Detroit Tigers Look To Use Rays To Brighten Road Woes

It took nearly five months before the Tigers and Rays finally met. It seems they liked each other so much the first time that they'll get together again just a week later.

The games feel more meaningful with the simple flipping of the calendar. The Tigers still need to prove they can win on the road and the Rays sit five games out of Wild Card position. A key road series win would keep the pesky Twins at bay, who face a road series of their own in Cleveland.

Much has been made of the reclamation of the magic of '06 but the Tigers look to channel a magic much older as they seek their first division championship since '87.

The last road trip concluded with a series win over playoff caliber team. Parlaying that into success in Tampa will propel the Tigers into a September to remember.

A look ahead at what to expect against the Rays:

Friday, Sept. 4, 7:38 PM
Justin Verlander (15-7, 3.38) vs. Jeff Niemann (12-5, 3.80)

Justin Verlander gets the start opposite Jeff Niemann for the second time in six days. If the first was any indication, baseball fans might be in for another pitcher's duel.

Verlander ended up getting the win after Placido Polanco hit a go-ahead three run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning. Niemann's gem was wasted as Grant Balfour took the loss and blown save.

Despite facing a high strike out team, Verlander managed just 4 K's. He hadn't punched out so few since a July 24 start against the White Sox. Expect a higher strike out total this time around as Justin tries to track down Tim Lincecum for the Major's lead.

Saturday, Sept. 5, 7:08 PM
Armando Galarraga (6-10, 5.05) vs. James Shields (9-10, 3.86)

Rather than making a start for AAA Toledo on Friday, Armando Galarraga will rejoin the team to start in place of Jarrod Washburn and his ailing left knee.

Galarraga will make his first start since Aug. 22 in Oakland having been resting his inflamed elbow with the Toledo Mud Hens.

Armando will need to limit the walks and keep his mistake pitches from reaching the seats. The free swinging Rays could be a very good or very bad match-up for his return, we'll know on Saturday night.

James Shields will make his second consecutive start against the Tigers. On Aug. 31, Shields allowed five runs on ten hits in seven innings of work but was the beneficiary of Tampa Bay's six run first to collect the win.

Carlos Guillen should be particularly happy to face Shields again. Carlos went 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI before Shields exited the game.

The Tigers may find the offense won't come quite as easy this time around. Shields has posted an ERA over a full run lower at home than on the road.

Sunday, Sept. 6, 1:08 PM
Edwin Jackson (11-6, 3.09) vs. Wade Davis (Major League Debut)

Edwin Jackson will get an opportunity he was denied when Tampa Bay visited Detroit: A chance to show his former team just how much they're missing. The Rays traded Jackson for outfielder Matt Joyce because of the pitching depth in the organization. Ironically, Wade Davis will make his big league debut opposite Jackson.

At AAA Durham, Davis went 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA. Baseball America ranks Davis as the Rays third best prospect, behind starting pitcher David Price and shortstop Tim Beckham.

The Tigers hope to greet Wade Davis in the same way they welcomed Indian's pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the bigs. The Tigers bombed three home runs and scored six runs on nine hits in three innings off Carrasco.

Edwin Jackson got back on track with a win over Cleveland his last time out. Despite the win, Jackson's ERA climbed over 3.00 for the first time since May 4. Playing in front of his one time home crowd may give Jackson the push he needs to return to the dominant form he showed in the first half of the season.

Around the AL Central
Upcoming Schedule:
Tigers: @TB 9/4-9/6, @KC 9/8-9/10
Twins: @CLE 9/4-9/6, @TOR 9/7-9/10
White Sox: BOS 9/4-9/7, OAK 9/8-9/9
Indians: MIN 9/4-9/6, TEX 9/7-9/9
Royals: @LAA 9/4-9/7, DET 9/8-9/10

Current Standings:

Team	GB
Tigers	0
Twins	5
White Sox	7
Indians	14
Royals	21

The Tigers magic number is 25. 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.