Well, I had talked about doing this once I got the new game. I was able to purchase it yesterday and have started playing just a couple games.
The backstory for my decision to pick the Tigers is simple: I'm originally from Michigan and am gonna try to take Detroit all the way lol
I should be posting all the crucial information soon...
Detroit Tigers 2010 Season
The Tigers come into this year after a disastrous ending to the 2009 season that saw them blow a sizable lead in the Central Division and watching the Minnesota Twins pull out a tie on the final day of the regular season. The Tigers would still have another chance at advancing to the playoffs... as along as they could survive a one-game playoff against the Twins in Minnesota. The game had the atmosphere of any Game Seven ever played, and ended with a Twins victory in the bottom of the 12th inning, sending Minnesota to the Playoffs and the Tigers to the off-season once again.
During the off-season, the Tigers were hoping to make some moves that could put them in a better position to bring themselves to the playoffs in 2010...
Roster Moves
- 2B Placido Polanco filed for free agency (signed with Philadelphia Phillies)
- Re-signed Adam Everett to a 1-year contract.
- Traded CF Curtis Granderson (NY Yankees) & SP Edwin Jackson (Arizona Diamondbacks) for Max Scherzer & Daniel Schlereth (Arizona) and Austin Jackson & Phil Coke (NY Yankees)
- Re-signed 2B Ramon Santiago to a 2-year contract
- Re-signed Joel Zumaya
- Signed Jose Velverde
- Re-signed C Gerald Laird, P Zach Miner, and P Bobby Seay
- Re-signed P Justin Verlander to a 5-year, $80M contract
- Signed OF Johnny Damon to a 1-year contract
The Tigers reported to the Spring Training in mid-February and have (to this date) taken part in 30 Exhibition Games this season:
1. @ Toronto Blue Jays (3/2/10) [W 4-2]
2. vs. Toronto Blue Jays (3/3/10) [L 2-10]
3. vs. Houston Astros (3/4/10) [W 4-3; 12]
4. vs. Baltimore Orioles (3/5/10) [L 0 -1]
5. @ Toronto Blue Jays (3/6/10) [L 4-5]
6. vs. Atlanta Braves (3/7/10) [W 4-0]
7. @ Washington Nationals (3/8/10) [L 1-3]
8. vs. New York Yankees (3/9/10) [W 2-1]
9. @ Philadelphia Phillies (3/10/10] [L 4-5]
10. vs. Philadelphia Phillies (3/11/10) [W 5-4; 11]
11. vs. Tampa Bay Rays (3/13/10) [W 2-1]
12. vs. Toronto Blue Jays (3/14/10) [W 7-1]
13. @ Philadelphia Phillies (3/15/10) [L 1-7]
14. @ Pittsburgh Pirates (3/16/10) [L 2-3]
15. vs. Houston Astros (3/17/10) [W 1-0]
16. @ Atlanta Braves (3/18/10) [L 0-2]
17. vs. Philadelphia Phillies (3/19/10) [L 1-2]
18. @ New York Yankees (3/20/10) [W 3-1]
19. @ Toronto Blue Jays (3/21/10) [W 5-4]
20. vs. Washington Nationals (3/22/10) [W 3-2, 11]
21. vs. Toronto Blue Jays (3/24/10) [W 2-1, 10]
22. @ Atlanta Braves (3/25/10) [L 0-5]
23. vs. New York Yankees (3/26/10) [L 2-3]
24. @ New York Yankees (3/27/10) [L 5-7]
25. @ Toronto Blue Jays (3/28/10) [L 2-5]
26. @ Atlanta Braves (3/29/10) [W 4-0]
27. vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (3/30/10) [W 8-1]
28. @ Houston Astros (3/31/10) [L 1-2; 10]
29. @ Milwaukee Brewers (4/1/10) [L 0-1; 12]
30. @ Milwaukee Brewers (4/2/10) [W 6-0]
**Will begin doing game write-ups at the start of the regular season. But, will post results for Exhibition games above.**
Last edited by dxanman; 03-19-2010 at 12:44 PM.
*edited Spring Training Record*
2010 Spring Training Recap:
The Tigers finished a respectable 15-15 in the Spring, finishing in the middle of the Grapefruit League. Head Coach Jim Leyland had this to say about how his team was looking heading into the Regular Season. "Our guys are looking good, so far. Am I happy with .500? Sure, but I know we have the talent to do better than that. My biggest worry is that we start off the season the way we want to..." When questioned about his thoughts about finishing the 2010 Season like last year, Leyland said that they hadn't even played their first game yet. So, there was no need to start talking about what might happen four-five months from now.
After the finale against Milwaukee, the Tigers have three days off before heading to Kansas City to take on the Royals.
In the Free Agent market, the Tigers signed Nick Hasler to a three-year deal worth $73,000. He will be sent down to Triple A Lakeland to begin the season.
As a Michigander, I'll be reading up on this. Cool that you're doing it. I have MLB09: The Show, and did something similar with the Tigers Franchise.
I'm also going to Opening Day! Can't wait!!!
That's awesome. I hope you enjoy the read. I'll try my best to make it interesting.Originally Posted by Boone Carlyle
Game One:
Kansas City Royals 4 - Detroit Tigers 3 (F 15)
W - Kyle Farnsworth (1-0)
L - Dontrelle Willis (0-1)
Game Summary:
The 2010 Season began as the Royals and Tigers renewed their divisional rivalry in front of a packed house at Kaufmann Stadium. Zach Grienke took the mound for K.C. against Detroit's Justin Verlander.
Both starting pitchers started off the game wonderfully for their teams, keeping each other scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when Kansas City's Billy Butler hit a single to right field, scoring Scott Podsednik from second base. The Royals weren't done, scoring two more runs off of Verlander in the bottom of the fifth. Alex Callaspo singled to lead off the inning and scored when Alex Gordon tripled to right-center field. After striking out Brian Anderson, Verlander gave up a single to Jason Kendall, scoring Gordon from third. Verlander, feeling the pressure weighing on his shoulders, pitched Chris Getz into a force-out of Kendall. And, in a very smooth move on the mound, picked off Getz - at first pace - to end the inning.
However, the Tigers were not ready to give up a fight, and in the top of the sixth, brought the game back to even at three. Ryan Raburn led off the inning with a single, followed by another single by Miguel Cabrera, and Brandon Inge hit his first home run of the year, tying the game. After being announced Player of the Game - after a 4-6 performance - Inge said that he wished he could've made more of his other opportunities at the end of the game, but that the season is still short. After Inge's homer, Grienke got the next two batters out before he was pulled in favor of Kyle Farnsworth.
From the sixth inning on, both teams tried their best to play mind games with each other with the Royals sticking with Farnsworth, while the Tigers used a plethora of pitchers to finish the game. The games seemed to work as both teams went scoreless until the bottom of the 15th inning.
Alex Callaspo singled to start off the evening and was moved to second after Alex Gordon sacrificed himself to Dontrelle Willis - on the mound. Callapso then moved to third as Brian Anderson grounded out to second baseman Ramon Santiago. And, in the final at-bat of the game, Willis was able to get Jason Kendall to hit a deep fly ball to right-center field. Unfortunately, for Detroit, Magglio Ordonez came just inches short of making the catch, and Callaspo scored, giving Kansas City their first win of the season.
After the game, Manager Jim Leyland said that he was upset that his team lost, but that he couldn't be upset at the players because they "played their asses off", and that it was just one game. He said that after a 15-inning marathon, he and his players were happy they had a day off between games. Leyland said that, if his team went out and played like they did tonight, the series has a good chance of being tied up.
Next Game: 4/7/10
Rick Porcello (Detroit) vs. Brain Bannister (Kansas City)
Game Two:
Detroit Tigers 5 - Kansas City Royals 1 (F)
W: Rick Porcello (1-0)
L: Brian Bannister (0-1)
S: Ryan Perry (1)
Game Summary:
The Tigers came out in this afternoon's game with a huge chip on their shoulder after losing such a close game in heartbreak on Tuesday night. They came out swinging behind the pitching of Rick Porcello, obviously taking what Manager Jim Leyland had to say about their performance in their first outing.
The Tigers got the scoring started off of Brian Bannister in the second inning when Gerald Laird grounded into a bases loaded double play, scoring Magglio Ordonez. That one run appeared to be all that Porcello needed heading into the bottom of the fifth.
In the fifth, Alex Gordon singled to center and made his way to third on a Jason Kendall single to center. Chris Getz then singled - again, to center - scoring Gordon to tie the game at 1-1. The jubilation of his RBI was quickly deluted a few pitches later as Getz was caught stealing second to end the ending.
With the scored tied heading into sixth inning, Brandon Inge - who was named Player of the Game for the second straight game - came to the plate after Miguel Cabrera scorched a double to right-center. With two outs, Inge belted a belt-high slider over the left field fence to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead. After two more singles, Ramon Santiago grounded out to end the ending. After the game, Inge was shocked at his second POTG award, and said that things have been falling into place for him in this early season. He said that he didn't want to jinx himself, but that he hoped his performance at the plate would hold up for the rest of the season.
Porcello - and the rest of the Tigers staff - had the Royals dialed in, and when Porcello was pulled with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Ryan Perry kept them quiet for the rest of the game.
However, the Tigers weren't content with a two-run lead, and Ryan Raburn started off the eighth with his first home run of the year to put Detroit up 4-1. This was enough for Kansas City's manager, who pulled Bannister after a respectable seven-inning performance, and sent Juan Cruz to the mound. But, Cruz was rudely welcomed into the game, as the first pitch he threw to Miguel Cabrera was sent deep into left-center field putting Detroit up for good, 5-1.
The Royals weren't much of a threat to Perry for the rest of the game, and the Tigers celebrated their first win of the season in front of a disappointed sellout crowd. The final game of the opening series will take place tomorrow afternoon.
Also, Detroit's Single-A team - the Lakeland Flying Tigers - will begin their season tomorrow evening, taking on the Tampa Yankees in Tampa. Byron Brawn will be taking the mound for Lakeland against Tampa's James Holler.
Next Game - 4/8/10:
Max Scherzer (Detroit) vs. Gil Meche (Kansas City)
Game Three:
Detroit Tigers 3 - Kansas City Royals 0 (F)
W: Max Scherzer (1-0)
L: Gil Meche (0-1)
S: Jose Valverde (1)
Game Summary:
The series was tied heading into the finale on Thursday afternoon. Max Scherzer took the mound against Gil Meche.
Scherzer and Meche started off the game flawlessly, going pitch for pitch and out for out, through the first three innings. But that all changed in the top of the 4th as Ryan Raburn connected on his second home run of the season, taking Meche deep over the right-center field fence. Shocked, but unfazed, Meche got Miguel Cabrera to pop out to left. Now, with two outs, Brandon Inge stepped up to the plate and sent Meche's change-up over the fence for this AL-tying third home rung of the young season, putting the Tigers up 2-0.
That was really all Max Scherzer needed as he was as good as a manger could ask for on the mound. "There's no doubt he was the player of the game today," Manager Jim Leyland said of Scherzer's six-inning, eight strikeout performance. Scherzer only allowed three hits and had no walks before getting pulled by Leyland as he was nearing his pitch count.
This brought in Joel Zumaya, who pitched two scoreless innings allowing no one on base, and only threw nine pitches.
Meche's night, on the other hand, could've been better. Heading into the 9th inning, he had been able to hold the Tigers in check, allowing only those two runs in the 4th. However, his nemesis of the evening - Ryan Raburn - led off the inning, and sent another bomb into the stands, putting Detroit up for good at 3-0. It was Raburn's second of the game and third for the season, tying him with Inge.
Jose Valverde was called in to pitch the 9th, and only gave up one hit - to Billy Butler - before closing the game, and sending Detroit home with a series win to start the season.
The Tigers begin a series with the Cleveland Indians tomorrow at Comerica Park. Armando Galarraga takes the mound for Detroit as Aaron Laffey takes the hill for the 1-2 Indians. The Royals stay home over the weekend with a three game series against the Boston Red Sox.
-- In Minor League News: The Lakeland Flying Tigers came up short, losing 3-0, to the Tampa Yankees. These two teams will meet again tomorrow night - in Lakeland - as Ben Shelton (Tampa, 0-0) takes on (Enrique Gonzalez (Lakeland, 0-0). --
Next Game: 04/09/10
Armando Galarraga (0-0) vs. Aaron Laffey (0-0)
Game Four:
Detroit Tigers 7 - Cleveland Indians 2 (F)
W: Dontrelle Willis (1-1)
L: Aaron Laffey (0-1)
Game Summary:
The Tigers game into today's game tied for the lead in the Central Division, and were looking forward to taking first place - and adding to their lead - as they took on division rival Cleveland in the first of a three-game series. The Tigers sent Armando Galarraga - who ended the game with a no decision - to the mound against Aaron Laffey, who received his first loss of the season.
The Indians started the scoring early, in the first inning, when Grady Sizemore scored from second on a Matt LaPorta double to right-center field. This run shook Galarraga, who tossed over 20 pitches in the first inning alone, which ultimately cost him an early exit.
The Tigers, however, answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. After walking Ryan Raburn, Laffey tossed up a letter-high fastball that Miguel Cabrera - today's POTG - belted over the right field fence to put the Tigers up 2-1. Laffey was able to settle down a little bit after the homer, keeping the Tigers scoreless until the bottom of third.
After getting the first two outs of the inning, the Tigers unloaded four straight singles to the outfield that scored both Ryan Raburn and Brandon Inge to put Detroit up 4-1.
In the top of the 4th inning, after reaching his pitch count, Galarraga was replaced by Dontrelle Willis, who made up for his poor outing against Kansas City earlier in the week, but faced a little bit of trouble in the top of the 5th.
Catcher James Marson started the inning with a single, and moved his way over to third on two consecutive ground outs. With two outs, Russell Branyan hit a single to left-center scoring Marson. But, that would be the end of Cleveland's scoring for the game, as Willis settled down and held the Indians scoreless until getting pulled in the bottom of the 9th for Donnie Janzen.
Tony Sipp, who replaced Laffey after allowing five runs in just under four innings of work, came in and pitched wonderfully, holding Detroit scoreless until the bottom of the 8th.
With one out, Alex Avila doubled and scored on an Adam Everett single down the first base line. Johnny Damon came up next and belted a double to deep right-center that scored Everett from first. Ryan Raburn then struck out swinging before Sipp was replaced by Chris Perez who forced Cabrera to ground out to end the inning. But, when it was all set and done, the Tigers led 7-2.
In the top of the 9th, Janzen shut the Indians down, striking out Austin Kearns to end the game and give Detroit their third-straight victory and possession of the Central Division lead.
-- MINOR LEAGUE NEWS: Ronald Mosebach (1-0) won his first game of the season as the Tampa Yankees defeated Lakeland 5-3. The loss brought Lakeland to 0-2 on the season, and put them in last place in the Florida State North standings. These two teams will play again, tomorrow night in Tampa. --
Next Game - 04/10/10
Cleveland Indians (1-3) @ Detroit Tigers (3-1)
David Huff (0-0) vs. Jeremy Bonderman (0-0)
Game Five:
Detroit Tigers 12 - Cleveland Indians 2 (F)
W: Jeremy Bonderman (1-0)
L: David Huff (0-1)
Game Notes:
-- Tigers score seven (7) runs in the bottom of the 4th as they bat the lineup.
-- David Huff strikes out five and walks one in a three-inning outing.
-- Jeremy Bonderman strikes out one, walks one, and hits one batter and gives up two runs - on four hits - in a 6.1 inning appearance.
-- No home runs hit during the ball game, but a total of 14 runs cross the plate.
-- Clete Thomas is named Player of the Game with three singles and two RBIs in five at-bats.
Minor League News:
-- Lakeland (A) defeats Tampa 8-3
-- Toledo (AAA) & Erie (AA) begin their seasons on 04/11/10.
Upcoming Games:
MLB - Cleveland Indians (1-4) @ Detroit Tigers (4-1) [Westbrook (0-1) v. Justin Verlander (0-0)]
AAA - Louisville Bats (0-0) @ Toledo Mud Hens (0-0) [Homer Bailey vs. Zach Miner]
AA - Trenton Thunder (0-0) @ Erie Seawolves (0-0) [Jarrod Hatfield vs. Eddie Bonine]
A - Tampa Yankees (2-1) @ Lakeland Flying Tigers (1-2) [Ray Hansen vs. Tim Hunter]
Game Six:
Detroit Tigers 4 - Cleveland Indians 1 (F)
W: Justin Verlander (1-0)
L: Jake Westbrook (0-2)
S: Jose Valverde (2)
Game Summary:
Bottom 4: Ryan Raburn scores on a Miguel Cabrera sac fly (1-0)
Bottom 5: Carlos Guillen scores when Adam Everett grounds into a bases loaded double play (2-0).
Ramon Santiago scores on a Jake Planter single (3-0).
Top 6: Ryan Branyan hits his 2nd homer of the year (3-1 Detroit)
Bottom 6: Brandon Inge hits his 4th homer of the year (4-1, Detroit)
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Justin Verlander (5 IP, 3 K, 0 BB, 0 ER)
Minor League Scores:
AAA: Louisville Bats 7 - Toledo Mud Hens 2
AA: Erie Seawolves 8 - Trenton Thunder 7
A: Lakeland 7 - Tampa 5
Upcoming Games:
MLB: Kansas City Royals (2-4) @ Detroit Tigers (5-1) [Bannister (0-1) vs. Porcello (1-0)]
AAA: Louisville Bats (1-0) @ Toledo Mud Hens (0-1) [Wells (0-0) vs. Kennard (0-0)]
AA: Trenton Thunder (0-1) @ Erie Seawolves (0-1) [Segovia (0-0) vs. Robertson (0-0)]
MLB NETWORK UPDATE:
Flushing, New York: New York Mets Second Baseman Luis Castillo was put on the 60 Day DL today after suffering a torn quadriceps while turning a double play against Washington. The Mets went on to win the game 8-1, but will sorely miss Castillo while he sits out the next two months at least.
Game Seven:
Kansas City Royals 2 - Detroit Tigers 1 (F)
WP: Brian Bannister (1-1)
LP: Rick Porcello (1-1)
S: Joakim Soria (1)
Game Summary:
Top 1: Mike Aviles scores when Alberto Callaspo singles to center [1-0]
Bottom 1: Miguel Cabrera hits his 3rd home run of the season. [1-1]
Top 4: Brian Anderson scores when Chris Getz singles to center. [2-1]
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brian Bannister (KC): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 1 BB
Minor League Scores:
AAA: Toledo Mud Hens 7 - Louisville Bats 6
AA: Erie SeaWolves 8 - Trenton Thunder 0
Upcoming Games:
MLB: Kansas City Royals (3-4) @ Detroit Tigers (5-2)
[Gil Meche (0-1) vs. Max Scherzer (1-0)]
AAA: Indianapolis Indians (1-1) @ Toledo Mud Hens (1-1)
[Marc Dean (0-0) vs. Daniel Schlereth (0-0)]
AA: Trenton Thunder (0-2) @ Erie SeaWolves (2-0)
[Cesar Horgan (0-0) vs. Devin Hurd (0-0)]
MLB NETWORK UPDATE:
Chicago, IL: The Cubs signed RP Kiko Calero to a 1-yr/$666 K contract. "He was impressive when we saw him play last year," said Manager Lou Pinella. Calero will be filling the empty set-up role in the Cubs rotation.
Also, Jerry Oeltjen was sent down to AAA Iowa.
Game 8: 04/13/10
Kansas City Royals 6 - Detroit Tigers 2 (F)
W: Gil Meche (1-1)
L: Max Scherzer (1-1)
Game Summary:
Top 1 (KC): Scott Podsednik scores on a Billy Butler single to center. (1-0, KC)
Bottom 1: Johnny Damon scores on a Ryan Raburn sac fly to right-center. (1-1)
Top 3: Podsednik & Mike Aviles score on a Butler triple to deep right. (3-1, KC)
Butler scores when A. Callaspo hits into a double play. (4-1, KC)
Top 4: C. Getz scores when Aviles grounds out to short (5-1, KC)
Podsednik scores on a Butler single to right-center (6-1, KC)
Bottom 7: Brandon Inge scores when Carlos Guillen grounds out to second. (6-2, KC)
Minor League Scores:
AAA: Indianapolis Indians 7 - Toledo Mud Hens 6
AA: Erie SeaWolves 4 - Trenton Thunder 0
Upcoming Games (04/14/10):
MLB: Kansas City Royals (4-4) @ Detroit Tigers (5-3)
[Kyle Davies (0-0) vs. Armando Galarraga (0-0)]
AAA: Indianapolis Indians (2-1) @ Toledo Mud Hens (2-2)
[Brian Bass (0-0) vs. Aaron Mason (0-0)]
AA: Trenton Thunder (0-3) @ Erie SeaWolves (3-0)
[Eddy Horn (0-0) vs. Jerald Gettis (0-0)]
A: Lakeland Flying Tigers (2-2) @ Brevard County Manatees (2-2)
[James Cupper (0-0) vs. Karl Indra (0-0)]
MLB NETWORK UPDATE:
Los Angeles, CA: The Dodgers have announced that P B.J. Dingman will miss about a week of action after suffering a bruised hand in last night's game against Arizona. "It's a lot better than we thought when it first happened," Manager Joe Torre said after the game. "The X-rays should tell us whether or not it's serious." X-rays are expected to be taken tomorrow.
Game 9:
Detroit Tigers 2 - Kansas City Royals 1 (F)
W: Ryan Perry (1-0)
L: Kyle Davies (0-1)
Minor League Scores:
AAA: Indianapolis Indians 5 - Toledo Mud Hens 3
AA: Trenton Thunder 4 - Erie SeaWolves 2
A: Lakeland Flying Tigers 9 - Brevard County Manatees 8
Upcoming Games - 04/15/10:
AAA: Toledo Mud Hens (2-4) @ Columbus Clippers (3-3)
[Woodrow Kennard (0-0) vs. Jake Verne (0-1)]
AA: Binghamton Mets (3-2) @ Erie SeaWolves (4-1)
[Greg Thomas (1-0) vs. Eddie Bonine (0-0)]
A: Clearwater Threshers (4-1) @ Lakeland Flying Tigers (3-2)
[Julian Galarraga (1-0) vs. Byron Brawn (0-1)]
Minor League Scores - 04/15/10:
AAA: Toledo 4 @ Columbus 7
AA: Binghamton 4 @ Erie 2
A: Clearwater 7 @ Lakeland 1
Upcoming Games - 04/16/10:
MLB: Detroit (6-3) @ Seattle (5-5)
[Jeremy Bonderman (1-0) vs. Felix Hernandez (2-0)]
AAA: Toledo (3-4) @ Columbus (3-4)
AA: Binghamton (3-3) @ Erie (5-1)
A: Lakeland (4-3) @ Brevard County (2-4)
MLB NETWORK UPDATE:
Phoenix, AZ: Centerfielder Gerardo Parra will be out for about week after suffering a strained oblique in yesterday's game against San Diego. Chris Young will be taking over for Parra in center until his injury heals. Young is batting .125 in two games, this season, for the Diamondbacks.
Tampa Bay, FL: Catcher Dioner Navarro's season appears to be over after suffering a torn hamstring during a play at the plate yesterday in Boston. Kelly Shoppach is the likely replacement for the season. Shoppach is batting .111 for the season in only three games for the Rays.
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