The Tigers (52-52) prepare for a 4-game series with the first place White Sox (59-45) at Comerica Park. This is a hot and ready series as the first game is this afternoon in the start of a day-night double header. If the Tigers, 7 games back, want a shot at climbing back into contention, it will have to start with a series win over the White Sox. A 4-game sweep would be ideal but is unrealistic given Detroit’s current lineup.
The sad part is the Tigers are chasing both the Twins and White Sox. Minnesota is just a game back of the White Sox after their recent run. Having 2 streaking teams in front of Detroit is pretty much death to any pennant hopes. The Tigers are just 4-14 since the All-Star Break.
The Tigers are 35-17 at home in 2010 but most of that good work was done with a full roster of major league talent. The White Sox are no pushovers on the road with a 26-25 record.
Any time I’m feeling down about the Tigers I just look at Miguel Cabrera’s stats. .351 average, 26 homers, 93 RBI’s, and 36 doubles. Ahhhh, that feels better.
Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: Tuesday, 1:05 eastern, Rick Porcello (4-9) v. Mark Buehrle (9-8) – Detroit has to play perfect baseball behind Porcello to have a chance in this one. Porcello (5.50 ERA) will be looking for his first win since May 23rd! Buehrle (4.15 ERA) will be making his first start against Detroit this year.
Game 2: Tuesday, 7:05 eastern, Jeremy Bonderman (5-6) v. Carlos Torres (0-0) – Bonderman had his last start skipped and will be looking to get back on track. Detroit needs Jeremy to step up and pitch good baseball for this team. Torres is getting a double header induced spot start for the Sox. He is a 27-year old right-handed rookie who has good strikeout numbers in the minors. I am guaranteeing victory in this one. I will be in attendance with my buddy Matt and the Tigers always win when we’re their together. Book it.
Game 3: Wednesday, 7:05 eastern, Armando Galarraga (3-3) v. Edwin Jackson (6-10) – Galarraga will be starting against a familiar face in Jackson. Edwin (5.16 ERA) picked up a win against Detroit as a member of the D’backs when they played on June 19th. Edwin will be looking to prove his worth in his first start for the White Sox, who acquired him at the trade deadline. Galarraga (4.28 ERA) will simply be hoping to keep the Tigers in the game. He is reportedly feeling ok after being hit in the ankle on a line drive by Kevin Youkilis in his start last Friday.
Game 4: Thursday, 1:05 eastern, Max Scherzer (7-8) v. Freddy Garcia (10-4) – Max pitched well enough to get a win in Boston until Phil Coke imploded in the 9th on Saturday. Scherzer has been awesome for the Tigers since coming back from AAA Toledo. I expect more of the same. Max has a 4.28 ERA and 111 K’s on the year. Garcia (4.73 ERA) has been huge for the White Sox this year and is 2-0 against the Tigers in 2010.
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