The Tigers and Mariners get their AL Division Series underway tonight in Seattle, with rookie Troy Melton starting for Detroit against former All-Star George Kirby. Both teams will go with 14 position players and 12 pitchers on their 26-man rosters for the series….
Tigers catchers: Dillon Dingler, Jake Rogers
Infielders: Colt Keith, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres
Outfielders: Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Jahmai Jones, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez
Utility players: Javier Baez, Andy Ibanez, Zach McKinstry
Left-handed pitchers: Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, Tarik Skubal
Right-handed pitchers: Kyle Finnegan, Jack Flaherty, Brenan Hanifee, Tommy Kahnle, Troy Melton, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Rafael Montero, Will Vest
Mariners catchers: Harry Ford, Mitch Garver, Cal Raleigh
Infielders: J.P. Crawford, Josh Naylor, Jorge Polanco, Leo Rivas, Eugenio Suarez, Ben Williamson
Outfielders: Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone, Victor Robles, Julio Rodriguez
Utility players: Luke Raley
Left-handed pitchers: Caleb Ferguson, Gabe Speier
Right-handed pitchers: Eduard Bazardo, Matt Brash, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, Emerson Hancock, Luke Jackson, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Andres Munoz, Carlos Vargas
Keith and Hanifee are newcomers to the playoff roster, replacing Paul Sewald and Justyn-Henry Malloy. Right ribcage inflammation has kept Keith from playing since September 18, and he wasn’t quite ready to go for the Tigers’ wild card series against the Guardians.
As MLB.com notes, Keith isn’t feeling 100 percent but he is good enough to hit, so it is possible he might be limited to pinch-hitting or DH duty in the series. Since the Mariners are heavy on right-handed pitchers, the Tigers’ bench should benefit by adding a left-handed bat like Keith, who hit .267/.346/.439 over 422 plate appearances against righties this season.
The biggest developments on Seattle’s roster were reported earlier today, as Bryan Woo remains sidelined due to a pectoral injury. Josh Naylor’s impending paternity leave is also a major storyline for the series, though the M’s would get to make a mid-series substitution if Naylor did have to depart for the birth of his first child.
Don’t mind what the Tigers did. Malloy is a better hitter than he gets credit for, but don’t need three lefty platoons on the bench. Sweeney isn’t good, but can move to short if Meadows needs to be pinch hit for and Baez moves to center. 12 pitchers just doesn’t seem like enough for a 5 game series, especially if game 1 is more or less a bullpen game. Being a little too dependent on Skubal I think. Dropping Sweeney for Bailey Horn would make some sense but oh well.
Hinch starting Melton today vs Montero. If he can get through 3 innings and/or the Tigers can score a few runs early Hinch can go to the BP and maybe snag the 1st game. Skubal is money tomorrow.
Skubal went to Seattle U.
“Skubal is money tomorrow.”
The M’s faced Skubal twice this season and beat him both times and both times, he gave up the winning run so neither loss was on the bullpen. Also, he gave up 7 earned runs and no unearned runs in those two starts and only went 10 and 2/3 innings total.
That ‘Northwest Green’ in the Mariners jerseys looks a lot like the colour of kryptonite.
That just means Skubal is due the beat them. Tigers in 5!
I’m hanging my hopes on the fact that we swept you in July without Woo, Naylor, Geno, Robles, or Ferguson.
Whichever way it goes it has started off with a great game. In terms of runs scored and runs allowed they were almost identical this season. Seattle certainly had the momentum in the 2nd half though. Kerry Bonds vs JRod last night!
Was a great game! Looking forward to tonight’s!
I admire Malloy’s plate discipline — but that at bat he had in Cleveland where it was almost clear he was looking for a walk, and watched strike 3 go by told me he isn’t ready for this. I like him too, but I’m not sure if he’ll be an everyday guy for the Tigers. Maybe elsewhere.
But then he also comes in and ropes a double against Chapman in Boston. I understand leaving him off, and he needs to learn a position if he’s gonna stick in Detroit. But he can make an impact off the bench. Like I said, I get it.
No Woo is good for the Kitties.
Nice to have a 5th starter like Bryce Miller.
I have the Tigers versus the Yanks in the A.L.C.S. The Tigers must be feeling great again after all that has occurred this season. Its aiding in their growth for getting to the World Serious. GO TIGERS !
Well Mprck almost added the I but not sure if you would have caught the humor. Anyway I was raised a Tiger fan my dad was raised in Detroit. Until 1976 rooted for them except when we had the Pilots then Ms. You still can’t think the Spankees will beat the Jays. Our series is more up in the air Spankees haven’t looked like they belong. I would rather face them than the Jays though. Wish you were 50/50 us and Yanks but I believe you will get the big goose egg.
Mariners beat Brewers in WS (5 games). Calling it now.
Please Mrs. Naylor, hold that bun in the oven through the playoffs. I’m so selfish, I know. Sorry.
Please restrict your offseason sex to November December and February.
Thank you,
The Managament
Gestational awareness, that’s all we ask.
I don’t understand the Tigers’ confidence in Rafael Montero.
He has pitched very well for them, although tonight was one of the few exceptions. They taught him to sell his splitter well by keeping his fastball at the bottom rail.
How ’bout them Tigers?! Z-Mack with the Ribeye & Keider w/the W!
Vargas should have been left off as game 1 showed. The guy was horrible down the stretch. Wilson should be fired for bringing him in instead of Miller tonight. Horrific managing all around by Wilson tonight.
Homeplate umpire in the first game was so terrible.
If the Twins’ fire sale continues, Tigers should inquire about Buxton, or check w/ChiSox about Luis Robert Jr. Detroit desperately needs a RH’ed hitting OF. Since they have no real hitting OF prospects in the minors beyond Max Clark, they need to trade for someone who can produce. Maybe one of our millions of INFs needs to learn OF. I.Pacheko maybe?
Bo Bichette at 3B would be nice, too. Colt can move back to 2B until Bichette replaces Baez at SS.
Buxton & Bichette >>>> JJones & Sweeney
Boo birds already out in Detroit. I wouldn’t do that. It’s counter-productive to the cause.
But I understand it. The ridiculous way the Tigers have played the last month shouldn’t be praised. Watching the “offense” is pure torture.