GDT: 7/8/08 - DET (44-44) VS CLEV (37-51) - 7:05 p.m. ET

SEATTLE -- The deeper the Tigers and Indians get into the season, the less likely it appears that they'll be the titans who decide the American League Central. As the two clubs prepare to open a two-game series at Comerica Park, the main suspense left for now is who exactly the Tigers will face on the mound Tuesday night.

When the Tigers moved up Justin Verlander's next start by a day to Tuesday, it briefly set up a potential battle of division aces with C.C. Sabathia on track for that night. Meanwhile, the Indians were in talks to deal Sabathia to Milwaukee for prospects in a trade that reportedly could be finalized on Monday once medical records are reviewed and paperwork is filed.

It's not the way either team envisioned this rivalry going before the season began. In the Tigers' case, though, they're still hoping they can make for some playoff suspense in the second half.

When the Tigers and Indians last met for a four-game series at Comerica Park last month, Cleveland was trying to work its way back into the division race, while the Tigers were double-digit games back. Since then, the roles have reversed.

Cleveland now sits eight games back after getting swept at Chicago and Minnesota in four-game series, neither of which exactly helped Detroit's case to hold its ground on the fringe of this division race. For the Indians, however, it was a devasting fall that puts them in the AL Central cellar, 14 games back, and has management apparently looking toward next year.

The Tigers outlasted the Mariners over 15 innings to pull out a 2-1 victory on Sunday to remain seven games back of the division-leading White Sox and six games behind the second-place Twins. Just as important, it puts them back at the .500 mark after a 3-4 road trip that could've been much worse.

An offense that was seemingly finding its pace when Detroit finished June with a 16-3 tear now is struggling to plate runs without injured cleanup hitter Magglio Ordonez. Mariners pitching held the Tigers to four runs over a 32-inning stretch, all of it coming on solo homers, before Miguel Cabrera's double and Marcus Thames' sacrifice fly in the 15th inning pulled out Sunday's victory off Mariners backup catcher-turned-emergency reliever Jamie Burke.

The key for the Tigers was the performance of their starting pitching. Detroit starters combined to allow eight runs on 23 hits over 28 2/3 innings over the four-game series, averaging better than seven innings a start.

Verlander, who pitched the Tigers to a victory in Thursday's opener at Seattle, has a chance to do the same back home. But Cabrera, now Detroit's cleanup hitter, knows they can't do it alone.

"You've got to support them," Cabrera said. "You have to score some runs and give them some support."

How they support the starters could play a major factor in this critical week-long homestand to finish up the first half. After this two-game series with Cleveland, Minnesota arrives for a four-game set heading into the break.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (5-9, 4.34 ERA)
Leyland used Monday's off-day to move up Verlander in the rotation and keep him on track to pitch every fifth day. The bonus is that it gives him an extra start before the All-Star break and puts him in line for a showdown with Sabathia -- who has been back to his usual stingy ways this summer after a slow start -- if there is no trade. Verlander, too, has picked up his game since the opening month, but he has struggled with rapidly rising pitch counts and long innings in his last three starts. He's lost both of his starts against the Indians this season.


CLE: Jeremy Sowers, LHP (0-4, 7.53)
The first start in the post-CC Sabathia era goes to Sowers. He might have better velocity on his fastball than a year ago, but the hard truth is that Sowers is much more like the guy who couldn't hold onto his big league job in '07 than the guy who dominated as a rookie in the second half of '06. His command has been out of whack -? never moreso than in his last outing against the White Sox on Monday. Sowers lasted just three innings in that loss, giving up eight runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He gave up a three-run homer to Jim Thome and a grand slam to Nick Swisher.


Tidbits

The Tigers announced Sunday that they'll activate utility infielder Ramon Santiago from the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's game. He separated his left shoulder on June 4. To make room, Detroit will option Michael Hollimon back to Triple-A Toledo. ... Look for Edgar Renteria to be back in the lineup on Tuesday as the Tigers try to get him out of a slump that included an 0-for-7 performance Sunday, an 0-for-15 series at Seattle and a 1-for-26 skid during the recent seven-game road trip. ... Brandon Inge will begin a Minor League rehab assignment Monday for Triple-A Toledo.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Wed., July 9: Tigers (RHP Eddie Bonine (2-1, 4.30 ERA)) vs. Indians (RHP Paul Byrd (3-10, 5.53 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Thur., July 10: Tigers (LHP Kenny Rogers (6-6, 4.60 ERA)) vs. Twins (RHP Kevin Slowey (6-6, 3.78 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET

• Fri., July 11: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 7-2, 3.27) vs. Twins (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET

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test??

TigersGirl wrote:

test??

Yes, I have to do transfer work in that loation BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE POSTS TO THE THREAD... TG hmmmm

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

TigersGirl wrote:

test??

Yes, I have to do transfer work in that loation BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE POSTS TO THE THREAD... TG hmmmm

sorry

no problem TG.

People have tried to beat me to prep at least 10 times, Test is a quick word to put there until I can transfer the Blog info...

Let's hope we don't get rained out! Due to dogs, we can only wait an hour or so!

Wow, Sowers was born in a town close to where I live!
Birthplace: St. Clairsville, OH

Storms are possible late Tuesday afternoon and evening.


85 at Game Time; but that depends on whether it rains or not. Might be a few degrees cooler if the rain hits before game time

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday

That means I'll probably msis the game.

If we get enough storms, there may not be a game

I gotta read the raincheck policy again

I think we will have baseball

We just can't wait for more than an hour rain delay....dogs at home

There lies the problem.


How much, if any, of a delay?


Let's hope for the best


I will be there between 6 and 6:30 pm, Stop by if you get a chance!

GS, why is your avatar Daffy Duck???

TigersGirl wrote:

GS, why is your avatar Daffy Duck???

Cus it was better than Spongebob

Buggs Bunny is better!!

Daffy suits gs better

Remember when I asked everyone what my avatar should be?


Daffy Duck Won


However on the other Board I have a Paws Avatar

I don't remember that....

Happened when this board first started

must have missed it.

Spongebob Lost!

Hmm. I guess so! Why does nobody vote on anybody elses avatar.... (are you just special or something???)

I couldn't decide!


I would have used my Paws avatar but I couldn't figure out how to bring it here


So I used like 5 or 6 different ones when this board started.



Daffy Won

Getting set to storm here now. May do something in Detroit...still too early to tell.
we have baseball kids

Severe T Storm Watch until 9pm

We're getting the northern tip of the line going through right now. Mud Hens might not play tonight, but it just looks like rain in the D