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Tigers Second Half Outlook

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USA Today baseball writers Steve DiMeglio and Bob Nightengale have taken the time to break down all of the AL team's second half outlooks. Here is what they have to say about the Tigers in the second half:

*Schedule: You think the baseball gods are looking fondly upon the Tigers? They open the second half with a 10-game homestand, including four against the hapless Royals. They also have quite a favorable schedule in September, playing 17 of their final 27 games at home and facing Kansas City six times in the last 10 days.

*Keep an eye on: Starter Kenny Rogers. He has been a huge part of the Tigers' resurgence, going 11-3 with a 3.85 ERA, but has a history of second-half struggles. He has gone 33-10 the first half the last three seasons, but in 2004 and 2005 he went 10-10 after the break, with a 5.46 ERA in 2004 and a 4.72 ERA in 2005.

*Buy or sell: Are you kidding? You don't spend the first half of the season shocking the baseball world with a 59-29 record and not go for the gusto. They rank ninth in the AL in on-base percentage and would love to add a left-handed bat such as Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu.


Kenny Rogers fades in the second half and the Tigers are looking at adding Bobby Abreu. Nothing out of the ordinary in this one, but these are always a fun read. It's going to be an interesting second half of baseball as the Tigers will attempt to keep up the great pace and stay ahead of the very good Chicago White Sox, as well as other wild card contenders. I can't wait.