I think the key player for the Tigers the second half of the season is going to be Miguel Cabrera.
This much we know about Cabrera: If he stays healthy, he is going to put up good statistics. The question is whether he can match or surpass the production of other great players in the game when it counts.
He is tied for 24th in the American League RBI with 50. It’s 20 less than Justin Morneau, and the same amount as Alex Rodriguez - and A-Rod has 120 fewer at bats. It seems unlikely the Tigers will win the division if Paul Kornerko has more RBI than Cabrera. Right now he does - considerably.
The Tigers have their share of really good players. Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco are terrific and they need to perform better in the second half than the first, too. Certainly, they are capable. Brandon Inge should still provide good production. I don’t think anybody is waiting with bated breath for Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen to come around, but if they do, it will be gravy. The Tigers’ big gun, though, is Cabrera.
Can he do for the Tigers what Morneau does for the Twins? Or what Albert Pujols does for the Cardinals? Or you know what A-Rod is eventually going to provide for the Yankees?
Can Cabrera be an MVP-caliber player? Isn’t that what he is supposed to be?
Already, you hear excuses being made for Cabrera about how there is nobody hitting behind him.
It’s not like other gifted hitters often don’t have that same problem, particularly Pujols.
And the truly premier hitters make the others around them that much better. Is Cabrera doing that for the Tigers’ hitters?
I don’t see where they are exactly pitching around Cabrera like he is Barry Bonds. He only has 31 walks. While he has hit a lot of home runs - although fewer than Granderson and Inge for perspective - Cabrera is on target for only about 30 other extra base hits this season. He just has too live a bat not to hit with more thunder.
That bat must come alive in the second of the season or the Tigers odds of reaching the postseason will drop considerably.

Random Thoughts

- Have there been more phony tears cried than those by Brett Favre the day he announced he was retiring from the Packers?

- Good for Tom Watson shooting a 65 at the British Open Thursday. Not sure history always gives him his proper due. Maybe this will help to rectify the situation.

- A blast from the past: Yorman Bazardo taking the loss in the Triple-A All Star Game Wednesday. Does he fall in the same category as Beiker Graterol? How about Shane Loux?
Wait a second. Loux is back in the big leagues.
Who’s next? Matt Drews? Oh, he never did pitch in the big leagues. Then again, he was traded for Cecil Fielder. How many players can make that claim?