The Tigers win over the White Sox Tuesday was one of those that separates contenders from pretenders, and in some sense displayed the difference between the two clubs this season.
The Tigers have been on the brink of falling apart a couple times. They have survived. Look at all the last games of 3-game series they have won after dropping the first two? Another factor is Justin Verlander. He has been incredibly clutch. Twice this season, during the late innings in Chicago, he has delivered 100 mph fastballs to stick daggers in the collective heart of the White Sox, who just continue to flounder. Anybody holding their breath for that team to wake up? Or the Twins? The comeback seems improbable this time. The Indians? They have hung in there reasonably well. But compare the two teams player-by-player and the Tigers are better.
The Tigers should win this division. Actually, running away. The A.L. Central is a mess. Owner Mike Ilitch has made it clear what he is thinking without exactly saying what he is thinking at the Kris Draper retirement press conference.
We're all thinking the same way, aren't we?
It's time for Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski to deliver.
For if not this year, when?