Detroit Tigers

Today will be the second installment of Tigers by the Numbers, where I will profile a current or former player that wore each uniform number. If you missed the first edition, my profile on uniform No. 1, Lou Whitaker, can be found here.

Today we will look at No. 2. Charlie Gehringer shared many similarities with Whitaker: they both played second base, they both hit left handed, and they both earned their way onto this list. Without further ado....

Our Detroit Tigers squandered a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning late Friday night. The Tigers had a runner in scoring position with just one out after a stolen base by Josh Anderson.

However, the streak ended at eight as they were unable to tie up the game in the ninth. Final score 5-3 with the loss going to Joel Zumaya.

The Good

Jacques Demers, as the irrepressible coach of the Detroit Red Wings, wasn’t happy.

In 1987, around the beginning of his tenure in Detroit, Demers had to make changes. His team was slumping and wasn't putting in the effort needed. He could not abide this.

So one blustery winter morning, he called practice at 7:30 a.m.

With the All-Star game quickly approaching, the Detroit Tigers have to feel confident with their lead in the American League Central. The key for the Tigers this year has been their pitching and defense. Beyond the resurgence of Justin Verlander, Detroit has had all-star caliber contributions from Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello in the starting rotation.

Overall the Tigers are second in hits allowed, third in runs allowed, third in fielding percentage, and third in double plays turned. Clearly pitching and defense is the backbone.

After what seemed like an eternity, the bats finally woke up to lift our Detroit Tigers to a three-game sweep over Milwaukee. The offense was able to put up 28 hits and 19 runs in the first two games to help the back end of the rotation pick up two very important games.

As we are now approaching the half way point of their first full season, I thought it would be a good idea to check up on some of last seasons highly regarded draft picks.  Among the many 2008 Draft picks was a solid core of arms again. 

Dave Dombrowski drafted solid relievers that could be MLB ready soon to put some Neosporin and a band aide on a wounded Tiger bullpen. With that said lets take a look at some of our newest Tigers that are earning their stripes.

Marcus Thames is "country strong." He showed that Friday night, clubbing two home runs, leading the Tigers to a 10-4 rain-shortened victory over Milwaukee.

After Armando Galarraga yielded a three-run bomb to Prince Fielder in the first, it was Thames who responded with a two-run shot off Braden Looper in the bottom of the inning to get the Tigers back into the game.

Welcome to Rudy Dominick & Johnny Lawrence's seventh weekly installment of Detroit Tigers information and analysis. 

Each Thursday, we will delve into all things Tigers. Read and digest, or skim and spit out our insightful banter.

Keep An Eye On

Thad Weber, Starting Pitcher—Lakeland Flying Tigers (A)

(June 11—June 18)

1-1, 16 IP, 11 H, 0 BB, 8 K, 1.12 ERA.

Date: June 16, 2009
Time: 8:15pm
Teams: Detroit Tigers at St. Louis Cardinals
Park: Busch Stadium
Weather: 83 and partly cloudy. Chance of rain later in the evening.
Starting Pitchers: Justin Verlander(7-2, 3.02)  Adam Wainwright(6-4, 3.49)
Records: Detroit(34-29)  St. Louis(34-30)
Last 10 Games: Detroit(6-4)  St. Louis(3-7)

My Two Cents