Rogers roasting

I hate to run the risk of jinxing Kenny Rogers again, but the Gambler is 4-1 with a 1.35 ERA in his last six starts. He’s allowed just 37 baserunners (25 hits, 12 walks) in 40 IP. Way to go Kenny! He's been the stopper.

The Tigers’ magic number entering Saturday was 23. A little early to start watching that stat, but, hey, it’s been a long time.

Rogers and Justin Verlander give the Tigers two 15-game winners in the same season for the first time since Willie Blair (16) and Justin Thompson (15) in 1997. Doesn’t exactly bring back memories of Lolich and McLain, or Morris and Petry, for that matter.

Speaking of Petry, he was 93-64 with a 3.49 ERA by the age of 26. Greg Maddux was 95-75 with a 3.34 ERA by the same age. Tom Glavine was 73-60 with a 3.60 ERA. Elbow trouble derailed Petry’s career, but looking at those numbers, you can see how solid he was – although never the focus of attention because of Morris.

Really, I do like Jeremy Bonderman. But he is winless in his last seven starts. He did pitch well in two of those, and deserved a better fate, yet he’s got a 5.29 ERA in his last eight outings. Not what you want to see coming down the stretch. He’s allowed 77 baserunners in 49.1 innings.