We're down to eight games left, with two horses way out in front of the field, neck-and-neck (not a Dirks dig)

So, by eighth poles, here's what's on tap (as far as I can tell) for the final 8 games:

Date Detroit v Opponent // Chicago v Opponent

9/26 Porcello v Guthrie // Santiago v Masterson

9/27 Fister v Mendoza // Peavy v Shields

9/28 Scherzer v Diamond // Floyd v Hellickson

9/29 Verlander v Walters // Sale v Moore

9/30 Sanchez v Hendricks // Quintana/Liriano v Price

10/1 Porcello v Chen // Liriano/Quintana v Masterson

10/2 Fister v Guthrie // Peavy v Jimenez

10/3 Scherzer v Mendoza // Floyd v Huff

It looks like KC changed their rotation, putting a rookie in one of their weekend games, which would bump everyone else back down a day and make us face Chen in KC, where he's been much harder on us than he has been in Detroit.

Also, Ventura is taking a gamble by putting Santiago in as starter today. I don't know how he's going to get more than four innings out of him, and after Liriano only going 3.2 innings yesterday, Ventura might be sorry he did go with Santiago, especially considering the Rays are going to throw some solid guys the next four days and Ventura will probably need his 'pen for the Peavy start, which figures to be taxed to some degree.

So, here we go: eight to play and the only game I would think we're not the favorite in is Porcello v Chen on Monday, whereas the Sox have to be dogs in at least 2 of their four against Tampa, and possibly their Monday matchup in Cleveland as well.

Go Tigers!