Open Thread - Game 45: Angels (28-18) at Tigers (27-17), 7:05 p.m. EST

Bartolo Colon (5-0, 3.69) vs. Chad Durbin (3-1, 4.67)

Does tonight not seem like a fine night to end that Los Angeles/Anaheim six-game winning streak?

Colon has pitched pretty well since coming off the disabled list toward the end of April.  But he hasn't been dominating, and the numbers indicate that the Tigers should be able to generate some offense.  Of course, if the Angels' defense is as dazzling as it was last night, it might not matter how well the Tigers hit Colon.  Over his career against Detroit (20 starts), however, he's been relatively mediocre with an 8-8 record and 5.03 ERA.  In nine starts at Comerica Park, he's 4-3 with a 5.71 ERA.  

Durbin continues to be a pleasant surprise for the Tigers.  Even though he didn't get a decision in his last start, he only allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings to a potent Red Sox lineup (despite being rather generous with the walks).  In his last five starts (three of which he's won), Durbin hasn't given up more than two runs.  He seems to pitch better on the road, but in fairness, most of his innings have been pitched away from Comerica Park.

Short Hops:

▪▪  Howie Kendrick was activated from the disabled list and is expected to be in the lineup for the Angels tonight.

▪▪  If you haven't already heard, Jeremy Bonderman is ready to go and will start tomorrow's matinee against the Angels.  To open up a spot on the 25-man roster for Bondo, Andrew Miller was sent back down to the minors, and will start for AA Erie tomorrow night.  

▪▪  Kurt asked a handful of Detroit sports bloggers their opinions of the Tigers after 40 games at Mack Avenue Tigers.