Mariners visit

The Tigers play 3 against Seattle starting tonight. It will be Horacio Ramirez (2-1, 6.64) against Jeremy Bonderman (1-0, 3.69) in the opener. Amazingly, the ERAs get worse from there for the Mariners: Cha Seung Baek (0-0, 7.53) faces Nate Robertson (3-1, 2.48) and Jeff Weaver (0-5, 15.35) meets Justin Verlander (2-1, 2.75) in the finale.

Baek is tough to figure; he got shelled in Yankee Stadium in his past start, but had a no-no into the 6th inning against KC. Oh, wait; maybe that’s not tough to figure after all.

Bonderman got extra rest because of a blister. The Tigers will be seeing Weaver for the first time since he ended their World Series nightmare. Can the Tigs extend their win streak to 10 before heading to Minnesota?

Joel Zumaya is out for at least 12 weeks. Aquilino Lopez has taken Zumaya’s spot, but that might be temporary. Zach Miner filled in as a starter and reliever last year for the Tigers, but this year is 0-4 with a 6.69 ERA at AAA Toledo. Dennis Tankersley has pitched fairly well (3-1, 3.47) at Toledo and could be in the running to join the big team, I would think. I wonder if Detroit might bring him up with the idea of dealing him. He’s still only 28 and once was a very bright prospect. I’d say he’s in a position where he needs to help the club now; I can’t see the reason to keep him around at Toledo, especially after Rogers returns. Detroit appears to have plenty of starting pitching prospects in the minors, already.

Hopefully, too, Jose Mesa is better.