Detroit Tigers links: Is Alfredo Simon an All-Star?

To say that Alfredo Simon has been a pleasant surprise for the Detroit Tigers this season is an understatement. He had a strong season in 2014, posting a 15-10 record and 3.44 ERA with the Cincinnati Reds, but there were signs that this was not likely to continue in 2015. Instead, Simon has doubled down on his first half success from last season. He is now 7-3 with a 2.58 ERA after Sunday's 8-1 win over the Cleveland Indians, and has allowed just 11 earned runs in his last six starts.

But is he an All-Star? Both Michael Niziolek of MLive and Chris McCosky of the Detroit News posed the question after Simon threw five scoreless innings in a rain-shortened outing, and it's worth considering. Simon is tied for fourth in the American League with seven wins, and his 2.58 ERA ranks sixth among qualified starters. He is 20th in innings pitched, but half of the starters above him have an ERA of 4.22 or higher. Nine starting pitchers made the AL roster last season, and if Simon continues putting up zeroes, he may very well get his second consecutive All-Star berth this year.

Miguel Cabrera on trailing in AL All-Star voting: "I don’t care." - HardballTalk, Bill Baer
Miggy may not care, but anyone else with a soul should.

V-Mart, Rondon making progress on rehab assignments - FOX Sports, Dana Wakiji
The Tigers are expected to make a decision on Bruce Rondon at some point today. Based on the bullpen's recent performance, a shake-up might not be the worst idea in the world.

Delayed by rain, the Indians and Tigers took to Twitter for the Games of the Snapchat Olympiad - MLB.com, Chris Landers
Without Todd Jones around, the Tigers' social media staff had to entertain themselves during yesterday's rain delay.

Twins 4, Rangers 3: Buxton scores winning run - Twinkie Town, Jesse Lund
Byron Buxton went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his major league debut, but scored the game-winning run after reaching base on a fielder's choice in the ninth inning.

Rays 2, White Sox 1: Chris Sale can't do it himself - South Side Sox, Jim Margalus
The loss capped off a sweep for the White Sox, who are now in last place in the AL Central.

The Boston Red Sox don't remember how to play baseball - SB Nation, Jacob Price
Remember when our defense used to look like this?

Nationals' Max Scherzer flirts with perfection vs Brewers, settles for 16 K complete game shutout, 4-0 - Federal Baseball, Patrick Reddington
Old friend alert: Max Scherzer took a perfect game into the seventh inning en route to a one-hitter against the Brewers yesterday.

Inside Baseball: Top 40 trade candidates for this MLB trade season - CBS Sports, Jon Heyman
If you're looking for a power rankings of the best players on bad teams, then this list is for you. After years of blockbuster deadline deals by Dave Dombrowski, no name is off limits, though.

Giants GM Brian Sabean was at Wrigley scouting Mike Leake and Johnny Cueto - Red Reporter, Brandon Kraeling
Fox Sports' Jon Morosi also revealed that the Tigers had a scout at Cueto's last start, after saying that they are in the market for a starter earlier this week. The Tigers also face Cueto on Wednesday, for what it's worth.