63-55, 2nd place, 2.5 games (that’s what you get for taking a day off) behind CWS, 1 game behind WC

There’s been a lot of talk as of late regarding Miguel Cabrera’s MVP candidacy. In fact, it seems as if the local papers have received an edict to write about it daily. And they make strong arguments in his favor. But MLive’s Josh Slagter made a fantastic point in an article today – if the Tigers really do have 3 MVP candidates (Keith Law suggests that Verlander and AJax are in the top 5 right now), how are they 2 (really 2.5) games out of first place? Think about, when else have we had this talent at the op of the roster? Not to mention that our 1B has been a perennial NL MVP candidate over the last few years. Says a lot about the bottom…

(Interesting follow-up today on ESPN Insider – Dave Cameron uses Fangraphs’ Leverage Index to demonstrate why Cabrera’s clutch performance makes him a legitimate MVP candidate.)

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Tommy No Support Hunter opposes the Tigers tonight to kick off a three-game set. The O’s have scored two or fewer runs for Hunter in 10 of his last 16 starts, and 5 out of the last 6. Hunter is 4-7 for the year with a 5.54 ERA, and is 1-5 with a 5.94 ERA on the road. He’s getting hit pretty well by lefties (.291) AND righties (.321), which explains why Delmon Young is in the lineup. 67% of the runs that Hunter has given up this year have come in the 4th, 5th or 6th.

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A few notes:

– Al Al is hot on the comeback trail, he’s got 8 Ks in 4 innings and a 3.18 ERA since his move to Toledo on August 3rd.

– Schlereth is dominating…at Lakeland. 1 ER over five innings since August 3rd.

– The Tigers are 3-4 in extra innings this year, and 15-14 in one run games; the Orioles have won their last 11 one run decisions.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Dirks, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Avila, C
6. Young, DH
7. Boesch, RF
8. Peralta, SS
9. Infante, 2B

61-53, 2nd place, 1 game behind CWS, .5 games behind Brandon Inge and Oakland for the WC lead (which means tied for 2nd WC spot)

Last night’s heart breaker ended on a Mike Olt single in the bottom of the 9th with two outs. Kid’s been up for less than 2 weeks. The two walks to lead off the 9th were definitely the culprit, though Leyland’s assertion that late leadoff walks have spelled death for “1,000 years” may be a bit overstated. To be fair, I haven’t checked the box scores from 1012.

Even so, and despite the fact that the Tigers have lost 3 out of 4, all of which they have had a good, if not great, chance to win, the Tigers can move back into a tie for first with a win and CWS loss today.

To do so, they’ll have to solve Yu Darvish, a riddle against which they are 0-2 thus far this year. Darvish was dazzling in May (6 1/3, 2 H, 1 ER, and just good enough against the Tigers in June (4 ER in 7 IPs). Since that June game against Detroit, however, Darvish has just 1 QS out of 6, and is averaging an outrageous 5.6 walks per 9. He was one win during that time frame. Darvish has allowed the fourth most walks in all of baseball (his WHIP is 1.46), yet in two games against Detroit, he’s allowed just 3 walks. The key today’s game is taking pitches. Darvish will walk you. Cabrera, Jackson and Boesch are a combined 0-15 v. Darvish this year.

Porcello has pitched good enough to win the last two times out, but he hasn’t been spectacular. The Rangers are in a bit of an offensive slump, so he doesn’t have to be perfect. Kinsler (5-8) and Murphy (5-9 with 1 HR) have Porcello’s number.

You know how Leyland gets real defensive of players that are mired in career long slumps, and then they eventually get cut about 4 months after they should have been? Well, Leyland said yesterday that “Gene Lamont is a great third-base coach.”  Could be the beginning of the end for Lamont. (Anyone know where we can check % of runners scoring from 2nd?)

Today’s (proposed) We’ll Get Yu Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Dirks, RF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Boesch, DH
6. Avila, C
7. Infante, 2B
8. Santiago, SS
9. Berry, LF

A few fun  facts before you look at the actual lineup:

– Delmon Young is batting .250 over his last 10 games, with 3 RBI (think of all of his chances); Berry is batting .185 with 2 RBI, and is batting .238 in games he’s started. Young has had 9 more ABs to get that 1 RBI, but I’m guessing that he’s probably had 2 – 3x as many runners on base in front of him.

– Delmon Young is batting .223 in day games this season; Berry is batting .273 in day games.

– Delmon Young is batting .257 with a .645 OPS against righties this season; Berry is batting .293 with a .773 OPS.

Actual Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Dirks, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Boesch, RF
6. Young, DH
7. Avila, C
8. Peralta, SS
9. Infante, 2B

61-52, 2nd place, 1 game behind CWS, tied for WC lead

Despite allowing too many baserunners (10 in  6 innings; the Rangers had at least one base runner in every inning), Scherzer’s too many strikeouts got him out of one jam after another, and then Dotel and Valverde impressively shut the door on a 6-2 Tigers win.

Today’s match-up looks to be the most favorable of the series on paper, as JV takes on Derek Holland. Holland has been terrible as of late, giving up 6 ER in 3 of his last 4 starts, and posting a 6.30 ERA over his last 10 outings. He also has a 6.19 ERA at home this year (vs. 4.06 on the road, park effects can’t be that bad) so we should be able to plate a few this evening.

JV has a career 1.90 ERA vs. the Rangers, and 8 out of 10 quality starts. Verlander is 3-0 against the West this year with a 1.89 ERA.

Prediction: Prince Fielder, who has become a hitter with power, not just a power hitter, will finish the season 2nd in the Majors in RBIs.

What I would like to see for Tonight’s Lineup (someone please post later):

1. Jackson, CF
2. Infante, 2B
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Peralta, SS
7. Boesch, RF
8. Baker, LF
9. Laird, C

60-52, 2nd place, 1 game behind CWS, tied for WC lead.

Well, the Tigers blew a fantastic chance to take over sole possession of 1st place last night when Joaquin Benoit gave up back to back HRs in the 8th to relinquish the lead, and then the Tigers went R3L2O fail R3L2O fail R32O fail with an opportunity to tie the game in the 9th; which is arguably the most life force draining consecutive at bats that a fan can endure.

It’s hard to come away from the Yankee series on a positive note, but I will admit that the Tigers are playing better all the way around, and I certainly wouldn’t be scared to face the Yankees in the playoffs.

There is, however, a team that worries me, and we start a three game series against them tonight. Though their pitching staff has been hit hard with injuries (Colby Lewis is out of the year, and Neftali Feliz may be out until 2014), guys like Scott Feldman have stepped to help keep the Rangers comfortably in the lead. Feldman is 6-0 over his last 7 games, during which his ERA has dropped from 6.50 to 4.52.

The Tigers look to continue their hot hitting streak in the scorching Texas heat (it was 108 yesterday). The Boys have collected 13 hits or more in each of the last 5 games (which makes yesterday’s loss even tougher) and are batting .356 with 11 HRs in 8 games this month.

I will be a few rows back up the 3rd base line, look for me, I’ll be the one explaining to Gene Lamont that base runners need to touch home in order to score a run.

A few notes:

– Joaquin Benoit is a league leader…his WHIP in July/August….is .84.

– Leyland being Leyland on a potential Castellanos call-up in September.

– 37,661 per game at Tiger Stadium, good for 3rd in the AL. I see you Tigers fans.

Stat of the day – Miguel Cabrera leads all major leaguers with a .369 BA against the Rangers.

Tonight’s Back on Track Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Dirks, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Boesch, RF
6. Young, DH
7. Avila, C
8. Peralta, SS
9. Infante, 2B

BTW, I’m still upset about last night.

57-50, 2nd place, 1.5 games back.

The Tigers rode Doug Fister’s tremendous  fantastic complete game performance to another easy win. For the first time in a while, they beat up on Ubaldo Jimenez en route to the 6-1 victor. None of the Tigers’ RBIs came from Cabrera or Fielder, as the BooBs went 6-16 with 4 XBHs and all 6 RBIs. Jud slept well for sure.

Too Many Strikeouts Max takes the ball this afternoon looking for the sweep. His 11.08 Ks/9 leads the AL, and he’s 5-3 with a 3.73 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over his last 10. I’m going to predict that Max gets his first career CG Shutout (even a shutout would be a first) today.

The Tigers go against little used call-up spot start guy Chris Seddon, who is making his first Major League appearance since 2010. The lefty has a career 7.03 ERA, .299 BA and 1.64 WHIP. The Tigers really should put up some runs against this guy.

A few notes:

– Raburn to the DL retroactive to 8/1 with a thumb sprain. Worth up (and starting…).

– Al Al moved up to Toledo yesterday, and retired the only batter he faced.

– Schlereth began his rehab with Lakeland on Friday.

Today’s Play Wherever You Think You are Worth-while Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Infante, 3B
3. Cabrera, DH
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, LF
6. Peralta, SS
7. Boesch, RF
8. Laird, C
9. Worth, 2B

56-50, 2nd place, 2.5 games behind CWS (who have won 3 in a row, come on LAA).

Nice easy win last night. Haven’t seen one of those in a few days. Cabrera was Cabrera again, going 3-5 with 2 runs and his MLB leading 88th RBI. Prince Fielder’s 4 RBI has him tied for 4th with 77.

Though Sanchez’s final line looked pretty good, he really wasn’t that great last night. He allowed 10 base runners in only 6 innings, and benefited from Cle’s 1-10 RISP. Downs and Villareal, on the other hand, were tremendous. No word on whether Leyland was miffed by the relievers’ 5 Ks in 3 IPs. Like Coleman said yesterday, when we get Al Al back, we’ll have one of the top bullpens in the AL.

Check out what Sanchez had to say regarding the standing O he got when he checked out yesterday. To summarize, he inferred that it was better than after his no-no in 2006. Tigers fans are the best.

Today’s match-up features the Tigers 2nd half ace, Douglas Wildes Fister, going for his 5th quality start in a row, and 5th win in 6 tries. Over his last 5 starts, Fister has a 1.00 WHIP, and a 33/8 K/BB.  His ERA during that time is a sparkling 2.50.

Carlos Guillen will be inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame prior to tonight’s game.

Headed to a pool to get out of the scorching Texas heat, if I can’t get to the lineups, someone please post when they are avail. I read this morning that Dirks will sit in favor of DY b/c DY is 10-23 off of Jimenez (DY’s .645 OPS against righties be damned…Dirks’ is .944 v. righties).

55-50, 2nd place, 2.5 games behind CWS

Your rested Tigers begin a 7 game home stand tonight against the Indians. The Indians have dominated the Tigers this year, as they hold a 7-2 series lead. But the Tigers have been nearly unbeatable at home as of late, having won 11 out of their last 12. Let’s hope that the home cooking tips the scales in our favor.

Anibal Sanchez makes his 2nd start for the Tigers tonight. His first start was rather forgettable, as he allowed a career high 3 HR in a 6 IP 5 ER performance. Sanchez was uncharacteristically wild last time out; the 3 walks allowed was only the 6th time in 20 starts this season that he walked more than 3. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was just an off game.

Or maybe Miami outsmarted DD.

After a 7 IP 3 hit performance on May 29th, Sanchez was 3-3 with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Since that May 29th win, Sanchez is 2-4 with a 5.82 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. His K/9 is down to a 6.86 from 9.04 and he is issuing over 1/2 a walk more per 9.

Not to mention that Infante has actually been worse than our previous 2B band-aids (.167 and 3 errors in 8 games).

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A few notes:

– Dirks is back, Dirks is back! Kelly down.

– Alburquerque is moving on up to Toledo. Should be back with the big club soon.

– Indians let Johnny Damon go earlier today.

Tonight’s Lefties Do It Better Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Berry, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Boesch, RF
6. Dirks, RF
7. Avila, C
8. Infante, 2B
9. Santiago, SS

53-48, 2nd place, 2.5 games back.

Keeping it short and sweet for the W…

– Sanchez threw only 4 balls in the first 3 innings yesterday.

– White Sox continue to beat up on Texas (5-0 vs. them this year), as they won their 5th straight yesterday, and they acquired Francisco Liriano from the Twins.

Today’s It’s Okay to Bat Rayburn Once Per Week Against Lefty’s Though 6th is Still Too High Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Infante, 2B
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Rayburn, LF
7. Peralta, SS
8. Boesch, RF
9. Laird, C

53-47, 2nd place, 1.5 games back.

Well, that game last night sucked. The Tigers were never really in it, and have now fallen so far out of first place, that it will take at least 2 games to climb back into the top spot.

Opposing Anibal Sanchez is the confusingly double last named Henderson Alvarez.

Sorry there’s not more, start time really snuck up on me.

1. Jackson, CF
2. Berry, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Boesch, RF
7. Peralta, SS
8. Avila, C
9. Infante, 2B

53-46, 2nd place, .5 games back.

Well, the 7th inning of last night was a swift kick somewhere painful. Once the Tigers went up 3-1 and we got to the 7th, I think that most of us felt safe that the win was in the bag. Then Verlander had a very un-Verlander like inning, where he gave up back to back HRs (on two pitches), and four straight singles to give Cle a 5-3 lead. That was only the 4th time in Verlander’s last 52 starts that he has given up 5 or more ER.

Despite 2 bad starts sandwiched in-between 3 fantastic ones, the Tigers look for their 6th straight win in a Porcello start. Ricky P has dominated the East this year, posting a 1.35 ERA over 20 innings in 3 starts.

I know we’ve been talking a lot about the OF situation, but even with Dirks coming to crowd Leyland’s options, the Tigers are still searching for a RH bat, as Morosi tweeted today that they are looking into Mets OFer Scott Hairston. Could Raburn be headed out of town? Dirks begins his rehab in Toledo on Sunday.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Berry, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Boesch, RF
7. Peralta, SS
8. Avila, C
9. Infante, 2B

51-44, 1st place, .5 games up.

On July 21, 2011, Justin Verlander threw 8 innings, allowing 1 ER and 5 hits to beat the Twins as the Tigers took over sole possession of 1st place; a position they never relinquished. Exactly 1 year later, Rick Porcello threw 8 innings, allowing 1 ER and 5 hits to beat the Chicago White Sox and the Tigers have now taken over sole possession of 1st place.

Apparently, someone read the memo. Porcello was dazzling. He had only allowed three hits through the first 8 innings – on 94 pitches. He was pulled after 2 singles in the 9th. Jackson came up huge with 4 RBI and Boesch tagged Sale with Sale’s first HR allowed to a lefty all season. All Tiger runs were scored with 2 outs, making that 11 runs in a row with 2 outs, and 35 out of 48 since the break scored in that fashion.

Though the White Sox have had trouble scoring runs as of late (2 runs or less in 6 out of their last 7), Jacob Turner has had problems not giving them up, so something may give today. Philip Humber has been one of the worst starters in the AL this year, and that includes a perfect game on April 21st against Sea. I’m hoping that we can score a few runs early to get Turner some confidence, and then turn it over to a well rested pen (other than Phil Coke) in the 4th or 5th. The top of the 1st will be key.

Latest Trade Rumors:

– The White Sox added Astros closer Brett Myers just hours before Saturday’s game.

– The Tigers had scouts watching James Shields‘ last start.

– Carlos Quentin looks to be close to signing a 3 year extension in San Diego; though Berry and Boesch have waned the Quentin rumors over the last few weeks (remember that Dirks is back in a few weeks as well).

– The Tigers have asked Seattle about lefty Jason Vargas, reports the Boston Globe.

– A Stephen Drew for Peralta deal looks to be a “long shot” according to sources quoted by Jack Magruder

– Still interested in Dempster, tweets Morosi.

I think that something will be done this week, even if it’s just getting Omar Infante back. Though I expect it to be more. I think that Mr. Illitch is committed to winning it all in the very near future, and has instructed DD to do what’s necessary to accomplish that.

Today’s Series Sweeping Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Berry, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Boesch, RF
7. Peralta, SS
8. Avila, C
9. Santiago, 2B