Derp of shame
The Tigers will attempt to avoid their second consecutive sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians, but they’re fighting one heck of an uphill battle. Derek Lowe has been the Indians’ best starter this season, while Casey Crosby got rocked by the New York Yankees in his major league debut. With as crazy as this season has gone, don’t be surprised if those two reverse roles today… but I wouldn’t bet on it either.
Lineups after the jump.
1. Shin-Soo Choo (L) RF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Jason Kipnis (L) 2B
4. Carlos Santana (S) DH
5. Jose Lopez (R) 3B
6. Michael Brantley (L) CF
7. Shelley Duncan (R) LF
8. Casey Kotchman (L) 1B
9. Lou Marson (R) C
1. Quintin Berry (L) CF
2. Brennan Boesch (L) RF
3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 3B
4. Prince Fielder (L) 1B
5. Delmon Young (R) DH
6. Jhonny Peralta (R) SS
7. Don Kelly (L) LF
8. Danny Worth (R) 2B
9. Bryan Holaday (R) C
The Indians are hitting just .215/.300/.325 against lefthanded starters this season, but have also shown that they have the Tigers’ number so far in 2012. They scored 4 runs on 6 hits against Drew Smyly on Tuesday, and likely will do even more damage to the wilder Crosby today. The Indians’ offense has the second-fewest strikeouts in the majors and lead all of baseball in walks.
Lowe is 7-2 in his career against the Tigers with a 1.88 ERA, but hasn’t pitched against them since 2008, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The only two Tigers with more than 20 career at bats against Lowe — Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder — are hitting .174 and .217, respectively, against him. Unless Lowe’s minuscule home run rate suddenly reverses itself today, this could be a long afternoon.
