Alfredo “Big Pasta” Simon has now earned the “enigmatic” description. Apparently all he does is throw either batting practice, or shutouts.

It is easy to find a reason to watch today: Justin Verlander, who continues to impress. Verlander’s 2nd half numbers now sit at at 2.45 ERA, and a stingy 0.930, numbers which would put him in the Cy Young conversation if he had had a whole season of that.

Another reason to watch: if you have relatives from Cleveland visiting. I don’t think they care any more than I do at this point, but still….

Ian Kinsler gets a day off today. It’s worth appreciating what he has done the 2nd half, continuing to hit even as the boat sinks. He’s currently at .354, .980 OPS for the 2nd half, and now leads the team with a 5.9 WAR.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Anthony Gose, CF
2. Dixon Machado, SS
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. JD Martinez, RF
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
7. Tyler Collins, LF
8. James McCann, C
9. Andrew Romine, 2B

I’m taking the over tonight. I predict Brantley runs wild. Last 2 starts for Simon: 14 earned runs in 9.1 innings. I want Suarez back!

Gose isn’t happy with his base running: “my mouth has written checks my butt can’t cash.” +2 for Anthony Gose. -2 for anyone who doesn’t know he is doing anything wrong.

Ausmus is getting more and more bold. He says he might sit Victor for a day, maybe, if things get crazy. “If I think he needs a day or two (off), we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” Ausmus wants it to be known he is a bridge-crosser. He will burn that bridge at both ends, and cross it when he comes to it.

Today’s Hey! It’s Football Season! Lineup:

1. Rajai Davis, CF
2. Ian Kinsler, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. JD Martinez, RF
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
7. Tyler Collins, LF
8. James McCann, C
9. Andrew Romine, SS

Corey Kluber was supposed to pitch tonight, then Cleveland realized oh wait, it’s only the Tigers, so they switched to Josh Tomlin (actually, Kluber has a hamstring strain. That’s the story anyway).

Reason to follow this game: the much-anticipated return of The Lobster, Kyle Lobstein. OK, “much-anticipated” may be a small exaggeration.

A guy named Kyle pitched for a while last night and didn’t do so well, but really, without that final touchdown, they had a chance to win that one. Oh wait, that was the Michigan game.

Jose Iglesias is out for “more than a couple games” with a finger that got bunt-failed, so the Tigers call up Dixon Machado to fill in.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Anthony Gose, CF
2. Ian Kinsler, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. JD Martinez, RF
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
7. Tyler Collins, LF
8. Bryan Holaday, C
9. Dixon Machado, SS

Michigan plays tonight!

1. Anthony Gose, CF

2. Ian Kinsler, 2B

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. J.D. Martinez, RF

5. Victor Martinez, DH

6. Nick Castellanos, 3B

7. Tyler Collins, LF

8. James McCann, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

JV is getting into a groove. The defenses miscues are troubling. Lots of guys look like they have checked out.

1. Anthony Gose, CF

2. Ian Kinsler, 2B

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. J.D Martinez, RF

5. Victor Martinez, DH

6. Nick Castellanos, 3B

7. Tyler Collins, LF

8. Jose Iglesias, SS

9. Alex Avila, C

Hello Friends –

There are still 32 games left for the Tigers to sink further into the depths of the AL standings. I don’t think there is anything that Ausmus can do to save his job at this point in time.

JV on the hill tonight. That’s something at least worth following.

1. CF Anthony Gose

2. 2B Ian Kinsler

3. 1B Miguel Cabrera

4. RF J.D. Martinez

5. DH Victor Martinez

6. 3B Nick Castellanos

7. LF Tyler Collins

8. C James McCann

9. SS Jose Iglesias