Time to Zoom

The Tigers still have 38 games on the schedule, but it feels like time is running out quickly as the team tries to right itself and reach the playoffs again. Detroit really needed to split its series in NY over the weekend, but left with 1 win after taking the opener. The Tigs are 15-23 since the All-Star break and have fallen 2 games behind Cleveland in the loss column in the AL Central and 5 behind Seattle for the wild card.

Needless to say, the upcoming 3-game set with Cleveland is crucial; then comes 4 more against the Yanks followed by a road trip to KC and Oakland. The rotation for the series against the Indians sees Jair Jurrjens, Justin Verlander and Nate Robertson go to the hill. Detroit is playing only .500 ball against the AL, which isn’t a good sign.

Over the past 7 days (6 games), the Tigers hit .253/.294/.373 while their opponents batted .288/.368/.459. Detroit was outscored 32-22 and outhomered 8-4.

Brandon Inge will be on the pines when the Cleveland series starts. This is one of the many reasons Detroit is struggling compared to 2006. Inge is batting .242/.317/.389 this year. He has 12 HR and 56 RBI. Last season, Inge hit .253/.313/.463. He had 27 HR and 83 RBI. Couple this with the output of recently outrighted Craig Monroe, who was .255/.301/.482 with 28 HR and 92 RBI last season and just .222/.264/.373 this year with 11 HR and 55 RBI. That’s a significant drop in power and run production.

Joel Zumaya is expected back tonight; maybe that will be a lift. Placido Polanco should be back, too, after missing 6 games with the flu. Getting Kenny Rogers back would be a help, too. And Andrew Miller.

I noticed the Tigers have allowed 637 runs, which in the Central trails only the White Sox, who have given up 644. Cleveland has yielded 564.

The Tigers have used 11 different starting pitchers this season and 24 pitchers overall.

All told, I guess I should just be thankful the Tigers remain in position to reach the postseason given all that’s gone wrong – injuries to Zumaya, Rodney and Rogers; the drop off of Monroe and Inge, Gary Sheffield’s shoulder woes, and the general ineffectiveness of the bullpen.