Afternoon Optimism

The first half of the epic ten game home stand hath come and gone. Team Tilde has fashioned a 3-2 start, leaving little room for error in achieving the mighty 7-3 stand that The Book of Tilde demanded last week. But, with Verlander on the mound tonight, we remain optimistic for a series win over the South Side. Last night was a perfect example of the Tigers doing the little things right and the team appears to be playing with some heart and enthusiasm of late. Now, if they can just find a way to get to Vazquez tonight as well as they did to Contreras last night, we just might be back in business.

Vazquez has been somewhat hittable of late, giving up 9 hits and 4 ER in his last start (a win) against the Twins. He also gave up 9 hits and 3 ER against the Indians two starts ago. He was solid against Tampa Bay in between those two, but he has given up 5 HRs in his last 18 innings. JV hasn’t won since 5/20 against Seattle, but it hasn’t been his fault entirely. He’s received exactly THREE runs of support in his last three starts, while giving up 8 over his last 21 innings. You try winning with that kind of help. His WHIP is back under 1.4 and his ERA should creep back under 5.00 tonight with another solid 7 innings.

A win today would give the Tigers their first series win over a team not named Seattle since sweeping the Yankees at the end of April.