"Must See JV" takes its show on the road, as Justin Verlander tries for the first time in his career to win 20 games in a season. He faces Carl Pavano and the struggling Twins, who have now lost 6 straight games, and have only scored 5 total runs in that stretch. Pavano will essentially be asked to pitch a shutout, as he faces off with the potential Cy Young winner.
As for last night's effort, Delmon Young continues to punish his former team. By punish, I mean having 3 softly hit balls go for singles, getting 3 RBIs in last night's 8-1 Tigers victory. Rick Porcello, who needed a bounce-back type of outing, struggled over the first three innings, missing his spots, allowing baserunners aplenty, but getting help in each of those three innings by way of the double play ball. Porcello only allowed a run (also helped with a blown call at first base, which would have scored the Twins second run; instead, ended the inning) and would settle down and pitch into the 7th for his first win of the month.
But for Porcello, struggling early against an offensively challenged team isn't a sign he might turn things around. He got more ground balls last night, which is a sign his sinker ball might be working again, but his location and command are still questionable. Naturally, run support would be the key last night, but it's not enough to convince me that he's even leaning back to his winning ways that we saw in the month of July.
Someone who might be back, as far as his control and energy might be one Phil Coke. Coke, who came in for Porcello last night, pitch an inning and 2/3 of perfect ball, striking out 3 more, and showing Tigers fans that he may still belong in the back end of that bullpen. Many fans loathed his time in the rotation, but this is the Phil Coke we can all appreciate. And if the Joaquin Benoit haters can forget that April ever happened, the last 3 innings of any given game will be very much set, assuming Jim Leyland see it this way.
Lastly, for today's Fox broadcast of the game, we will be entertained by Tigers play-by-play man Mario Impemba, and Twins analyst Bert Blyleven, who may or may not remind us that he's now a Hall of Fame pitcher. As far as these Fox combinations go, this one is tolerable as opposed to the Dick Stockton and Rod Allen experiment earlier this season. I hate feeling awkward for the commentary when I watch a game. We all know Rod and his penchant for certain outlandish statements, but it's broadcast dinosaur and potential dementia patient Dick Stockton who should never call a game anywhere again. His tendency to be forgetful to go with his broken delivery is painful to watch and listen to.
Enjoy the game today. Easy to say, of course... Justin is too good to miss.
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