I've come out from under the covers to take a look at the damage that's been the Tigers' last dozen games. It's not pretty. But the team is still in first place, four games up on the Twins in the loss column, so we're hanging on.
A trip to the Bronx is unsettling, especially with the way Detroit's pitchers are going right now. The worries about the young arms are coming true, but it's still too soon to determine whether this is a bump in the road or a trend.
This much I know: The Tigers are 4-8 in their last 12 and three of those wins came from Kenny Rogers.
The slide also coincides with Placido Polanco's absence. Detroit was 8-6 in its first 14 games in August with Polly.
Craig Monroe has done a decent job taking over the No. 2 spot in the order, batting .277-3-8 during the span. But leadoff man Curtis Granderson is hitting .118-1-1 with 3 runs during that time. He's got a .424 OPS. That's OPS!
Maggs also has struggled, batting .200 during the last 12. So, there's no consistency in the lineup -- not with Granderson at No. 1 and Maggs hitting in the cleanup spot. Pudge is batting .357 in the last 12, but it's not worth much when no one is on base.
Leyland has juggled the lineup to no avail. He's only used the same batting order twice in the last 12 games. Pudge has hit leadoff twice. Omar Infante -- Omar Infante! -- has batted sixth once. Monroe in the 2 spot and Guillen at 5 have been really the only constants.
At least the Tigers got a win Sunday to end the weekend on a good note. Hopefully, they can get it together against NY. Then come key setup series against the Angels and Mariners before facing a steady diet of AL Central teams.
One more bit of bad news: Leyland said he doesn't expect pitcher Mike Maroth back this season. The pitcher has experienced "tenderness" during his rehab assignment.
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