Tigers vs. pirates Game Thread May 19

[kalinecountry]

Tigers lineup:
Kelly CF
Dirks LF
Cabrera 3B
Fielder 1B
Young DH
Avila C
Boesch RF
Peralta SS
Santiago 2B
Smyly P

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_05_19_pitmlb_detmlb_1&mode=gameday&c_id=det
Gameday from mlb.com

http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2012/DET201205190.shtml
Tigers Game Preview.
from Baseball Reference

This is Negro League weekend....and also today is Austin Jackson bobblehead day at Comerica Park.

After last night's win, the Tigers are 70-39 in interleague games at Comerica Park.
The careful handling of Drew Smyly continues. He will remain on his standard pitch count of approximately 100 pitches.
There's been a handful of speed bumps, but the Tigers' starting pitching remains a team strength. Going back to April 28th, the starting rotation have 14 quality starts in their last 19 games, posting a 2.99 ERA, 112 strikeouts and a .226 opponent batting average.
No matter how the game proceeds, Joaquin Benoit will take the mound sometime this afternoon. Why? He hasn't pitched since Tuesday.
With Austin Jackson out, Don Kelly gets his 3rd straight start in CF
Ryan Raburn takes a seat, Ramon Santiago gets the start at 2nd.
How hot is Andy Dirks? Smoking hot. For the month of May, Dirks leads the AL with a .477 OBP, is 2nd with a .404 batting average and 7th in slugging at .632.
It's Negro League Tribute Day at Comerica Park. The Tigers will be wearing Detroit Stars uniforms, the Pirates will be decked out in Pittsburgh Crawfords uniforms.
from Big Al at blessyouboystigersblog

ffBill Miller umpiring behind the plate today at Comerica Park. First time as plate ump since Brett Lawrie incident Tuesday in Toronto.

 

[dpinsea]

Smyly seems to be struggling a bit in the first.

 

[bartony86]

Rough start. Hopefully the offense shows up today.

 

[Thumb]

He's a rookie, he made a mistake to a fantastic hitter and paid for it, got a little shaken and walked the next guy, but then strikes out the next two.

That says a lot about him.

 

[kalinecountry]

Smyly seems to be struggling a bit in the first.

hi Russell, yeah 23 pitches, well we'll see how the Tigers do against Burnett, if they don't chase low or away,

 

[spockmaster]

mccutchen is a beast.

 

[mjsb2]

We need Jackson back.

Don Kelly fucking sucks.

 

[spockmaster]

and kelly is fucking leading off again. fuck leyland continuously with a rusty railroad spike.

 

[kalinecountry]

mccutchen is a beast.

He would look good wearing #22 for the Tigers in leftfield.

burnett throwing strikes early, looks like a change in mechanics from when with the yankees.

 

[lonesometiger]

mccutchen is a beast.

So would you trade Beast Cabrera for Beast MCCutchen?

 

[Thumb]

So would you trade Beast Cabrera for Beast MCCutchen?

No.

 

[dpinsea]

hi Russell, yeah 23 pitches, well we'll see how the Tigers do against Burnett, if they don't chase low or away,

Hey Ron. Yeah, it would be a welcomed sight to see the Tigers stop chasing balls. Smyly is due for some run support, hopefully they will give it to him today.

 

[Thumb]

I don't have the game, but wtf is Peralta doing?

 

[johnny2x2x]

Pitch count quickly getting out of control for Smyly, hope our bullpen is ready.

 

[dpinsea]

I don't have the game, but wtf is Peralta doing?

Looked like he had to range a long way and then tried to get the force at second cuz he couldnt have gotten it to first. I didnt think he couldve done a lot more.

 

[bartony86]

Gosh I guess its a good thing we have 13 pitchers on the roster. No shortage of long relief.

 

[lonesometiger]

Range is a BIG problem for the Tiger's INFIELD!

 

[johnny2x2x]

54 pitches thru 2 innings for Smyly. He'll be lucky to go 4 at that rate.

 

[kalinecountry]

Boesch extends career high hit streak to 12 games with the 2-out single,
while swinging at most everything out of the strike zone.

 

[bartony86]

Alright. Which Don Kelly will we see here. Overgrown 13 year old or grown ass man?