A sobering thought: In no other division other than the A.L. Central would the Tigers be in first place. They are six games behind the Yankees in the wildcard chase. Doesn't appear that is going to be an option this time. They must win the division to reach the postseason.

- The Twins come-from-behind victory over Cleveland Tuesday is the type that often jump starts a winning stretch for one team, and a losing span for another. The Tribe, who won the first two games of the series with a doubleheader sweep Monday, could have stuck a dagger in the collective heart of the Twins. They didn't do it.

- The Tigers have four of the top 10 hitters in the American League in regard to batting average, and two of them, Brennan Boesch and Victor Martinez, didn't even play in the All Star Game.

- Duane Below's key to major league success will be velocity. If his fastball is like Adam Wilk or Luke French in terms of velocity, he has no chance of being a long-term major leaguer. He had been hitting 90 mph regularly on the radar gun at Toledo, though.

- Among the things I never figured upon at the start of this season: Philip Humber would be having a year equal to that of Felix Hernandez.

- The Tigers most underrated player this season Brad Penny. They'd be in big trouble without him given the inconsistency of Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello.

- The Tigers most overrated player this season has been Donald Kelly. He is hitting .239 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 155 at bats and is a below average fielder at third base. But anybody looks good in comparison to Brandon Inge these days, right?