Halfway home

This is a rough stretch. Four at Seattle, three at Minnesota and then home for three against the Royals. After that, five at Chicago, three at the Angels and three at Oakland. Only three home games before August 3rd is tough enough. But 21 games in 21 days with eighteen of them being on the road is even tougher.

The Tigers are in the position they would want to be in, however. They are in first place, fighting for the best record in baseball. But all that could be for naught in four days if they have a tough time against the Mariners. Currently, Seattle is the only team in immediate striking distance of the wild card besides Cleveland. If the Tigers can knock the Mariners down a peg this weekend, it will do great things for their postseason hopes. If they lose three of four, it could be a long road.

Next comes Minnesota. The Twins have been playing better of late and sit only eight games out. A sweep against the Tigers could put them back in the race. A Tiger series win, and they are starting to reel.

After a three game homestand, it's five against Chicago in four days. Though the White Sox are pretty much out of it, they play the Tigers tough every time, and they are still pretty much the same team that won the World Series two years ago and it is pretty much the same team that fought for the AL Central crown last year. They've had some tough luck, but are no pushover.

After those five games, it is another trip out West. (Who made this schedule?). The Tigers have to face Oakland and Dan Haren and then the Angels and their great pitching and hitting. It is definitely a tough road.

August third, however, they go back home for a long homestand. If they are still in first place, count your blessings, the races may be over for the Wild Card at least. If they are in striking distance, it only gets easier from there. Winning 11 of 21 would be fine, though. If they blow it and only win six or seven, the races are going to be pretty tight until the end of the season.