Game preview – San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers: Lineups and notes for the ‘ace-off’

Tonights game is one to watch. Madison Bumgarner, (16-9, 2.97 ERA) faces off with another left handed ace, David Price (2-2, 3.86 ERA – with the Tigers) in the second game of the series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers. Both sides are in the thick of a postseason battle.

The Giants currently sit atop the National League wild card standings, and are only two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the West. On the other hand, after last nights loss, the Tigers are one place off the American League wild card spot, and are hunting down the Kansas City Royals in the Central.

Last night, either side of a lengthy rain delay, the Giants offense continued to tack on runs and Jake Peavy continued to dominate. Having hit Rick Porcello hard in the series opener, the offense will look to carry the same form into today against Price. Without further ado, here are the lineups for this morning’s game.

Lineups

Here is how the San Francisco Giants will line up:

Angel Pagan CF

Joe Panik 2B

Buster Posey C

Hunter Pence RF

Pablo Sandoval DH

Andrew Susac C

Joaquin Arias 3B

Matt Duffy SS

Gregor Blanco LF

And the Detroit Tigers lineup:

Ian Kinsler 2B

Torii Hunter RF

Miguel Cabrera 1B

Victor Martinez DH

J.D. Martinez LF

Nick Castellanos 3B

Eugenio Suarez SS

James McCann C (MLB debut)

Rajai Davis CF 

Notes

Bochy evidently read Around the Foghorn last night, and has, as I suggested yesterday, moved Blanco into the ninth spot in the lineup. Extra  base machine Arias will play third as Sandoval will get some rest and DH. Duffy will come into the lineup as Brandon Crawford, who had been very hot of late, takes a rest, too.

Susac will aim to stay in hot form as he will catch Bumgarner today, Posey will play first. The ‘Quintuple P’s’ of Pagan, Panik, Posey, Pence and Pablo will once more look to terrorise the oppositions pitching. The Tigers lineup the exact same as yesterday, except after a late night, Bryan Holaday will get some rest, and McCann will make his MLB debut.

This game is a must watch. I don’t care if you are at work, you need to turn this game on. The ‘ace-off,’ just like the rest of the series will be crucial in both franchises’ playoff aspirations.