Justin Verlander To Right The Ship

It's a new day which means there's a new game, and this time the Tigers send out Justin Verlander to the mound against the Minnesota Twins. Last year, Justin pretty much owned this team, winning all three of his starts against them and allowing just two runs in 22 innings for a .80 ERA. Pretty good.

Verlander has been the victim of some shoddy bullpen work, just like pretty much every other Tigers starter (God, if I had a nickel for every time I've said that this year). In his last start against Chicago he allowed just three runs over seven innings, but still took the no decision as the Tigs lost in 12 innings. It's going to be key for him tonight to baffle Minny like he did last year and dominate them for six or seven solid innings.

Opposing Justin is Carlos Silva, who I know nothing about. His last start against the Tigers was almost exactly a year ago today (it was on April 29th of 2006), when he allowed nine runs in just 2 and 2/3 innings before getting the yank. Final score of that game? 18-1 Tigers. If the Tigs can score half as many today, then my confidence in this team will go right back to where it was.

Today seems like it would be a great day for everything to click simultaneously. If Verlander has a great game, and the bats pound Silva off the mound in the early innings, then we won't have to worry about giving the bullpen any chance to blow the game in the late stages.

On a scary side note, here's a little excerpt on Pudge from the Detroit Tigers' Official Website from a story about Kenny Rogers' recovery

Mike Rabelo made his third start in Pudge's place. If Rabelo were injured, the emergency catcher is utility infielder Neifi Perez, not former catcher-turned-third baseman Brandon Inge. Perez has one career appearance behind the plate, way back on June 7, 1998, in his third season for the Colorado Rockies.

That's right folks. Your back up catcher until Pudge returns? Neifi Fucking Perez. Jesus Christ, Pudge, get back in the line up soon. Not only is Mike Rabello the biggest liability in the line up since Brandon Inge joined the team, but Neifi Fucking Perez?

Keys To The Game-

• Runs early. Lots of runs early. Put this game away before it even starts. Big confidence booster of a game.
• Okay, since last night was supposed to be Fernando Rodney's night, but Zumaya came in instead, then Rodney will almost definitely get put in today. He needs to pitch well, or else I am going to murder him.
• DON'T LET NEIFI FUCKING PEREZ CATCH.