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2011 Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are 42-36, in first place (+1.5)in the AL central, including a 24-15 home record. They are only 5-7 against the Senior Circuit, however, recently dropping 2 of three in both Colorado and Los Angeles. On Sunday at home, they were down 1 run with 4 outs remaining but dropped 7 on the D'Backs and came away with that series, 2-1. They also won a rainout makeup game on Monday night against Toronto to bring their record to 43-36.
Tigers-Mets History
The Mets faced the Tigers last year and won 2 of 3, scoring 24 runs on 34 hits in the three games. They lost 2 of 3 in 2007 when they last visited Detroit.
What to Expect
In order to win this series, the Mets need to outhit the Tigers, particularly in the first two games. While they have some good hitters, the Tigers' pitching is nothing special after Justin Verlander. Expect the Jose Reyes talk to come up, this time re: going to Detroit, if not as a trade partner then as a possible destination for Reyes to sign. The Tigers have some big contracts coming off the books next year (Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen) and could move Jhonny Peralta to second base.
Pitching Matchups
Tuesday:
RA Dickey v. Rick Porcello - (R)
Porcello is from New Jersey and went to high school at Seton Hall Prep. He grew up a Mets fan. He had an impressive debut season two years ago at age 20 but hasn't been nearly as good since. He is 6-5 with a 4.50 ERA this year and doesn't strike out or walk a lot of batters (only 45Ks and 25 BBs in 80 innings pitched).
Dickey faced the Tigers last year and had an outstanding start: 8 innings, no runs, 4 hits, 4 Ks.
Wednesday:
Chris Capuano v. Phil Coke - (L)
Coke came to the Tigers from the Yankees in the Granderson deal. He was a top reliever for Detroit last year but was moved to the rotation where he is 1-7 this year with a 4.32 ERA. Coke did poorly against the D-Backs on Friday, blowing a 4 run lead and and getting knocked out in the 5th. His prior start against the Rockies including him walking 7 batters.
Capuano has only faced the Tigers once before, in June 2006 (he won). Needless to say, the Mets really need to get this game because they then face...
Thursday (afternoon game):
Mike Pelfrey v. Justin Verlander - (R)
Verlander is probably the best pitcher in the majors this year (apologies to Josh Beckett and Roy Halladay). Verlander (10-3, 2.38 ERA, 0.84 WHIP,
124Ks) leads the majors in innings pitched, wins and WHIP; 2nd in strikeouts, 5th in ERA. He has allowed 4 runs over his past 6 starts. He also threw a no-hitter earlier this year and went no-hit deep into a couple of other games.
If you're looking for encouraging signs, the Mets did hit Verlander hard at Citi Field last year, getting 5 hits and 3 walks in 2 innings. (Verlander did not return after a rain delay halted the game in the 3rd).
Pelfrey has never faced the Tigers.
Tiger Lineup:
C - Alex Avila - (L)
Having a breakout season this year: .303/.373/.545, 10 homers and 45 RBI. He's also pretty good on defense, throwing out 39% of attempted basestealers. His father (Al Avila) is the Tigers' assistant general manager.
1B - Miguel Cabrera - (R)
Miguel's troubles with the bottle and the law do not seem to have prevented him from putting up a 1.030 OPS.
2B - Ryan Raburn - (R)
Raburn is primarily an outfielder but the Tigers' other options for second (Scott Sizemore, traded; Carlos Guillen, injured; Will Rhymes, sucked and sent back to AAA) haven't worked out. Then again, neither has Raburn: .199/.239/.329.
3B - Brandon Inge - (R)
Longest tenured Tiger. Hits like Mike Cameron: low batting average, lots of Ks, but some pop in the bat. .208/.272/.277 this year, with time missed due to injury.
SS - Jhonny Peralta - (R)
Traded mdiseason last year from Celveland and then sgined for a 3 year deal. 12 hmoers, 45 RBI .308/.358/.524.
LF - Brennan Boesch - (L)
Started hot last year as a rookie but fizzled out as the season went on. Doing pretty well so far this year: .299/.358/.835.
CF -Austin Jackson - (R)
The other key piece they got from the Yankees for Granderson. Runner up for Rookie of the Year in 2010 but not doing as well this year: .248/.311/.359 and he has 91 Ks in 342 plate appearances. Only Tiger with speed. 12-14 stealing and his six triples (ha! only 6?) lead the American League.
RF - Magglio Ordonez - (R)
Ordonez had a solid 2010 (.852 OPS) and was resigned for a 1 year, $10 million deal. He's Only had 141 plate appearances due to injury and hasn't hit at all (.519 OPS).
DH - Victor Martinez - (S)
Took a 4 year, $50M deal to come to Detroit this offseason and be the DH/backup catcher. He'll probably catch one game this series. Earning his money with .333/.383/.494. Only 6 homers though.
Bench:
Don't expect to see much of these guys as we're playing by no-strategy league rules this week.
4th outfielder Don Kelly - (L): .260/.309/.362 in 127 ABs.
Backup infielder Ramon Santiago - (S) can't hit.
Bullpen
Jose "Papa Grande" Valverde (R) is the dominating closer, 33 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 2.43 ERA, 32Ks in 33.1 IP. I remember this guy being beatable when he was with Arizona but he's done very well in the American League.
Joaquin Benoit - (R) is being paid $5.5 million a year to put up a 4.76 ERA in 28.1 IP (21K, 18H, 17 BB).
Al Alburquerque - (R) (note: slightly different spelling) has been their best reliever, 1.95 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 27.2 IP with 46 Ks.
The Tigers are carrying three good lefties in the 'pen:
Daniel Schlereth: 24.1 IP with 18 H, 17 BB, 21 Ks (2.96 ERA).
Charlie Furbush: 19.2 IP with 18 H, 8 BB, 16 K (2.75 ERA).
David Purcey: 10.2 IP with 6 H, 8 BB, 8 K (0.84 ERA).
Injuries:
Carlos Guillen is on the 60-day DL with an injured knee.
Joel Zumaya is -- again -- out for the year (elbow).
Ex-Mets:
None on the active roster. Omir Santos spent some time in the majors as a backup Tiger catcher earlier this year.
Ex-Tigers:
Tim Byrdak had a pretty good 2007 in the Tigers 'pen.
Essential Tiger Blogs:
Roar of The Tigers, a litte more offbeat than your ordinarly news-aggregation. Features some great illustrations.
Bless You Boys, general Tiger news blog/catch-all.
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