The Tigers start up a very pivotal series this weekend with the Chicago White Sox, after a rather disappointing 4-game split with the last place Royals. The Tigers and their pitching staff got roughed up in yesterday's 11-8 loss, though some might argue that with the abuse of the bullpen, there won't be much of a need for that for tonight's game.
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| Justin Verlander |
Of course, that must mean Detroit Tigers workhorse Justin Verlander takes the mound, and he'll need to be at his best as he'll face White Sox starter John Danks, who after starting the season 0-8, is 6-1 in 9 starts since the end of May. After being relatively unhittable in the months of June and July, he was touched up in August for 13 runs (12 ER) in 5 starts, compiling a 2-1 record for the month overall. Another factor about the White Sox as a team: terrible at home, but somehow better on the road, which is what they'll be facing this weekend, and early next week when they travel into Minnesota. The Tigers would be wise in taking care of business here, especially since the Sox will play a day-night doubleheader the day after their Sunday night ESPN telecast. Currently the Tigers hold a 5.5 game lead in the Central over the Sox and Indians, and winning 2 out of 3 at the very least would be easier to stomach for fans than losing 2 of 3. And if the Tigers want to convince their nervous fan base that they can compete and pull off this division, they'll hopefully do what's necessary.
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| John Danks |
We may also be disappointed in the lack of Sox first baseman, designated hitter, and strikeout machine Adam Dunn, who has been on the bench as of late because of his horrible production at the plate. And while it's fun to watch him windmill his way through an at-bat, they Sox have been doing some winning without him in the lineup. For manager Ozzie Guillen, it's probably a lot easier than expected to put a guy making $12M this season on the bench... after all, he's not signing the paychecks.
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