Detroit Tigers links: The Tigers are in big trouble without Miguel Cabrera

The Detroit Tigers won two of three in their weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays without Miguel Cabrera, but there were some serious warning signs that this team won't be able to withstand his absence. Losing a Hall of Fame talent like Cabrera is a huge blow to their playoff hopes, which have already dropped to 30.1 percent according to Fangraphs. Lynn Henning of the Detroit News outlined what the offense needs to do in order to stay afloat during Cabrera's rehab, but honestly, it won't make a lick of difference if the pitching staff doesn't shape up soon.

The Tigers have allowed 41 runs on 76 hits in their last six games. If anything, it's surprising that they were able to go 2-4 during that stretch. Justin Verlander looked like his old self for a bit on Sunday, but saw things unravel quickly in the fifth inning. "Those few innings there in a row are the best I've felt, and thrown in a long time," Verlander said after his start, and he's not wrong. The Tigers will need more of the good Verlander we saw on Sunday, though, and soon.

The next week should give us a solid idea of what to expect from the Tigers over the next six-plus weeks. Following a road trip to struggling Seattle, the Tigers play four games against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. If the Tigers can take that series, potentially leapfrogging Minnesota into second place in the AL Central, then the second half could be more exciting than we think. If not? We could see them selling off spare parts at the end of July.

Thoughts On The Reliever Exodus And Tigers ‘Shakeup’ - New English D, Neil Weinberg
"I’m not ready to throw in the towel, but when your big shakeup is to replace two bad relievers with two non-exciting prospects, there isn’t much you can do. I’m hard on Ausmus, and I think for good reason, but even if he managed this team perfectly, they wouldn’t exactly be lighting the world on fire."

Five internal candidates who could replace Miguel Cabrera at first base - MLive
...Yeah, let's go get a bat, Dave.

Tigers interested in Miami Marlins' pitching depth - Fish Stripes, Scott Gelman
Dan Haren and Mat Latos don't sound particularly appealing, but it's hard to see the Marlins willing to part with someone younger like Henderson Alvarez or Justin Nicolino

Tigers' Aussie prospect Shepherd learns quickly - Lynn Henning, The Detroit News
There is a 19-year-old tearing up the Midwest League in a West Michigan Whitecaps uniform, but his name is not Derek Hill. Expect Shepherd to fly up Tigers prospect rankings this offseason.

Hosmer Plays Hero as Royals Walk Off on Minnesota - Royals Review, Ryan Landreth
The Royals walked off two of their three games against the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, stretching their division lead to 4 1/2 games.

Danny Salazar meltdown costs Cleveland Indians dear in 5-3 defeat - Let's Go Tribe, Andrew Kinsman
The Indians have lost two in a row and are now nine games behind the Royals in the AL Central.

Orioles 9, White Sox 1: Ugly all over; winning streak over - South Side Sox, Jim Margalus
Carlos Rodon was decent for the White Sox on Sunday, but their bullpen unraveled in a big way. Still, the Sox took two of three from the Orioles over the weekend. They are in last place in the AL Central, 10 games behind Kansas City.

Royals 3, Twins 2: Santana shines in return, but Royals walk off in ninth - Twinkie Town, Jesse Lund
Ervin Santana returned from his PED suspension on Sunday but could not deliver a win in his first start in three months.

Parity? Mediocrity? Buy? Sell? White Sox epitomize MLB season of flux - Bob Nightengale, USA Today Sports
White Sox president Ken Williams promises that the team won't have a firesale, but you can bet starter Jeff Samardzija (a free-agent-to-be) will be on the move.