Game 127: Rangers vs. Tigers

Game 2. Armando Galarraga vs. Vicente Padilla... that is, unless they bump him back again.
In five career starts, Padilla is 3-1 against Detroit. In his last start against Detroit, he got lit up like a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. He handed out 7 runs on 8 hits and one walk. He also gave up 3 dingers in the mix. Detroit hits him for a .257 batting average, while the majors slap him for a .278, so he is a considerable amount better against Detroit. At home this season, Padilla is 3-3 with a 4.19 ERA. Against Detroit, he has a 4.03 ERA. He's also given up 5 HRs in 29 innings against them, however, 3 were in his last start.

Before starting the mess against Baltimore on August 9th, He had four starts in a row of 6 innings or more. In his last 11 starts, he has gone 6 or more innings 9 times. He's 6-4 during that stretch. His two starts of less than 6 innings were also losses, so the nine games of longer starts, he's 6-2. He has been the starter for 3 Ranger shutouts this season. He has also been the victim of a shutout once, which was his last start.

Kittens to Watch:

• Gary Sheffield: 15-39 (.385 BA); 1 double, 3 HRs, and 6 RBIs
• Edgar Renteria: 7-13 (.538 BA); 1 double, 1 HR, and 4 RBIs
• Ramon Santiago: 5-9 (.556 BA); 1 double, 1 HR, and 4 RBIs

As a team, the Detroit roster is 46-133 for a .346 batting average with 8 doubles, 11 HRs, and 25 RBIs.

Armando Galarraga is 11-4 with a 3.11 ERA as he comes into this game. Hitters are .217 against him this season. He's never faced the Rangers, although he used to pitch for Texas. He is 4-2 in his last 7 games. He averages over 6 innings per game (he has 21 starts and one relief appearance).

Not a single Ranger has an at-bat against him. He is coming off an 8 inning stint in which the Kittens won 5-1... he gave up 6 hits, a solo HR and two walks.

Josh Hamilton is going to reach out with his feelings... use the force! Or maybe his power.

Forecast: If anyone should be able to hit Galarraga, it would be the Rangers. After all, he did pitch here. He came up from the minors here. I am thinking a white-wash of Detroit. Rangers pound them with a score of 11-4.

Home Plate