Bonine set to start on Saturday

DETROIT -- The Tigers have decided on a starting pitcher for Saturday. Triple-A Toledo standout right-hander Eddie Bonine will start the second game of a three-game series with the Dodgers on a FOX regional television broadcast.

The team considered starting current Tigers relievers Zach Miner or Casey Fossum, but in the end, Detroit couldn't ignore Bonine's 24-7 record over the past two years.

"If you don't give a guy like that a chance," manager Jim Leyland said, "then who do you give a chance to? So we're going to give him a chance."

Bonine, not a hard thrower but one who excels at inducing ground balls, has a 9-2 record and a 4.48 ERA this season for Toledo. He went 14-5 at Double-A Erie and won his only Toledo start last season.

"He's got a good breaking ball, and he's got great control," Leyland said. "Not an overpowering guy. A strike-thrower. Evidently, he's a winner."

Leyland said earlier this week that whomever the Tigers choose for the rotation spot will get several starts to prove himself.

The spot opened on Tuesday after the Tigers sent left-hander Dontrelle Willis to Class A Lakeland to work on his severe control issues. He walked 21 batters in 11 1/3 innings this season.

Scott McNeish is an associate reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Can't wait!

Quote :

"He's got a good breaking ball, and he's got great control," Leyland said. "Not an overpowering guy. A strike-thrower. Evidently, he's a winner."

Well...not everyone needs to be a Zumaya or Verlander to be effective. We'll find out soon enough if he can continue to be a winner at the major league level! Gooooo Bonine!

I HATE GAMES ON FOX

laprimamirala wrote:

I HATE GAMES ON FOX

Yep, I probably won't be able to see it, "regional" ... just looked, oh happy day, I get to see Boston at Cinnc.

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

laprimamirala wrote:

I HATE GAMES ON FOX

Yep, I probably won't be able to see it, "regional" ... just looked, oh happy day, I get to see Boston at Cinnc.

Damnit...I'm getting Cinci and Boston, too! I'm a lot closer to Detroit than I am Cinci....but I guess that doesn't mean anything.

Ohios#1TigerFan wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

laprimamirala wrote:

I HATE GAMES ON FOX

Yep, I probably won't be able to see it, "regional" ... just looked, oh happy day, I get to see Boston at Cinnc.

Damnit...I'm getting Cinci and Boston, too! I'm a lot closer to Detroit than I am Cinci....but I guess that doesn't mean anything.

I guess it is radio for us

Sounds that way....oh well...I'm just happy they won while I was at the game yesterday! That's only the 3rd game I've been to that they have won since Copa opened, and the 1st game they've won vs the White Sox when I was there since my wife and I got married 12 years ago!

Maybe all the guys will "get hitting" and help Bonine out!

Ohios#1TigerFan wrote:

Sounds that way....oh well...I'm just happy they won while I was at the game yesterday! That's only the 3rd game I've been to that they have won since Copa opened, and the 1st game they've won vs the White Sox when I was there since my wife and I got married 12 years ago!

I was glad for you and the Mrs.! it's ALWAYS better when they win!

Ohios#1TigerFan wrote:

Quote :

"He's got a good breaking ball, and he's got great control," Leyland said. "Not an overpowering guy. A strike-thrower. Evidently, he's a winner."

Well...not everyone needs to be a Zumaya or Verlander to be effective. We'll find out soon enough if he can continue to be a winner at the major league level! Gooooo Bonine!

Well... looking at how 'effective' Verlander's been this year... I'll take Bonine

Verlander has been getting better and better, he has been in the no run support group! At least we now know why Bondo has had trouble! I just pray Bonine does at least as good as Bondo, but I think he will do better.

Well, maybe Ill catch this kids debut if my grandparents give me tomorrow off, im pretty sure they will cuz my 2 cousins are flying in from NC, so tomorrow should be relaxed...