MLB Monday-There's definetly a Tiger in the tank

mickey · #1 08-03-2009, 01:07 AM

Baltimore at Detroit

The Tigers continue to be road kill, a mangled mass of losses away from home.

Dropping two of three to the lowly Cleveland Indians, the latest loss being last nights 11-1 debacle at Progressive Field, merely underscores the problem.

Since June 12, the Tiger are 7-17 on the road. They were coming off three victories in four games at Chicago. But since then they've lost two of three in Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland.

They got swept three straight in New York, but they're still in first place.

They struggle to score. They don't win on the road, but they're still atop the American League Central, because of their pitching, and sometimes their defense.

I know what the Tigers are thinking about now:There's no place like home,there's no place like home.I really feel sorry for Kansas City,because if Justin is on his game & he gets runs from his supporting cast then there will be "PANIC IN DETROIT" for the Royals.

PITCHING:

BAL: RHP Chris Tillman (0-0, 5.79 ERA)
Tillman added his name to the ever-growing list of Orioles pitchers to make their big league debuts this season. The rookie went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. All three runs came on solo home runs, however, but Tillman was able to avoid the loss as the Orioles won, 7-3.

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (12-5, 3.16 ERA)
With wins in three of his past four starts, including Wednesday at Texas (7 IP/3 ER) , Verlander is now jostling among the Major League leaders in victories, as well as his AL lead in strikeouts.Verlander picked up his 12th win of the year after holding the Rangers to four runs (three earned) on six hits in seven innings Wednesday.
He struck out 13 (which tied a career-high) and walked none in another commanding performance. This was his second double-digit K total in five July starts, both of which were accompanied by zero walks.
His game before that he went 9 IP with 0 ER which the Tigers won 5-1. Now he'll get another shot at an Orioles lineup he has tended to own over the past few years. His quality start May 30 at Camden Yards improved his record to 4-0 in five starts against the O's, with a 1.85 ERA.

More on Verlander: • Ranks 2nd in AL in W (12) • Ranks 7th in AL in IP (145.1)
• Ranks 1st in AL in SO (172) • Ranks 7th in AL in ERA (3.16)
• Ranks 8th in AL in WHIP (1.17) • Ranks 9th in AL in W% (.706)
• Ranks 3rd in AL in CG (3)

Detroit is 16-5 in their last 21 home games.
BAL are 3-9 in their last 12 overall.

As you can tell by now i'm justifing my play mainly/solely on the arm of Verlander,so let's do this.

Detroit -1.5 RL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXxmIcsmpnQ )