FanHouse VirgilVasquez

FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the Pittsburgh Pirates.

For the better part of the last decade, the Pittsburgh Pirates aimlessly wandered through the wilderness of baseball with Kevin McClatchy and Dave Littlefield at the helm. Finally, they lost their jobs and Frank Coonelly and Neal Huntington took over. For more than a year, the new front office has been working on digging out of the hole dug by Littlefield during his reign of terror. There's only one real problem: The hole dug by Littlefield was so deep that it's going to take more than a year to dig out of it.

A month ago, Andrew Miller was sporting a 3.76 ERA. In his last three starts, though, he's done his best Mike Mussina impression by giving up 17 runs in just nine innings, including five runs without getting out of the first inning last night against the Royals. So now, with a bloated 5.63 ERA, the Tigers want Miller to head back to the minors and work out his problems hopefully in time to return for a last-ditch effort to make the playoffs. From Danny Knobler on MLive.com:

Miller has been optioned to Class A Lakeland, which is more of a procedural move than anything because Lakeland's season ends this weekend. Miller will eventually rejoin the Tigers, and could pitch out of the bullpen at some point in September. Manager Jim Leyland said Miller remains a candidate to start for the Tigers in 2008.

Virgil Vasquez will take Miller's spot on the roster, and will start Friday night in Oakland. Chad Durbin was going to start that game, but Miller's quick exit left the bullpen short, so Durbin will remain in the bullpen and will be available to pitch today.

Vasquez posted a 9.39 ERA in two starts earlier in the year for the Tigers, but he's been rock solid (3.48 ERA 127 strikesouts and just 33 walks) in 25 starts for Triple-A Toledo. No one doubts Miller's long-term potential, but this really is the best move for the present, giving the Tigers a chance to catch lightning in a bottle with a young pitcher who hasn't yet had his confidence completely bruised and battered by big league hitters.

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups

Chicago White Sox (43-55) vs. Detroit Tigers (59-38)-2:05PM Est.

The White Sox and Tigers are two of the four teams that will be playing a double header today. For the Tigers, playing five games against the White Sox in four days could be the best thing to ever happen to their division lead. Jeremy Bonderman doesn't hurt either, and he'll be starting for the Tigers in Game 1. Bonderman is 10-1 on the season, but only 5-6 in his lifetime against the White Sox. Of course the last time the White Sox took place in a double header, they ended up allowing 32 runs to the Minnesota Twins. It'll be up to Javier Vazquez to try and keep the Tigers under 20 this time around. Vazquez has been fantastic for Chicago, winning his last five starts, and looks to keep his streak alive against Detroit. Gavin Floyd and Virgil Vasquez have both been called up and will start the second game of the double header this evening.

You may remember last month when we told you about Tigers minor-leaguer Roman Colon getting into a fight with a teammate at Triple-A Toledo. As a result of the fight, Mud Hens closer Jason Karnuth had his jaw broken in several places just for trying to break it up. Colon was suspended seven games by the Tigers, but now he's going to have to deal with the law.

Colon was charged with felonious assault, according to an indictment filed Thursday.

What that means is Colon does face possible jail time, but more likely will be placed on probation.

Now in case you don't remember why this fight started, it's because Colon's teammate Virgil Vasquez turned down the volume on Colon's iPod. Apparently you do not want to mess with Roman when he's listening to his beloved Fergie, because if you do, you will be dealt with in a less than gentlemanly fashion.

After serving his suspension Colon was sent down to Double-A Erie, where he's yet to get into a fight with anybody. Of course, the iPhone just came out this week, and for the safety of all those involved I hope that nobody in Erie has bought one yet.

Previously at The FanHouse:
Minor League Spotlight: Don't Mess with Roman Colon's iPod