitches without finishing the sixth.

#yoko

Bottom of the sixth, Verlander pitching:

J Abreu singled to left
A Dunn singled to left, J Abreu to second
A Ramirez reached on infield single to third
D Viciedo grounded into double play (following 3-1 count)
A De Aza singled to shallow right (following 3-2 count)
A Nieto walked

Ausmus visits the mound. Verlander had thrown 115 pitches. The seven, eight, and nine hitters had three-ball counts. Ausmus presumably asks Verlander if he wants to stay in the game. Verlander presumably says yes. Verlander stays in.

A Eaton walked
G Beckham singled

Ausmus pulls Verlander at 122 pitches.

M Cabrera reached on infield single to second, B Holaday and E Suarez scored.

"The Tigers so far have had just one hit. That was by Cabrera back in the first."

Thanks for this second-inning factoid, Mario Impemba.

@TonyPaul1984
Wow. Sure looks like Joe Nathan dropped on F bomb on Brad Ausmus for taking him out of the game tonight. That stuff can't be tolerated.

Here's how Nathan performed against the 7-8-9 hitters:

T Plouffe walked.
E Nunez hit by pitch.
E Escobar walked.

https://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/856777741.gif

release him

Wasn't a save situation, but I'm pretty his blown saves as a Tiger already exceed his blown saves against the Tigers.

pretty sure his

eugenio
shortstop in the sky

See you in Toledo, Verlander.

― Andy K, Sunday, May 25, 2014 3:01 PM (3 weeks ago)

Maybe a week ago, there was a graphic on MLB Network that showed Verlander's pitch count (including playoffs), 2011-2014, as the equivalent of 10+ games more than the pitcher with the second-highest pitch count (CJ Wilson?). Scherzer was up there, too.

D Joseph relieved T Collins.
N Castellanos doubled to deep right.
A Romine singled to right, N Castellanos to third.
E Suarez walked, A Romine to second.
R Davis singled to left, N Castellanos scored, A Romine to third, E Suarez to second.
D Kelly struck out swinging.
B Holaday struck out swinging.
V Martinez reached on infield single to third, A Romine scored, E Suarez to third, R Davis to second.
J Martinez homered to left, E Suarez, R Davis and V Martinez scored.
M Mariot relieved D Joseph.
A Jackson struck out looking.

Nice to have Kelly get some swings here while Cabrera rested.

point park pioneers 4eva

@beckjason
Yes, they did sign 7th-rounder Joey Pankake.

interesting stat fact: justin verlander and max scherzer have combined to allowed 657,354 runs in the past two nights to the royals, first time that's ever been done at comerica park

That seems low.

Please rain Wednesday and Thursday!

The torrential rains came 2 hours too late.

Fucking hell.

http://www.freep.com/article/20140618/SPORTS02/306180162/detroit-tigers-brad-ausmus-joke

“I beat my wife,” Ausmus said. “I’m just kidding. No, luckily, my wife and kids are fantastic. I do get a little mopey at home, but my wife and kids are good. They’ve seen me be in a bad mood after a loss, so they’ve been great.”

His joke drew some hearty laughs and some nervous laughs from the media and, after answering another question, he came back to it.

“I didn’t want to make light of battered women,” Ausmus said. “I apologize for that if it offended anyone.”

Better response:

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/856777741.gif

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/06/18/is-alex-avila-tipping-pitches-blog/

Holaday starts, Sanchez, Chamberlain and Nathan keep the Royals off balanced, Tigers win 2-1.

Ausmus had Chamberlain warming up FOR the 8th, and...

I Krol relieved A Alburquerque.
M Aviles singled to right.
M Bourn singled to right, M Aviles to second.
A Cabrera homered to left, M Aviles and M Bourn scored.
J Kipnis flied out to left.
C Santana homered to left.
L Chisenhall struck out looking.
J Chamberlain relieved I Krol.
N Swisher struck out swinging.

things are bad when you're screaming for joba

jd martinez is carrying the team

#formerastro

@beckjason
J.D. Martinez named AL Player of the Week.

Thanks, Astros.

Bullpen help:

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq60HH4IMAAdfel.jpg

RICK PORCELLO IS THE THIRD PITCHER SINCE 1900 TO WIN 10 OR MORE GAMES IN EACH OF HIS FIRST SIX SEASONS PRIOR TO TURNING 26 YEARS OLD.

*ducks*

Seems Porcello is on pace for the same fWAR than 2013, but with a much lower k/9 and a lower GB%.

The first year he had to deal with Fielder and Cabrera at the corners, he gave up a career high in hits allowed (the league high). The following year, his K/9 spiked from 5.5 (his current career average) to 7.2. His Ks went up by 35 and his hits allowed went down by 41.

I've always really dug him. Glad he now has Cabrera at first and a third baseman who can at least move laterally a bit. I'd love to see him supported by an elite infield.

~~ TWEET OF THE YEAR ~~

‏@TonyPaul1984
Random thought: #Tigers outfield sometimes reminds me of all those Little Leaguers shagging at the Home Run Derby.

Can Rick Porcello win 300 games?

that might be the least useful article i've ever read

like not even shitting on wins here, that guy literally just wrote an article listing various wins-per-year totals that could get him to 300, without using a single statistic besides wins

is he an excitable 13 year old tigers fan, cause that's the type of thing i would've done at 13

"could ricky p get to 300 wins? well. if you give him 13 wins per season through age 39, he'll end up with 260. but let's go nuts and say he average 38 wins a season through age 88. he will most likely reach 300 wins. now let's say global warming destroys civilization in a few years and no one cares about baseball anymore. in this scenario, he most likely will not reach 300 wins."

Clutch stuff by Ian Kinsler

Majestic insight by Van Horn Street

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku97f8D1LY0

Never forget:

http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/08/Rick%20Porcello%20Kevin%20Youkilis%20Brawl-thumb-300x401-50195.jpg

Porcello just threw a no-strikeout, no-walk, complete-game shutout.

...against the A's.

...and he has a 25-inning scoreless streak.

zero strikeouts tonight

9:4 K:BB over those 25 innings

weird

@susanslusser
Porcello the first big-league pitcher since Jeff Ballard on Aug. 21, 1989, w/ CG shutout without a walk or a strikeout.

2h13m special

that's a gregg maddux!

Third-inning bunt sacrifice against a severely struggling pitcher? It's like Leyland never left.

Detroit - Bottom of 2nd
Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching for Los Angeles
T Hunter doubled to deep right.
N Castellanos singled to right, T Hunter to third.
A Avila singled to right, T Hunter scored, N Castellanos to second.
E Suarez singled to left, N Castellanos to third, A Avila to second.
R Davis reached on infield single to shortstop, N Castellanos scored, A Avila to third, E Suarez to second.
A Avila scored, E Suarez to third, R Davis to second on wild pitch by H Ryu.
A Jackson struck out looking.
I Kinsler singled to left center, E Suarez scored, R Davis to third.
M Cabrera singled to center, R Davis scored, I Kinsler to second.
J Martinez singled to shallow center, I Kinsler to third, M Cabrera to second.
T Hunter grounded into double play, shortstop to first, J Martinez out at second.

Detroit - Bottom of 3rd
Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching for Los Angeles
N Castellanos doubled to left.
A Avila walked.
E Suarez sacrificed to pitcher, N Castellanos to third, A Avila to second.

Don Kelly got two hits off Zack Greinke.

Don Kelly was intentionally walked by Brandon League.

 	 	 W  L
Mar 31-May 18 	27 12
May 19-Jun 18	 9 21
Jun 19-Jul 12	17  4

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsbbLptCMAA4ZMo.png

Checking Justin Verlander's 2014 season, he has 1.9 fWAR...and 0.1 bWAR. 1.8 seems huge to me.

high babip, low strand rate. 4.02 FIP 4.88 ERA. SIERA's a reasonable 4.39. nothing in his batted ball profile seems to be off, he just isn't getting strikeouts and none of his pitches have positive pitch values besides the slider. fastball curveball and changeup all went from great to terrible in the past two years.

Sharp through three, gassed in the fourth and hanging damn near every curveball. He can't be fully recovered from his surgery.

Discuss: http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/23/5932123/tigers-acquire-rangers-joakim-soria-for-prospects-jake-thompson-and-corey-knebel

100% in favor, given the situation.

Can't help but wonder what the bullpen would be like with a healthy Rondon, a better Nathan, Chamberlain as he is now, and Soria.

(And no Coke.)

Who woulda thunk how important Chamberlain would be for the first half?

Very entertaining game vs the Angels tonight.

~smyly's game~

http://www.freep.com/article/20140730/NEWS01/307300068/evan-reed-sexual-assault-charges

http://assets-s3.rollingstone.com/assets/images/story/jack-white-throws-first-pitch-at-detroit-tigers-game-to-santa-20140730/1000x306/jackwhite-500-1406725333.jpg

kind of unbelievable how scherzer has only thrown one complete game in his entire career.

joey pankake: .407/.470/.523 in 25 july games

Jim Leyland, is that you?

Davis 7
Carrera 8
Kinsler 4
V. Martinez DH
J. Martinez 9
Kelly 3
Castellanos 5
Avila 2
Romine 6

pinch hit for jd martinez

let don kelly hit

I'm watching the end of Jays vs Tigers and just finding out now about Joba Chamberlain's mountain man beard.

@Lynn_Henning
Ausmus concedes could be "mid-September" before Sanchez returns to Tigers rotation. Soria on DL, Nathan gassed: BP options today: Price CG.

So not the best day to go twelve innings then.

Never in a million years would I have done what Detroit just did--14th inning, man on second with two out, and they gave Cabrera and Bautista IBBs to load the bases. Ball one to Francisco, then he swings at what I think was ball two, hits a piddly little ground ball to second. The Jays have left the bases loaded three of the last five innings.

I have no idea how Munenori Kawasaki keeps his average above .225 (he's around .275 right now). Three times this game they've pulled the outfield in as shallow as you can, and three times he's hit little chip shots right into someone's glove. It's literally like he's up there with a sand wedge.

RIP everyone involved in this baseball game, apart from Brad Ausmus, who was ejected 15 innings ago.

So of course the Jays' game-winning rally in the 19th began with a Kawasaki chip shot to left...Melky Cabrera was on base eight times today (three hits, five walks--three intentional); Bautista was 0-7 until he got the game-winner.

@beckjason 10m
Pink backpack sits alone on bench in #Tigers bullpen.

robbie ray, i summon thee

I bad time to play a game with 23 players.

yikes Verlander

I ate ten tacos next to Justin Verlander last night

Ks are up.

this game might go on awhile as well

can't believe that don kelly didn't get the start in his hometown, tho

Smart of Verlander bunted at the first pitch after those two BBs to start the inning.

Also smart to send the catcher in the same (second) inning.

Just remembered Kinsler's sac bunt way back in the first.

is he hurt? i'm not actually watching

Verlander was pacing behind the mound between a lot of pitches. Had to have been taken out as a precaution, at the very least -- only one inning after the 19-inning game yesterday.

@beckjason
Verlander removed with right shoulder soreness. Will be further evaluated Tuessday.

Another weird thing is that there was a bunch of activity in the dugout prior to Verlander's second-inning at-bat. Looked like Scherzer thought he was being asked to hit...or something. Miller had been warming up in the pen. Maybe Ausmus knew Verlander was done but didn't want to waste a bench player.

In discussing the shoulder trouble that KO’d him, he said, “It’s been lingering for a little while.”

Asked to define “a while,” he declined to.

Oh?

Verlander pitching hurt all season long is the worst kept secret in baseball.

This will sound sarcastic, but it's not meant to be--sincere question: Do great pitchers ever just flat-out have lousy seasons, or is it that they're always trying to pitch through arm trouble? It seems to me that, almost without exception, when a great pitcher is having a bad year, at some point in the season they go on the DL. I know there must be examples of guys who weren't hurt but just couldn't get anybody out all of a sudden--who?

Ha -- Verlander in 2008! I think he attributed it to mechanical issues.

Mechanical and personal issues have probably contributed to a lot of bad seasons for good pitchers.

also luck, even in a sample as large as a season. maddux's era jumped 1.35 between '98 and '99, probably partly because his strikeouts were down, but also his babip made a weird jump from .262 to .324. nbd, still won 19 games, put up 5.6 fwar

i believe in cases where good pitchers have bad years and go on the DL we are talking about a different DL

THEY ARE PUT ON THE DISGRACEFUL LIST

OTM

David Schoenfield: "The Tigers are relying on Miguel Cabrera to hit like Miguel Cabrera. Not that he's having a bad year, but his .308/.366/.509 line is about the same as Melky Cabrera's (.318/.374/.480). The Tigers aren't paying Miggy to hit like Melky."

I just find the phrasing there funny. I'm hearing it in Jerry Seinfeld's voice: "Paying Miggy...to hit like Melky."

ha!

That's it?

http://beck.mlblogs.com/2014/08/12/verlander-mri-shows-inflammation-but-no-structural-damage/

who dis guy -- http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/33627/buck-farmer

two months ago he was a midwest league (low-a) all-star

George Runie "Buck" Farmer

Strike thrower and avid hunter

buck farmer

alex avila and travis snider having a ycpb-off this week

Sterling defense from both teams tonight.

@TonyPaul1984
In the span of barely two weeks, Buck Farmer will have pitched for Single-A West Michigan, Double-A Erie, Triple-A Toledo and the #Tigers.

f u lakeland

Joe Nathan following his latest blown save the other day: "It's not gonna ruin my day."

When he entered the game last night, he got some boos. He walked the first two batters (more boos), gave up a hard-hit outfield liner, then lucked into a double play.

The boos evidently bother Nathan more than screwing up:

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/8/14/6001245/joe-nathan-hand-chin-flick-italian-gesture

@anthonyfenech
On a white board in the Tigers clubhouse, probably not written by Joe Nathan: "The Storm is Over!"

scherzer might fan 20 today

or 27

So he'll be out before the seventh and the bullpen...

Now with Jim Johnson. What could go wrong?

Complete game one-hit loss for David Price.

rays now 1-14 in franchise history when held to one or fewer hits

Judge dismisses sex assault charges against Detroit Tigers' Evan Reed

http://www.freep.com/article/20140821/NEWS02/308210118/Tigers-minor-leaguer-Evan-Reed-in-court-on-sex-assault-charges-today

Man...

Reed’s attorneys, Ben Gonek and David Gorcyca, passed out packets to the media that appear to be filed by the woman's ex-husband in a 2008 divorce case, including allegations that attack her character.

It's the evening before a doubleheader, the Tigers are down 10, and one of the the team's two decent relievers is pitching.

...poorly.

maybe if you guys had doug fister

Andrew Romine's career ERA is currently...oh wait, he just K'd Kurt Suzuki.

did he get the ball y/n

Looked like a K on hitter's indifference.

20 runs is a lot of runs

only 5 hits less, so that's doubly painful

under 50% for playoffs

where? FG has them at 72% for playoffs but under 50 for division

espn

Currently on their third pitcher in the third inning of double-header game one.

the twins are really fucking serious about playing spoiler

TIGERS STARTING PITCHER WILL PITCH INTO THIRD INNING

Good pitching, everyone.

MIN  DET
 20    6
 12    4
  6    8
  4   13

On that note, David Price just gave up nine straight hits, will not pitch into the third inning.

And it's looking like Sanchez might not be able to pitch until the playoffs (should the Royals slip).

buck farmer & kyle lobstein are both A++ SP names

how about castellanos not bunting!

Miguel Cabrera's health leaves a dark cloud over Tigers' pennant push

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140831/SPORTS0104/308310017

Twelve months later, with the Tigers in the inferno of another playoff chase, Cabrera is again aching. And again he is attempting to cope with pain, all because he wants to play, the Tigers want to win, and nobody is sure that even a few days of rest will make significant difference.

two innings, three errors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VswuVZ_0ZAI

ha haha - i get this reference.

Yeah -- Daniels is a Tigers fan.

Verlander did not comment specifically on the photos.

@dschoenfield Aug 12
I know, hard to believe ... RT @mdfrese wait, you mean relying on the guy Houston cut might not work out?

This was such a bright tweet a couple weeks ago, when Martinez was slumping. Besides, the Astros are so smart now!

Martinez has 19 HR in 99 games, a .911 OPS, a .679 "late and close" SLG, and is paid the league minimum.

Even if he sucks the rest of the season, he has "worked out."

(Astros left fielders this year: .209/.279/.316.)

San Francisco - Top of 1st						SCORE
David Price pitching for Detroit					SF	DET
A Pagan struck out looking.						0	0
J Panik flied out to center.						0	0
B Posey singled to right.						0	0
H Pence singled to right, B Posey to third.				0	0
P Sandoval singled to center, B Posey scored, H Pence to second.	1	0
A Susac doubled to deep right center, H Pence and P Sandoval scored.	3	0
J Arias doubled to left, A Susac scored.				4	0
M Duffy struck out looking.						4	0

I can't recall this many frustrating/Twilight Zone-type games in 2008, when they went 74-88.

Starting Romine, Kelly, and "Lobber," looking at being three games back -- no worries.

Wasn't sarcasm.

Don't fuck this up, bullpen.

Kelly is out there trying to kill Hunter.

https://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/865759480.gif

Tip of the cap to Ned Yost for calling for a third-inning sac bunt against one of the league's least effective pitchers, btw.

Thanks, Jarrod.

@based_ball
J.D. Martinez has a higher WAR than the Astros outfield

ready for a long-term contract then?

Really entertaining listening to broadcast booth addition Jack Morris refer to Justin Verlander as Justin Morneau and to the Tigers as the Twins.

The Tigers scored a run on a botched intentional walk. Small ball!

Jack Morris seriously thought Kinsler was credited with an RBI for that.

Morris used the phrases "never-never land" and "the triangle out there" following a bloop single.

Thing is, it's 6-3. He broadcasts to the score; if the Tigers come back and make it 6-6, that's when he'll really bear down.

OTM

The tying run is on for the Indians. Jack's about to step it up!

Oh no, not Giambi.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140916/SPORTS0104/309160096/Jack-Morris-Tigers-TV-cameo-hope-there-s-an-opportunity-down-road-

“Unfortunately, Justin does a lot of the talking when we have conversations,” Morris said. “I understand him, he’s wired kind of the same way I was when I played. We both have strong will and beliefs in what we do.

“I think there’s things that I could help Justin with, but until I know that he’s coming to me with sincere ears wide open, I feel like it’s not my job.”

Morris also was asked about Max Scherzer, who let a big lead slip away Monday, and the difference between him and Morris.

Morris responded with this zinger:

“The one huge comparison,” he said laughing, “he’s got one complete game.”

Does Scherzer have any wild-pitch RBI?

jack morris sounds like a prick

That's seven blown saves for Joe Nathan. Should the Tigers miss the playoffs, that number will look far worse than it does now.

		G    IP	  H  HR  ER   K  BB  SV  BSV   WHIP   ERA 
Vs Tigers      61  62.2  33   2	 10  75  23  36    0  0.894  1.44	
As a Tiger     58  54.2  58   5  31  52  28  32    7  1.573  5.10

Earliest Free Agent: 2016

You'd think Ausmus would try to get two innings out of Jim Johnson during a post-clinch game only, yet...

@beckjason
Ausmus on McCann stolen base: "Every once in a while, Omar [Vizquel] gets bored over there, so he sends somebody."

and there was noooooo doubt about it

btw raul ibanez is 1-for-41 against lefties this year

gotta dance with who brung ya tho

Nathan remains the closer and Soria mops up for Phil Coke.

Closer watches starter surrender five ninth-inning hits and a three-run lead. Remains closer.

gets a win

And Soria will be available for mop-up tomorrow. Win-win.

@castrovince
Victor Martinez update: 35 (age), .335 (AVG), 31 (HR), 32 (2B), 40 (K). "Age," he said this morning, "is just a number." #Tigers

He is going to get so paid by the...

he was talking about his 88 year-old gf tho

chris sale is pretty good

andrew romine is fun . . . damental!

Now that it's no longer a save situation, Nathan has refrained from warming up, and now September call-ups mop-up men Soria and Sanchez are getting loose.

‏@based_ball
J.D. Martinez
Pull: 1.254 OPS
Center: 1.036 OPS
Opposite: 1.456 OPS

@matthewbmowery
Sale on binocular motion: "I did? I don't remember that, but if I did, I was just goofing off and trying to keep things light in the dugout"

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ByUmR2lIEAAfRnv.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ByUyqSgIgAAxikd.jpg

@scottmerkin
Robin said Ausmus should worry about his own team and Sale is not "weak"

@beckjason
Tigers announce Miguel Cabrera had surgery, not just for bone spurs in ankle but for stress fracture in navicular bone at top of foot.

https://www.wxyz.com/sports/every-pitcher-from-the-2014-tigers-rotation-is-now-a-world-series-champion