Tigers vs. rangers Game Thread June 26

[kalinecountry]

Tigers lineup :
1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Quintin Berry LF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Delmon Young DH
6. Brennan Boesch RF
7. Jhonny Peralta SS
8. Alex Avila C
9. Ramon Santiago 2B
Drew Smyly P

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_06_26_detmlb_texmlb_1&mode=gameday&c_id=det
Gameday. from mlb.com

http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2012/TEX201206260.shtml
Tigers - rangers Game Preview.
from Baseball Reference

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/mlb/g...1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_away&c_id=det
Tigers bring Smyly back to face Darvish in Texas.
from the Tigers official site

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=320626113&teams=detroit-tigers-vs-texas-rangers
Tigers - rangers Game Preview.
from espn

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/6/26/3112972/2012-game-74-preview-detroit-tigers-at-texas-rangers
Tigers - rangers Game Preview.
from blessyouboystigersblog

Miguel Cabrera happy to be playing Texas.. He has a .424 BA (25-59) vs Rangers since 2011 with 2+ hits in 11 of 14 games.

Benoit and Villarreal unavailable for tonight's game.

Avila back in lineup after all the precautions, test, MRI, but expect he might play less.

Detroit Tigers' Alex Avila returns to lineup; Drew Smyly activated, set to start vs. Texas Rangers.
Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila is battling a bout of severe tendinitis in his left knee.
But it's not keeping him from playing.
Avila is back in the lineup Tuesday night after missing the series opener Monday with an aching left knee that Tigers manager Jim Leyland initially labeled as concerning.
Worried that his sore knee could sustain further damage if he continued to play, Avila underwent an MRI early Monday, which revealed no structural damage.
He was cleared to play by Texas Rangers team doctors and Avila declared himself available Tuesday if needed. He is slated to bat eighth and will catch rookie left-hander Drew Smyly, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to today's game.
Smyly has been on the disabled list June 11, battling an ugly blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Smyly, who turned 23 earlier this month, is 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 12 starts this year.
To clear a spot on the Tigers' roster, the club optioned Jacob Turner back to Triple-A Toledo. Turner made one spot start in Smyly's absence, allowing one run in a five-inning start against St. Louis last Thursday.
from Mlive

 

[Mitchrapp]

Id like to see Darvis but I hope we kick his ass.

 

[Thumb]

Man, I with they would sit Young or Boesch and DH Avila and let Laird catch.

We can't afford to lose Avila, rest his knees more let him be the backup catcher and DH the rest of the time till he's closer to 100%.

 

[Thumb]

Id like to see Darvis but I hope we kick his ass.

Me too, but I'd much rather pound Oswalt tomorrow if it was a one-or-the-other thing.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Me too, but I'd much rather pound Oswalt tomorrow if it was a one-or-the-other thing.

Can we smash em both?

 

[grandy]

Winning the first game was huge, a win either today or tomorrow is gravy.

Though taking a series against Texas would be a good step forward.

 

[Thumb]

Can we smash em both?

Hopefully, I was just saying who I'd rather see crash and burn if I had a choice.

Fuck Oswalt.

 

[gotime909]

Man, I with they would sit Young or Boesch and DH Avila and let Laird catch.

We can't afford to lose Avila, rest his knees more let him be the backup catcher and DH the rest of the time till he's closer to 100%.

Same here. Without a 3rd catcher I doubt we'll see Leyland do it. Although I think he did it once this year if I remember right.

 

[mjsb2]

Villarreal and Benoit unavailable.

Gotta love to see that.

Nothing better than wasting your two best RP in an 8-0 game so they are unavailable the next night.

 

[Thumb]

Same here. Without a 3rd catcher I doubt we'll see Leyland do it. Although I think he did it once this year if I remember right.

We did it all last year with Vmart and Avila though.

Kelly and I think Santiago are emergency catchers too.

But the advantage would be dropping one horrible player in favor of Laird who's not great, but definitely better, and improving the lineup overall.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Hopefully, I was just saying who I'd rather see crash and burn if I had a choice.

Fuck Oswalt.

Well Darvish is on my fantasy team. So if one or the other I'd go Oswalt as well.

 

[gotime909]

We did it all last year with Vmart and Avila though.

Kelly and I think Santiago are emergency catchers too.

But the advantage would be dropping one horrible player in favor of Laird who's not great, but definitely better, and improving the lineup overall.

I hear ya. I'd just be happy if he put Avila/Laird at 5 and drop Delmon down for a bit. Might get em going. Really don't understand why he almost seems afraid to piss Delmon off. Look at earlier this year. He wanted to DH Young, but wouldn't do it until after he had a night of hate crime in NY.

 

[amajjd]

Villarreal and Benoit unavailable.

Gotta love to see that.

Nothing better than wasting your two best RP in an 8-0 game so they are unavailable the next night.

I would rather they are unavailable after preserving a win then going tonight and not being available in game three.

 

[tigermud]

Villarreal and Benoit unavailable.

Gotta love to see that.

Nothing better than wasting your two best RP in an 8-0 game so they are unavailable the next night.

Yeah but with the way this year has gone so far, smokes can't afford any attempts at mop up action and end up losing games like that. I'm guessing we'll see Below tonight at some point, hopefully not before the 6th a min.

 

[Mitchrapp]

If it was the Pirates I'd agree not using your top RP but with the Rangers you gotta get the win.

 

[amajjd]

If it was the Pirates I'd agree not using your top RP but with the Rangers you gotta get the win.

Im sure it also had something to do with the road trip they are facing. Gotta get your work in on schedule and get rested right.

 

[grandy]

Is there something wrong with Below?

He's been used 3 whole times (4 IP) in the past 2 and a half weeks.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Is there something wrong with Below?

He's been used 3 whole times (4 IP) in the past 2 and a half weeks.

Maybe he's in the doghouse.

 

[jas5lf]

Is there something wrong with Below?

He's been used 3 whole times (4 IP) in the past 2 and a half weeks.

We haven't been blown out in a while. No need for him. lol

 

[Thumb]

Is there something wrong with Below?

He's been used 3 whole times (4 IP) in the past 2 and a half weeks.

I'm sure we'll see him some time tonight, Smyly is averaging under 6 innings per start, plus with BV out he'll probably be the first reliever.