GDT: 9/11/09 - DET (75-64) VS TOR (63-77) - 7:05 p.m. ET

KANSAS CITY -- The last time the Tigers faced the Blue Jays, they were opening the season hoping to get off to a good start and join the ranks of contenders in the American League Central. Now, they're there, and the Jays are a big part of the Tigers' finish.

Once the American League Central leaders finish up with this four-game wraparound set with Toronto starting Friday, it's all divisional games for the rest of the Tigers' regular-season schedule, including 13 games against the third-place White Sox and second-place Twins over Detroit's final 16 games.

All of them will be trying to spoil the Tigers' run to what would be their first division title in 22 years (Detroit won the AL Wild Card in 2006). They've been atop the division since mid-May, but with 3 1/2 weeks to go, it feels arguably more real now that the lead has expanded and any expectations of a collapse have faded.

To the Tigers, though, it isn't a target. It's still a race, even with the lead at 5 1/2 games, and manager Jim Leyland is emphasizing that.

"It's only natural that people start talking, follow the TV and read the paper," Leyland said. "It's only natural. I have no problem with that. That's what they're going to talk about, whether the Tigers extend their lead or now the lead got cut. That's all part of it. If you can't handle that, you've got problems. But if you fall into believing in that stuff, you're crazy.

"This pennant race has just started. If anybody out there doesn't believe that, they're crazy. Anybody who starts believing how good they've been, how good they're doing and all that stuff, they're crazy, too, because the baseball gods will bite you if you start falling for that."

Those baseball gods might have taken a bite or two in Kansas City, where the Tigers suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the last-place Royals. Yet thanks to a three-game Tigers sweep of the Rays beforehand, the Tigers return to Comerica Park with a larger lead than when they started. It's just a half-game bigger, but they have six fewer games with which to hold on.

Given the Tigers' success at home this season, they can do more to strengthen their position over the next week. But they can't treat it like a climactic stretch.

"You've got to just play the game," Leyland continued. "You have to keep your mouth shut and play the game. Don't fall for anything. Don't listen to it. Concentrate, come here ready to play and go about your business.

"I'm not saying we are [falling for the talk]. But this race is just starting. We've got a lot of baseball left before we play the two teams that are right behind us, so this is just beginning. At this time of year, you'd better be able to put other interests behind you and concentrate on what you're doing."

The series against the Royals, third baseman Brandon Inge said, was a lesson -- not so much about overconfidence, but about feeling too much pressure.

"It's one of those things where you really can't hang your head at this point in the season," Inge said. "You can't get upset about it. You should just kind of do the opposite of that, as a matter of fact, just relax and get back to basics and try to have fun again. Because this is a part of the season that you can either make it fun or you can make it pretty tough on yourself."

Inge believes they're having fun without being overconfident.


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Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Nate Robertson (1-1, 5.40 ERA)
It essentially came down to Robertson and Armando Galarraga to see who would get the Tigers' final rotation spot. After Galarraga gave up six runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Rays on Saturday, Robertson won out. The 32-year-old has only made two starts this season, but those two were good ones, as he combined to give up just one earned run in 10 innings (a 0.90 ERA). He will be facing the Blue Jays on seven days' rest. Robertson's pitched six shutout innings in his prior start, against the Indians, giving up four hits and walking two while striking out four. Robertson is 3-3 with a 5.00 ERA in 10 career games (seven starts) against Toronto.

TOR: LHP Brian Tallet (6-9, 5.31 ERA)
It appears as though Tallet will be in the rotation for the rest of the season after serving as both a starter (21 games) and as a reliever (12) this season. He was pressed into a starter's role early in the season because of injuries in the rotation. Tallet beat the Yankees in his previous start to end a five-game losing string, four as a starter. It was his first win since June 23. Against New York on Sunday, he allowed five runs in five innings and fell behind, 5-4, but the Blue Jays picked him up with an eight-run bottom of the fifth in a 14-8 win. He probably pitched better than the five runs showed. He gave up three in the third, with the hardest-hit ball by Mark Teixeira striking Tallet's left leg. Tallet was able to retrieve the ball and get the out at first. He said it should not affect him in his next start. He has pitched twice this season against the Tigers, as a reliever, and had a clean inning each time, with two strikeouts in the second outing.

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Tidbits

... The Tigers will remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty on Sept. 11 by celebrating the men and women of local fire and police departments in an on-field pregame ceremony. The team donated 500 tickets to local firefighters and police officers and their families so that they can attend the game.
... Aubrey Huff is 4-for-16 lifetime off Tallet with a double, home run and two RBIs.
... Marco Scutaro is 5-for-16 for his career off Robertson with two doubles, two homers and four RBIs.
... With three left-handers scheduled to start for the Blue Jays in this series, look for Leyland to find more opportunities for rookie Wilkin Ramirez, whose two-hit, two-run game helped Detroit's offense Thursday.
... Triple-A Toledo manager Larry Parrish is expected to join the Tigers on Friday as an extra coach.

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On radio

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Saturday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 12-6, 3.10 ERA) vs. Blue Jays (Scott Richmond, 6-9, 4.76 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 12-8, 4.26 ERA) vs. Blue Jays (Ricky Romero, 12-7, 4.14 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 16-8, 3.24 ERA) vs. Blue Jays (David Purcey, 0-2, 7.01 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Toronto AVG
Scutaro, SS .282
Hill, A, 2B .286
Lind, LF .301
Wells, V, CF .252
Millar, 1B .217
Barajas, C .238
Encarnacion, 3B .200
Ruiz, R, DH .269
Bautista, J, RF .229

Detroit AVG
Raburn, LF .284
Polanco, 2B .276
Ordonez, RF .289
Cabrera, M, 1B .335
Thames, DH .254
Inge, 3B .231
Granderson, CF .253
Laird, C .218
Everett, SS .237

they'd better not take anything for granted, especially since KC swept....

Granderson batting 7th
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on September 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM

Manager Jim Leyland wants to play Granderson as much as he can for the final 3 1/2 weeks, but he doesn't want him having to struggle at the top of the lineup against lefties. Thus, Granderson is batting seventh Friday against Blue Jays left-hander Brian Tallet. Leyland said he'll start him again Sunday against fellow southpaw Ricky Romero before resting him Monday against lefty David Purcey.

"He's going to be a big key for us," Leyland said of Granderson Friday.

The result is that we'll see less of Wilkin Ramirez than one might've figured. As Leyland pointed out, it's difficult to play a rookie down the stretch of a playoff race.

"I'm going to pretty much go with the guys who have been here all year," Leyland said. "If it isn't good enough, it isn't good enough."

TIGERS

1. Raburn, LF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Ordonez, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Thames, DH
6. Inge, 3B
7. Granderson, CF
8. Laird, C
9. Everett, SS

P: Nate Robertson

BLUE JAYS

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, LF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Kevin Millar, 1B
6. Rod Barajas, C
7. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
8. Randy Ruiz, DH
9. Jose Bautista, RF

P: Brian Tallet

Quote :

The result is that we'll see
less of Wilkin Ramirez than one might've figured. As Leyland pointed
out, it's difficult to play a rookie down the stretch of a playoff race.

Wilkin Ramirez PLAYS FANTASTIC and his reward is... less play.

is crazy sometimes

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Marco Scutaro flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Aaron Hill singles on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Lind flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Vernon Wells singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Aaron Hill to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Kevin Millar walks. Aaron Hill to 3rd. Vernon Wells to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Rod Barajas flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

0-0 after .5 inning

Left hand batters hit better against Brian Tallet, but Leyland has his right hand lineup in against him

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco flies out to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Vernon Wells.

0-0 after 1 inning

I would love to see Detroit try to get Marco Scutaro as our SS next year!

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Edwin Encarnacion flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Randy Ruiz lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Jose Bautista walks.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Marco Scutaro walks. Jose Bautista to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Aaron Hill flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

0-0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Marco Scutaro to first baseman Kevin Millar.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Marcus Thames swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, pitcher Brian Tallet to first baseman Kevin Millar.

0-0 after 2 innings

Nate walking everyone tonight ! Get control Nate, you are better than this!

Inning 3
Top Half

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

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Vernon Wells walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Kevin Millar lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Rod Barajas walks. Vernon Wells to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Edwin Encarnacion flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

0-0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Kevin Millar.

B:3 S:2 O:1 - Gerald Laird reaches on fielding error by shortstop Marco Scutaro.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Adam Everett doubles (19) on a line drive to left fielder Adam Lind. Gerald Laird to 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Ryan Raburn (36th rbi) out on a sacrifice fly to
center fielder Vernon Wells. Gerald Laird scores. Adam Everett to 3rd
on the throw.
DET 1, TOR 0


B:2 S:1 O:3 - Placido Polanco grounds out, shortstop Marco Scutaro to first baseman Kevin Millar.

DET 1, TOR 0 after 3 innings

I think they took out Nate too soon...

And I wouldn't have put in Gala.

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Vernon Wells.

B:3 S:3 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera called out on strikes and
Magglio Ordonez caught stealing 2nd, catcher Rod Barajas to second
baseman Aaron Hill.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Marcus Thames doubles (9) on a line drive to left fielder Adam Lind.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Vernon Wells.

TOR 2, DET 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

gdennis59 wrote:

I think they took out Nate too soon...

And I wouldn't have put in Gala.

NATE WAS INJURED.

Quote :

Haven't heard diagnosis yet on Robertson, but he was out of his style of game. He had neither a ground-ball out nor a strikeout. BECK ON TWITTER

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Rod Barajas swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Edwin Encarnacion grounds out sharply, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Randy Ruiz grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TOR 2, DET 1 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

gdennis59 wrote:

I think they took out Nate too soon...

And I wouldn't have put in Gala.

NATE WAS INJURED.

Quote :

Haven't heard diagnosis yet on Robertson, but he was out of his style of game. He had neither a ground-ball out nor a strikeout. BECK ON TWITTER

Grrr. Not good. He was doing well since his return.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Adam Everett called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

TOR 2, DET 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

gdennis59 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

gdennis59 wrote:

I think they took out Nate too soon...

And I wouldn't have put in Gala.

NATE WAS INJURED.

Quote :

Haven't heard diagnosis yet on Robertson, but he was out of his style of game. He had neither a ground-ball out nor a strikeout. BECK ON TWITTER

Grrr. Not good. He was doing well since his return.

Not tonight. he was walking everybody and several of the fly balls would have been home runs, if not for the wind.

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Left abductor strain for tigers Nate Robertson, possibly when he scrambled to cover home plate on last hit. tigers v bluejays

(Basically a groin strain.) as per Jason Beck

Damn!

Well, we prolly shouldn't let Tallet K our side.

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

I really do want DD to look into signing Marco Scutaro as a free agent this winter!

Definitely!

Maybe another SP.

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Detroit Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson left the game due to an injured groin.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Jose Bautista on foul tip.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Marco Scutaro walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Aaron Hill singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Marco Scutaro to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Lind hit by pitch. Marco Scutaro to 3rd. Aaron Hill to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

DANG IT NO MORE WALKS!

Being the day it is, I would just like to bow my head to those who lost their lives in the tragic accident nine years ago. May everyone who died then rest in peace, and may freedom rule the world for the many years to come.