“You can’t help but notice it, especially after four-five innings. But you just have to remind yourself it is a long way to go. Really after six is when I kind of really start to step on the gas and go for it, and I fell one out shy of that. After that it is like, ‘OK,’ let’s keep pitching and see if we can get deep in the game, save the bullpen and get us a ‘W.'”

That’s all Verlander had to say about getting Nicked for one hit. You knew he would be professional about it. Still, the look on his face when that ball went through Castellanos was priceless.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Mikie Mahtook, CF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Victor Martinez, DH
7. James McCann, C
8. Andrew Romine, RF
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching:  Drew VerHagen vs Gerrit Cole

Congratulations to the Tigers last night for finishing their game in only 2:37. I’m glad they are addressing that game length problem they have.

The WAR numbers say that Justin Upton is EASILY the most valuable player on the team. In fact he probably could take the rest of the season off and yet still win that. Do we all agree that he is the team MVP?

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Jim Adduci, RF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Mikie Mahtook, CF
7. James McCann, C
8. Andrew Romine, SS
9. Matt Boyd, P

Pitching:  Matt Boyd vs Chad Kuhl

I predict “Hanging Chad” Kuhl leaves one for Upton.

There isn’t much good to say about last night’s game, other than to point out the job done by the Sunday Scrubs: Hicks, Romine and Machado combined for a 7-for-12 bottom of the order barrage.

Jose Iglesias is on the bereavement list (always hate hearing that). That means that Jeimer Candelario gets the call, the guy we got from Chicago in the Wilson-Avila trade. We don’t get to see him right away, since Jim Leyland forgot to tell Brad Ausmus about the rule where you have to start a guy on the day you bring him up. There will be pinch-hitting opportunities though, with this National League park business.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Andrew Romine, RF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Mikie Mahtook, CF
7. James McCann, C
8. Dixon Machado, SS
9. Jordan Zimmermann, P

Pitching:  Jordan Zimmermann vs Trevor Williams

Jordan Zimmermann is in the lineup twice, once as a pitcher and once as a hitter. I hope Brad catches that before the game; I’m not sure if that is legal.

All good things must come to an end, especially unexpected winning streaks.

Another good day for Upton though. And Mahtook. The outfield has actually been looking like a strong point of the team.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Jim Adduci, RF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Nick Castellanos, 3B
5. Mikie Mahtook, CF
6. Victor Martinez, DH
7. Jim Hicks, C
8. Andrew Romine, 1B
9. Dixon Machado, SS

A bit of a surprise, Miggy gets the day off.

Justin Upton hit his 3rd grand slam of the season, and has taken an insurmountable lead in the WAR category. He has first nailed down. He is overpaid, but worth every dollar.

The MudHen boys are not to be overlooked though: a home run for the Mysterious Jim Adduci, and 3 great plays by Mikie, including a home-run robbing catch.

The Tigers continue to steamroll the AL East. We’ll see how that goes with Drew VerHagen subbing for Michael Fulmer.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Nick Castellanos, 3B
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Mikie Mahtook, CF
6. Victor Martinez, DH
7. James McCann, C
8. Jim Adduci, RF
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching:  Drew VerHagen vs Wade Miley

First time in Tigers history, back-to-back starts by a pitcher whose last name starts with “Ver.”

The Tigers continue their American League East Domination Tour with Justin Verlander on the mound. (The Tigers are 11-6 vs the East).

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Jim Adduci, RF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Victor Martinez, DH
7. Mikie Mahtook, CF
8. James McCann, C
9. Iglesias, SS

Pitching:  Justin Verlander vs Kevin Gausman

Same lineup as last night.

That was a very satisfying way to finish the Yankees series, rain delays notwithstanding.

Fulmer has been sent to the 10-day DL with right elbow ulnar neuritis. Right-hander Edward Mujica called up from Mudhen Town.

In case you haven’t seen it, good old Austin Jackson did a successful Torii Hunter maneuver in Boston. How different would Tiger history have been if Torii had pulled that off?

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Jim Adduci, RF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Victor Martinez, DH
7. Mikie Mahtook, CF
8. James McCann, C
9. Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Matt Boyd vs Chris Tillman

Iglesias back at short today, after a bit of defensive replacement yesterday.

What are the odds of getting another good start today? Anibal was quite good, and Shane Greene was a game-saver with the 5 out save.

When Greene made the wild pickoff throw, it must have given him bad flashbacks—in his debut for the Yankees he had 4 errors.

The down side of the 5-out save is that today will probably feature…who? in the 9th inning.

It was nice to see both catchers bring their bats: Hicks and McCann combined for a 3-for-7 with 3 RBI. Hicks sits today, but I wouldn’t be surprised by a pinch-hit appearance.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Jim Adduci, RF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Victor Martinez, DH
7. Mikie Mahtook, CF
8. James McCann, C
9. Andrew Romine, SS

Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Masahiro Tanaka

Hey, Mikie did it! He made the Faces of WAR page.

Apparently the wrist of Jose Iglesias is bothersome. He has passed up the Cubs new backup catcher for 3rd highest WAR on the team.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Mikie Mahtook, CF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, DH
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. James McCann, C
7. John Hicks, 1B
8. Dixon Machado, SS
9. Andrew Romine, RF

Pitching: Anibal Sanchez vs CC Sabathia

In case you haven’t heard the news, the Tigers have traded Justin Wilson and Alex Avila to the Cubs for two infield prospects, 3B/future DH Jeimer Candelario, and SS Isaac Peredes.

So far the Tigers have traded exclusively for infield prospects. I don’t have a problem with that; their minor league system is so weak that accumulating as many good prospects as possible is a good plan, regardless of position. That will all sort itself out.

What I don’t like is the Tigers getting rid of a very good relief pitcher, that only cost 2.8 million, and was under team control next year. One of the major reasons to sell right now for the Tigers is salary reduction, and this trade doesn’t do a whole lot in that direction. I have read some good viewpoints that point out that Justin might be overvalued—his numbers this season are almost the same as those throughout his career, but his success is magnified by his new role and his “saves” (which are overvalued), and in comparison to what he replaced. OK, I’m convinced. But even so it seems they could have worked out a better package, or waited until next season to move him.

As far as Alex goes, his performance has taken a dive in the last month. He is now once again the Alex we all knew. Still, you’d think the Cubs might have gone for Justin Wilson for the two prospects, and the Tigers gain nothing by getting rid of Alex this year (low salary, and his contract is up at the end of the season).

So I guess my overall evaluation of the trade? Eh, it’s OK. Ish.

Hicks is called up to replace Alex, Jimenez to replace Wilson. I expect to see Jimenez in the role previously played by Bruce Rondon. Shane Green, deservedly, is the new closer.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Jim Adduci, RF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Victor Martinez, DH
7. Mikie Mahtook, CF
8. James McCann, C
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Michael Fulmer vs Severino

That was a good win last night: good pitching, clutch hitting (Victor woke up from a long slumber), and all against the best team in the league.

For those who think Justin Verlander is going to be traded (I don’t), this will be his farewell to the fans at Comerica.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Dixon Machado, 2B
2. Mikie Mahtook, CF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Victor Martinez, DH
7. James McCann, C
8. Andrew Romine, RF
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Justin Verlander vs Lance McCullers