Thursday, September 07, 2006

Showdown

Time to buckle up. The Tigers and Twins begin a critical four-game series tonight in Minnesota. Justin Verlander against Scott Baker.

Baker gave up 14 runs in 8.2 innings in two starts prior to being sent to the minors in August. He returned Saturday to throw 2-hit ball over 5 innings against the Yankees. Verlander must come through. If nothing else, a win in the opener guarantees the Tigers leave town in first place and might relax them.

(We are attempting to reverse the SI curse by running Verlander's photo here.)

Next it’s Wilfredo Ledezma against Matt Garza and then Nate Robertson vs. Boof Bonser. In the finale, Jeremy Bonderman faces Johan Santana.

For the record, “Boof” is Bonser’s legal name. He changed it from “John” in 2001. Sure wish the Giants hadn’t traded Bonser, Joe Nathan, and Francisco Liriano for A.J. Pierzynski. What in the hell were they thinking?

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