The Tigers begin a 6 game homestand tonight by taking on the 2nd most disappointing team in baseball, the AL West cellar dwelling Seattle Mariners.
Pitching for the Mariners is Carlos Silva (3-2, 4.17 ERA). Silva, a free agent pickup from the Twins, got off to a fast start as a Mariner, winning 3 of his first 4 starts. He's been winless since, with 2 losses and 3 no decisions..
On the mound for the good guys is Justin Verlander (1-7, 6.05 ERA). It's been nearly a month since the Tigers' supposed "Ace" has won a game (beating Texas on 4/22), losing his last 4 starts. If the Tigers are going to do anything this season, like win a few games, Verlander has to get untracked.
The Mariners arrive in Detroit after a series win against the only team worse than themselves and the Tigers, the Padres.
As we all know, the Tigers are playing uninspired baseball, haven't won a series in over 2 weeks, and are coming off of a demoralizing 1-5 road trip.
What we have are a pair of teams expected to contend, and neither have lived up to preseason expectations. Someone is going to get a much needed boost from a series win. Between you and me, I'm not all that confident it'll be the Tigers.
Short hops:
For the Seattle POV, SB Nation Mariners blog Lookout Landing has a series preview. They are fully anticipating the Mariners righting their season against the struggling Tigers. To be honest, I can't blame them...
Here's opposing views on the "What to do with Galarraga?" question:
The AOL Fanhouse falls on the side of leaving him in the rotation, going so far to say the Tigers "deserve a swift kick in the nuts" if Willis takes Galarraga's spot.
At The Detroit Tigers Weblog, Billfer, always the voice of reason, runs Galarraga's numbers, and determines he's "been a little lucky" and "his ERA is going to climb." Galarraga may remain on Detroit's roster, but it won't be as part of the rotation.