It was May 29th. The Detroit Tigers had a double header with the Red Sox, in which they dropped their first game to fall to 25-26 on the year. Almost a third of the way into the season, and the team was under .500 and 6 games out of first place in the AL Central, behind the surprising Cleveland Indians. They had been outscored by 14 runs. Things weren’t looking all that great, even with a lot of season left to play.
Justin Verlander started the late game that day, and the Tigers won with the 3-0 shutout. From that game on, Detroit has gone 63-37 – the second best record in the majors (the Yankees have been just slightly better at 62-36). They’ve outscored their opponents by almost 75 runs. And with their 3-1 win over the A’s yesterday – largely on the right arm of Doug Fister, who has proved an excellent addition (5-1, 2.28 ERA in 8 games) – the Detroit Tigers became the first team in Major League Baseball to clinch a division title this year – their first since 1987.
Verlander has obviously been a major part of the renaissance; he started out the year well at 4-3 with a 3.42 ERA, but since that May 29th game has gone 19-2 with a 1.83. Miguel Cabrera upped his OPS by about 40 points comparing the two stretches. Alex Avila increased his by about 50 points.
With a potent line-up and perhaps the league’s best pitcher leading a solid rotation, the Tigers are heading to the post-season in a pretty good position.
Also last night: The Cubs fought through two Carlos Lee home runs to beat the Astros in the bottom of the 12th; the Mets drubbed the Braves, putting up 12 runs on 20 hits; the Cardinals moved up in the Wild Card race with their extra-inning win over the Phillies; and much more.
What to watch tonight: Tim Hudson looks to keep/extend the Braves’ Wild Card lead, facing RA Dickey and the Mets; Jeff Niemann and Jon Lester go for their respective clubs as the Rays try to catch up to the Red Sox in the AL WC race; and it’s Strasmas in Washington, with the young flamethrower making his third start of the season, looking to go more than 5 IP . Full schedule with probable pitchers here.
