There’s no shortage of joy when the Tigers face the Twins for the final time during a season. Yes, 2009 included – outcome notwithstanding. And just think, a week from now we can say the same about the White Sox. The Friday Rundown The Tigers are in first place, 8.5 games ahead of the White Sox. Magic Number: 12 Today’s Game: Tigers vs. Twins – Brad Penny (9-10, 5.13 ERA) vs. Kevin Slowey (0-4, 5.31 ERA) | 7:05 p.m. – FSD/1270 AM and 97.1 FM Notes on Penny Penny enters his start this evening having lost four of his last six decisions dating back to July 23. He has compiled a 6.85 ERA over the eight-start stretch. He’s 2-2 with a 6.31 ERA in…
Dave Schoenfield, the new voice of ESPN.com’s SweetSpot Network today listed some of the worst Opening Day starters from 2001 to 2010. Of particular note: 5. Mike Maroth, Tigers, 2003 As a rookie in 2002, Maroth had posted a 4.48 ERA in 21 starts and struck out an uninspiring 58 hitters in 128.2 innings. Among pitchers with at least 75 innings, that was the second-lowest strikeout rate in the American League. However, considering the ’02 Tigers had lost 106 games, that was good enough to draw the opener. The Tigers lost that game 3-1 on their way to a 1-17 start and 119 losses — 21 of them by Maroth. I don’t know, on Opening Day 1996 Tigers fans were treated to the stylings…
I know it’s early, but it seems to me this is one boring Tigers Spring Training. For all intents and purposes, there’s no drama to speak of with most of the coverage focusing on the prospects that are shining in Lakeland. But here are some of the things that stand out for yours truly: If there’s one player that makes me uneasy heading into the regular season, it’s Alex Avila. In reading Lynn Henning’s Sunday’s A-to-Z review of Tigers so far this spring, he says this: He’ll hit. But it’s OK to wonder when he’ll drive the ball the way he did during his 2009 cameo. This is the first time since, when?, 2003 that the Tigers have a question mark — or something…
It’s pretty clear that the Tigers don’t have big plans for newly acquired Billy Buckner. Yesterday Dave Dombrowski described the right hander’s role in the organization thusly: “He gives us depth at Toledo.” Didn’t they say the same thing about poor Mike Hessman? Given Buckner’s numbers — a 6.56 ERA for the Diamondbacks in 29 games (16 starts) in parts of three seasons — and a 0-3, 11.08 ERA record this season, you can’t argue with the Tigers doing nothing more than simply plugging a roster opening at Toledo with Buckner. And, because tonight’s starter, Armando Galarraga, appears set to stay in Detroit for a while the Mud Hens needed a body. So, play along as we noodle the idea of Buckner arriving in…
