Tiger Geist

This isn’t good news, but Brandon Inge is apparently human and has lots o’ pain in both knees.  Tonight that means Ryan Raburn gets his first start at third this year (his sixth position in 2009, if you include DH).  Now the debate can begin (due to Inge’s injury):

Does Carlos Guillen make a return as a left fielder AND a backup third baseman?  Or does it possibly open up a spot for Jeff Larish to get some at-bats if Detroit can’t trade for a left handed bat?

Honestly, i don’t know.  I agree with Billfer, no idea why Josh Anderson has gotten so much playing time, unless he’s being showcased to be moved.  I imagine there is a good chance that JA is DFA’d, giving Detroit 10 days to trade him or release him once they get Guillen back – 10 days that line up pretty well for the July 31 trading deadline.  It appears that Raburn’s job is secure due to his backup infield positions, and Guillen’s shoulder may keep him from playing the infield anyway.  Or is third base easier on your shoulder?  It seems Guillen’s best position is the old softball “rover” position (the random dude you play when you have 10 fielders, kind of a deep shortstop); his knees/back keep him out of the infield, and his shoulder is keeping him from playing left field.  So rover it is.

For Larish, his playing time may only come as a September call-up, unless Detroit wants his bat before September 1 (and would make him playoff-roster eligible).  While Larish’s average is decent (.279), he’s had a surprising lack of power in his return to Toledo.

A generic heading for a generic victory.  Note to the rest of the major league teams:  Don’t throw a left handed pitcher who can’t hit 90 mph and struggles with control.  DETROIT WILL EAT HIM ALIVE.  Seattle threw someone who wasn’t their top two pitchers, Detroit countered with someone who wasn’t their top two pitchers, and Detroit held on for what should have been an easy victory.  A win is a win.

If Detroit wins the series and beats either Hernandez or Washburn, it would be a good showing.  A series victory at home against a playoff contender — thats what you look for.  It would have been better to win one of those games in New York, but in reality, Detroit is chasing one thing and one thing only:  90 wins.  Not the White Sox, not the Twins, 90 wins.  That’s a .577 win rate for the rest of the year.

The New York series proved Detroit’s starting pitching can pitch with anyone and shorten a game.  You have to be cautious, however, since Rodney was not needed in the series.  The playoffs always seem to be close games with scrutiny on the bullpen.  Rodney vs Mariano Rivera?

Interesting rundown of facts and links:

• 2 — otherwise known as the number of home runs hit in the last calendar year by Carlos Guillen.  This is Detroit’s hot new bat?
• 8 — number of games the Tigers are now back in the wild-card standings.  Its the division or bust at this point.
• Shaq is doing a TV show, playing other sports.  His baseball foe will be Albert Pujols.  Yes I will watch this.
• Maybe I need to dust off my Wii.  Or, maybe the Padres need to invest in a better strength and conditioning coach.
• I dig the new detnews.com iphone / mobile site.  But this might bury them if it comes to Detroit.
• Really like Kurt’s article yesterday;  Detroit has something other teams need (cheap pitching in Porcello, but also arbitration-controlled Verlander and Jackson) and other teams have what Detroit needs (minor league prospects / cheap talent).  Who wants to play match maker?
• For some reason, it feels like Miguel Cabrera is having a very quite season, even though he’s hitting .330 and clubbing a decent amount of home runs.  Is 2011 the year where he just blows up like Albert Pujols?