PREGAME: When things were going good, the Tigers were winning losable games. Now they’re losing winnable games. The former is more fun for everyone. Justin Verlander gets the ball for Detroit, and he was the last pitcher to throw quality start. And even that start was stretching the limits of quality with 4 runs (but only 3 earned) in 6 innings.

Rodrigo Lopez will be starting for the O’s, and probably the nicest thing to say is that he’s been consistent. He’s allowed at least 4 runs in each of his starts. He’s also shown an ability to give up a homer with 1.95/9 innings this year. This could be advantageous to the Tigers, and particularly Magglio Ordonez who is looking to homer in his 5th consecutive game.

Placido Polanco returns to the lineup tonight, as does Shelton. Polanco resumes his spot inthe 2-hole while Shelton drops to #7.

POSTGAME: I guess it’s a nice change of pace win the Tigers cap off a 3 game losing streak, and I think to myself FINALLY! It was a very solid win tonight, and I liked seeing the rookie come out and be the stopper. Verlander was very effective, save for a couple instances where he started overthrowing with men on base. And keep in mind, he did that without his normal curve last night.

The offense once again put up a six-spot, but actually had this one hold up. Craig Monroe broke and 0 for 17 streak, which was well deserved. He’s hit a number of rockets, with nothing to show for it. Also nice to see was Polanco hitting a little more like he did last year. That first inning double was only his second extra base hit this year.

As for myself, I’m once again 100% and will be back to my normal posting routine tonight. Thanks for being patient while I slept.

Also, I don’t know if anyone noticed, but the Indians were just swept by the Royals. You think they might be a little upset for this weekend?

PREGAME: I’m still not feeling good, so the only tidbits for today are those I picked up in the car on the way home. Pudge will be playing first to give Shelton a scheduled day off, and Placido Polanco is back in the lineup. Apparently Polanco is still out.

Game time is 7:05.

POSTGAME: At least Fernando Rodney did his part to put the closer controversy to rest. I’m not too upset about the loss in and of itself. I’m just more frustrated that for the second time in three games a struggling team found their legs in a come from behind win against the Tigers.

What is more disconcerting than the blown save, is Carlos Guillen’s defense. While errors are never the best way to measure a players effectiveness, eight at this point in the season is terrible. It was easy to shake off his multi-error games in the Oakland series as a fluke, but the more it happens the less flukey it looks. It’s a shame that a night where he reached base 5 times with a bases loaded double, is overshadowed by sloppy defense. I just hope it doesn’t become one of those things that’s in his head (because it’s already in mine).

PREGAME: The Tigers will try and bounce back from their first late inning blown lead. It won’t be easy as Mike Maroth takes on Johan Santana. Then again, the Tigers keep showing the ability to hit Twins pitching – even if they haven’t had success in the past.

POSTGAME: Jim Leyland sent out a substitution laden lineup against arguably the best pitcher in the game. That’s why it wasn’t that much of a shock that the Tigers were being no hit into the 7th inning. Despite that, the Tigers weren’t that far off. A couple of drives that were just out of the reach of Thames, actually one was within his reach, and Minnesota has as hard a time scoring against Mike Maroth. Not to say that Maroth pitched as well as Santana, because it wasn’t close, just that despite being dominated Detroit stayed in the game without their best players.

And speaking of could-ofs, the Tigers had a bevy of pinch hitters available today. Yet in the 7th inning with the tying run on second base and one out, Leyland left Ramon Santiago to hit against Santana. That move made little sense, and it made even less sense in the 9th inning when he sent Carlos Guillen in to pinch hit with two outs and nobody on. Who knows if Guillen would have been successful, but if I have a choice between two contests where one gives me a one in three chance and the other gives me a one in five chance – the choice is simple.

PREGAME: The Tigers look to raise their record against the Twins to 5-0 on the year. Scott Baker will be taking the mound for the Twins. While the Tigers have had success in the first 4 games, this will be the first time facing Baker this season.

Jeremy Bonderman will try to regain the pitching magic as the Tigers starters have failed to record a quality start in their last 2 games. Let’s nip that in the bud.

Last night featured the return of Dmitri Young and he hit a couple balls well to center, singled in a run, and walked. No matter what you think of Dmitri, it will be nice to have his bat in the lineup. My son got a little confused and started calling the position Desperating Hitter. Given the inconsistency, until Marcus Thames surge last week, it was hard for me to correct him.

Game time is 7:05.

POSTGAME: Yeah, the blown save – not so much a fan. I guess the silver lining is that this is game 31 and this is the first time the Tigers bullpen has surrendered a lead. Todd Jones has had a shaky week, and it will be understandable when people start calling for Fernando Rodney or Joel Zumaya to close.

In other news, the Tigers banged out 8 extra base hits. They had 5 situations where they had a runner on second base and no body out. Only 2 of those runners scored.