It's August 10. The Tigers are still in first place in the American League Central. The nearest team to them in the division standings, the Cleveland Indians, are just a game above .500 overall, and have played considerably below .500 ball (14 games below in their last 68 games) for an extended span.
The Tigers clearly have the best team in the A.L. Central. Blah. Blah.
Still, that 14-inning loss to the Indians Tuesday night (and early into Wednesday morning) was a tremendous blow. Not only did the Tigers burn their bullpen (starter Doug Fister was pulled after two innings and a two-hour rain delay), but the Tigers didn't win a test of will.
Also, they have lost 12 straight games at Cleveland. Last year, their postseason aspirations essentially faded after they were swept by the Indians in four games at Progressive Field immediately following the All Star break.
Three of the four Tigers' losses at Cleveland this year have been by one run.
The Tigers were handed a gift when Chad Durbin replaced Indians' starter Justin Masterson following the rain delay. They didn't take advantage of it. They had several opportunities to break the game open later. They didn't.
And while everyone is focusing on the Indians and this series, the White Sox won Tuesday. They've been awful this season, honestly. And the Tigers have hardly put them away.
Anybody notice the White Sox are only four games out. If they play any semblance of decent baseball, they could push the Tigers right out of the picture.
The big issue that came out of Tuesday's game: Should Duane Below replace Brad Penny in the Tigers starting rotation? Depends on Penny's start Friday at Baltimore, I suppose. But it should also be considered that Below has taken well to relieving, retiring 22 straight batters. Might be a point to not messing with his current role. But it is unusual the Tigers don't have a left-hander in their starting rotation