Mariners at Tigers July 2nd-4th Series Preview

[Igoe4Mariners]

The Mariners (33-45) and Tigers (41-36) matchup for a three-game set this weekend in Detroit at Comerica Park. Although the Mariners season seems to be lost in terms of their place in the standings, they have been playing much better lately. They managed to have a winning record in June and have won 9 of their last 14 games overall. Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez have both been amazing as each has gone 9 innings in their last three games. The offense has gelled together considerably better since aquiring Russell Branyan from the Indians. Branyan has already homered once and drove in 4 runs in just three games for the Mariners.
The Tiger sit near the top of the AL Central with the Minnesota Twins. They have backed their mediocre pitching staff with a great offense. Sluggers Johny Damon, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera have been as good as it gets when it comes to having the number 2-4 spots filled in your batting order. Rookie Brennan Boesch has been great as well while batting high above .300 and showing some serious power. If the Tigers pitching can improve the rest of the way this year, they will most likely outlast the Twins in the AL Central's race.

Pitching Matchups:
Doug Fister, RHP (3-3, 2.81 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer, RHP (4-6, 5.26 ERA)
Jason Vargas, LHP (6-3, 2.80 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander, RHP (9-5, 4.02 ERA)
Cliff Lee, LHP (7-3, 2.45 ERA) vs. Jeremy Bonderman, RHP (4-5, 4.36 ERA)

[clarknova]

Thanks again for the preview Igoe!

Although I feel the slightest bit torn in a lost season before the all star break, I guess I'd rather watch a winning team. I get that Jack is trying to win as many games as he can so he can hold our record up at the end of the year and say, "See!? Not the worst! We didn't lose THAT much money, let's keep payroll right where it is.", but there is a "big picture" fan in me that wants this team torn down even more. If you're not a part of the championship team plan, you're gone. No long term contracts for dead weight. However, I pay attention every day, and May SUCKED, so I guess I like that they're winning and I'll just hope that they give good teams fits. Like the Tigers!
Prediction: Going with 2 of 3. I say we win games one and three (if Cliff is still on the team by then, and I think he will be). We have a chance in game two only if we get to Verlander early, and Vargas does his thing. We've played him relatively well, and he's known as a pitcher that settles down and can be untouchable (100 mph fastballs can have that effect). He's vulnerable in the first couple innings.

[SeattleSportsNerd]

You know what sucks? Looking at the pitching matchups for the series and seeing that we have three pitchers in our rotation with sub-3.00 ERAs and Felix isn't even one of them...then looking at the AL West standings and seeing us sitting 12 games under .500. Its a shame how this year has turned out. They're finally playing decent baseball, too, just a little too late. Who knows though, maybe we'll see another 1995 miracle. I won't hold my breath, though. On a better note, its a three-day weekend for me, lol.

[Igoe4Mariners]

I was in a rush this morning so I didn't have time to write up my prediction as well so here it goes:

I believe we will win 2 out of 3. I'm still not too sure about Fister coming off the disabled list, but I think we can hit Scherzer enough to negate a bad outing by him. I have a feeling Verlander is due to dominate us in game two. We have seemed to hit him quite well the past few times facing him so our luck is bound to run out, although you never know. With game three, I expect us to win if Cliff Lee is still on our team like Clarknova stated. Bonderman has been weak all season and we will knock him around. I expect Branyan to have 2 bombs this three-game set and lead us to another series victory on the road. If we can hit Verlander in game two, we might even earn a sweep.

[SeattleSportsNerd]

A sweep would be nice. I'm thinking we need to run off about 20 in a row and get back in this thing! A guy can hope at least...

[clarknova]

From News Tribune Twitter Account:

Miguel Cabrera scratched from Tigers lineup with low back stiffness, Don Kelly replaces him in lineup

SWEET!!

[clarknova]

Don Kelly 2010 season:

90 At Bats: AVG = .211, 1 HR, 6 RBI, OBP = .255, SLG = .256

How is Rob Johnson going to play for both teams at the same time?!

[Igoe4Mariners]

I'm thanking you for the laugh I had after I read that post lol.

[Igoe4Mariners]

Nice game one by our Mariners.

[TellItToTheDA]

Nice game one by our Mariners.

I'm not sure if we brought Fister back too quickly, or if he's still trying to get the rust of from not pitching for a couple of weeks.