Getting to Know the Detroit Tigers

(note: This is a guest post offered up by Motor City Bengals site lead Zac Snyder. Since we don’t get to see many American League teams in Arizona, Zac has been gracious enough to give us an introduction to the Detroit Tigers. To complete the trade, we sent a D’backs introduction to Zac.)

By Zac Snyder

Pitching Probables:

Armando Galarraga (2-1, 2.67) will get the start on Friday, his third since the “Perfect + 1” controversy. Galarraga did not get the win in his two previous starts but has pitched well enough to deserve it. Without an overpowering fastball, his success hinges on avoiding walks, good bite from his slider, and keeping the ball down in the strike zone.

Rick Porcello (4-6, 6.09) was skipped the last time through the rotation so Saturday’s start will be his first since June 9. The sophomore slump has been highlighted by an increased number of base runners, particularly by way of hits allowed. Porcello did not give up more than nine hits in any start last year but has given up ten on a couple of occasions this year. Rick has the ability to get easy groundball outs if his sinker is working.

Sunday’s starter, Max Scherzer (3-6, 6.14), needs little introduction to Diamondbacks fans. The former D’back has had an up and down season that resulted in a ten day stint in the minors in mid-May. He saw something on video and made a correction that lead to two dominating starts at AAA and a 14 strikeout performance upon his return to the Tigers on May 30. Max is still giving up some runs but his fastball is back in the mid 90’s; it may only be a matter of time until he breaks through for good starts on a consistent basis.

Hot: Magglio Ordonez – Missing six straight games with a strained oblique seems like something that could lead to a slump at the plate. Not so with Magglio Ordonez. Maggs is 5-for-8 in the two games since his return and he has even shown the ability to drive the ball, further evidence that his oblique is just fine. After a down year in 2009 Magglio has returned to All-Star form in 2010.

Not: Austin Jackson – April’s hottest rookie left with back spasms three games ago and may miss a couple more. Jackson had cooled down even before his back flared up, he had just four hits in his last 36 at-bats. Austin is prone to strike outs as a bit of a free-swinger but has good base running instincts and plays a masterful centerfield.

Name to Remember: Brennan Boesch – Had Brennan Boesch made the big club out of spring training then there would be no discussion about his All-Star status, however, Boesch didn’t make his major league debut until April 23. He has made the most of his at-bats since then, he currently leads all AL rookies in the three Triple Crown categories. Fans have been looking for a power hitting lefty for a long time, now it looks like they have their man.