The Tigers haven't clinched the American League Central title by any stretch, but they pretty much knocked the White Sox - resoundingly - out of the competition. The Indians have hung in pretty well considering their injury issues, and that, honestly, they just aren't that good. If I had a vote for Manager of the Year, I'd give it to Indians' manager Manny Acta. Don't see where anybody is a close second at this stage (although the Tigers Jim Leyland might be No.2 on that list). A day game on the road after a night game at home is a difficult scenario. We'll see how the Tigers handle it today. Love the Fister-Jimenez pitching matchup.

- Austin Jackson is a hard-working kid with a solid talent base. He will struggle as a young player, but correct his issues. Leyland told him he does not want him to think like a leadoff hitter, but to just hit. He's been doing a better job of that lately. Jackson got off to a terrible start, but since the beginning of May, a span of 401 at bats, he is hitting .281. He batted .293 as a rookie last year. He is already a good player who will get better.

- The Tigers can't be that bad. They are on pace to win 90 games. They've done that just one time in the last 24 seasons - in 2006. Over that same period, theyhad 90 or more losses nine times. So maybe it's time for people to enjoy this a little more. It hasn't exactly been a common occurrence.
Lions, Tigers - "The boys of fall" likely to come through this time - my column in Monday's Oakland Press http://bit.ly/nJfEg9