Post by Commissioner Erick on Sept 9, 2017 15:26:24 GMT -5
San Francisco Giants (56-28) @ Detroit Tigers (40-41)
SF: Drew Smyly (7-6, 4.80)
DET: Buck Farmer 5-7, 3.95)
The Detroit Tigers are a team at a crossroads. They have several very talented players, but those players are older and expensive. Aside from a few young stud pitchers, they had very little talent surrounding that core, leading to the Tigers' decision to trade away Daniel Norris and Michael Fullmer for picks and prospects.
As it stands, the Tigers have added some depth to their minor leagues, and the sheer talent of their veterans has them just a game under .500.
That means it won't be an easy out when the first place San Francisco Giants come to town. The Giants have overcome a barrage of injuries to win two of every three games they've played on the year. They're in a virtual tie with the Astros and Mets for the best record in baseball.
They won't be at their best when taking on Detroit though.
The aforementioned Norris tore his UCL and needs Tommy John Surgery, sparing the Tigers from facing the player they traded away. The heart of their lineup, Buster Posey and Brandon Belt, are each down. The heart of their defense, Brandon Crawford and Che-Hsuan Lin ,are also going to miss the game. Young Christian Arroyo, who is tearing it up in his rookie year, is dealing with a bad hamstring. It's a tough circumstance for San Francisco.
They've still won seven of nine on the back of a ferocious pitching staff. Only twice in the last nine games have the Giants allowed more than three runs. Drew Smyly hasn't had the most consistent of seasons, but he's coming off 8.1 shutout frames against the Rockies, where he issued only one walk and 10 strikeouts.
Right-handers naturally hit him harder than left-handers though, as judged by their average. Righties hit Smyly at a .281 clip, compared to a .230 clip. That will be tough since the Tigers have very powerful right-handed hitters.
Despite his struggles against righties, Smyly pitched excellently against the Tigers as a member of Seattle. He went 7 innings, allowing one run. Justin Upton sat that game out for the far less dangerous Juan Perez, and Smyly was able to pitch carefully to J.D. Martinez in the game, walking him twice. Smyly allowed only two hits in that game, striking out eight.
If he can hold the Tigers in check, there's still the issue of run-creation. Conor Gillaspie has 12 home runs, but he has a sub-.300 on base percentage. Ehire Adrianza has the same OBP issue. Gorkys Hernandez is not a dynamic player. At least that trio helps San Francisco maintain its huge edge in defense. The Giants commit the fewest errors in baseball, and the only team better than them—or even close to them—in zone rating is the Chicago Cubs.
That defense doesn't matter if balls are hit over the fence though, and the Tigers have three mashers in the middle of their lineup. Miguel Cabrera, Martinez, and Upton each have 17 or 18 home runs. Cabrera is hitting .333 against lefties, Upton is hitting .350, and Martinez, while only hitting .270 off southpaws, still has an average .18 points higher than his regular average. The trio can mash, and may be able to mash Detroit to a victory.
Questions for the GM's:
For Samuel Rutledge, injuries have hit your team and yet you're still thriving and in first place. What do you owe that to?
Which of your unheralded players are you most proud of for stepping up this year?
Detroit has some excellent right-handed hitters. Do you give Smyly a shorter leash than usual today? Smyly does have success against their lineup.
For Steve Meyers, you were dealt a blow when Ian Kinsler strained his groin last week. Who will take his place in the lineup and roster, and why?
Buck Farmer has been pretty competent for you this year, with an ERA under 4. Where does he fit on your team going forward?
So much of trading away Norris and Fulmer came down to the picks you acquired. How do you feel about Adam Hall and David Peterson?
SF: Drew Smyly (7-6, 4.80)
DET: Buck Farmer 5-7, 3.95)
The Detroit Tigers are a team at a crossroads. They have several very talented players, but those players are older and expensive. Aside from a few young stud pitchers, they had very little talent surrounding that core, leading to the Tigers' decision to trade away Daniel Norris and Michael Fullmer for picks and prospects.
As it stands, the Tigers have added some depth to their minor leagues, and the sheer talent of their veterans has them just a game under .500.
That means it won't be an easy out when the first place San Francisco Giants come to town. The Giants have overcome a barrage of injuries to win two of every three games they've played on the year. They're in a virtual tie with the Astros and Mets for the best record in baseball.
They won't be at their best when taking on Detroit though.
The aforementioned Norris tore his UCL and needs Tommy John Surgery, sparing the Tigers from facing the player they traded away. The heart of their lineup, Buster Posey and Brandon Belt, are each down. The heart of their defense, Brandon Crawford and Che-Hsuan Lin ,are also going to miss the game. Young Christian Arroyo, who is tearing it up in his rookie year, is dealing with a bad hamstring. It's a tough circumstance for San Francisco.
They've still won seven of nine on the back of a ferocious pitching staff. Only twice in the last nine games have the Giants allowed more than three runs. Drew Smyly hasn't had the most consistent of seasons, but he's coming off 8.1 shutout frames against the Rockies, where he issued only one walk and 10 strikeouts.
Right-handers naturally hit him harder than left-handers though, as judged by their average. Righties hit Smyly at a .281 clip, compared to a .230 clip. That will be tough since the Tigers have very powerful right-handed hitters.
Despite his struggles against righties, Smyly pitched excellently against the Tigers as a member of Seattle. He went 7 innings, allowing one run. Justin Upton sat that game out for the far less dangerous Juan Perez, and Smyly was able to pitch carefully to J.D. Martinez in the game, walking him twice. Smyly allowed only two hits in that game, striking out eight.
If he can hold the Tigers in check, there's still the issue of run-creation. Conor Gillaspie has 12 home runs, but he has a sub-.300 on base percentage. Ehire Adrianza has the same OBP issue. Gorkys Hernandez is not a dynamic player. At least that trio helps San Francisco maintain its huge edge in defense. The Giants commit the fewest errors in baseball, and the only team better than them—or even close to them—in zone rating is the Chicago Cubs.
That defense doesn't matter if balls are hit over the fence though, and the Tigers have three mashers in the middle of their lineup. Miguel Cabrera, Martinez, and Upton each have 17 or 18 home runs. Cabrera is hitting .333 against lefties, Upton is hitting .350, and Martinez, while only hitting .270 off southpaws, still has an average .18 points higher than his regular average. The trio can mash, and may be able to mash Detroit to a victory.
Questions for the GM's:
For Samuel Rutledge, injuries have hit your team and yet you're still thriving and in first place. What do you owe that to?
Which of your unheralded players are you most proud of for stepping up this year?
Detroit has some excellent right-handed hitters. Do you give Smyly a shorter leash than usual today? Smyly does have success against their lineup.
For Steve Meyers, you were dealt a blow when Ian Kinsler strained his groin last week. Who will take his place in the lineup and roster, and why?
Buck Farmer has been pretty competent for you this year, with an ERA under 4. Where does he fit on your team going forward?
So much of trading away Norris and Fulmer came down to the picks you acquired. How do you feel about Adam Hall and David Peterson?
