Detroit Tigers Return Home for Seven

The Tigers return home fresh off their first road series win since taking three out of five in Chicago from June 8-11.

Jim Leyland's confidence in Magglio Ordonez may have finally paid off, as the veteran seems to have found a bit of a groove in the three hole.

Placido Polanco has also picked up the pace by hitting .348 on the west coast.

Miguel Cabrera's AL MVP campaign rang through California to the tune of a .500 average with three home runs and 10 driven in.

The newfound bats will get a tough test this weekend from the Tampa Bay Rays in an important four-game set against a wild-card hopeful.

The Tigers have an opportunity to put even more distance between themselves and the rest of the division in the upcoming seven-game home stand that concludes with three against the Indians.

While the Tigers enjoy the comforts of home, the White Sox face three games in New York, three in Minnesota, and a make-up game at Wrigley. Meanwhile, the Twins host the Rangers for three before welcoming the White Sox to town.

Anything short of a sweep in the White Sox/Twins series wastes precious days in chasing down the Tigers. A look ahead at the upcoming week of Detroit Tigers baseball.

Friday, Aug. 28, 7:05 p.m.
Matt Garza (7-8, 3.74) vs. Rick Porcello (10-8, 4.39)

Porcello will get the start a day ahead of his normal place in the rotation because of Armando Galarraga's elbow inflammation. The off-day Thursday allows the Tigers to easily adjust their rotation while still giving each pitcher their normal amount of rest between starts.

Porcello will get his first career start against the defending American League Champion Rays. The key will be to keep the ball down to limit the damage caused by power hitters Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Ben Zobrist. Porcello has been very successful in inducing ground-ball outs.

The Rays will counter with Matt Garza who is just 1-3 in his last nine outings. Despite the poor record over this stretch, Garza has been able to maintain an ERA around 3.70 while averaging over six strikeouts per start. This could spell trouble for Tigers hitters who have combined for the fifth-most strikeouts in the American League.

Saturday, Aug. 29, 4:10 p.m.
David Price (6-6, 4.93) vs. Nate Robertson (1-0, 7.71)

Nate Robertson will make his first start of the season while filling in for the ailing Armando Galarraga. Robertson began the season in the bullpen after failing to secure a spot in the starting rotation out of spring training.

The numbers were ugly before Nate opted for surgery to remove masses from his pitching elbow. Robertson has been on a rehab assignment at AAA Toledo since the beginning of August where he has posted a record of 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 21 K's in 19 innings.

The Tampa Bay Rays have a stud rookie pitcher of their own in David Price, the first overall pick in 2007. Price has two career appearances against the Tigers, both came last September in relief. He gave up just one hit while striking out three in two and two thirds combined innings.

David has a tendency to get in trouble with walks, having allowed five or more walks five times this season. The strikeout potential is there as well as evident in the 11-strikeout performance May 30 against the Twins.

Sunday, Aug. 30, 1:05 p.m.
Jeff Niemann (12-5, 3.87) vs. Justin Verlander (14-7, 3.38)

The AL's strikeout leader will look to feast on the team that strikes out more than any other team except for the Rangers. Verlander has probably just seven starts remaining to prove his candidacy for the American League Cy Young Award.

Verlander has solidified himself as the ace of the staff with his performances against the top teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Rangers, and White Sox. Another great performance will be needed against this tough AL East team.

Jeff Niemann is one of the pitchers who made Edwin Jackson expendable following last season. He hasn't disappointed, as his 12 wins rank first among AL rookies.

There appears to be no "rookie wall" for Niemann as he is 5-1 with a 3.75 ERA in his last nine starts. That loss is the only blemish since taking the loss on May 28 against the Cleveland Indians.

Niemann pitched three innings in relief against the Tigers as a September call-up last season. He took the loss but struck out five Tiger batters.

Monday, Aug. 31, 1:05 p.m.
James Shields (8-10, 3.81) vs. Jarrod Washburn (9-7, 3.23)

The Tigers are 4-1 in games Jarrod Washburn has started since arriving from Seattle. While the team record looks good, Washburn's 5.74 ERA as a Tiger is not what the organization was expecting when they sent Luke French and a prospect. Limiting the long ball will be key as Washburn tries to find his command.

This will be Jarrod's second start of the year against Tampa Bay. He led Seattle to a 4-2 win on April 21 with seven strong innings, including nine strikeouts.

James Shields is the only member of the Rays starting rotation that is not a former first-round draft pick. His career 3.92 ERA suggests that perhaps he should have been.

Things have gone just as well against the Tigers as his 2-0 record and 2.31 ERA in four career starts shows.

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7:05 p.m.
David Huff (8-7, 6.57) vs. Edwin Jackson (10-6, 2.96)

While Edwin Jackson will miss pitching against his former team, he will get another start against a Cleveland team he has had much success against. Jackson will makes his fourth start of 2009 against the Tribe, having gone 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 16 strikeouts.

Like Washburn, Edwin Jackson has run into some trouble with home runs lately. Cleveland ranks in the bottom half in HR among AL teams.

Trade deadline deals that sent Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko packing have further diminished Cleveland's power potential. This may be the start Jackson needs to propel himself toward a solid stretch run.

2006 supplemental round draft pick David Huff will get his first career start against Detroit. Huff's results have been a bit of a mixed bag, as to be expected with many young pitchers.

A victory in his last start will give Huff some confidence although the Tigers right-handed power hitters should be excited to face an inexperienced lefty.

Wednesday, September 2, 7:05 PM
Pitching matchups not yet announced

The calendar would suggest that Aaron Laffey would start opposite Rick Porcello in this game, although that has not been officially announced.

Because the rosters expand to 40 players on Sept. 1, the Indians rotation may get a bit of a shake up. Teams in Cleveland's position often use the month of September to evaluate young talent. Laffey is a young player in his own right and has not reached 100 innings pitched for the season.

Whether or not this one takes place, expect to see many Laffey/Porcello match-ups for years to come.

Thursday, September 3, 1:05 PM
Pitching match ups not yet announced

If the current starting rotations hold up, Fausto Carmona will take on Robertson. Galarraga won't be back until at least the series in Tampa the weekend of Sept. 4-6, so Robertson may get another start if all goes well in the five innings he is scheduled to pitch on Aug. 29.

Nate's bulldog mentality was key in 2006 and a return to form would greatly help down the stretch.

Fausto Carmona rejoined the rotation July 31 and has a 2.79 ERA since. Carmona's mysterious loss of control following a spectacular 2007 season remains a problem as his 54 walks matches his 54 strikeouts.

Around the AL Central

Tigers: TB 8/28-8/31, CLE 9/1-9/3
White Sox: @NYY 8/28-8/30, @MIN 8/31-9/2, @ChC 9/3
Twins: TEX 8/28-8/30, CWS 8/31-9/2
Indians: @BAL 8/27-8/30, @DET 9/1-9/3
Royals: @SEA 8/27-8/30, @OAK 8/31-9/2

Current Standings:

Team	GB
Tigers	0
White Sox	4
Twins	4.5
Indians	10.5
Royals	18.5

The Tigers magic number is 32. This is the total number of Tiger wins and second-place team losses needed for the Tigers to secure their first division championship since 1987.