Tigers' schedule doesn't get any easier down the stretch

We knew this was coming. After the weather wreaked havoc on the Tigers' schedule in April and May, it was inevitable that an already difficult second half schedule was only going to get more treacherous.

Today is the team's first off day in the month of August, ending a stretch of 31 games played in 31 days. The Tigers went 13-18 during this last month and have been outscored 135-119. They are 8-9 in August so far with a run differential of -4.

The Tigers have another off day scheduled for next Monday, but thanks to a pair of Saturday doubleheaders on the horizon, still have 14 games left to play in the month of August. Assuming they have no more rainouts during this span, they will have played 31 games in the month of August, and an incredible 45 games in 45 days since the All-Star break.

If the schedule alone doesn't get to the Tigers over the next few weeks, the travel might. The Tigers play just three of their next 18 games at home, with only two off days for travel (today included). Their last road series during this stretch — a four-gamer against the Cleveland Indians — finishes with a night game before the Tigers come home for six games against the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals.

Oh, and September isn't any better. The Tigers kick off the month with a four game series in Cleveland and don't have an off day scheduled until the 11th, just after a three-game series with the division-leading Royals. After that, things mellow out a bit. They have 16 games — all against AL Central opponents — scheduled across the last 17 days of the season with no doubleheaders.