Tag Archives: Rick Porcello

Ready to Roar 2.0

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Tigers celebrate Jhonny Peralta’s walkoff homerun to beat the White Sox 5-4 Friday.

“Get to .500, then we can talk.” So goes the ancient baseball adage and so go the Tigers who finally seem to have righted the ship after taking a tight series from the White Sox this weekend to move to 14-13.

I wrote a similar post around this point in the season a year ago about how the Tigers were looking like they were about to separate themselves from the rest of the AL Central and I don’t need to point out how correct I was, but I’m about to do it anyway—sorry about that.

After 27 games in 2011, the Tigers were actually in worse shape with a 10-15 record.  They had suffered through being swept at home by the Mariners just as they have this season, but began turning things around after taking a series from the White Sox.  Sound familiar? Detroit went 85-52 from that point on to cruise to their first division title since 1987 by 15 games. Now it’s looking like history is repeating itself.

The Tigers could be using the Sox as a launching pad once again as 17 of their next 24 games come against sub-.500 ball clubs including Seattle, Chicago, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Boston.  The only exceptions are Oakland and Cleveland who are both bound to come back to earth.

Detroit’s starting pitching had struggled until last week when they combined to give up only 12 runs while eating 40 innings over six games for a 2.70 ERA. Justin Verlander‘s 2-1 record doesn’t reflect his repeat Cy Young performance thus far, averaging almost 7 2/3 innings per start with a 2.38 ERA and .184 batting average against. Rookie Drew Smyly has been dominant with a 1.61 ERA over his first five starts so more consistency from Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer coupled with the return of Doug Fister from the DL to face his former teammates in Seattle tonight suddenly give the Tigers one of the deeper rotations in the game.

There’s no need to fret about a Tigers offense that has sputtered at times this year.  There’s simply too much talent there to flounder all season. PV is a lot more worried about Prince Fielder than I am since he’s sure to improve on his already solid .300 AVG, four HRs and 13 RBI as he gets more and more familiar with American League pitching. Jhonny Peralta finally got his first bomb of the year in spectacular walkoff fashion Friday night. Austin Jackson is showing vastly improved plate discipline and  Miguel Cabrera is simply Miguel Cabrera—on pace for 42 HRs and 132 RBI.

The defense hasn’t been nearly the issue that most pundits predicted it would be before the season started as they currently rank in the top third in the Majors in fielding percentage. However, the bullpen does tend to make me throw up in my mouth at times as the back end has been anything but impressive.  Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit are simply allowing way too many base runners (1.82 and 1.86 WHIPs respectively) and need to get back to the numbers on the back of their bubblegum cards.  When they do, we’ll be seeing a repeat of 2011′s runaway victory in the AL Central.

Reyes would look good in a Tigers jersey

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With close to $30 million coming off the top of what was already a relatively modest 2011 payroll of $106 million, the Tigers are in a great position to go after New York Mets’ superstar shortstop Jose Reyes this offseason if they so choose—and I hope they do so choose.

The leadoff spot should be the Tigers’ number one priority this offseason. A backup catcher, middle relief and second base are definitely other issues the Tigers need to address, but those are relatively easy to solve by comparison. The 1-hole was the glaring weakness in what was otherwise a very potent offense, finishing in the top four in the Majors in just about every category this season.

While Austin Jackson is a very talented young player, his 181 strikeouts and a .317 OBP just didn’t cut it as a leadoff hitter. He will be better served batting later in the order under less pressure. Reyes, on the other hand, would be the proverbial straw that stirs the Tigers’ drink as a prototypical leadoff hitter they have lacked. The reigning NL batting champ would provide the consistent bat and speed at the top of the order that would drive opposing pitchers inane and spark an already dangerous offense.

Acquiring Reyes would also help solve Detroit’s ongoing 3B issue by sending All-Star shortstop Jhonny Peralta over to the hot corner. Peralta is no stranger to third. The Indians moved him there—albeit begrudgingly—in 2009 as part of a rebuilding project that eventually led to him being traded to the Tigers. His acerbic relationship with then-Indians’ manager Eric Wedge and the losing atmosphere in Cleveland led to his discontent, but neither would be issues in Detroit.  Manager Jim Leyland and Peralta have a strong relationship, plus he would only have to look across the diamond at reigning AL batting champ Miguel Cabrera for an example of a star player whose ego wasn’t bruised by moving from his preferred position to make the team better.

The expiring contracts of Magglio Ordonez ($10M), Carlos Guillen ($13M), Brad Penny ($3Ml), Joel Zumaya ($1,4M), and Ramon Santiago ($1.25M) coupled with GM Dave Dombrowski’s shrewd construction of a talented young roster with few obvious flaws gives the Tigers a lot of flexibility going into this offseason. Granted, the club still needs to deal with arbitration-eligible pieces like Delmon Young, Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer, Phil Coke, Ryan Perry, and Don Kelly and faces a pay raise to Justin Verlander, but those deals will still leave them far under the $130 million owner Mike Ilitch has shown he’s been willing to spend on more than one occasion.

Ilitch himself sounds ready to pounce. The 82-year-old billionaire owns a vast pizza empire and four Stanley Cups with the Red Wings, but nearing the end of his life, he now covets a World Series ring more than anything. In recent interviews, he’s made it clear he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get one.

“I’m challenged to keep it there like the Yankees and the Red Sox. I haven’t totally zeroed in on our payroll yet. What I’m still trying to figure out is what we need for next year. I want to be in a position to make one or two additions, and generally, they’re pretty big additions.”

The timing couldn’t be better as the Tigers have never been so stacked with young talent and are poised to contend for years to come. One or two “big additions” should be all it would take to put them over the top. If Ilitch—and this Tigers fan—gets his way, Reyes #7 jerseys could be the hottest-selling gifts this Christmas in the Motor City.

On to the ALCS!!!

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Now that the smoke has cleared and i’ve finally recovered from the three-and-a-half-hour heart attack of an incredible Game 5, I’ve had a little time to collect my euphoric thoughts.  First of all, PV hit it on the nose when he said I’d be drinking a victorious brew about 10:45pm on Thursday evening.  It was 10:43.  Plus, I hit it on the nose (bad night for that nose) when I said the Tigers would win the seires in 5 games because of their superior starting pitching depth.

Tigers starting pitchers combined for a 3.46 ERA over 26 innings compared to 5.18 over 19.1 innings for the Yankees over the course of the series.  If not for Curtis Granderson pulling off a couple of miracle catches in Game 4, it would’ve been a much wider margin.  Despite a shaky Game 1 relief appearance on Saturday, Doug Fister returned to his September AL Pitcher of the Month status last night, throwing five strong innings, getting key outs when he had to, and only giving up a solo shot to Robinson Cano. Rick Porcello went a solid six innings in his outing while Max Scherzer was back to his “ace-like” self, stymieing the Bronx Bombers to only one run over seven and a third with seven Ks between his two appearances.  Oh yeah, and there’s that Verlander guy—he’s pretty good.

So now it’s on to Texas for the Tigers’ second American League Championship Series in five years.  I was sad to learn that the series is moving to FOX from TBS where we were enlightened by color analyst Ron Darling and all his insightful gems like “pitching is importan in the postseason” and “I’m surprised Fister is going after Gardner like this with the bases loaded and a full count.”  Thanks Ron.  It says a lot about the value of a Yale education—they’ll give a degree to just about any douchebag. But I digress…

On to the Tigers/Rangers matchup where Detroit took six of nine regular season meetings, outscoring Texas by a 45-37 margin.  The Rangers have long been known for their prodigious power but have only recently put a priority on pitching under the leadership of team owner Nolan Ryan. It’s certainly worked for the reigning AL champs as this is their second ALCS in two years. However, as was the case with the Yankees, the Texas’ starting rotation simply doesn’t match the depth of that of the Tigers. Furthermore, Detroit’s right-handed-heavy lineup will feast on Texas primarily left-handed rotation.

Game 1 will feature that Verlander guy you may have heard of versus C.J. Wilson at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  Wilson had great numbers during the regular season, going 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA and just over 200 strikeouts.  But he was absolutely rocked for eight runs (six earned) including three long balls by the Rays in his only appearance in the ALDS.  Look for huge games by Miguel Cabrera, Jhonny Peralta and Delmon Young against the lefty in that band box.

Beyond that, rotations haven’t been announced but Scherzer only threw want amounts to be a 32-pitch side session between starts last night so he’ll be more than ready for Sunday’s Game 2.  Fister would be fully rested for Game 3 on Tuesday and should finally be treated to a home start after being thrown to the wolves of Yankee Stadium twice in the last week.  Leyland’s seemingly insane plan to hold Verlander out of last night’s game may prove to be a genius move, keeping the soon-to-be MVP very rested and available to possibly start Games 4 and 7* (*if necessary) in addition to Game 1 on reasonable rest.

I’m sticking with what worked for me in the ALDS and picking the Tigers to win in five again and make their second World Series in five years.  Let’s just hope the outcome is a little kinder this time (and hope the Cardinals lose tonight!).

Welcome to my nightmare

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Base hit after base hit after base hit after base hit… The nightmare of the Yankees’s (a.k.a. “Gas-House Gorillas”) 8th inning kept me up all night.  Even more unsettling were the repeating images of the two circus catches by former Tigers hero Curtis Granderson that bailed out A.J. Burnett and sent the ALDS back to New York for Game 5* (*now very necessary).

Burnett must’ve had a horseshoe up his ass because he looked like anything but a major league pitcher before Granderson’s heroics.  TBS’s Pitch Trax looked more like a Jackson Pollock painting with all the random dots and streaks sprayed erratically over the entire canvas during Burnett’s first inning.  The Tigers took advantage and patiently drew three walks while Burnett was working on his abstract design setting the stage for Don Kelly’s rocket shot to deep center.  Granderson, who had often remarked that he had trouble with balls hit directly at him at Comerica Park during his time as a Tiger, initially took a step or two in, underestimating Kelly’s power.  How Granderson recovered in time to snare a ball that was already over his head and behind him, I’ll never know.  Even after watching all the infernally incessant replays, I still don’t understand how it didn’t sail over his glove by at least six inches.

Regardless, the play clearly turned the tide and settled down Burnett who cruised until two outs in the 6th with a 4-1 lead. After giving up a single to Kelly (ironically enough) Burnett was relieved by the world’s highest-paid middle reliever Rafael Soriano who promptly gave up a tailing shot by Jhonny Peralta into the gap in left center. But Granderson was there again to bail out his brethren as he made another ridiculous diving catch to rob Peralta of extra bases, a sure RBI, and stem the tide of yet another Tigers rally.

Despite cosmic occurrences conspiring against him, the Tigers 22-year-old pitcher Rick Porcello did an admirable job keeping things close, giving up four runs on five hits while striking out five. The game was still in some doubt until the Gorillas’ merciless, 38 minute 8th-inning mauling.

But now we turn to Thursday’s Game 5* (*now very necessary) where there seems to be some silly controversy brewing on the blog. My counterpart insists that the Tigers send Justin Verlander out to start on two days rest while I maintain he will be more effective out of the bullpen to pick up where Septermber’s AL Pitcher of the Month Doug Fister (on full rest) leaves off.  Regardless, the debate is irrelevant because manager Jim Leyland agrees with my sound logic and has announced Fister is his Game 5 starter.

All bets are off as we head back to the Bronx.  PV does make some great points about the Yahkees woes in recent ALDSs so I’m still feeling pretty confident my prediction of Detroit in 5 will prove to be spot on.  I’ll certainly be drinking by 10:45 tomorrow night—I just hope it’ll be along with the Tigers in celebration.

Evil Empire on the verge of destruction

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Game 3 Recap
Last night’s epic struggle between the game’s top pitching behemoths Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia certainly lived up to it’s billing, but not in the locked-down, low-scoring way most expected.  While CC was shaky from the beginning, he was able to get out of trouble with double plays in each of the frist three innings, Verlander gave up two quick runs and then settled into his usual dominant groove. The soon-to-be MVP stuck out 11 (including every Yankee in the starting lineup) and topped the 100 mph mark 15 times—his highest total ever.

Eventually, Detroit was able to wear down CC with clutch hits from some unlikely sources in utility infielder Ramon “Code Red” Santiago and the much-maligned Brandon Inge. The two combined to go 4-for-8 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI. Meanwhile, New York was finally able to get to Verlander again in the 7th despite his attempts to explode the radar gun to tie the game at 4.

But the death blow to put the Evil Empire on the brink of elimination came from another unexpected source in waiver-wire acquisition Delmon Young.  The “Little Meat Hook’s” opposite-field blast off the world’s highest-paid middle reliever Rafael Soriano put the Tigers up 5-4, setting things up for closer Jose Valverde to give all Tigers fans a heart attack, but eventually managing to get the Save as he always does.

Game 4 Preview
Tonight’s Game 4 couldn’t be billed more differently as New York’s worst nightmare A.J. Burnett (11-11, 5.15 ERA)  heads to the mound to face the consistently inconsistant Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.75 ERA) for Detroit.  While last night’s game was the battle of the best starters in the league, it’s pretty clear tonight will be a battle of the bullpens.

With Verlander gutting out eight innings last night, Tigers manager Jim Leyland will have a more rested bullpen than the Yankees.  Saddled with inferior starting pitching that hasn’t been able to go six innings in either of the last two games, New York manager Joe Girardi has been forced to burn thru his two best middle relievers in Soriano and Dave Robertson last night as well as Boone Logan, Cory Wade and Luis Ayala for a totat of 3.2 innings on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Tigers haven’t used anyone but Valverde and Joaquin Benoit out of the pen over the last two days so Leyland has a full arsenal to work with. With the offenses being equally potent, the Tigers have the edge with a slightly better starter, more bullets it their bullpen, and a raucous crowd at their backs. This series is OVAH!!!

Game 5* (*if necessary)
Even if by some miracle the Tigers don’t clinch tonight, all is not lost as some hysterical bloggers have suggested. Detroit would send September’s American League Pitcher of the Month Doug Fister (8-2, 2.40 ERA as a Tiger) to the mound, fully rested on Thursday.  Despite one poor inning on Saturday, Fister has proven he can get the job done over the long haul and is simply better than his Game 5* (*if necessary) counterpart, Ivan Nova (17-4, 3.66 ERA).

Those same hysterical bloggers have even suggested that Leyland must start Verlander in Game 5* (*if necessary).  While I agree that Verlander is superhuman and capable of the virtually impossible, to start him on two-days rest after throwing 120 pitches would be a ridiculous panic move and totally unnecessary.  While not unprecedented, a starting pitcher going on two-days rest in the postseason hasn’t happened since the late 1960s when four-man rotations were the norm and there was only one round of the playoffs, not three.

Furthermore, it’s ridiculous to rush Verlander back when you have a legit starter ready to go with Fister. It would be ludicrous to just give up on a pitcher with a sub-3.00 ERA for the season because of a mere blip on the radar in very strange circumstances Saturday. But even in the unlikely event everything falls apart for the Tigers in Game 4 and Game 5* (*if necessary), no one said Verlander won’t be available out of the bullpen in an all-hands-on-deck, worst-case scenario.  Once again, advantage Tigers.

Things really couldn’t be more bleak for the Yankees. Any way you stack it, the Tigers hold the advantage in almost every remaining facet of the series.  Whether they win it tonight or win it on Thursday, all of Detroit will be smiling and New York will be left questioning how a team with a $200 million payroll could loose to the Tigers for the second time in five years.

Motown momentum shift

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Living in Chicago for the last 14 years has definitely rubbed off on me.  As Detroit’s Alex Avila slipped on the Yankees’s on-deck mat and missed an easy foul pop-up off the bat of former Tigers standout Curtis Granderson with two outs in the 9th,  I felt the familiar sense of dread I’ve felt watching so many Cubs games where a freak “Cubbie occurrence” at the worst possible moment would inevitably lead to disaster (eg. 2003 NLCS Game 6, 8th inning).

But it was with a greater sense of relief that I immediately realized these were the Tigers, not the hapless Cubs, and cosmic forces were not conspiring against them to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. Even when Granderson eventually walked to bring up the potential winning run in the form of RBI-machine Robinson Cano, I knew it was just a minor play and not the beginning of the end. Unblemished closer Jose Valverde could get the job done and did, inducing a Cano groundout to first, tying the series at one game apiece, and wresting home field advantage and momentum away from the Yankees.

Now the Tigers send soon-to-be MVP Justin Verlander to the mound to face off against Yankees’ ace CC Sabathia in a rematch of Friday’s rain-shortened Game 1.  It appeared the rainout would work to the advantage of New York as they pummeled the Tigers in Saturday’s resumption, 9-3. But, as I asserted in my ALDS preview, Detroit’s superior pitching depth would prove to be too much for the Yankees to handle, and now that advantage is even greater.

Not only do the Tigers get to send Verlander to his comfortable home mound instead of a hostile Yankee Stadium against Sabathia, but the rainout also ensured that neither would be available to pitch twice in the series, kicking the legs out from under New York manager Joe Girardi’s plan to hide his thin pitching staff.  Now Girardi is forced to expose the chronically mediocre A.J. Burnett (only two quality starts since the All-Star break) in Game 4 against Rick Porcello whose last five outings have all been QSs.

But when it really come down to it, it’s like the old baseball axiom goes: Momentum begins with the next day’s starting pitcher.  The Tigers just so happen to have the best in the world going in about two hours.  I like our chances.

We’ve only just begun…

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Perhaps lost in the malstrom of Wednesday night’s epic finishes and equally epic collapses on THE GREATEST NIGHT IN MLB REGULAR SEASON HISTORY is the fact that Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera won the American League batting title with a .344 average.

He joins pitching Triple Crown winner Justin Verlander (24 Ws, 2.40 ERA, 250 Ks—oh yeah, and he had the top WHIP of 0.92 for good measure) and Saves leader Jose Valverde (49 of 49) on one of the greatest Tigers rosters in the history of the illustrious franchise.

Winning 95 games for the 10th time in their 110 seasons, Detroit has fared quite nicely against each of the remaining AL teams. Of those 95 wins, 14% came against New York (4-3), Texas (4-2) and Tampa (5-1). They also come into the playoffs as the hottest team in the Majors, going 30-9 down the stretch.

But this is only the beginning.  Regular season accomplishments and accolades are meaningless if you don’t get it done on the big stage in the playoffs and it doesn’t get any bigger than Game 1 tonight in the Bronx.

Many have lamented the Tigers’ loss of home field advantage to Texas by one game, forcing them face the hallowed Yankees in the frist round. But this actually works to the Tigers’ advantage as they will only have to beat them three times in the shortened Division series instead of four in the ALCS.  They’re going to have to face them at some point so why not make it easier on themselve?  We only have to look back to 2006 to see it can work as the Tigers dismantled another 97-win Yankees club, three games to one.

As we all know, pitching wins championships and tonight’s heavyweight battle between Verlander and CC Sabathia should prove to be one for the ages. I could analyze the stats forever but the simple fact is JV-MVP is just better than CC and should prevail.  However, even if  the 2011 Cy Young winner falters or Tigers bats go quiet versus Carsten Charles, Detroit’s superior pitching depth will prove to be too much for the Yankees to handle.

Game 2 will feature September’s AL Pitcher of the Month Doug Fister versus an impressive, yet inexperienced 24-year-old Ivan Nova.  The matchup favors Detroit once again with Fister sporting a 2.83 ERA and 1.06 WHIP vs. Nova’s 3.70/1.33.  No contest.

Monday’s Game 3 is where things get really interesting when the Tigers return home sending the mysterious heterochromiac Max Scherzer to the mound against Sweaty Freddy Garcia. We’re never sure if we’ll get Good Max when he’s using his blue eye or Bad Max when his brown eye takes over, but he always has the potential to dominate.  Garcia had been known as s Tigers killer throughout his career, but that reputation hasn’t held true lately as he’s 0-3 vs. Detroit since last September.

But the real key to Game 3, and possibly the whole series will actually be the off day, Sunday.  As long as Tigers’ brass can keep Garcia’s sweaty mits off his Venezuelan buddy Miguel Cabrera and out of any of the saloons the two used to haunt, the Tigers should be just fine.

If the Tigers need a fourth game, manager Jim Leyland has already announced he won’t send Verlander out on three days’ rest so it’ll be Rick Porcello vs. C.C. Sabathia.  I don’t like that matchup at all so let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.  But it it does, the Tigers have the ultimate ace in the hole with Verlander waiting in the wings on his normal five days’ rest to face a completely overmatched Ivan Nova on short rest.  In the immortal words of the tiger-blooded Charlie Sheen: “WINNING!”

Final verdict: The Tigers’ superior pitching depth will prevail. I’ll be conservative and take the Tigers in 5.

A-Ram to Detroit? No Thanks

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Please don't waive your no-trade clause A-Ram, Detroit doesn't need you.

The only thing more tantalizing that trade talk this time of year is trade talk involving my two favorite teams.  So when ESPN’s baseball beat reporter, Bruce Levine reported that one of the Tigers’ top scouts was in Chicago this weekend to evaluate firsthand the talents of Cubs third basemen, Aramis Ramirez, I was intrigued.  But the more I think about it, the more I HATE the idea of bringing in the aging vet to man the Motor City’s hot corner.

It’s obvious the Tigers could use some help at 3B with Brandon Inge falling apart before our eyes with a pathetic .180 average, 17 RBI and 1 home run this season.  But while A-Rams offensive numbers are certainty enticing (.300, 56 RBI, 16 HRs), they come with a lot of unwanted baggage.

With the addition of Ramirez (no-trade clause notwithstanding), the Tigers would be creating an admittedly solid offensive infield, but one with almost no range defensively with Jhonny Peralta at SS, the returning (and aged) Carlos Guillen at 2B and Miguel Cabrera at first.  A-Ram can only get to balls within reach of his La-Z-Boy these days, so assuming every ground ball won’t be hit directly at each of these lumbering vets, things would become even more difficult on a pitching staff that already ranks near the bottom in the AL. And despite the old adage that “chicks dig the long ball,” when you really look at it, the Tigers don’t need a ton of help offensively, as they currently rank in the top third of the AL in Runs, Hits and OBP.

But if they do decide to forsake defense for some added pop for the stretch run and, ultimately, the playoffs, A-Ram has shown a tendency to wilt under the spotlight. In his playoff appearances in ’07 and ’08, Ramirez went just 2 for 23 (.086) with zero home runs and zero RBI.  Even Inge would be able to replicate those numbers.

Another well-documented issue is Ramirez’s motivation.  Having seen him at Clark & Addison for the last 8 years, I can tell you he only plays hard when he feels like it. Maybe he’d feel motivated for a playoff run with Detroit, but I’m not willing to bet on it.

The roughly $10 million price tag around Ramirez’s neck doesn’t concern me, but the prospects he’d cost does. The Cubs are sure to absorb a lot of money he’s due and Tiger’s (and Little Caesar’s) owner, Mike Illich has plenty of pizza “dough” to throw around. He’s shown he’s willing to spend what it takes when he thinks they have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Unfortunately, his and GM Dave Dombrowski’s efforts have gone for naught (Peralta in 2010, Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff in 2009) and I think this would be yet another trade deadline move that yields little fruit.

So if not Ramirez, then who?  Considering the dearth of 3B talent available (Wilson Betemit, KC? Mark Reynolds, BAL? PASS) the Tigers would be better off looking elsewhere.  If they are convinced they need offensive help then move Peralta back to 3B and go after a shortstop. The Mets Jose Reyes is probably unrealistic and very costly considering the competition for his services. But  the price tag would be far more reasonable for someone like the Dodgers’ struggling SS, Rafael Furcal, but I’m not sure he would really solve any issues.

The Tigers real need is pitching. The old adage I subscribe to is “pitching wins championships.”   Justin Verlander is going to win the Cy Young, but there are questions about the consistency of Max Scherzer,  Rick Porcello, and Fat Penny. The Dodgers’ Hiroki Kuroda (3.13 ERA), Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez (one year removed from being a Cy Young candidate), and the Astros’ Wandy Rodriguez (3.67 ERA) would all fit nicely into the number 2 or 3 slot in the rotation and would address the Tigers’ salient issue.

So I’m imploring you, Dave—do the right thing, not the trendy thing and go after pitching instead of A-Ram or other overvalued bats.  You’ll be thanking me in October (and the city of Detroit and I will be thanking you).

Ready to Roar

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Miguel Cabrera is congratulated in the Tigers dugout after hitting a game-tying home run in the 9th en route to an 8-4 victory over Oakland.

There’s not a lot of Tigers talk on Major League Assholes because, frankly, they just don’t generate the same kind of compelling insanity that comes from both ends of the Chicago baseball landscape.  However, that doesn’t mean the Motor City isn’t still #1 in my heart (sorry Cubs, I love you too, but you’ll always take a backseat to my hometown team).

Despite flying almost completely under the radar, the Tigers have quietly clawed their way back to .500, overcoming a tough opening two-week schedule that featured a road trip to the Bronx and a series against the defending AL champs.  They’ve done it so quietly, in fact, that my colleague mistakenly tried to use their record as trash talk on Facebook today (nice try, Pete).

Last night’s 10th-inning, 8-4 comeback win in Oakland shines a light on who the Tigers seem to be this season: an offensive mix of productive superstars and scrappy youngsters with a decent, but not yet dominant starting rotation backed by a lights-out bullpen.

Miguel Cabrera is off to his typical MVP-caliber start with 5 HRs, a .320 average, and 11 RBI.  And while the numbers may not be as obvious, major off-season addition, Victor Martinez has fulfilled his role of suppling Big Mig with much-needed protection, creating an ominous left-handed threat at the plate, playing a mentoring role to emerging talent, Alex Avila, all while providing flexibility to the Tigers lineup as a backup C, DH and 1B.

Last night’s victory was the 1,500th in the illustrious career of Jim Leyland who has the best kind of problem a manager can have:  trying to find playing time for breakout candidates Ryan Raburn and Brennan Boesch in a crowded outfield.  Both have thrived in the competition, combining for 2 HRs, a .290 average and 14 RBI.  Austin Jackson needs to pull out of this early sophmore season slump and the imminent return of a healthy Magglio Ordonez is essential, but the Tigers depth has certainly helped stop the bleeding in the meantime.

The starting rotation has been anchored by perennial All-Star, Justin Verlander who has been his usual dominant self, eating up 23 innings in three games with a 3.13 ERA and 21 Ks including a tough complete-game loss against Texas.  Max Scherzer has been a solid #2 already with two victories including one in Yankee Stadium.  Third-year starter, Rick Porcello has been disappointing so far until he showed signs of righting the ship last night with a solid one-run, six-inning performance against the A’s.

The back of the bullpen has been absolutely dominant thus far with the lethal combination of Joaquin Benoit in the 8th and Jose Valverde in the 9th yielding only one earned run in 12.2 innings. I’ll take these guys over anyone in the AL right now.

While the Tigers are on a 4-game winning streak, they’re still looking up at the surprising Indians and Royals in the division. But it’s been proven, time and again, that teams with such little depth cannot maintain their early torrid pace and will soon fall to the wayside.  After losing their last two, the Sox are a mere half game ahead, and despite a potent offense and solid starting pitching, they are clearly in disarray with an imploding bullpen that has proven no lead is safe and has manger Ozzie Guillen at his wits end, calling for the resurrection of former White Sox closer and 1990 AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, Bobby Thigpen.  The floundering Twins are now reeling from the lose of Joe Mauer, on the DL with a mysterious illness.  I’m going to start the rumor here that it’s syphilis, not because I have anything against the former MVP (he seems like a pretty cool guy in all those PS3 commercials), but just because I hate Twins that much.

Given the bullpen being an obvious strength while other AL Central rivals’ being epic failures coupled with the offense and starting pitching rounding into form, I’m starting to really like the way everything is falling into place for the Tigers to take control of the division as we cross over of this gloomy April into the sun and warmth of May.