I think it’s safe to say that it’s a two team race in the AL Central now, and with two wins by the Tigers in the next three days, the Indians may join the White Sox in scheduling their October tee times.  Heck, even a win may get the Indians to dust off their sticks.  MLB’s silly scheduling lands the Tigers in Cleveland for a day game following a night game (that was only 3:21, amazing)

The Indians picked up Ubaldo Jimenez to pitch against the Central, and he makes his third start against the Tigers today.  He picked up a W the first time out, allowing 3 runs over 8 innings, but got Buehrle’d his second time around when he was tagged for 8 runs in just over 3 IPs.  Jimenez is 2-1 with the Indians, but is sporting a 5.56 ERA.  They are 3-3 in games he’s started for them.

While the Indians were mortgaging their future staff to get Jimenez, the Tigers quietly snuck a deal for Doug Fister.  A guy who will likely be the #3 guy going into the playoffs in four weeks. Over six starts for the Tigers, Fister is 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA.  He’s gone at least 7 in four of those, and he was pulled due to rain in one of those other two.  More importantly, the Tigers have won 4 of Fister’s starts, and he’s walked all of 2 batters in 36 1/3.  Michael Rosenberg didn’t hesitate to call Fister a better pitcher than Jimenez today. A little gravy on top – he’s striking out almost 8 per 9 innings over his past four.

I’m very curious to see how AJax’s first AB goes.  His last three yesterday looked disturbingly like many of his ABs from April through August.  When he gets on base, the Tigers offense goes into overdrive.

A few other notes:

– Sizemore back for Cle for the first time since mid-July.
– Santos was called up today, I’m sure he’d be starting if there were a lefty on the mound.  Look for him to start tomorrow or Wednesday.
– Al Al should be ready to go today if needed.

Today’s Could Santiago Be the Starter Against Righties? Lineup

1. Jackson, CF
2.  Dirks, RF
3. Young, LF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Avila, C
7. Peralta, SS
8. Betemit, 3B
9. Santiago, 2B