Jeremy Bonderman (9-1, 3.48) vs. 
Jarrod Washburn (8-6, 3.72), 10:05 p.m. EST
I don't know if the Tigers are still miffed about last night's game, but I am. I should probably get over that, though. I was accused of whining by someone in the Lookout Landing community, and that just hurts my feelings. So we'll move onto tonight's match-up.
While Seattle swoons over Ichiro's shiny, new $90 million contract extension, the Tigers wait to pounce upon another left-handed starting pitcher. But Jarrod Washburn has been very good in his last three starts, so he might not provide the kind of lefty meat that Detroit's lineup loves to devour. In those three games, he's given up three total runs in 22 innings. But you might attribute his success to Cincinnati, Toronto, and Kansas City providing the opposition.
Before the All-Star break, Jeremy Bonderman took a no-decision against Boston that was reminiscent of his tough luck early in the season. But his last three starts have been pretty good, too - especially in terms of strikeouts (25 in 23 innings). And though he's only pitched twice in his home state of Washington, he put up good numbers both times (1-1, 2.30).
Short Hops:
▪▪ Big Al has posted his midterm grades for the Tigers' pitching staff. (His position player grades are here.)
▪▪ Why the Tigers need to score against Washburn: Seattle is 39-2 when leading after the sixth inning.
▪▪ Keith Law believes the Mariners have been lucky, but might have enough to be a playoff contender.
▪▪ The Seattle Times' Steve Kelley thinks Mike Hargrove could follow the Jim Leyland pattern of leaving baseball, and then coming back when his batteries are recharged.