Casey has partial tear in calf

First off, I've never heard of a fascia muscle. You have fascia, and you have muscle, but there's no fascia muscle. Since all the reports say the same thing, we're not learning much. He could play with this, or not play with this.

3 for 10 is not a big enough sample to base a decision on, and hitting him second means he'll get some big at bats. I hope Grandy goes 4 for 4 so Neifi can bunt everytime up.

Don't really mean to bark and snarl, but I just think this is going to bite us in a big way. Good thing we're a game up.

I'm sure you guys can come up with more colorful reactions. :-)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Neffer Neifi!! If the powers that be MUST play him, why would he be "hitting" (?) second?? That makes no sense at all! The guys have been doing so well! This is no time to ignore Infante and Santiago. I am so disappointed to hear this news.

Add me to the list of disappointed people. This is a dud of a lineup, at least on paper.

Well quite plainly it defies good baseball logic.
Perez is nowhere near the calibre of Infante or Santiago.

Santiago was the clear choice--crystal clear.

I agree batting him 2nd is also dumb--why mess with the #1 #2 guys when they are clicking.

I'm pretty ticked off and agree this one could hurt us today. I can't see how it can help.

Leyland is not thinking this one through enough.

I hope it doesn't cost us the game.

Cory Lidle's death sure puts things back into perspective. I knew a plane had crashed in NYC but didn't find out it was Lidle until my wife brought the news home.

That's going to make watching the archive of Saturday's game very strange, especially with those closeup pitcher face shots Fox likes to use.

Fellas its not about being a game up or being in trouble tonight, Casey is out for at least the rest of the series. This couldn't be more serious.

You simply don't change your shortstop because the first baseman goes down, its absolutely ridiculous. The problem here was in the planning or lack of it, and many of us said it at the time -- you need Shelton on the playoff roster. You play Santiago and sacrifice some offense but instead we sacrifice offense and defense.

But not only that, we destroy the chemistry of the batting order. 5 at-bats for Nefarious? Hes hitting second? I am so crazy I don't know what to say.

Neifi can't even bunt. He does hit into a lot of double plays though.

And I'm sure Thames is sitting because Leyland, platoon robot that he is, wants a left-handed bat. But at what cost man??? And you don't even get his glove because he is playing DH.

If you keep Shelton on the roster you could've had

CF Granderson

2B Polanco

LF Monroe

RF Ordonez

SS Guillen

C Rodriguez

DH Thames

1B Shelton

3B Inge

How much better would everybody feel about that? Still think Leyland had a plan? Or a clue?

If you think I'm being too hard on Leyland just wait till the first groundball goes to short.

I don't think Leyland is trying to make the Perez deal look good. My guess is that he has something against both Santiago and Infante as players. This could have been communicated to the brass, who then (much to our dismay) got NP. I honestly don't want to think that Leyland is playing NP in spite of believing he has a better choice. I think he is wrong, but honestly wrong.

As far as Casey being out for the series having an impact, it certainly will. And yes, it was a mistake not to put Shelton on the roster. But it's too late now. I just hope the JL is smart enough to put Shelton on the Series roster if we manage to make it that far.

I agree with you Steve, its an honest mistake(though I must admit that part of me has always found Dans corporate conspiracy regarding Nefarious intellectually satisfying. It is rather hard to explain without it unless you believe that Leyland cannot make the most elementary talent evaluations). Somehow it doesn't make me feel any better that Leyland truly believes Perez is a better option than Infante or Santiago. Its sort of beyond comprehension.

Where is Marty? Marty, listen chico, we need some of your sharp level-headed optimism right about now.

Yes, This lineup is like spotting the other team. I have to think that Steve has a point, why in Leyland's mind would he try to consciously put a lineup together that is not his best option. In his mind it must be. For all our praise of JL, this is certainly the hot button he pushes that is so upsetting, and what makes it harder is that, had Shelton been on the roster, this injury would have been covered.

I don't understand. Why Perez (who *****), and not Shelton? Gomez? Is Leland TRYING to throw this series?

You know what's funny? Leyland is getting all this gushing credit from these announcers for pushing all the right buttons, regarding the Gomez homerun, when he's really just using guys WE'VE been pushing for for months. :-)

I nominate Dan for manager! Who will second?

Looks like Gomez is proving his critics wrong again. I totally trust Leyland. Not blindly, mind you, because I like Infante waaay more than Perez, but as far as pushing guys' buttons and all.. Jimmy Leyland gets it done. Period.

I should explain my last comment in case there are any new people tuning in here. We all think Leyland is a great manager, but that doesn't stop us from trying to "help" him when we get the chance. That's where the fun is.

I didn't mean you, labore8, I know you've been here all year.

Ha I know. You guys are the best too.. You and Dan have had some of the best commentary can some of the best suggestions all season. I think that Gomez is having the game of his life tonight, and I'm happy as could be!

How about Grandy this playoffs? He's becoming the prime time player we all knew he could be right in front of the whole world's eyes. It's just terrific to see because I know how hard he works, and I love the way he plays the game.

As my man Curtis says, "DON'T THINK, HAVE FUN!"

I don't know where to start, so I'll just throw stuff out there.

Curtis Granderson is looking like Mr. October.

Ya gotta love Todd Jones. The game's not complete until he faces their most dangerous hitter as the winning run, then gets him.

That's the best inning I think Rodney's ever had.

Ledezma got it done, and in the postseason. Who woulda thunk it?

Polanco is incredible.

Take a close look at Alexis Gomez up there. Look at the replay of his homerun swing. Remind you of anyone? If you said Kirk Gibson, you have the correct answer. That's exactly the way Gibby used to look. I think we may have a bloomer here, and it's very possible we wasted a lot of time on Matt Stairs when we had the lefthand bat the entire time.

I had almost forgotten how good these guys could be when going well. This is the April-July Tigers.

Chris Shelton was left off the Tiger roster, but I see that guy Murphy is on it. You know Murphy, the guy that wrote the law? You leave yourself short at firstbase so what happens, the firstbaseman is injured. Ol' Jim must be kicking himself over that one. Well, IF we get to the WS, and IF Shelton is on the roster, we have a guy who's gotten what, 12 major league at bats in two and a half months? That wasn't smart, but maybe we'll have another miracle.

Before I shut down (and shut up) for the night, I want us to remember Cory Lidle, the other guy (who I'm hearing was a flight instructor) and their families in our prayers. I mentioned this earlier. It's a stunning thing, to hear of a disaster that makes national headlines, then to learn it's someone we know or know of. I can't recall a similar circumstance, short of 9/11 itself. It's been both a happy and sad day. Good night all.

Rube, Level headed? Optimistic? You can't be talking about me. Hey it's midnight, I got to work early tomorrow(like no one else does?). So quickly....
The boys in general are hitting the ball so well that even this lineup we panned was productive. Anyone agreeing with putting Gomez in the lineup (before the game) is a genius. Rube, you mentioned that if he was going to bat, it was a waste not to have him playing RF for the defensive upgrade. I completely agree. Don't ya love it when a guy finally gets a chance and comes up big? Made JL look like a genius. Maybe he is. I'm still not ready to go that far yet. If he was a real genius he would have had him batting 3rd, right?

The team is flat out gelling and you feel confident no matter who is up. Excellent defense too. Pitching has been adequate this series. Fernando has been much better than adequate.

Curtis is eating up the spotlight.

Craig is showing so much courage and tenacity in the outfield, makes you proud.

Ivan has completely turned it around. He's actually gotten cerebral at the plate and reined in his impulsive swinging. Could go on but will "save some room for later"

Hey. The Tigers did in game one what we have been harping on for how long now? Being patient and selective. And someone said they learned that from watching the Yankees? Ha. It was us! They finally listened...lol.

So how did the Tigers do tonight? They did well enough...It wasn't the great game they had last night but it was enough.

Has anyone thought about how rough August and September were, that the Tigers not only went flat but didn't get the breaks either. Look what's happening now. Balls spanked right at Craig and Curtis that could have been real trouble. A seeing eye single from Gomez that plates two but was within about 2 inches of being a double play.

The Tigers seem to have found the mojo they lost around August 7. Go Tigers!!!

Let me second that Rich. I have prayed for the families and friends of these two men and will continue to. Very sad.

I didn't get to watch this game at all tonight. That was one tough evening for me I can tell you.

Nice to see (well it would have been nice to "see") Gomez come through. Granderson continues, Polanco Wow. Rodney apparently was lights out. I did see that Jones gave up 3 hits in the 9th--3 more than Perez got today.

I also see the Tigers did not turn a double play.

Did Perez look as bad as I think he probably did?

Any chance Leyland plays him in Detroit?

I had a feeling Gomez might get the call.

Not to wish ill on anyone and I hope Casey does get back in the lineup but can you imagine if any other position player got injured?

Nice to see Monroeget a couple of hits and a big sac fly. He has been hitting to the deep part of the park the last little while so I hope he can start finding the gaps or the wall.

Sounds like Verlander did OK?

Hears to Alexis Gomez, what a ballgame. No one is likely to ever forget that performance. I remember that game where Leyland pinch-hit for Gomez with the game on the on the line and we all went nuts. Well he certainly is a gamer, I'm really happy for him -- he couldn't wipe the smile off his face in the dugout.

The players of the game so far for the Tigers have been 2 pitchers, Inge, Thames and Gomez. The poor guys at ESPN and Fox have no idea what to say next.

Leyland practically predicted that Gomez would go deep, you have to tip your cap to the crazy old man.

Dan, Verlander had flashes of brilliance but by his standerds he really didn't have anything last night. He got by on his tremendous raw talent and desire. He was wild, going 3-2 on everybody and looked to be working real hard just to do the basics. Its a testament to his skills and heart that he got through but it was pretty nerve wracking. I think hes just tiried but he is some kind of competitor.

Never seen a game with less action on the left side of the infield. The Nefarious one didn't matter till the game was on the line and Bradley nubbed a chopper over the mound in the 9th with 2 outs. As Perez eventually fielded the ball (it took him a while) and threw to first I couldn't breathe. Santiago makes that play for sure, Infante probably, Guillen maybe and Perez, well at least he didn't throw it away.

Have you ever noticed that even if he hasn't played in weeks if you see Neifi in the dugout he's holding a bat. The very personoification of useless ornamentation. He did a sacrifice down last night but we were also treated to four examples of Neifis own unique brand of futility. Embarrasing.

Granderson continues to amaze and excite.

Even Monroes 2 outs looked great. He struck out but the pitch before he hit a scorcher down the left field line about 16 inches foul, otherwise it was gone. A missile. His sac fly was ripped into the right field corner. His swing is definitely back.

Polanco is a man on a mission; right now I'm surprised if he doesn't get a hit.

Guillen had a couple of very strange strikeouts with a lot of guys on. He got smacked in the head at first and may not have felt so hot.

Y Gomez, ay mi madre -- sabroso.

Rodneys first pitch was a change-up going right at a Chavezs' knee and it floated over for a strike at the last second. He was dominant. He not only struck out the side but the 5-6-7 hitters went back to the dugout bewildered. I felt that Leyland didn't use him as consistently as he should this year; he often had 5-6 days between appearances which can be tough for a reliever. If this is any indication, a few back to back outings could be a great idea.

Jones, who you have to love looked really good but Kendall and Kotsay put some good at-bats on him. But the Bama boy got the out when it mattered. Heart-palpitating stuff. I don't know the A's well but I can see why they win, they've got a good, solid ballclub. I want to finish this quick before Thomas and Swisher get hot. You have to love any team where the catcher leads off.

I like your point about Gomezs' power swing Rich, you're right, more than a touch of ol' Gibby.

We're 2-0 and going home boys

Jason, what is up with the time change on the game? A 4:30 start is just plain BS and only goes to prove the East Coast bias the baseball media has. I mean come on!!! Three scheduled game days in a row (if it goes to a 5th game)

Thanks a lot Rube. I was going to watch the game on MLB archive but now I am not. You've given a pretty vivid description and it doesn't matter now much does it?

We know with JL there will always be some quirkiy things going on but I would bet Gomez gets another start tomorrow.

If leyland is thinking without the little chip on the shoulder there's no way he plays Perez. I did see Perez' first AB and he looked pretty helpless.

Give us glove of Ramon now. Defense is pretty darn important in these games and especially if you are trying to protect a lead (2 zip in games). I don't think Santiago is a perfect #2 hitter but swap him man for man with Perez and keep the rest of the lineup intact.

Wouldn't shock me to see Infante play either. His avg isn't much different against RHP and he has 1 for 3 record against Harden.

Watch out for Harden-the kid can throw. He is a BC kid from Victoria and though I genereallylove to see Canadians do well in MLB I am hoping he gets an early exit in this one.

I agree that the time change is a demonstration of the media bias towards New York and east coast teams, but that's not surprising. I think that's hard on the Oakland fans who now have a 1:30 playoff game on a weekday. That's really bad, I'm sure they're up in arms. On the positive side, the earlier start should make for a little bit better weather, but it's going to be a frigid weekend. All three games at this time will also bring this shadow question into play again. I've never heard so much discussion on shadows. I do think it helps Bonderman on Saturday. Again.

Actually, the gametimes are better for me personally, but I still think it's wrong.

Dan, Neifi put down a good bunt. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the man can bunt. That's all he can do. He's got a poor man's Ichiro approach at the plate that doesn't work, at least not in this league.

Verlander is kind of amazing, really. He couldn't locate that curve much and Bradley clobbered his changeup, but he can just rear back and fire to keep himself in the game. I heard Frank Thomas' interview, and I almost felt sorry for the Big Hurt. He sounded Hurt Big. He was pretty much blown away in his at bats.

Before I forget, Ian over there on the ALCS blog has requested that we whip up some business for it. I don't want to detract from this, the best blog in all of MLB, but maybe you all can drop a short line over there from time to time. They really don't know much about the Tigers, and so far I've put in a word for both Nate Robertson and Alexis Gomez.