Your first place Tigers welcome the first place Texas Rangers to Comerica for a three game set.  Though the Rangers have not played well at Comerica as of late (3-14 over the last 17 games here), they are happy to be out of the Texas heat for a while, as it has been 108+ for the past week with no end in site.

The Rangers have been lauded by the pundits as the big winners of the trade season, while the Tigers’ moves have gone largely unnoticed.  The Rangers added Mike Adams and Koji Uehara to a struggling bullpen, arguably the only chink in the Rangers armor.  Adams and Uehara should be on full display during the series, though hopefully it will simply be to get their work in.

In a move that really won’t surprise anyone, Purcey was designated for assignment today to clear room for David Pauley in the pen.  In that same Freep article, DD noted that Al Al is fine and ready for tonight’s game if needed.

Colby Lewis is 10-8 on the year with a 4.00 ERA, with a 1.19 WHIP and 114 K against only 39 walks in 135 IP.  Detroit has had Lewis’ number over his career, as they have beat him up for 30 hits and 19 ER in 23.2 innings, including posting 9 against him back on June 6th.   Lewis allowed 4 earned against Minnesota last time out in 6 and 2/3, but he had two quality starts against Sea and Tor prior to that.  Lewis has alternated between really bad, and really good months this year, and August is setup to be really bad.  Let’s see if we can make that really, really bad.

Scherzer has been great as of late, throwing four straight quality starts with a 1.95 ERA dating back to July 2nd.  Mad Max is 3-0 against the Rangers with a 3.48 ERA in 5 career starts, and was the benefactor of the above mentioned run support in the win against the Rangers on June 6th.

A few notes:

– Benoit has a 1.54 ERA and 32 ks over his last 27 appearances covering 23.1 IP.
– VMart is hitting .522 with RISP over the last two weeks, and leads the AL with a .398 RISP average for the year
– Miggy’s career OPS vs. the AL West is 1.009

Tonight’s Watchout for the Rainout Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Brennan Boesch, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Carlos Guillen, 2B
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Wilson Betemit, 3B

It’s Cy vs Cy today at Comerica Park, as two leading Cy Young contenders face off.

Jered Weaver is 14-4 with a 1.79 ERA, and has actually been improving–over his last 12 starts he is 8-0 with a 1.28 ERA.  Justin Verlander (14-5, 2.35) has had to work for his last couple victories, throwing over 120 pitches in back-to-back games. He has lost 2 in a row against the Angels and is only 3-4, 4.13 lifetime against them.  Erick Aybar (.429) has had the most success against him.

As the trade deadline nears, the Tigers are rumored to be still pursuing bullpen help, this time Joel Peralta from the Rays.  No word whether he would change his name to Jhoel if he came to Detroit.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Magglio Ordonez

Magglio was able to knock in a run against a tough Haren yesterday;  now he gets a shot at Weaver.

Today’s Jered-Jolting Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Brennan Boesch LF
3. Magglio Ordonez RF
4. Miguel Cabrera DH
5. Victor Martinez 1B
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Carlos Guillen 2B
8. Alex Avila C
9. Don Kelly 3B

Well how about that.  Jacob Turner will make his major league debut tonight.  Jim Leyland has said he will make one start, then return to the minors. Turner’s ERA is 0.00, which leads all AL pitchers.

Before I even had time to ponder what this meant for any trade possibilities, word comes down that a trade has been made.  The Tigers have acquired starter Doug Fister and reliever David Pauley from the Mariners for 3rd Base prospect Francisco Martinez, Casper Wells, Charlie Furbush, and a player to be named later.

Fister will start Wednesday against Texas.

I’ll miss the Ghost and the Furby, and I think both will turn out to be major league players, but I think the trade is a good one for the short term.  Fister has a nice 3.33 ERA, only walks 2 per 9 innings, 7th best in the AL.  Pauley has been great this season (2.15 ERA), and may take over the Al Alburquerque role–Al-Al has been day-to-day with elbow soreness, and I wouldn’t surprised if the arrival of Pauley sends Al to the DL.

So, what do we think of the trade? Of Turner starting?

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Daniel Schlereth

What I said yesterday.  Porcello made him unnecessary last night;  not tonight.  Turner will be on a strict pitch count.

Today’s Turneriffic Lineup:

1. Andy Dirks CF
2. Brennan Boesch LF
3. Magglio Ordonez RF
4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
5. Victor Martinez DH
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Carlos Guillen 2B
8. Alex Avila C
9. Don Kelly 3B

Tonight the Tigers look to stop a two-game home losing streak, after a memorable pitching collapse left them buried in yesterday’s game.  After a Bad Penny beginning,  which featured a heated shouting match between Penny and catcher Victor Martinez, (Penny says it was no big deal, just about the timing of  the signs) the Tigers came back to pull within one run of the Angels.

Enter David Purcey.  For the 3rd appearance in a row, he was completely unable to throw strikes, and was finally pulled mid-batter with a 2-0 count and the bases loaded.  Phil Coke was called on to save the Tigers from this dire situation, but…not so much.

Although Purcey couldn’t find the strike zone,  he at least won today’s Captain Obvious award.  After the game Purcey said “I didn’t come in and do my job. I just didn’t get it done.”

The only pitcher who was any good yesterday was Chance Ruffin.  After the game  the Tigers sent Chance Ruffin back to Toledo, and recalled Daniel Schlereth.  Nice job Chance; now get out of here (I do get the tactical reasons for the move:  Chance probably wouldn’t be available the rest of the series anyway;  they want a left-hander since Purcey won’t be available;  they can’t send Purcey to the minors because he is out of options).

As far as any big changes, since the trade deadline is two days away:  the Tigers are said to be still interested in Kuroda,  but Kuroda is said to be very restrictive about which teams he would waive his no-trade clause for, and would be unlikely to approve a trade to Detroit or Cleveland.

The Tigers are rumored to be inquiring about Ubaldo Jimenez, but supposedly the Rockies would want Jacob Turner and Rick Porcello. Good luck with that one.

The very latest rumor has the Tigers–and the Indians–pursuing a deal with the Nationals for Jason Marquis. The number of rumors involving both clubs adds an extra element of intrigue to things: either team can simultaneously pick up some help, and prevent its rival from doing so.

Porcello will take the mound tonight against the Angels.  Or he will pace the dugout while the tarp lies over the mound–rain is in the forecast.  Porcello has won 4 consecutive starts,  with a combined ERA of 3.33.  And the cooler temperatures might help his sinker.  On the other hand, his career ERA vs the Angels is a hefty 7.40.

The Tigers will be facing dreaded Rookie Pitcher Guy, this one named Tyler Chatwood (6-6, 3.64).  He has had some command issues, so maybe he’ll get all Purcey tonight.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Daniel Schlereth

Schlereth will likely see action in tonight’s game, with lefties Purcey and Coke both used yesterday, and Alburquerque still day-to-day with elbow inflammation.  He was sent down to Toledo in the first place because he was having trouble finding the strike zone.  We can’t afford for him to pull a Purcey.

Today’s Switchy Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Andy Dirks RF
3. Brennan Boesch LF
4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
5. Victor Martinez DH
6. Carlos Guillen 2B
7. Alex Avila C
8. Wilson Betemit 3B
9. Ramon Santiago SS

The Tigers couldn’t manage anything against Cy Danks, and now they get to turnaround and start a 4-game series with the Angels against Joel Pineiro, who held Detroit to 1 run on 5 hits on the 4th of July.  The Angels have an AL best team ERA (3.28), and 1.61 over their last 7 games, including last night’s no-hitter against the Indians.

Despite last night’s lack of offense, the Tigers as a team have been hitting well–over their last 9 games Detroit is hitting .291.

Since it’s a day game, the Tigers send out Brad Penny.  Penny has somehow managed to end up with 14 of his 21 starts during the day.

In other news, Detroit still seems to be a player in the Hiroki Kuroda rumors as the trade deadline approaches.  (Kuroda pitched 6 innings of 1-run baseball against Colorado yesterday).  Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the Dodgers have scouts watching the Tigers A-ball team

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Don Kelly

The Donkey was profiled in the New York Times of all places.

Today’s Rain-Repelling Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Brennan Boesch LF
3. Magglio Ordonez DH
4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
5. Victor Martinez C
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Carlos Guillen 2B
8. Andy Dirks RF
9. Don Kelly 3B

Loved that win yesterday.  JV fought through 2 bombs to keep the Tigers in it, and Betemit came through with a clutch 2 out RBI to win the ball game.  The way JV was gearing up in the 8th, I think he could have gone 9, but giving the ball to Valverde was the right move.  Bravo Jimmy. More JL props for leaving JV in there in the 8th after the 1 out walk with Konerko coming up.

I’d also like to point out that Jackson took the first pitch in all 5 ABs last night, and only swung and missed twice.  That K in the 9th sure looked like a walk to me.

Tigers look to payback the White Sox by taking the rubber game, and the series in Chicago.  I’m setting this to auto-post, so if there’s no lineup posted here, someone please fill it in for us.

My fantasy Tigers lineup against a righty:

1. Guillen, 2B.  He’s second on the team in OBP.  Moving him up in the lineup would mean an additional base runner every two games for Cabrera.

2. Maggs, RF.  He’s hitting .321 with a .386 OPS over the past month, and though his power is gone, he can go the other way and make contact when he needs to.  I realize that Peralta would be a tremendous fit here (or anywhere for that matter) but let’s not ruin a good thing.

3. Brennan Boesch, LF.   I really debated putting Martinez here, but I think that Boesch is still spooked by that Tampa series last year where Cabrera was walked in three straight games to load the bases for Boesch, and Boesch struck out or meekly grounded out in each at bat.

4. Cabrera, 1B.  Tough call here, but Cabrera gets the nod over Brutus from Baseball Stars.

5. Martinez, DH.  I get the impression that he gets much more respect protecting Cabrera than Boesch would (for now, anyway), and he’s got a .902 OPS with RISP.

6. Peralta, SS.  Speaking of RISP, dude is mashing to the tune of .337/.400/.526 with RISP. Where would we be this year without Jhonny Peralta?  Not in first place, that’s for sure.

7. Avila, C.  I don’t think that Avila is going to hit this half like he did in the first half, but he’ll still be an above average Catcher.

8. Betemit, 3B.  Best we can do.

9. Jackson, CF.  He’s an excellent defensive outfielder and one day he’ll learn how to take a pitch. That’s just not gonna happen this year.

JV versus Peavy tonight.  Peavy’s numbers have been sub-par all year, and even worse as of late.  His peripherals are not all that bad, posting a 1.26 WHIP and decent 7 K/9 against a 2.08 BB/9 for the year.  He’s 0-3 with a 7.16 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over his last three starts.

JV is actually better on the road than at home, going 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA over 10 road starts this year.  He’s in the top 3 in the AL in wins, Ks, ERA, BAA, and H/9.

Historically the Tigers do not hit Peavy, and Cabrera is a meager 2-23 against him for his career. I don’t think that lasts past tonight.

Tonight’s JL doesn’t care what I think lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Boesch, LF
3. Ordonez, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Peralta, SS
7. Guillen, 2B
8. Betemit, 3B
9. Avila, C