Tiger Geist

I caught innings 3 through 8 on mlb.tv, and I noticed something interesting about Verlander’s demeanor:  he was on fire.  Note: i watch what I can, but most people reading this watch more minutes of Fox Sports Net Detroit then I get.

In the bottom of the fifth, Brandon Inge got hit by a pitch in the dirt and got thrown out attempting to steal second.  It looked as if New York knew he was going (and Molina has an outstanding arm behind the plate), but either way he was back in the dug out.  Fox sports detroit shows a quick look into the dugout, and Verlander walks past Inge.  No emotion.  No “hey, go team”.  No “hey man, keep it up”.  No “hey, you’re totally right, the 93 Cab totally has more body then the 96 Cab, thanks for setting me straight”.  Nothing.  Verlander keeps his head down, seems to look slightly at Inge but basically walks from one end of the dugout to the other in disgust.  

This is ballsy;  Inge has been on fire and is as much a reason for Detroit’s solid start as anyone else (and the antithesis of Verlander thus far).  But Justin had a look: “Its my game, no one is going to screw this up for me, and I’m finishing this one off”.  He got close enough.  For a pitcher who seems to get a little too high for big games (and the Yankees will always be a big game), a big big big step for Verlander tonight.

Anyone else notice how safe Gerald Laird appeared in the bottom of the seventh?  Rod Allen didn’t seem to notice since Andy Van Slyke didn’t argue (also quite weird).  I love how Laird continued to complain in the dugout; I like the moxy of this team.

Last, a big TigerGeist congrats to new tiger fan Ashton Jay Keith.  Tell your daddy the cubs suck.