GDT: 5/02/08 - DET (14-15) at. MIN (13-14), 8:10 p.m. ET

NEW YORK -- Don't look now, but the Tigers are within a game of the .500 mark.

OK, go ahead and look.

"We're that light on the oncoming train," closer Todd Jones proclaimed after the Tigers finished off their three-game sweep of the Yankees on Thursday night to step onto the brink of break-even.

Two and a half weeks ago, they were the 2-10 cautionary tale of baseball, a collection of injured position players, ineffective starters and rehabbing relievers. It hasn't all been a masterpiece since, especially on the injury front, and they haven't won more than four games in a row. Yet by winning seven of their last nine and 11 of their last 16, they're close enough to erase the memory of their opening homestand as they pile up the most road victories in the Majors so far this year.

As the Tigers left the Big Apple for the Minnesota and the start of a three-game series against the Twins, they were part of a three-team logjam in second place in the American League Central, a game and a half back of the White Sox. The difference between first and last in the division is a mere three games.

It hasn't been the fearsome, star-studded performances that have carried this club. Though Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera have hit for their roles and provided fuel for the order, it has been a case of balance and equal contribution.

"That's what brings a team together," manager Jim Leyland said.

If the Tigers' roll is going to continue, they'll need another such contribution from Armando Galarraga.

The man who was publicly overlooked among Tigers hurlers in Spring Training has helped the Tigers to wins in all three of his starts in place of injured Dontrelle Willis. While Willis makes the first of at least two rehab outings at Triple-A Toledo, Galarraga will try to keep his momentum going against a Twins club that has been outscored by 20 runs yet sits a game shy of .500 themselves.

Galarraga has succeeded by challenging hitters in the strike zone with movement and inducing ground balls. After taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning last Saturday against the Angels, he has become another famous name in Venezuela alongside the many others the Tigers already have.

The approach can work, because it's some of the same aggressiveness that Livan Hernandez has used to early-season success. A decade after Hernandez helped Leyland's Florida Marlins to a World Series championship, he led the Twins to victories in each of his first five starts before the Rangers roughed him up in his last outing.

"This guy's as tough as nails," Leyland said. "This guy's an athlete. He's smart like a fox. I really liked him. His stuff isn't as good as it was in '97, but he knows how to throw with his stuff. He knows how to pitch. He's not going to give in. He's good. He'll be tough to beat. He'll want to beat his old manager, that's for sure."


Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Armando Galarraga (2-0, 1.50 ERA)
Galarraga had another strong outing in his third start after being recalled from Triple-A two weeks ago, this time against an impressive Angels offense. He no-hit them through 5 2/3 innings before Vladimir Guerrero wrecked it with a triple. Galarraga could not get out of the seventh, finishing with three runs allowed -- one earned -- on three hits and two walks. In his three Major League starts this season, he has allowed three earned runs on seven hits in 18 innings.

MIN: RHP Livan Hernandez, (3-1, 5.05 ERA)
The leader of the Twins' starting staff couldn't help the team to save its taxed bullpen in his last start. Hernandez gave up seven earned runs over 2 2/3 innings to the Rangers to pick up his first loss of the season. It was also the first time Hernandez had been unable to pitch at least six innings in a start for the Twins. One other sign of concern is the fact that the right-hander has already shown a penchant for giving up the long ball, allowing a total of six in his last three starts. Next up for Hernandez will be his first start of the year against the Tigers at the Metrodome.

Tidbits

Look for Brandon Inge to start at catcher at some point this weekend, giving Ivan Rodriguez another day off. Leyland said he would like to work Inge into some more starts behind the plate to keep him fresh. Leyland also praised Inge for his game-calling work Thursday night. ... Leyland was taking a wait-and-see attitude on whether to play or rest Placido Polanco for the opener. ... The Tigers have hit 18 home runs over their last 10 games since April 21. ... Miguel Cabrera is batting .412 (23-for-68) with 13 runs scored, four doubles, a triple, five homers and 19 RBIs over his last 18 games. ... Detroit is 14-2 when scoring five runs or more this year.



On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSND

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Sat., May 3: Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (1-4, 6.50 ERA)) at Twins (RHP Scott Baker (2-0, 4.50 ERA)), 7:10 p.m. ET

• Sun., May 4: Tigers (LHP Kenny Rogers (2-3, 6.75 ERA)) at Twins (RHP Boof Bonser (2-4, 3.75 ERA)), 2:10 PM ET

• Mon., May 5: Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-2, 3.86)) vs Red Sox (RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (4-0, 2.52)),7:05 PM ET

Tonight's Starting Lineup:

Detroit AVG
:curtis: Granderson, CF .310
:placido: Polanco, 2B .226
:sheff: Sheffield, DH .176
Ordonez, RF .315
Cabrera, 1B .279
Guillen, 3B .330
:edgar: Renteria, SS .309
:pudge: Rodriguez, C .255
:jjones: Jones, J, LF .188

Minnesota AVG
Gomez, CF .265
Harris, 2B .287
Mauer, C .295
Morneau, 1B .268
Cuddyer, RF .297
Kubel, DH .237
Young, LF .265
Lamb, 3B .203
Everett, SS .185

Stat of the day: Armando Galarraga's SLG percentage against on pitches 76-100 in his career... .727.

Tigers will win the next three from the Twins!

68 degrees inside the Metrodome!


All weekend!


GO TIGERS GO!

Go Tigers!

Get the .500 mark!

Jonesy save today!!!

GO ARMANDO!!!!!!!!!!!

YES!

Tigers are undefeated in May!

gs78 wrote:

68 degrees inside the Metrodome!


All weekend!


GO TIGERS GO!

all weekend...all the time!

Who voted no?

VOTE YES!

AND THEY WILL SWEEP THE TWINS TOO!

Can we vote twice?
I vote for both then!

Yes and No?


Or am I reading the question wrong?



I vote Yes the streak continues and for a sweep over the Twins

gs78 wrote:

Who voted no?

Someone always does

True!


But the Tigers will win tonight!


YES!

Hey, there's more no votes

gs78 wrote:

Yes and No?


Or am I reading the question wrong?



I vote Yes the streak continues and for a sweep over the Twins

I didn't know I could mark both Yes and Sweep the twins. I thought it was one or the other.

gs78 wrote:

Who voted no?

not me!

Who is voting no?

Now its up to 4.

must be trolls!!

I am ready for cold coronas, warm breezes and lots of runs tonight!

laprimamirala wrote:

must be trolls!!

trolls? Here?

the blessings of watching a game at home!!

Hey, they have a new beer...Bud Lite Lime....will see if it's here yet...

Hey, I have a mudslide I bought on my 21st that I still haven't managed to drink. I'm pretty much non-sick so maybe I should drink it...

I voted sweep!

I voted!

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

I voted sweep!

Me too!