Detroit Tigers Links: Justin Verlander's Momentum & Clete Thomas' Positive Outlook

Justin Verlander might have lost his momentum, Clete Thomas has a positive attitude about being DFA'd, and Stephen Strasburg actually threw a few pitches yesterday. These stories, and lots more non-Tigers stuff (the Red Wings starting their opening playoff series last night = zero Tigers coverage) in Today's Morning Prowl.

The 2012 BYB Meet-Up: Ticket payment info - Bless You Boys
Just a reminder to get your money to Alli if you're attending this year's meet-up! As of 10 p.m. on Wednesday, there are 31 tickets left.

Justin Verlander, The Detroit Tigers, And Matters Of Momentum - Baseball Nation, Jeff Sullivan
"Justin Verlander was in a groove for eight innings. He might well have been in a groove in the ninth. The Rays still scored against him, because that's what happens in baseball."

Detroit Tigers' Clete Thomas: 'There are 29 other teams out there that have a shot at me now' - MLive, Chris Iott
"'Everything happens for a reason,' Thomas said. 'There's 29 other teams out there that have a shot at me now. I can contribute to any team that wants to have me.'" Nice to see Clete with an upbeat attitude about things.

Grantland Author Sickened By Tigers - DesigNate Robertson
Rogo being Rogo.

Around the AL Central:

Royals Lose 5-4 on Walk Off Hit by Pitch - Royals Review, Jeff Zimmerman
A brief but informative recap of the Royals' loss yesterday.

White Sox 10, Indians 6: Mistakes punished early - South Side Sox
Game 5: White Sox 10, Indians 6 - Let's Go Tribe
Justin Masterson was dominant in his first start for the Cleveland Indians. Yesterday? Not so much.

Minnesota Twins' Scott Baker out for the season with elbow injury - Pioneer Press, John Shipley
An already-weak Twins rotation takes a big hit with the loss of Baker. [h/t Twinkie Town]

Jeff Francoeur sends 20 pizzas to A’s fans in bleachers - Big League Stew, David Brown
I wanted to make a joke after reading that headline, but this is just a cool story in itself. Consider me a Francoeur fan (a Fancoeur, amirite?) from now on.

Elsewhere in Baseball:

Stephen Strasburg dominates the Mets, tops 100 pitches for the first time - HardballTalk, Aaron Gleeman
It still remains to be seen as to whether Strasburg's arm fell off after his outing. Those Nationals are being way too cavalier by not keeping him on a strict pitch count. /sarcasm

Rays' Jeremy Hellickson Taken To Hospital After Being Hit In Head With Ball During Batting Practice - SB Nation Detroit, James Brady
Hellickson was conscious and not bleeding before being taken to the hospital. Hopefully he doesn't miss any time after this incident. He's a fun pitcher to watch and should be around for a long time.

Catching talent at highest level in years - ESPN, David Schoenfield
Four of the names mentioned in this post are in the AL Central. You know there's some serious talent around when A.J. Pierzynski is the worst catcher in the division.

Padilla develops the lollipop - Hardball Times, Troy Patterson
A closer look at Vicente Padilla's eephus pitch that we saw last weekend.

The Angels from 2005 to 2009: Was Mike Scioscia That Good? - Beyond the Box Score
Continuing the discussion on Pythag from this fanpost by thepartybird is a look at what Scioscia has done in Anaheim over the past six years.