The Spot Starters

SERIES SWEEP

After what seemed like an eternity the bats finally woke up to lift our Detroit Tigers to a three game sweep over Milwaukee. The offense was able to put up twenty eight hits and nineteen runs in the first two games to help the back end of the rotation pick up two very important games. While ARMANDO GALARRAGA still looked shaky on Friday night, both a brief stop of rain and ZACH MINER helped secure the first win in just a seven inning game. On Saturday ALFREDO FIGARO pitched a pretty solid game, earning his first career win. While he did scatter eight hits and walk two, he was able to avoid danger several times striking out 7 with a filthy slider and curve ball. Today JUSTIN VERLANDER took the mound against The Brew Crew for the first time since his infamous No-No. Once again JV logged a quality start surrendering only two runs, striking out eight in 7 2/3 innings. With the series sweep and two Minnesota losses, Detroit now has a four game lead over the Twinkies.

THE GOOD

As the weather continues to heat up so does MIGUEL CABRERA. This series he was 7-13 with 2 home runs, 3 RBI and 6 runs scored. Lets hope this continues as Miggy was slumping in early June.

CURTIS GRANDERSON hit his team leading 17th home run on Friday. He has now 4 home runs in his last 9 games. I’m not sure where this power surge is coming from but i like it.

Alright, so hes far from my favorite Tiger but today BRANDON INGE came through when it counted. Inge connected on a Yovani Gallardo fastball for his 16th home run of the season, a three run shot. This time it wasn’t a meaningless home run so i cant really hate on him. Credit where credit is due…Thanks Brandon. Lets all hope he continues to make me eat my negative words.

PLACIDO POLANCO is perhaps getting his groove back as well. He hit two home runs in three games, which is difficult to do even on PlayStation 3 with him. Polanco was 2-3 with three runs scored and a solo shot on Saturday. However if you count the pitch the hit him in the leg on Saturday it qualifies as three hits. I mean come on, a hit is a hit right? I think we all agree Poly must continue to hit for the bigs to be able to drive in runs.

DON KELLY is now 8-20 since being called up. While nobody including me expects this clip to continue, it has been nice. His diving catch Friday night showed me that apparently he can field as well. I am begging to really appreciate our defense in the outfield this season, last year was brutal.

MARCUS THAMES has hit five home runs since returning from the disabled list on June 7. He hit two on Friday and almost hit another today. He is seriously a freak of nature, boy am I glad he is back!

DUSTY RYAN was called up, DANE SARDINHA was sent down. Enough Said!

THE BAD

RYAN PERRY surrendered two runs off a hit and two walks in a third of an inning. He has now walked 21 batters in 27 1/3 innings. I am confident in Perry but perhaps he should go back to the stunner shades for the games. Hey, they worked in Lakeland for you Rick Vaughn, I mean Ryan Perry.

While NATE ROBERTSON didn’t really do anything in particular this weekend to anger me it really doesnt matter. Hes still on the Tigers, yup its still bad.