Correctly predicted a pitchers duel in last night's match-up between Verlander and Danks after both clubs exhausted their bullpens in the series opener that went 14.
That said; I'm looking for both offenses to pick up the pace in the final game of the series with both Miner and Vazquez toeing the bump for their respective clubs.
Right-hander Zach Miner will take to the bump for manager Jim Leyland and the Tigers for just the fourth time this season. The former bullpen pitcher comes into tonight’s start 5-4 with a 3.77 ERA and 1.42 WHIP allowing 57 hits and 29 runs (26 earned) with a K/BB ratio of 32/31 in 62 total innings of work. The Tigers had won his previous two starts before his last outing at Tampa Bay where they fell by a 5-2 final count. He’s been very solid since transitioning from the pen allowing just 16 hits and five earned runs with a more practical K/BB ratio of 9/4 in 17 1/3rd combined innings. He’s made six appearances at US Cellular Field (one start) throughout his career, and owns a 0-3 mark with a lofty 7.94 ERA.
Opposing him will be right-hander Javier Vazquez who will be making his 22nd start of the season when he opposes the Tigers for the 12th time in his career. He enters his turn in the rotation 8-9 overall with a 4.66 ERA and 1.35 WHIP allowing 151 hits and 75 runs (73 earned) while striking out 133 and issuing just 40 free passes in 141 total innings of work. He went winless since his June 17 start against Pittsburgh up until last week when he tossed six-innings of two-run ball in the White Sox 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. It was the first time he allowed less than three runs since May 31. He’s won a majority of his games at home where he sports a 5-3 record with a 4.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, and the Palehose secured victories in six of his nine overall US Cellular starts. He’ll look to better that mark against a Tigers club he owns a career losing mark against going 5-6 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
With Miner tossing way over his head, and J Vaz playing the role of a headcase for the better part of two months, I'm expecting both clubs sticks to destroy the current game 'total' of 10. Winds blowing steadily out to right at 15 MPH, and its a beautiful night here in Chicago which sets "The Cell" up perfectly for the launching pad its known for.
That's my take.... what say you??
That said; I'm looking for both offenses to pick up the pace in the final game of the series with both Miner and Vazquez toeing the bump for their respective clubs.
Right-hander Zach Miner will take to the bump for manager Jim Leyland and the Tigers for just the fourth time this season. The former bullpen pitcher comes into tonight’s start 5-4 with a 3.77 ERA and 1.42 WHIP allowing 57 hits and 29 runs (26 earned) with a K/BB ratio of 32/31 in 62 total innings of work. The Tigers had won his previous two starts before his last outing at Tampa Bay where they fell by a 5-2 final count. He’s been very solid since transitioning from the pen allowing just 16 hits and five earned runs with a more practical K/BB ratio of 9/4 in 17 1/3rd combined innings. He’s made six appearances at US Cellular Field (one start) throughout his career, and owns a 0-3 mark with a lofty 7.94 ERA.
Opposing him will be right-hander Javier Vazquez who will be making his 22nd start of the season when he opposes the Tigers for the 12th time in his career. He enters his turn in the rotation 8-9 overall with a 4.66 ERA and 1.35 WHIP allowing 151 hits and 75 runs (73 earned) while striking out 133 and issuing just 40 free passes in 141 total innings of work. He went winless since his June 17 start against Pittsburgh up until last week when he tossed six-innings of two-run ball in the White Sox 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. It was the first time he allowed less than three runs since May 31. He’s won a majority of his games at home where he sports a 5-3 record with a 4.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, and the Palehose secured victories in six of his nine overall US Cellular starts. He’ll look to better that mark against a Tigers club he owns a career losing mark against going 5-6 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
With Miner tossing way over his head, and J Vaz playing the role of a headcase for the better part of two months, I'm expecting both clubs sticks to destroy the current game 'total' of 10. Winds blowing steadily out to right at 15 MPH, and its a beautiful night here in Chicago which sets "The Cell" up perfectly for the launching pad its known for.
That's my take.... what say you??
, I'm pretty sure the Tigers salvaged the series finale last night....