GDT: 6/20/09 - DET (36-31) vs MIL (37-30) - 4:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers could've traded Alfredo Figaro over the winter to help remake their big league club. They didn't. They couldn't have figured he'd be part of their present so soon.

Not only will Figaro make his Major League debut when the Tigers take on the Brewers Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park, he'll be making his first appearance above Double-A ball. If that isn't enough, it'll come on a FOX Saturday Game of the Week between the two Central Division leaders.

Welcome to the big leagues.

"He's a talented kid," manager Jim Leyland said of Figaro. "Is he ready? I don't know."

In a Tigers rotation looking for stability at the back end, it's worth finding out. After Dontrelle Willis fell back into control problems in his last few starts, capped by eight walks over 3 2/3 innings last Sunday at Pittsburgh, all the Tigers want is a pitcher who can give them a chance to win. If Figaro can carry his high-strikeout form from Double-A Erie to Detroit, they might get it.

Kenny Albert and Mark Grace will have the call for the regional broadcast, one of three games on the FOX schedule Saturday.

Go beyond the basic numbers on the 24-year-old Dominican from Fernando Rodney's birthplace of Samana, and the Tigers have a pitcher with the potential for four Major League pitches and the capacity to dominate against talented hitters, though he has had his rough outings as well. He was good enough to catch Leyland's eye in Spring Training in a crowded pitching camp.

His last three outings provide a glimpse. The right-hander struck out 10 New Hampshire Fisher Cats over 7 1/3 innings with two runs allowed in his most recent start last Saturday. Five days earlier, he fanned eight batters over seven innings of two-run ball against Portland. The two outings earned him Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors.

The outing before that, however, saw Altoona get him for seven runs over 5 2/3 innings.

At 6-foot, he isn't particularly tall, but his delivery and his arm generate power. The Tigers, in turn, are hoping he can generate some momentum, or at least some innings.

The front-end trio of Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello have combined for a 21-11 record and a 3.07 ERA and 25 quality starts in 41 outings. The four other Tigers who have started this year have eight quality starts and a 6.20 ERA in the other 25 starts this season.

The resulting split has taxed a bullpen that has performed above expectations so far this season. And while Verlander and Jackson have been running high pitch counts much of the season, the Tigers can only do some much to extend the 20-year-old Porcello, who at this pace would approach the 180-inning mark by season's end.

Figaro's arrival, if it works out, could ease some of that pressure, though the Tigers will have to watch the rookie and make sure to protect him, too. If they were that worried about protection, however, he probably wouldn't be here. At this point, the Tigers are looking for results. Saturday would be a good result for them to get.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Alfredo Figaro (Major League debut)
In 11 starts for Erie this season, Figaro is 5-2 with a 4.10 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 68 innings. The 6-foot, 175-pounder features a fastball in the low- to mid-90s to go along with a curveball, slider and changeup.


MIL: RHP Dave Bush (3-3, 5.31 ERA)
Bush was shelled by the Indians in his worst start of the season, allowing eight earned runs on six hits, including a pair of home runs, in just 3 1/3 innings on June 15 at Progressive Field. Bush was a "quality start" machine early in the season, working the requisite six innings while allowing three or fewer runs in seven of his first eight starts. But he hasn't met the criteria for a quality start in any of his last five outings. He's 0-1 with a 10.24 ERA in three career appearances against the Tigers, all for Toronto in 2005.

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Tidbits

... Look for catcher Gerald Laird to be back in the Tigers lineup after resting Friday. Still, Leyland made it clear that just-recalled Dusty Ryan is going to get some starts behind the plate to ease the wear and tear on the regular. "It was getting to look like it was a little much for Gerald," Leyland said, "but Gerald's still our catcher. This is about production. We're going to see if we can get some."
... The Tigers are a combined 16-4 in Saturday and Sunday games.
... The Tiger with the most experience against Bush is Adam Everett, who is 5-for-17 with three doubles and three RBIs for his career against him.
... Magglio Ordonez is expected to remain out of the lineup Saturday while he works with Tigers coaches on his hitting.

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On the Internet
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On television
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On radio

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 7-3, 3.39 ERA) vs. Brewers (Yovani Gallardo, 7-3, 2.93 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 6-4, 2.39 ERA) vs. Cubs (Carlos Zambrano, 4-2, 3.44 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Why the fuck are they showing the Royals/Cardinals game?

I fucking live in Michigan!!

bobrob2004 wrote:

Why the fuck are they showing the Royals/Cardinals game?

I fucking live in Michigan!!

They switched it back to Detroit because it's raining in KC. I hope the hell they don't switch it back.

They are showing TB-Mets on my fox

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Craig Counsell grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Casey McGehee swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Braun singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Ryan Braun to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Corey Hart pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out sharply, second baseman Craig Counsell to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, second baseman Craig Counsell to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Prince Fielder.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Mat Gamel singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
J. Hardy walks. Mat Gamel to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jody Gerut pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jason Kendall swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Craig Counsell singles on a line drive to right fielder Josh Anderson. Mat Gamel scores. J. Hardy to 3rd.

MIL 1, DET 0

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Casey McGehee on foul tip.

MIL 1, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

I'm impressed with Figaro so far.

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Marcus Thames singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun.

bobrob2004 wrote:

I'm impressed with Figaro so far.

He is a relative of Rodneys, according to the radio last week.

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Don Kelly doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun. Marcus Thames to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Corey Hart.

B:1 S:0 O:1 - Josh Anderson singles on a line drive to
left fielder Ryan Braun. Marcus Thames scores. Don Kelly scores. Josh
Anderson to 2nd on the throw.
DET 2, MIL 1

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Jody Gerut. Josh Anderson scores.
DET 3, MIL 1



B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Adam Everett bunt pops into double play, pitcher Dave Bush to third baseman Mat Gamel. Gerald Laird out at 3rd.

DET 3, MIL 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Ryan Braun homers (15) on a fly ball to left field.

DET 3, MIL 2

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Prince Fielder lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Corey Hart singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Mat Gamel batting, Corey Hart steals (5) 2nd base.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Mat Gamel walks.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
J. Hardy swinging.

4

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Jody Gerut pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

DET 3, MIL 2 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Jody Gerut.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Ryan Braun.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (14) on a fly ball to left field. Placido Polanco scores.
DET 5, MIL 2

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Marcus Thames singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Don Kelly strikes out swinging and Marcus Thames caught stealing 2nd, catcher Jason Kendall to shortstop J. Hardy.

DET 5, MIL 2 after 3 innings

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

bobrob2004 wrote:

I'm impressed with Figaro so far.

He is a relative of Rodneys, according to the radio last week.

Just turned on the air, kids. So still outside I could barely breathe!

Inning 4
Top Half


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Jason Kendall swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Craig Counsell grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Casey McGehee singles on a ground ball to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Braun flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

DET 5, MIL 2 after 3.5 innings

laprimamirala wrote:

Just turned on the air, kids. So still outside I could barely breathe!

we have had to keep the air on, hot, muggy, stormy last night and am today.