Tigerblog is right.
The Tigers will go a long way towards burying their competition if they can pull off two of three.
Even
one of three would keep the Sox and the Twins at least seven and eight
games at bay, respectively. The Twins are on fire, scorching hot
steam-engine fire. People say it can't last, and history says it won't
last. But with pitching like Liriano, Santana and Radke, there are no
signs of them slowing down.
With a sweep, the Tigers will all but
clinch the AL Central with 58 games to play. They will be very hard to
catch by the Twins who will then be 12 games back, and if the White Sox
don't pick it up, they will likely be 10 or 11 back as well. If a team
plays .500 ball over a stretch, it will take exactly four times the
amount of games the team behind is back playing .750 ball to catch the
team ahead. That would equate to 10-48 of the last 58 games for both
the Twins and the Sox--and they would have to be flawless for that
stretch.
The way the Twins are playing, however, a sweep is
highly unlikely. Minnesota is a team right now that looks like they
could beat any team in baseball history in a short series. Santana is
undeniably amazing after the break. Radke is a proven veteran.
Liriano's stuff is the nastiest by a rookie (including Verlander) in a
long time. They are just getting stronger and stronger.
Also,
keep in mind that Liriano didn't make a start until about 1 1/2 months
into the season. With the Tiger faithful worrying about Verlander's
inning count, as he has never thrown this much, think how much of a
luxury it would be if he saved 30-40 innings early in the season.
Liriano should and will be fresh through the end of September.
This is a worrysome series for Tiger fans. However, if they can lift a few out of the "homerdome," they might have a shot to win one or two. Miner has to pitch the game of his life. Look for a quick hook if he has the same stuff he's had in his last two starts. Bonderman is looking more and more like an all-star every outing. Remember, he's only 24, but if he pitches like he did against Chicago, this will be a game the Tigers take. Robertson is a battler. Unfortunately, every time he has to battle is because the Tigers aren't scoring any runs. Stake this guy to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, and the rubber match will be interesting.
Leyland would never have his team look ahead, but at least they don't have to, with Tampa Bay looming on the horizon. Chicago plays disappointing Baltimore during the Tigers-Twins matchup, so if the Tigers can take 2 of 3, look for Minnesota to slowly fall by the wayside...
