They’re heating up!
The Detroit Tigers are starting to distance themselves from the back of the pack in the Central and inching closer to the over-achieving Indians with every game.
The Tigers and Royals currently sit in a virtual tie for second place behind the aforementioned tribesmen. The Royals will play today (Thurs, May 12) while the Tigers will take a breather before the two teams meet for a weekend series.
The Indians have now lost two in a row having been beaten by James Shields and the Tampa Bay Rays early Thursday afternoon. They are only 5-5 in May and the Tigers are still sprinting after them getting ready to pounce.
Royals – Tigers Match-up:
Justin Verlander will start against Luke Hochevar on Friday marking his first start since throwing his second no-hitter last Saturday. The other head-to-heads will be Royals southpaw Jeff Francis against Brad Penny and the still-struggling Kyle Davies against still-undefeated Max Scherzer on Sunday.
I don’t think I even need to say that I like the pitching match-ups. However, I am a Jeff Francis fan and believe he could give the sometimes overly aggressive Tigers a fit with his barrage of slow breaking stuff which can sometimes make his low-nineties fastball jump on hitters.
I’m not going to say that I am predicting it for this week, but I would not at all be surprised if Francis recorded no-hitter or perfecto before his career is over. He is 30 years-old. He has the brains and the stuff. He just needs the day and luck. He is much better than his record reflects.
Francis remains winless despite throwing quality starts in five of his eight outings. He gets my nod to end that streak by winning game two of the series. …But if he doesn’t, all the better for Detroit.
Otherwise, I think the Royals are going to get beat up by the streaking Tigers. In the 11 games they have played in the month of May, the Tigers are 8-3 and have scored nine or more runs in four their last five games.
It’s Hot in Detroit:
Since May 4, when he returned from the Disabled List (groin), C/DH Victor Martinez has accumulated 15 Hits 13 RBI and scored eight Runs. VMart’s reconnected Indians teammate SS Jhonny Peralta has 12 hits and nine RBI since May 3.
And timely hits by just about everyone else in the lineup have turned the turned the Tigers into legit contenders:
Austin Jackson has recently cut down on the Ks and contributed immensely with his speed, defense and power to the gaps.
Alex Avila is amongst the league leaders for Catchers in both Home Runs and RBI.
Brandon Inge hit a go-ahead triple against Minnesota which led to the victory on Wednesday.
Scott Sizemore has scored six Runs in his first eight games.
And The production coming from both Ryan Raburn and Brennan Boesch has provided some very valuable protection for Miguel Cabrera in the heart of the order – especially when Victor Martinez was still on the shelf.
Rick Porcello is throwing well, Scherzer and Verlander are incredible, and Phil Coke and Brad Penny are both holding their own and showing flashes of brilliance at times. Things look good.
While I think it’s only a matter of time, or maybe one more key injury, before Phil Coke heads back to the bullpen and either Andy Oliver or Adam Wilk are promoted from the minors to fill in as the lefty in the rotation, I can’t help but be impressed by the way he has made the transition.
He throws like a number five starter, but he was never supposed to be the ace. His 4.54 ERA does not look good on paper, but he has only had two truly bad outings and thrown three quality outings in his first seven starts of 2011.
Climbing the Ladder:
The Tigers seem to have finally come together enough to really make a run for the division lead. In my completely unbiased opinion I think they should have been there the whole time and that they have to be the front-runner for the divisions crown in the Central.
The Tigers will be entering an important battle for Second place in the Central with the Royals on Friday. The Indians and Royals will be facing off immediately after the Tigers get done taking their series – least two wins to one.
Hopefully, by the time the Royals and Indians are done picking on each other, the Tigers will be sitting atop the division.
