Detroit Tigers: 79-56, 1st Place (7.5 ahead of Cleveland). 

Really, it is the most remarkable thing: Cleveland just cannot beat Detroit. After cruising to a rain-shortened victory last night, Detroit improved to 14-3 against their division rivals. There is nothing like that at the top of any other division in baseball; I don’t know when the last time there has been.

• CLE 68 – 49 .581 —
• DET 65 – 53 .551 3 1/2

That’s what the standings would look like, if you take the head-to-head match ups out.

Of course, it is a rule of thumb that you have to beat the teams in your own division if you want to get anywhere. But even so…

DET vs Central (without CLE):

• CHW 8 – 5
• KCR 6 – 7
• MIN 9 -7

Total: 23  – 19  .548

CLE vs Central (without DET): 

• CHW 11 – 2
• KCR 8 – 5
• MIN 9 – 6

Total: 28 – 13 .718

Cleveland is actually taking care of its own division better than Detroit…except for Detroit.

As strange as it all is, I say let’s enjoy it, and let’s hope it continues tonight.

*****

At least Cleveland won’t have to deal with Miguel Cabrera tonight. The official, and consistent, word from the medical arm of the Tigers word-makers is that Cabrera’s injuries are of the sort whereby he won’t make them any worse by playing. From where I sit, that attempt to stretch a double into a double Thursday was painful. His at bat yesterday: painful. Well, something is getting worse, and even if playing doesn’t make it a worse worse, it certainly doesn’t make it better. Enjoy the night off, Mr. C., you have earned it.

*****

The Tigers have recalled Phil Coke, making him eligible for the postseason roster [eruption of dancing in the streets]. They also recalled Hernan Perez, which was probably necessary if Cabrera is going to be on the shelf for a while. To make room, Bonderman was sent to Toledo, and Poor Ol’ Putty (Luke Putkonen) was sent hurtling down to Lakeland.

Which reminds me of another little move that went without comment. Thursday, after a rather rough outing on Wednesday, Jose Alvarez was sent down to Toledo and replaced by Luke Putkonen. As luck would have it, Putkonen was quite useful on Thursday: Max Scherzer just didn’t have it, and the Tiger looked like they were on their way to a blowout sweep. As we all know, instead they staged a thrilling comeback which culminated in the Torii Hunter walk off home run. The guy who was overlooked and under-appreciated in all of this was Luke Putkonen, who came in and pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Max to stop the bleeding.

*****

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Victor Martinez. Victor justified his POPG last night, so why dismount a hot horse midstream? Besides he is 9-for-18 lifetime against Kazmir.

Tonight’s Very Different Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Iglesias, SS
3. Hunter, RF
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Tuiasosopo, LF
7. Infante, 2B
8. Pena, C
9. Santiago, SS

Detroit Tigers: 78-56, 1st Place (6.5 ahead of Cleveland). 

The last time I did a post, the Tigers were 5.5 games ahead of Cleveland. After going 4-4 in the meantime, they have somehow increased their lead to 6.5 games.

The Tigers of course, as we know–and if you don’t know, well then, good for your blood pressure–came within 1 strike of suffering an historic 4-game sweep at home. The last time that happened: 2004, when the starting pitchers were the esteemed rotation of Maroth, Knotts, Robertson, and Johnson. Omar Infante was there (5-for-9 in the series), as was Torii Hunter, on the Twins (5-for-16). Yes, those were different times: total attendance for that 4-game series: < 90,000.

But the sweep was not to be: the Twins pitcher decided to grant ball four to both Jackson and Fielder (props to Loon for that one, although you missed the “Grant” angle…just saying), with 2 outs and 2 strikes Victor “Mr. August” Martinez lined a single to center, which brought Torii Hunter to the plate with the potential winning run. The potential became the actual, as Hunter, swinging for the fences, actually cleared the fence (how often does that happen?). Torii’s old teammate from the last Tiger home sweep (Balfour was on the Twins in 2004…maybe Torii still knew him well?) F-Bombed his way off the mound, and the Tigers somehow got out of that series with the A’s on an upbeat note. Phew.

*****

The Tiger starters, somehow–all four of them–were ridiculously bad that series. It’s not that even the best pitchers don’t have bad outings; they do. And Max himself has been saved by a couple less than stellar outing by ridiculous run support. But bad outings by all four starters, on the best starting rotation in baseball, in the same series? How does that happen? Is that one of those (cringe) “that’s baseball” things?

Or is is something else? Leyland has been very good about pulling all of the starters this season as soon as is reasonable (well, less with Verlander); yet they have thrown a lot of pitches. Is it late-season fatigue? I heard murmurs that maybe the Tiger pitches were tipping pitches (Verlander has had this problem in the past). But all four of them? That doesn’t make sense. Were the A’s stealing signs? Doubtful (if all the big bombs came with a runner on 2nd, that theory would make more sense). It may have just been that the A’s–not a great offensive team, but a very disciplined one–were just well-prepared. They have that video stuff nowadays. They certainly seemed to know what pitches were coming. Or it could just be that the Tigers ran into a team with a whole lineup that was hot at the same time…it happens.

At any rate, going into this key Cleveland series, the Tigers are somehow on an upbeat note. Complete absolution, as Tom in Lakeland says.

*****

Yes, of course Cabrera is in the lineup tonight. As if. Word on the street is that Tuiasosopo has been working out at 3B.

*****

Jose Iglesias still has the reigning Web Gem. But is that play as good as the one Victor Martinez made back in June?. Yeah, that’s a repeat comment. But still true!

*****

Cleveland has just picked up Jason Kubel (.220, .612….278, .786 career vs. Detroit), to replace Ryan Raburn (DL, achilles). But can he pitch?

*****

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Victor Martinez

The first two months of the season, Victor was the biggest problem in the lineup, according to me. He was though, really. Leyland and crew obviously had faith he would come around. They could not have been more right. After a first half hitting .258 (.693 OPS), Victor has put up these numbers in BA and OPS:

• JUL:  .390 / 1.010
• AUG:  .383 / .917

Victor is easily the 2nd-best bat on the team right now, there is no competition.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Hunter, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Kelly, LF
7. Avila, C
8. Infante, 2B
9. Iglesias, SS

77-56, 1st place, 5.5 games ahead of the Indians.

So this is what it’s like to be an Astros fan. Oh, right. The above. Strike that remark. But losing 14-4 will correct your Pythagorean record in a hurry.

The pitching has gotten a bit soggy lately, eh? The A’s are also swinging the bats very, very well. The Tigers have run into them at the wrong time. Seems to happen with some frequency vs. the AL West. And I’ve got a Mariners series coming up. Eek.

No sweeping conclusions based on three games, now. The team that wins 12 in a row can lose 3 in a row. Even at Cabrerica. It’s the same team.

The good: Hunter and Martinez were impressive. Jose Iglesias is just something else at SS.

The bad: Well, there’s the pitching. And also the pitching. How ’bout the pitching? Did I mention that already?

The at bats by Cabrera and Fielder in the 5th were disgraceful, beneath contempt. I like to think that the reason these two took a seat early is less because of the score and more because Jim Leyland saw what I saw better than I did. Cabrera gets moody and gives away at bats. It happens. I’m more surprised by Fielder. The funny thing about it is this: I was still stewing about those at bats when the 7th inning started (and I was watching the game without audio on purpose, so I had no warning), thinking about how I would have sat those two bums immediately and replaced them with Kelly at 3B and Tuiasosopo at 1B, when who should appear on my screen but… Aha! Sweet justice, I thought.

Coco Crisp isn’t the first opposing CF we’ve seen this season who makes Austin Jackson look ordinary, but I don’t think I’ve seen Jackson have a game like this in center field before. Misplayed an out into a single… an out into a double… and lazied a single into a double. On top of an 0 for 5. Huh. Onward, don’t look back.

Doug Fister gives up a lot of hits. Have you noticed that?

Bartolo Colon is indeed back from the DL to plague the Tigers. Although Colon can be a brute (get it?), I fully expect Max Scherzer and 20-1 euphoria to push this three-game funk out of our minds and send us up against Cleveland full of renewed optimism. This is, after all, the same team that won 12 in a row. Except for Coke. Could that be the problem? Maybe clubhouse chemistry is in a shambles without kooky Phil to stir things up. Oh well. He’ll be back soon.

77-55, first place, 5.5 up on the Cleveland Indians.

Rain put a merciful end to the debacle of the 6-3 loss to the A’s. It was a forgettable game, but I remember a few things:

A. Prince Fielder’s 2-run, bases-loaded single to tie the game wasn’t just a 2-run, bases-loaded single to tie the game. It was also a fine display of “old style” Prince at the dish, the whole at bat.

B. Justin Verlander did record 15 outs. It just took him a while.

C. Iglesias cost the Tigers an A’s run with a poor relay throw. Little disappointed there.

D. Moss’s 2-run backbreaker was brought to you in part by Omar The Sloppy, taking a page from Callaspo, apparently.

I shall refrain from further comment on Matt Tuiasosopo, in order to avoid a repeat of last night’s hex. At bats weren’t good.

The A’s have been beating the Tigers at their own game, hitting-wise. Give them some credit. Now it’s up to Doug Fister to turn that around, and I think he’s just the guy. Vida Blue was a late scratch for the A’s. Instead, they send out RHP Dan “Cy” Straily, who may cause us to sigh frailly.

This one-game, 6-inning slump from Cabrera is alarming. He needs to get back on track with another one-pitch, multi-run HR in the 1st, I say. I mean, come on, Miguel. Dues to pay. You gotta earn that money, carry your weight. Every day. For our sakes.

77-54, 1st place, 5.5 up on the Indians.

The Tigers just treated us to one of the most exciting games of the season, but wound up on the wrong side of 8-6. There was another Miggy Moment, the 2-run HR to right field on a 3-1 pitch off the plate that tied the game at 4. Miguel Cabrera is the Babe Ruth of our time, make no mistake. No pinstripes on that guy, either. He’s a TIGER. Fielder gave the ball a nice ride with the bases loaded. Tuiasosopo was flat out robbed by CF Crisp on the play that may have saved the whole game for the A’s. Martinez gave the Tigers hope when it was fading. The team didn’t let up. For a loss, it was a thing of beauty.

Except for the pitching. It was like a tug-of-war between Tigers pitching and Tigers hitting. Pitching wanted to lose. Hitting wanted a draw. Pitching prevailed. Four Tigers pitched, and four Tigers pitched poorly. Sanchez was withering in the heat from the get-go, throwing 100 pitches in the first inning alone, and things might have gone still worse later if not for a gift strikeout on Tiger-killer Crisp from the 3B ump. Alvarez was very Coke-like. Looking sharp, pitching crisply. Giving up 4 hits and 2 runs, the nails in the coffin when all was said and done. Poor Alburquerque can’t keep a good thing going to save his life. One pitch, 2 outs, inning over was such a promising beginning. Bonderman is slowly pitching himself off the team.

The Illustrious Mr. Iglesias had his first bad game going until a clutch hit in the 8th kind of redeemed him. But by abandoning his position on a guess, he gave up the 4th A’s run more than Sanchez did. He also watched three called strikes go by in one three-pitch AB. But ultimately, just about everybody except the pitchers did something good. Infante even got a hit that mattered for a change, tying the game at 2 with his line drive 2-run homer.

Yes, it was a good game. Balfour-Cabrera showdown in the 9th. Wasn’t over till it was over. Best of all, since it was at Cabrerica Park rather than O. Co., it ended before 2 AM. Disappointment after midnight is strongly discouraged.

For those of us who like to complain, which is all of us, Detroit’s Pythagorean record is now +6 at 83-48. However, contrary to what you might have been thinking – which is exactly what I was thinking – the Tigers are actually 8-2 in first home games after road trips. 8-2. Do you believe it? I don’t. But it’s true.

Dotel pitched and Avila played with Toledo last night. I can’t say I’m excited about the prospect of either returning, but both surely will, and probably soon.

Except when conceding courtesy strikeouts to the likes of P Ryan Raburn, when Tuiasosopo is at the plate, good happens. Destined to remain a role player with the Tigers, probably. But I hope he keeps getting his chances. For a while there it seemed like he was well out of the picture. I hope he’s back in it.

Rod Allen informs us that… damn, can’t remember who it was now… well, whoever it was, he has good plate recognition. I really need to get around to streaming the radio broadcast while watching mlb.tv.

Tonight it’s lefty Tommy Milone against Justin Verlander. We ache for a standout performance from Justin. Let it be so. The performance, I mean, not the ache.

77-53, 1st place, 6 games ahead of Cleveland. 24 games above .500 is a new high water mark. Best team in baseball (Baseball Reference SRS). Best record in the AL.

It was early in the season, so early that the yet to be coined AlburCokey would have still meant a good thing, and the Tigers were off to a so-so start when they traveled to Oakland to take on the yellow-green-hot A’s. First game, Bartolo Colon was as frustratingly baffling as usual, and in my mind’s eye I can still see Brayan Villareal serving it up to Josh Donaldson for the game-loser in the 12th. (For us more easterly sorts, a West Coast extra innings loss is just about the worst.) Less easily recalled is that Drew Smyly blew the save. After that, the Tigers mauled a couple of young A’s starters (staff widely considered “best in baseball” at that time) to take the series, and order was momentarily restored. In retrospect, the Tigers were this close to a road sweep, though it should be noted that Oakland was without Cespedes and Crisp for parts of the series. Nonetheless, our early season Tigers had now more or less dominated the first couple strong teams (+ Blue Jays, though they were struggling early) they’d faced. But were only 7-5 to show for it.

April 12 A’s 4, Tigers 3 (12) WRAP

April 13  Tigers 7, A’s 3 WRAP

April 14 Tigers 10, A’s 1 WRAP

This time around, Oakland is fighting to keep pace with the Rangers, while Detroit continues its efforts to stiff-arm the Indians. The stretch draws near, and these are two very likely playoff teams. Let’s call it a big series, even if they all loom large now. The Tigers may catch a break by not having to face Colon, who has been on the DL. Other news out of Oakland is that Josh Reddick might be headed to the DL and that Yoenis Cespedes has been in a slump. Their best hitter over the past month has been SS Jed Lowrie, while Coco Crisp and Brandon Moss have been swinging it over the past week. Notable: Crisp and Cespedes have combined for 1 SB over the past month. However, the A’s are yet another opposing team with a bit of speed sprinkled throughout the lineup, which will be the usual stressor if the games are close. Oakland has some rotation issues going on, leading to the ever-annoying TBA as currently-named starter from Tuesday-Thursday. I like to have my images set before a series, so I don’t think I’m going to wait on Bob Melvin to name his starters.

The 12-game winning streak seems like only yesterday. Gone but not forgotten, that bolt from the blue put the Tigers in the catbird seat they currently occupy. The Tigers are 9-8 since, but you may have noticed that the high level of play has continued. There was a lot to like about every game of the just-concluded sweep of the Mets. It all starts with another 3 quality starts back to back, Fister-Scherzer-Porcello. Too much to cover, really, but I will mention that the emergence of new secret weapon Victor Martinez the Catcher is an exciting development. For starters, it opens up some possibilities related to a certain MC (who) Hammer(s). Also, I could get used to having my prayers for an insurance run answered like they were in the 9th inning of the final game against the Mets. But there’s never enough, is there? I cursed Torii Hunter for ending the onslaught, and then became nervous again when Jeremy Bonderman walked the first batter in the bottom half. With an 8-run lead.

With Porcello’s Sunday win, for the first time since 1962 the Tigers have 5 starters with 10+ wins. Max Scherzer, now 19-1, faces uphill odds in trying to beat ElRoy Face’s long-standing winning percentage record of .947 (Face was 18-1… as a reliever!), but wouldn’t that be sweet? For starters (pun intended), that would mean more wins for the team… unless we’d be willing to take a bunch of no-decisions and eventual losses. Hmmm. Well, I’ve thought about it, and I think I’d prefer that Scherzer finished 25-1. That record would stand for a while, I think.

Now it’s the Tigers back home at Comerica, with Anibal Sanchez, who has, can, and should again own the A’s hitters, going up against A.J.Griffin, who has given up an MLB-leading 30 HR. I like what that points to, but you know how baseball can be.

76-53, 1st place, 6 games up.

Three stars from last night –

1) Scherzer. He joins Rube Marquard (1912 New York Giants) and Roger Clemens (2001 Yankees) as the only pitchers to start 19-1.
2) Dirks – 3-3, 1 R.
3) Bullpen – 3 IP, 0 H, 1 K, 0 BB.

Three goats –

1) Brookens with an awfully late change from run to stop on Pena after the Scherzer double. Pena looked ridiculous trying to read Brookens.
2) Brookens sending Infante on the Fielder hit.
3) Brookens trying to send Cabrera on the ensuing Tui hit, which Cabrera correctly ignored.

I love going into Sunday’s game with the series in hand, as a sweep will be a tall task today. There aren’t many pitchers on a better roll than today’s Mets starter Dillon Gee. Over his last 10, Gee is 4-1 with a 2.10 ERA. He’s averaging nearly 7 innings per start and a 1.11 WHIP. (Actually, there is at least 1 pitcher who has been better over his last 10, but I don’t think it’s fair to compare normal humans to Scherzer).

Porcello looks to get the Ricky P train back on tracks after it was derailed last time out against Minnesota, when he gave up 5 ER in 4 1/3. Prior to that Porcello had won 5 decisions in a row. A win today would be his 10th, joining every other Tigers starter at the 10 win plateau. Our rotation is just flat out sick.

Tigers head home after the game today for 7 v. the A’s and Indians.

A few notes:

– Casper Wells gave up 5 ER in 2/3 of an inning last night after he was called in to pitch in the 18th…all 5 of those ER came with 2 outs.

– Every division leader in the Majors is within 2 games of each other (21 games over to 25 games over).

– Has anyone else noticed that TB has caught the Red Sox? And that after the Rangers were 6 games behind Oak a few weeks ago, they are now 2.5 games up (was 3.5 yesterday)?

I’ll get the lineups out in a bit.

75-53, 1st place, 6 games up on Cle.

Solid win last night.

Hunter and Cabrera put the Tigers up early, and Fister pitched well enough over 6 1/3 innings of 1 run ball for the W. Martinez looked good behind the plate and I like that he was spelled by Pena late in the game.

Bruce Rondon closed out the 9th nicely, allowing 1 hit and striking 1 one in the 9th. He’s been doing a lot of this lately. Here are his numbers over his late 10 games: 11 2/3 IP, 11 Ks, 3 BB, and a .94 WHIP. On the season his ERA is down to 3.65 and he’s nearly as effective against Lefties (.257 BAA) as he is against righties (.246 BAA). Eight of his last 10 appearances have been for at least an inning, and 3 of those have been for longer. Salty.

Today’s matchup pits Scherzer against All Start starter Matt Harvey, on the same mound, no less. How weird is this? It’s the first time the All-Star Game starters have met at any point during that same regular season (I borrowed that from the Elias Sports Bureau). A little more – the only two times the All-Star starters pitched against each other in the same season came in the World Series, according to Elias: Dwight Gooden vs. Roger Clemens in 1986, and Red Ruffing vs. Paul Derringer in 1939. This will certainly be the last Harvey Scherzer match-up of the season.

Should be the game of the week on Fox.

Today’s Hunter/Martinez/Iglesias Less Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Infante, 2B
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Tuiasosopa, RF
6. Dirks, LF
7. Pena, C
8. Santiago, SS
9. Scherzer, P

74-53, 1st place, 5 games up.

“WAR – What is it good for?”

Well, evaluating players, for one thing. Or so we think.

As we all know, the WAR debate dominated the MVP race last year, with Cabrera and his old school hitting stats (summarized as “the best right handed hitter in our generation”) beat out the sabre-favorite Mike Trout and his 1st to 3rd ability and low GIDP. So where are we in 2013? Well, even with the historical season that Cabrera is having this year, Mike Trout is dominating him in WAR.

That’s an average of 1 additional win. Worth about $4-5M in salary in the theoretical FA market where WAR sets salaries.

But anyway, Joe Posnanski posted a great blog about the Trout/Cabrera debate and seems to reluctantly admit that Trout is a better player because of his overall skill in spite of Cabrera’s prodigious numbers. (Though did you know that Mike Trout is a below average center fielder this year?) It’s a good read, and I would encourage you to read the comments as well. One of the commentors noted that Cabrera is better than Trout in the Smoking Loon threesome of RE24, WPA and RBI%.

I used to like WAR because it was new and complicated and I wanted to be cool. Now that I’m a dad with two kids, a mortgage, car payments, and Dora the Explorer placemats, I know I’ not cool, and I’m much more concerned about being right. And WAR is a good tool, but it’s not everything. And I’m starting to understand that the guys who live and die by WAR are greatly uninformed.

There is no doubt that Trout is a better WAR player. But WAR just happens to be a shiny tool in a chest full of dozens of useful ones used to measure the value of a baseball player.

********************

On to the Mets. The Mets are the Mets. 3rd place in the NL East this year, and they actually have a worse record at home (26-33) then they do on the road (32-34). The Tigers have struggled on the road (33-30), so this could be interesting. Tonight the Boys draw new Met Dice-K.  So, if like me, you’ve been wondering where he went, the answer is “NY Mets.”

Lineups coming later today.

Detroit Tigers: 74-51, 1st Place (5.5 ahead of Cleveland). Best record in the AL.

Anyone who woke up this morning and looked at the 7-1 score of last night’s game would think the Tigers had an easy one, but it was anything but. Kevin Correia breezed through the Tiger lineup in what looked like it was going to be a 2nd consecutive hat-tip to the Twins’ pitching, and the inevitable stolen base led to the lone run against Anibal Sanchez as he left in the 7th with a 1-0 deficit.

Then the Tigers rallied in the bottom of the inning with 2-outs when Holaday singled, Jackson singled, and Torii Hunter came through with a big 2-run double. Still, the Tigers clung to a slim 1-run lead. Then came the play of the game; after an intentional walk to Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder struck out, and the floodgates opened.

• The catcher couldn’t handle the pitch, and it flew his glove to the backstop.
• Fielder recognized the situation immediately and bolted for first (no trundling there–you always get hustle with the Prince).
• The inexperienced Caleb Thielbar stood on the mound and and didn’t think to cover home.
• The experienced Torii Hunter saw the above and scored from 2nd.

After that Martinez doubled, and the game was now a safer 4-1 score.

*****

How good has Anibal Sanchez been in the 2nd half? (I cleverly waited until after the game for this, when the jinx was no longer in order).  4-1, 1.51 ERA, best among Tiger starters since the break.

*****

The Tigers will try to take the series today with Justin Verlander matching up against Dreaded Rookie Pitcher Guy–make that Dreaded Lefty Rookie Pitcher Guy, this one named Andrew Albers. Pena says he is available to catch if needed (Holaday is starting), and Alex Avila is starting a rehab assignment with the Mud Hens tomorrow.

*****

Jose Iglesias still has the reigning Web Gem. But is that play as good as the one Victor Martinez made back in June?

*****

Fun With Small Sample Sizes

• Worst bunter on the Tigers: Omar Infante. 4 sac bunt attempts, 0 successful.
• Best bunter on the Tigers: Omar Infante, 4 bunt hits.

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Not Victor Martinez again. Victor hasn’t been doing so well with the day games:

• VMart in the day: .233 BA .652 OPS
• VMart at night: .320 BA .809 OPS

Clearly we have a vampire on our hands.

We’ll go with the day splits of Matt Tuiasosopo here: .352 / .963 during the day vs. .219 / .832 at night.

Today’s Rubber Afternoon Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Hunter, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Tuiasosopo LF
7. Infante, 2B
8. Iglesias, SS
9. Holaday, C

Detroit Tigers: 73-51, 1st Place (5.5 ahead of Cleveland). Best record in the AL.

Well, apparently I managed to jinx Omar Infante, Rick Porcello, and Miguel Cabrera, all in the same post yesterday.

Of course, nobody wins them all. And sometimes you have to tip your hat to the other guy. No, really, all joking aside, this from Jim Leyland in the post game interview: “I’ve got to tip my hat to Pelfrey.” Yes, he really, actually, said that.

OK, as much as we joke about the hat-tipping here, sometimes lack of hitting is really great pitching, and vice-versa. But Mike Pelfrey? Not buying it.

****

Catching is hard. As in difficult, and as in hard on the body. Avila took batting practice again today, but is still not ready to play. The Twins put Joe Mauer on the new special 7-game concussion DL, so we won’t see him in this series. For Detroit, Pena is day-to-day with a bad toe (he has been a real spark lately), and Victor Martinez–yes, that Victor Martinez–has been putting in work behind the plate.  “I’m contemplating catching him a game in New York, and I’ll leave it at that,” Leyland said.

*****

As you all probably know by now, Phil Coke has been optioned to Toledo, and Jose Alvarez has been called up to take his place. Which is intriguing. Is he now the lefty bullpen specialist, instead of the 5th-6th starter guy? Not to worry about Phil Coke though: he could still be eligible for the postseason.

*****

Speaking of relievers, imagine this situation: tie game, bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, bases loaded, and you need to bring someone in from the bullpen…hmmm, who do you go to? The Red Sox decided Brayan Villarreal, and every Tiger fan yelled Noooooooo!!!! Walked in the winning run. This is not to say that Zorro won’t turn out to be a key bullpen arm, but right then and there…um, no.

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Victor Martinez. Martinez has a career 0-fer against Correia, but he has been hot (.358 in 2nd half), and has been strapping it on. I’m going against the splits today.

Today’s Celebrate Holaday Lineup

1. Jackson, CF
2. Hunter, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Dirks LF
7. Infante, 2B
8. Iglesias, SS
9. Holaday, C

Detroit Tigers: 73-51, 1st Place (6.5 ahead of Cleveland). Best record in the AL.

Taking 3-of-5 from Kansas City was nice (sorry, Cleveland, but KC seems the the bigger threat right now), but after being swept in both games of the double-header–and held to 1 run and 6 hits–it was very nice indeed. All the better that the two series ending wins were driven off the bat of Miguel Cabrera, in back-to-back pitches ending Saturday’s game and beginning Sunday’s.

How good is Cabrera anyway? Lee Panas suggests the talk of the possible Triple Crown actually undersells how good a season he is having–whether he wins or not, his season is better than most Triple Crown seasons have been. Jason Beck points out that if his season ended today that he would have an historic season under his belt. Only 16 other people in baseball history have had a season batting .360 with 40+ home runs and 120+ RBI, and Babe Ruth is 6 of them. If he continues on the pace he is at, he would finish over .360 with 50 HR and 150 RBI, which has only been done twice, by Babe Ruth in 1921 and Jimmy Fox in 1932.

Is there any chance he could continue at this pace? Oh, he is just warming up. Here are Cabrera’s month-by-month OPS numbers:

• .995 Mar/Apr
• 1.222 May
• 1.196 June
• 1.028 July
• 1.265 August

Fasten your seat belts.

*****

This is not to say that everything is roses in Tigerland. Despite his ridiculously hot bat, Miguel Cabrera is playing hurt, with multiple injuries. His inability to move in the field and inability to run the bases (congratulations Victor, you are now no longer the slowest guy on the team) have already cost the Tigers a couple of runs (we’ll take it). I predict he will get some rest after September call-ups.

Alex Avila’s health is also a concern. The good news is, that Avila has been cleared for workouts, and will take BP and run drills today.

*****

Detroit looks to keep rolling with 3 against the Minnesota Twins, before going on a weird 3-game road trip against the Mets, and then back home. Tonight features Mr. 2nd Half Rick Porcello (5-0, 2.84 since the break), who will have to solve Josh Willingham (.438 lifetime against Porcello).

And a tip of the cap across the diamond to Mr. Joe Mauer. Miguel Cabrera isn’t the only one playing today who is compiling a pretty darn good career. Mauer is still doing it, and doing it on a team that that is OK on its good days, depressing on others. The Twins were awful in July (9-17), during which time Mauer merely hit .360. He just doesn’t give away at bats. After 10 years as a career .323 hitter, he is hitting .324 this season, mostly at catcher, on a team eliminated from contention roughly in May. [Tip].

[Update: Mauer scratched with dizziness in BP–he has been taking a lot of foul tips lately, like Alex has. Let’s hope they are both OK].

*****

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Omar Infante. Omar returns to the lineup with a 15-for-34 lifetime vs. Pelfrey in his back pocket.

Today’s Infantastic Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Hunter, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Dirks LF
7. Infante, 2B
8. Pena, C
9. Iglesias, SS

Omar Infante is back after a day off with back stiffness. I am liking how the Infante-Pena-Iglesias bottom of the order is coming together.