No Tigers player brings more diverse opinions than third baseman Brandon Inge. His supporters point to his home runs and RBI (he is on pace to hit 32 home runs with 87 RBI this season) and say he is just fine. His detractors point out he is a .225 hitter who strikes out three times more than he walks. I tend to fall in the category of believing in Inge. I think run production is a far better gauge of value than batting average. I like Inge's glove, arm strength and his propensity for hitting home runs at key moments. He is an athletic player, exceptionally strong for his size and a good team player with leadership qualities. I have to admit, though, when compared to the third basemen on other contending teams, Inge does fall short. Scott Rolen of the St. Louis Cardinals and David Wright of the New York Mets are much better. So is Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees. Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox, Troy Glaus of the Toronto Blue Jays and probably, when you get right down to it, Joe Crede of the White Sox are also better players.

Yet, in fairness to Inge, he has more home runs, RBI and runs scored than Lowell, who is hovering around .300. He has more home runs and RBI than Oakland's highly-regarded Eric Chavez - and is hitting just 20 points lower. Glaus has excellent power numbers, but is hitting just .240 and he strikes out a lot, too. Tigers manager Jim Leyland loves Inge. I talked to him about Inge recently when I was with the team in Oakland. He says Inge is his third baseman - period. He doesn't see him as being a super utility player like many others do. He does wish Inge would cut down on his swing at times and strike out less. History does say you can win a championship without a great third baseman. The Tigers used three in 1984 - Tom Brookens, Manny Castillo and Howard Johnson - who were mostly mediocre. Don Wert did not have a good season for the Tigers in 1968. Inge has played better than those third basemen in those particular Tiger championship years. He is a somewhat flawed player, but the Tigers can go far with him at third. Lets put it this way. I think he is more of an asset than a liability.

Random thoughts

- Red Wings' general manager Ken Holland was kidding when he brought in Ed Belfour for a physical, right? Just what the Red Wings don't need is a 41-year goalie with back problems. Chris Osgood and Belfour would be perfect for the Red Wings - if this was 1996. The Red Wings off-season to this point has been, to say the least, disappointing.

- A prediction: If running back Kevin Jones and wide receiver Roy Williams both play all 16 games for the Lions this season, they will make the playoffs. If one or the other gets hurt and misses any playing time, the Lions won't. I have a feeling offensive coordinator Mike Martz will figure out a way to get the most from those two players, who are far and away the Lions' best weapons offensively. Of course, staying healthy is a big "if." Neither Jones nor Williams has been very durable.

- The Tigers most underused pitcher is Wilfredo Ledezma. He is pitching exceptionally well, but there isn't much of a role there for him either starting or relieving.