Let’s Take It Easy On The Errors, Alright? – Lineups & Game Preview 7/24

Who has been the best pitcher on the Tigers this year? Verlander? No way. He’s been good, but has failed to be Verlanderian so far. Scherzer has been good enough to merit an All-Star start. It’s not him either, though. Anibal Sanchez, as it turns out, has been the most effective starter for the Tigers. Having lost two games in a row to open the series, the White Sox will now face him and try to avoid dropping to 20 games under .500. Sanchez has a spiffy 28% K rate which ranks him snugly between Scherzer and Sale among the league’s leaders, he’s carrying a 2.85 ERA, and even though this is bound to be his best season, his salary basically doubles next year and stays there until 2017. Life is good for Anibal Sanchez.

Life is pretty good for John Danks right now too. Not because he is among the league leaders in anything, but because he has perspective. Nobody knew if he’d be pitching yet after his shoulder issues, and certainly nobody knew if he’d be effective already. But he is and he has. Effective is a relative term, I suppose, but Danks has been able to pitch deep into ball games and generally does so without letting the game get out of hand. His last start was on the way to getting out of hand when he exited, having given up 5 runs to the Braves, but he did go 7 innings and rest the bullpen so they’ll be at full strength when it’s time to get traded.

Paul Konerko broke the 0-5 that started his return to the lineup with a double to score the only White Sox runs last night and he’ll DH again tonight for the same lineup that’s been on display all series. Where have you gone, Tyler Flowers?

The Pale Hose have racked up 7 errors in the 2 games so far for this series. I don’t know what to add to that.

Today’s Lineup:

1.De Aza – CF
2.Alexei – SS
3.Rios – RF
4.Dunn – 1B
5.Konerko – DH
6.Keppinger – 2B
7.Gillaspie – 3B
8.Viciedo – LF
9.Phegley – C

Detroit Tigers Lineup:

1.Austin Jackson – CF
2.Torii Hunter – RF
3.Matt Tuiasosopo – LF
4.Prince Fielder – 1B
5.Victor Martinez – DH
6.Jhonny Peralta – SS
7.Don Kelly – 3B
8.Hernan Perez – 2B
9.Alex Avila – C

Where to Watch
Today’s game will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net and Fox Sports Detroit. 7:10 Central start time.