GDT: 8/15/08 - DET (59-62) VS BAL (57-62) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers don't buy the outside world's view of their playoff chances.

With the Tigers trailing the White Sox by 9 1/2 games in the American League Central with 41 games to play, many outside the clubhouse say Detroit's chances are slim at best. The people inside the clubhouse, though, still believe they have a shot.

"It can feel like the season is slipping away from the outside," Curtis Granderson said, "but the big thing is to continue to play, continue to go out there and look at today as the most important day -- that's it."

Granderson and his teammates believe their postseason chances have not waned. They still see Sept. 1 as the starting point for "crunch time."

"We haven't even gotten to September yet, so that talk, I don't necessarily agree with -- [just] keep playing," Granderson said. "I understand everyone else's mindset on the outside, especially when you see Minnesota and Chicago doing what they're capable of, but we can't focus on what they're trying to do right now."

Manager Jim Leyland has to keep his team believing as it enters the final stretch of the season. He knows teams can sometimes fall into psychological ruts when the odds seem too long.

"All of sudden, you might give in psychologically a little bit. Not that they mean it, but that happens," Leyland said. "That's something a manager always worries about. You have to tell them, 'No. 1, you're getting paid to do your job, and No. 2, you have people paying to see you do your job.' It's important you don't get caught thinking, '[Shoot], it's not our year.' We just keep falling short, and it's been going on for days."

When Leyland bounces through the Tigers' clubhouse, he'll stop and talk to players, trying to keep their spirits up.

"You want to make sure that your players know that regardless of how this thing goes, you can't always have a great performance, but you can have a great effort. Our effort has been great, but [wins] haven't happened. To this point, it's been that kind of year."



Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Nate Robertson (7-8, 5.84 ERA)
Robertson left to a standing ovation after allowing one run on five hits over 7 2/3 innings on Sunday against Oakland. He faced only one real threat, a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, but he escaped thanks to fine defense. After that, he retired 11 straight A's hitters until they scored a run off him on two hits in the eighth. He earned a win for the first time since June 21. Robertson has not faced the Orioles this season. He is 4-1 with a 4.24 ERA against them in his career.


BAL: LHP Chris Waters (1-0, 4.50 ERA)
The Orioles rookie dazzled in his debut in Anaheim, one-hitting the league's best team through eight innings, but his encore performance on Sunday at Camden Yards was less than stellar. Waters lasted just four innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks to the Rangers. The left-hander struggled in the first inning, allowing the first two batters to reach, then he surrendered a three-run homer to Josh Hamilton. The key for Waters will be location, which was obviously strong in Anaheim and lacking in Baltimore.


Tidbits

Former closer Todd Jones is scheduled to return to the active roster before Friday's game. The Tigers optioned reliever Freddy Dolsi to Triple-A to make roster room for Jones. ...

Leyland said after the game he will bat Magglio Ordonez third and Miguel Cabrera fourth in the order next year. ...

Third baseman Carlos Guillen sat out another game with back pain. He remains day-to-day. Before the game, Leyland said Guillen is the favorite player he's managed. "He's a special guy," Leyland said. "He's the best player I've ever managed. Not because of numbers and that stuff, but because of intangible kinds of things. That's a ballplayer." ...

Leyland also said he believes Gary Sheffield will bounce back next season. "I think there's a lot left in him. I still believe he can be a big offensive force for us next year. Get through this year, workout during the winter time, and I think there's a lot of potential there still." ...

Dontrelle Willis will make his first start since moving from Class A Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo on Friday against Richmond at Fifth Third Field.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Sat., Aug 16: Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (8-13, 4.77 ERA)) vs. Orioles (RHP Dennis Sarfate (4-2, 5.16 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Sun., Aug 17: Tigers (RHP Zach Miner, 6-4, 3.41 ERA) vs. Orioles (LHP Garrett Olson, 8-6, 6.06 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET

• Mon., Aug 18: Tigers (LHP Kenny Rogers, 8-10, 4.95 ERA) at Rangers (RHP Scott Feldman, 4-5, 5.18 ERA), 8:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS

Baltimore AVG
Roberts, 2B .292
Markakis, RF .306
Mora, 3B .271
Huff, DH .300
Hernandez, R, C .257
Millar, 1B .246
Scott, LF .265
Montanez, L, CF .474
Castro, J, SS .178

Detroit AVG
:curtis: Granderson, CF .293
:placido: Polanco, 2B .309
Ordonez, RF .320
Cabrera, 1B .295
:sheff: Sheffield, DH .220
:thames: Thames, LF .236
:edgar: Renteria, SS .264
Inge, C .220
:ryan: Raburn, 3B .244

:nate:

Nate has only pitched back-to-back quality starts once this year (6/5 and 6/10). The last time Robertson had 3 quality starts in a row was 4/10-5/2/07 when he had 5 in a row . He's been going downhill ever since...

Nate will lead to the Tigers to victory


He will shut the O's down

Jonesys back

GO JONES

I'm gonna need one after this season!

Our pics are on fanfoto:
www.tigers.com/fanfoto

8/14 game, gallery 57, about halfway down on the first page. That's my friend Maya and me with our Maggs sign!

Roberts - flies out

Markakis - grounds out

Mora - triples

Huff - rbi single

Birds 1-0

RATS cmon NATE

Hernandez - flies out

laprimamirala wrote:

RATS cmon NATE

Hope he starts throwing more effective strikes

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Huff - rbi single

Birds 1-0

Ugh...already? I think I'm going to turn on the Woodward Dream Cruise for awhile.

:curtis: single

:placido: grounds into force out at 2nd

bobrob2004 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Huff - rbi single

Birds 1-0

Ugh...already? I think I'm going to turn on the Woodward Dream Cruise for awhile.

Damn, they're not showing it until 8:00. Now what do I do?

grounds into double play

end of 1 inning

1-0 Birds

bobrob2004 wrote:

bobrob2004 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Huff - rbi single

Birds 1-0

Ugh...already? I think I'm going to turn on the Woodward Dream Cruise for awhile.

Damn, they're not showing it until 8:00. Now what do I do?

Update the minor league scores???

Millar -

Scott - double

Montanez -

Castro - walk

Hi everyone!

crap now 3-0 birds

Roberts - sloppy play leads to a 2 rbi play - runner on 2nd
Throwing error by Maggs

O's 3-0

Markakis - 3rd out