HOUSTON"S TRIPLE PLAY SNAGS THE WIN

May 24,2015

The fifth inning turned out to be crucial for Astros rookie pitcher LANCE MCCULLERS who was in a jam. With no outs and runners on first and second, Detroits IAN KINSLER hit a sharp grounder to third. Utility infielder JONATHAN VILLAR snagged the grounder, made a strong throw to JOSE ALTUVE covering second who avoided a take out slide by ANTHONY GOSE and fired to CHRIS CARTER at first beating Kinsler and recording Houstons first triple play since 2004.

McCullers was able to notch his first major league win, thanks to the fifth inning ending triple play.

NATHAN SIDELINED FOR AT LEAST A WEEK

Bad news for the Detroit Tigers,JOE NATHAN says he will not even be picking up a baseball for a week because of right elbow problems.

Anytime a pitchers throwing elbow is the issue, you have to hold your breath. With the plague of Tommy John issues the past four years, you never know when a mild day to day problem becomes a season ender.

DETROIT TIGERS

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/6/2015;

Catcher:                                    ALEX AVILA                                        L/R  Age 28

First Base:                                MIGUEL CABRERA                             R/R  Age 32

Second Base:                            IAN KINSLER                                       R/R  Age 32

Third Base:                               NICK CASTELLANOS                         R/R  Age 22

Shortstop:                                 JOSE IGLESIAS                                    R/R  Age 25

Left Field                                 YOENIS CESPEDES                             R/R  Age 29

Center Field:                            ANTHONY GOSE                                 L/L  Age 24

Right Field:                              JD MARTINEZ                                      R/R  Age 27

DH:                                          VICTOR MARTINEZ                            S/R  Age 36  

Batter Bench Notable:              RAJAI DAVIS                                       R/R  Age 34

Starting Pitcher 1:                     DAVID PRICE                                     L/L Age 29

Starting Pitcher 2:                     JUSTIN VERLANDER                        R/R Age 32

Starting Pitcher 3:                     ANIBAL SANCHEZ                            R/R Age 31

Starting Pitcher 4:                     ALFREDO SIMON                              R/R Age 33

Starting Pitcher 5:                     SHANE GREEN                                     R/R Age 26

Closer:                                      JOE NATHAN                                      R/R Age 40

Pitcher Bench Notable:             BRUCE RONDON                              R/R Age 24

NOTABLE INJURIES: JUSTIN VERLANDER and BRUCE RONDON start the season on the DL but are expected to be back by late April.

PROJECTION:  2ND in the AL Central with 83 wins.

MVP:         MIGUEL CABRERA                               

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT: JAMES MCCANN will start the season in the bigs and has the skills to take over behind the plate.

COMMENTS:  The Tigers window is closing and this team already has nagging injury issues. If they can stay healthy they have the components to win 90+ games, but that's a big IF.