The Spot Starters

Stupid Gavin Floyd

Gavin Floyd owns the Detroit Tigers. Okay, not literally, but the guy really has the number of the Tigers. Floyd took a no-hitter into the 8th inning today and completely shutdown the Tigers line up in what was (mostly) a pitcher’s duel. I was in my car with my wife on our way back from Columbus, OH (which is a terrific city by the way) and got the Toledo radio signal when the game was 1-0 in the 8th. As it turns out I probably jinxed the team and am partially responsible for their loss today.

Justin Verlander allowed only one run through seven innings, a solo shot to Orlando Cabrera. When the 8th inning started there was a total of three hits for both teams and only the one run. A good old fashioned pitcher’s duel, good times for everyone. Unfortunately Verlander got rocked in the 8th inning and I had to spend the rest of the ride home angry. The White Sox tacked on six more run in the 8th and ended up winning the game 7-0. The game was much closer than the score indicates, but a loss is a loss I suppose.

Not a lot to speak of on the offensive side of things today. The Tigers drew 4 walks (two by Clete Thomas) and two hits (singles by Renteria and Inge) and that was it. Nothing doing today. Miguel Cabrera moved from third to first base today which is like looking into the future. Cabrera’s defense has been okay, but certainly less than stellar at 3B this season. He’ll be a regular at 1B/DH by the time he’s 28 years old, mark that down.

If the Tigers win tomorrow it will serve as their first series win of the season, no small task. So even though they lost the ball game today they could take the series tomorrow afternoon. Kenny Rogers will take the ball for the Tigers. Rogers has thrown pretty well so far this season and appears to be healthy, hopefully he can get himself in the win column tomorrow.

In other news, the Tigers placed Dontrelle Willis on the DL today. He’ll be gone for 15 days. The poor guy has struggled and now he has literally added injury to insult (his play).  The Tigers will now have to search for another starter to fill in for him, Billfer has an intriguing suggestion. Ryan Raburn is now up in Detroit after a short stay in Toledo. RP Armando Galarraga is also getting the call to the big club. A win tomorrow will have me feeling fine.