***Officialish Detroit Tigers Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[Doctor Detroit]

AL MVP 1st half: Miguel Cabrera

Awesome.

The funny thing is Simon was getting everyone to bite on that two-seamer and I figured Cabrera was just gonna sit on it and tie the game. I mean I really believed he would tie the game. I do think he's the best hitter they've had in my lifetime, he's just amazing.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Walk off! Nice job Johnny, Miggy. Great win.

 

[whoknew]

Johnny ####### Damon!

 

[Hellfire Snail]

AL MVP 1st half: Miguel Cabrera

Awesome.

The funny thing is Simon was getting everyone to bite on that two-seamer and I figured Cabrera was just gonna sit on it and tie the game. I mean I really believed he would tie the game. I do think he's the best hitter they've had in my lifetime, he's just amazing.

I told my buddy at the bar he was going to tie it up. Not exactly a stretch to say the best hitter in the game right now was going to tie it up but sometimes you can feel it coming more than others. When he's locked in it's such a joy to watch his at-bats. Such a great eye, amazing concentration. It's funny watching pitchers try to hide their fear. He showed a little swagger with this one, flipped the bat, watched it into the seats. He might drag the Tigers into the playoffs whether they like it or not.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Johnny ####### Damon!

That's his name.

 

[meeka]

AL MVP 1st half: Miguel Cabrera

Awesome.

The funny thing is Simon was getting everyone to bite on that two-seamer and I figured Cabrera was just gonna sit on it and tie the game. I mean I really believed he would tie the game. I do think he's the best hitter they've had in my lifetime, he's just amazing.

I told my buddy at the bar he was going to tie it up. Not exactly a stretch to say the best hitter in the game right now was going to tie it up but sometimes you can feel it coming more than others. When he's locked in it's such a joy to watch his at-bats. Such a great eye, amazing concentration. It's funny watching pitchers try to hide their fear. He showed a little swagger with this one, flipped the bat, watched it into the seats. He might drag the Tigers into the playoffs whether they like it or not.

He did a little jab step right before third base too. He was feeling it last night.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Robbie Weinhardt called up to Tigers as Galarraga optioned to Toledo

 

[whoknew]

Robbie Weinhardt called up to Tigers as Galarraga optioned to Toledo

This is an interesting move. It makes a lot of sense - the Tigers don't need a 5th starter until July 20 and Galarraga will be called back up to make that start. He will also make his normal start on 7/15 in Toledne article said Galarraga wasn't very happy - which I guess I can understand. But its not really a demotion. Its just a really smart move by the Tigers.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Robbie Weinhardt called up to Tigers as Galarraga optioned to Toledo

This is an interesting move. It makes a lot of sense - the Tigers don't need a 5th starter until July 20 and Galarraga will be called back up to make that start. He will also make his normal start on 7/15 in Toledne article said Galarraga wasn't very happy - which I guess I can understand. But its not really a demotion. Its just a really smart move by the Tigers.

Maybe he thought he was the #4 starter...

 

[whoknew]

I'm sure this is a case of selective memory, but I just do not remember a season with this many rookies/young players getting significant playing time. The Tigers future is really bright.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

SO we got a 1 game lead on the sux and a 1.5 on the twins heading into the series before the ASB. Peavey sounds like he's done.

If the Tigers take the twins series we would have had the lead at the ASB 4 out of the last 5 seasons IIRC

 

[meeka]

SO we got a 1 game lead on the sux and a 1.5 on the twins heading into the series before the ASB. Peavey sounds like he's done.If the Tigers take the twins series we would have had the lead at the ASB 4 out of the last 5 seasons IIRC

What we need is the lead at the end of the season. I do not think I can handle another close lose to the Twins. I get enough razzing being a lone Tigers fan in Twins Territory.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

SO we got a 1 game lead on the sux and a 1.5 on the twins heading into the series before the ASB. Peavey sounds like he's done.If the Tigers take the twins series we would have had the lead at the ASB 4 out of the last 5 seasons IIRC

What we need is the lead at the end of the season. I do not think I can handle another close lose to the Twins. I get enough razzing being a lone Tigers fan in Twins Territory.

I know that pennant winner > division winner, but 23 years is too damn long to go without winning a 5 team division. This team from the top down has to find a way to do it, even if that's as far as they go (like 1987).

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

SO we got a 1 game lead on the sux and a 1.5 on the twins heading into the series before the ASB. Peavey sounds like he's done.If the Tigers take the twins series we would have had the lead at the ASB 4 out of the last 5 seasons IIRC

What we need is the lead at the end of the season. I do not think I can handle another close lose to the Twins. I get enough razzing being a lone Tigers fan in Twins Territory.

I know that pennant winner > division winner, but 23 years is too damn long to go without winning a 5 team division. This team from the top down has to find a way to do it, even if that's as far as they go (like 1987).

It seems the tigers get that June surge from smacking around the NL and then fade in the 2nd half.The big difference between Minny and the tigers is that Minny smacks around KC/Clev while we struggle with KC specifically. Tigers in-division record is terrible

 

[Doctor Detroit]

SO we got a 1 game lead on the sux and a 1.5 on the twins heading into the series before the ASB. Peavey sounds like he's done.If the Tigers take the twins series we would have had the lead at the ASB 4 out of the last 5 seasons IIRC

What we need is the lead at the end of the season. I do not think I can handle another close lose to the Twins. I get enough razzing being a lone Tigers fan in Twins Territory.

I know that pennant winner > division winner, but 23 years is too damn long to go without winning a 5 team division. This team from the top down has to find a way to do it, even if that's as far as they go (like 1987).

It seems the tigers get that June surge from smacking around the NL and then fade in the 2nd half.The big difference between Minny and the tigers is that Minny smacks around KC/Clev while we struggle with KC specifically. Tigers in-division record is terrible

Tigers were 11-7 in interleague play this yearTigers are 10-7 vs the Indians and Royals this yearTigers were 23-13 vs the Indians and Roylas last yearTigers are 45-36 vs the Royals since 2006Tigers are 46-35 vs the Indians since 2006

 

[skillz]

The 7th and 8th innings with the current bullpen are going to scare me in the 2nd half with Zumaya out. I still don't trust Perry late and Coke may wear down in the 2nd half. The team may end up losing leads that it was otherwise holding onto throughout the 1st half (or conversely keeping themselves in the game so they could come back late).

The important stretch is going to be the games from July 26 through August 19 when they go @TB, @Bos, CWS, LAA, TB, CWS, @NYY. They could fall back in a hurry if they don't play well over those 4 weeks.

Also we need to pray Minn doesn't acquire Cliff Lee.

I've learned never to turn off a home game no matter what the score is in the late innings. The team has a nack of making great comebacks at home. It's almost like they expect to pull off some of the wins they have late in games.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

SO we got a 1 game lead on the sux and a 1.5 on the twins heading into the series before the ASB. Peavey sounds like he's done.If the Tigers take the twins series we would have had the lead at the ASB 4 out of the last 5 seasons IIRC

What we need is the lead at the end of the season. I do not think I can handle another close lose to the Twins. I get enough razzing being a lone Tigers fan in Twins Territory.

I know that pennant winner > division winner, but 23 years is too damn long to go without winning a 5 team division. This team from the top down has to find a way to do it, even if that's as far as they go (like 1987).

It seems the tigers get that June surge from smacking around the NL and then fade in the 2nd half.The big difference between Minny and the tigers is that Minny smacks around KC/Clev while we struggle with KC specifically. Tigers in-division record is terrible

Tigers were 11-7 in interleague play this yearTigers are 10-7 vs the Indians and Royals this yearTigers were 23-13 vs the Indians and Roylas last yearTigers are 45-36 vs the Royals since 2006Tigers are 46-35 vs the Indians since 2006

Now please post the Twins records vs the entire division this year, last year etc. TIA

 

[Doctor Detroit]

It seems the tigers get that June surge from smacking around the NL and then fade in the 2nd half.

The big difference between Minny and the tigers is that Minny smacks around KC/Clev while we struggle with KC specifically. Tigers in-division record is terrible

Tigers were 11-7 in interleague play this yearTigers are 10-7 vs the Indians and Royals this year Twins 10-5

Tigers were 23-13 vs the Indians and Roylas last year Twins 22-14

Tigers are 45-36 vs the Royals since 2006 Twins 51-31

Tigers are 46-35 vs the Indians since 2006 Twins 39-40

Now please post the Twins records vs the entire division this year, last year etc. TIA

There you go. Tigers have been better against the Indians and Royals combined over the same period, were better last year and are only a game worse this year.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

This is a huge series. If they can win two of three that is a great way to end the first half and they'll be a full 10 games above .500. The division is there for the taking, but they have to atleast split the rest of the way with the Sux and Twins. Going 3-6 against these guys on the back nine is not going to get them into the playoffs.

Verlander v Liriano should be a fun game 1.

 

[Bojang0301]

Apparently Porcello's start got pushed back until tomorrow... word on the street is that he may be used as a main piece for Haren or Oswalt.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Apparently Porcello's start got pushed back until tomorrow... word on the street is that he may be used as a main piece for Haren or Oswalt.

Oswalt has a complete no trade clause so he'd have to want to come to Detroit, and reports are he doesn't (He is saying no to White Sux as well). He is due 15 mill next year and has a club option in 2012 at 16 mill with a 2 mill buyout.Haren gets 12.75 the next two years, and has a club option at 15.5 mill in '13 with a 3.5 mill buyout. I would trade Porcello in a Haren deal, but I'm not sure I'd trade him for Oswalt. Haren would thrive in Comerica, would benefit from the change of scenery and has two years with a club option for '13 left on his deal.

 

[Bojang0301]

Apparently Porcello's start got pushed back until tomorrow... word on the street is that he may be used as a main piece for Haren or Oswalt.

Oswalt has a complete no trade clause so he'd have to want to come to Detroit, and reports are he doesn't (He is saying no to White Sux as well). He is due 15 mill next year and has a club option in 2012 at 16 mill with a 2 mill buyout.Haren gets 12.75 the next two years, and has a club option at 15.5 mill in '13 with a 3.5 mill buyout. I would trade Porcello in a Haren deal, but I'm not sure I'd trade him for Oswalt. Haren would thrive in Comerica, would benefit from the change of scenery and has two years with a club option for '13 left on his deal.

I would personally rather have Oswalt but I think I would be fine if they moved him and not much more for Haren. Porcello has never been a big K guy and while I know he is a sinkerballer I just have a hard time really, really liking pitchers that don't strike out a lot of batters.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Apparently Porcello's start got pushed back until tomorrow... word on the street is that he may be used as a main piece for Haren or Oswalt.

Oswalt has a complete no trade clause so he'd have to want to come to Detroit, and reports are he doesn't (He is saying no to White Sux as well). He is due 15 mill next year and has a club option in 2012 at 16 mill with a 2 mill buyout.Haren gets 12.75 the next two years, and has a club option at 15.5 mill in '13 with a 3.5 mill buyout. I would trade Porcello in a Haren deal, but I'm not sure I'd trade him for Oswalt. Haren would thrive in Comerica, would benefit from the change of scenery and has two years with a club option for '13 left on his deal.

I would personally rather have Oswalt but I think I would be fine if they moved him and not much more for Haren. Porcello has never been a big K guy and while I know he is a sinkerballer I just have a hard time really, really liking pitchers that don't strike out a lot of batters.

Well Oswalt looks like he doesn't want to pitch in the cold. The guy has been complaining all year that he wants to be dealt to a winner and then says the Sux and Tigers aren't good enough. Whatever.

 

[Gopher State]

I don't understand how Verlander didn't get picked to go to the all star game. The guy's horse when it comes to innings pitched, and 10-5 record doesn't get you a ticket to the big show?

 

[skillz]

Liriano owns the Tigers, even when his arm is broken.

 

[whoknew]

I don't understand how Verlander didn't get picked to go to the all star game. The guy's horse when it comes to innings pitched, and 10-5 record doesn't get you a ticket to the big show?

I think its still quite likely he does. Don't like 3 of the pitchers pitch on Sunday?

 

[whoknew]

I just don't know what to say anymore about Boesch. Its really unbelievable. Like really hard to believe.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I just don't know what to say anymore about Boesch. Its really unbelievable. Like really hard to believe.

I'm not saying anything.Danny Worth playing some ball, too. Yeah Verlander probably won't make the all-star team. Girardi has four more Yankees to squeeze on the team.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Apparently Porcello's start got pushed back until tomorrow... word on the street is that he may be used as a main piece for Haren or Oswalt.

Leyland disputes the report...and this is pretty funny. Leyland was angry and tore into the reporter. That version is on mlive.com. The Free Press had Leyland denial, but they sugarcoated the story. The person who first reported it (John Paul Morosi) used to work for the Free Press. Below are the two versions of the story.

Here is the mlive.com story:

mlive.com story

Tigers manager Jim Leyland blasts report that Rick Porcello could be on trading block

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland made a strong denial to a FoxSports.com report that pitcher Rick Porcello could be a “potential trade chip” and quoted a source saying Detroit pushed back his start for the Toledo Mud Hens to Saturday for the likely purpose of allowing more scouts to gather for his outing.

“I want to make this perfectly clear: It is a blatant lie and irresponsible journalism,” Leyland said after Friday night’s game. “That is a total (blanking) lie. It is bull (blank) and it is horse (blank), and people need to be held accountable.

"There is not a (blanking) chance Rick Porcello is going to be traded. In fact, he’s pitching in Cleveland .”

Porcello is likely to be recalled between games of the July 17 day-night doubleheader with the Indians at Progressive Field.

Now the Free Press version:

Free Press Story

Jim Leyland: Rick Porcello won't be traded, will pitch for Tigers in Cleveland next week

POSTED BY JAMES JAHNKE AND KIRKLAND CRAWFORD

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITERS

After the Tigers' 7-3 win tonight against the Twins, manager Jim Leyland addressed a rumor regarding starting pitcher Rick Porcello.

Leyland said Porcello was not going to be traded and that the 21-year-old pitcher would return to the Tigers for next weekend's series against the Indians in Cleveland. That series features a day-night doubleheader on July 17.

“There’s not a chance that Rick Porcello is going to be traded,” Leyland said.

Porcello won 14 games last season but has struggled this year. He is 4-7 with a 6.14 ERA in Detroit and has spent nearly the last month in Triple-A Toledo.

Earlier today, Free Press alumnus Jon Paul Morosi, reporting for for foxsports.com, said the organization was pushing back Porcello's next start in Toledo to Saturday. Speculation had the Tigers eyeing one of two trade targets -- Diamondbacks starter Dan Haren and Astros starter Roy Oswalt.

According to Morosi: "Haren will earn $12.75 million in each of the next two seasons, followed by a $15.5 million club option for 2013. ... Other teams may shy away from Haren for payroll reasons. The Tigers, though, are in a more favorable position. They will have roughly $30 million in starting pitching coming off their books after the season, when Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis file for free agency."

Haren, 29, is 7-6 with a 4.38 ERA for Arizona this season. He has 119 strikeouts in 123 1/3 innings.

It looks like 2 totally different stories because of the Free Press sugarcoating Leyland's comments.

 

[Bojang0301]

Apparently Porcello's start got pushed back until tomorrow... word on the street is that he may be used as a main piece for Haren or Oswalt.

Leyland disputes the report...and this is pretty funny. Leyland was angry and tore into the reporter. That version is on mlive.com. The Free Press had Leyland denial, but they sugarcoated the story. The person who first reported it (John Paul Morosi) used to work for the Free Press. Below are the two versions of the story.

Here is the mlive.com story:

mlive.com story

Tigers manager Jim Leyland blasts report that Rick Porcello could be on trading block

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland made a strong denial to a FoxSports.com report that pitcher Rick Porcello could be a “potential trade chip” and quoted a source saying Detroit pushed back his start for the Toledo Mud Hens to Saturday for the likely purpose of allowing more scouts to gather for his outing.

“I want to make this perfectly clear: It is a blatant lie and irresponsible journalism,” Leyland said after Friday night’s game. “That is a total (blanking) lie. It is bull (blank) and it is horse (blank), and people need to be held accountable.

"There is not a (blanking) chance Rick Porcello is going to be traded. In fact, he’s pitching in Cleveland .”

Porcello is likely to be recalled between games of the July 17 day-night doubleheader with the Indians at Progressive Field.

Now the Free Press version:

Free Press Story

Jim Leyland: Rick Porcello won't be traded, will pitch for Tigers in Cleveland next week

POSTED BY JAMES JAHNKE AND KIRKLAND CRAWFORD

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITERS

After the Tigers' 7-3 win tonight against the Twins, manager Jim Leyland addressed a rumor regarding starting pitcher Rick Porcello.

Leyland said Porcello was not going to be traded and that the 21-year-old pitcher would return to the Tigers for next weekend's series against the Indians in Cleveland. That series features a day-night doubleheader on July 17.

“There’s not a chance that Rick Porcello is going to be traded,” Leyland said.

Porcello won 14 games last season but has struggled this year. He is 4-7 with a 6.14 ERA in Detroit and has spent nearly the last month in Triple-A Toledo.

Earlier today, Free Press alumnus Jon Paul Morosi, reporting for for foxsports.com, said the organization was pushing back Porcello's next start in Toledo to Saturday. Speculation had the Tigers eyeing one of two trade targets -- Diamondbacks starter Dan Haren and Astros starter Roy Oswalt.

According to Morosi: "Haren will earn $12.75 million in each of the next two seasons, followed by a $15.5 million club option for 2013. ... Other teams may shy away from Haren for payroll reasons. The Tigers, though, are in a more favorable position. They will have roughly $30 million in starting pitching coming off their books after the season, when Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis file for free agency."

Haren, 29, is 7-6 with a 4.38 ERA for Arizona this season. He has 119 strikeouts in 123 1/3 innings.

It looks like 2 totally different stories because of the Free Press sugarcoating Leyland's comments.

#### Leyland. He insists on calling a game against the Twins just another game too. Ya that worked out real well for you at the end of last year didn't it Jim? Go have another Marlboro.

 

[Ilov80s]

I don't understand how Verlander didn't get picked to go to the all star game. The guy's horse when it comes to innings pitched, and 10-5 record doesn't get you a ticket to the big show?

Brennan Boesch is a much bigger travesty.

 

[Green94]

Meanwhile, here come the White Sox....

 

[skillz]

I just don't know what to say anymore about Boesch. Its really unbelievable. Like really hard to believe.

Yeah Verlander probably won't make the all-star team. Girardi has four more Yankees to squeeze on the team.

As a Tigers fan I don't mind this. Let him rest. As a JV fan, he got screwed but the All-Star reserve selections have turned into the manager selecting his own players for the team. I believe the Yankeees and Red Sox have more All Stars this year than the entire AL Central.

 

[Gopher State]

Now it's up to Nick Blackburn for the Twins to put his recent road woes behind. He is 0-4 with a 17.73 ERA in his past four road starts away from Target Field. No Morneau today for the Twins. I kind of like the Tigers today to win

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I hope everyone caught the interview with Al Kaline, very good stuff. Kaline thinks Cabrera is the best hitter he's seen in a Tigers uniform. I've said he's the best of my lifetime, although Kaline was at the end of his career when I was born. Kaline certainly is the second best hitter in the past 50 years, probably the 4th or 5th best hitter ever to be a Tiger.

Good job by Bondo today, he had a rough 3rd inning but he gave them exactly what they needed. Over 40k at Comerica for the last two games, awesome.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

certainly is the second best hitter in the past 50 years, probably the 4th or 5th best hitter ever to be a Tiger.

Hank Greenberg never gets the attention that he should.

 

[MAC_32]

Anxious to see if there are more Tigers fans than Indians fans at the games next weekend, going to one but not sure which...it's not like I have to decide more than 30 minutes beforehand.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

certainly is the second best hitter in the past 50 years, probably the 4th or 5th best hitter ever to be a Tiger.

Hank Greenberg never gets the attention that he should.

CobbGreenbergHeilmannCabreraKalineGehringerCrawfordCashColavitoWhitakerTrammelHortonGibsonParrishFreehan

 

[skillz]

Wow, the bats are really coming alive. Pavano v Oliver today so I am not real optimistic. Regardless, they will be at least 10 games over .500 at the All Star break which was beyond my expectations. I was hoping for a .500 ball club that had its younger players develop over the course of the season. Luckily, they have stepped up right away.

Will be interesting to see what moves get made by the Tigers and other AL central teams to position themselves for the 2nd half. Minn has terrible starting pitching, Tigers need a veteran arm for the bullpen IMO, and Kenny Williams always seems to make a big move. Porcello coming back strong in the 2nd half would be like adding a player for free but I am not holding my breath that he will find his form in the second half. Time will tell. Nothing better than watching the Tigers in the midst of another pennant race as we go through the summer months! The crowds at Comerica have been fantastic too. I've really come to appreciate the park after not liking it originally. It is interesting watching all the "well hit" HR's that land over the shorter fence that still would have been an out with the orginal dimensions.

 

[meeka]

Not a great matchup today. Oliver V. Super Pavario. The bats will have to be better than average against Pavano today.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

7-2 homestand, 10 games above .500, three games ahead of the Twins. Miggy was the first half MVP and with all the bad pitching we've seen, I think that was a really good first half. That stretch of games mentioned earlier will be the difference and they must at least play .500 baseball vs the twins and Sux. If Porcello pitches like he did last year in the second half, I really like our chances.

 

[Limp Ditka]

7-2 homestand, 10 games above .500, three games ahead of the Twins. Miggy was the first half MVP and with all the bad pitching we've seen, I think that was a really good first half. That stretch of games mentioned earlier will be the difference and they must at least play .500 baseball vs the twins and Sux. If Porcello pitches like he did last year in the second half, I really like our chances.

3 games ahead of the Twins? Is this all that matters? Seriously?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

7-2 homestand, 10 games above .500, three games ahead of the Twins. Miggy was the first half MVP and with all the bad pitching we've seen, I think that was a really good first half. That stretch of games mentioned earlier will be the difference and they must at least play .500 baseball vs the twins and Sux. If Porcello pitches like he did last year in the second half, I really like our chances.

3 games ahead of the Twins? Is this all that matters? Seriously?

They have 14 more games with the Sux, we'll worry about them when the time comes.

 

[Greco]

I get they are a half game out of first, but this team will not suck me in again this year.

 

[whoknew]

7-2 homestand, 10 games above .500, three games ahead of the Twins. Miggy was the first half MVP and with all the bad pitching we've seen, I think that was a really good first half. That stretch of games mentioned earlier will be the difference and they must at least play .500 baseball vs the twins and Sux. If Porcello pitches like he did last year in the second half, I really like our chances.

3 games ahead of the Twins? Is this all that matters? Seriously?

Someone is a little touchy.

 

[meeka]

7-2 homestand, 10 games above .500, three games ahead of the Twins. Miggy was the first half MVP and with all the bad pitching we've seen, I think that was a really good first half. That stretch of games mentioned earlier will be the difference and they must at least play .500 baseball vs the twins and Sux. If Porcello pitches like he did last year in the second half, I really like our chances.

3 games ahead of the Twins? Is this all that matters? Seriously?

Someone is a little touchy.

Disrespected by all who do not marvel at the greatness of the White Sox. Do you really care that Tigers fans worry more about losing to the Twins than we do about losing to the White Sox? I couldn't care less who White Sox fans worry about.

 

[igbomb]

So now that Boesch officially qualifies for the batting crown, is it acceptable to complain that a guy ranked 4th in the MLB in average and 4th in slugging is not on the All-Star roster?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Posted: July 12, 2010

Tigers' Rick Porcello will start once -- and that's it

BY PERRY A. FARRELL

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Right-hander Rick Porcello is scheduled to start Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader in Cleveland, and how he performs will go a long way toward the rest of his season with the Tigers.

"It's one start," manager Jim Leyland said Sunday. "It doesn't mean he's back in the rotation. It's just one start. We'll play it by ear from that point on. As it stands right now, he's coming up to pitch a game against the Indians, and that's all it means. And he's not even obviously in a discussion as far as a trade.

"You hope Rick Porcello can come back and be successful. We need him. He's not coming back just to be coming back. The key for us is pitching, as it is for every team. It doesn't matter if it's the All-Star break or at the beginning of the season or a month in."

Porcello's last start was Saturday for Triple-A Toledo against Indianapolis. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing three walks and striking out seven in a no-decision.

Since joining Toledo, Porcello is 1-2 with a 3.21 ERA in 28 innings. With the Tigers, Porcello was 4-7 with a 6.14 ERA. Porcello, 21, was 14-9 last year.

If he pitches well in Cleveland, he'll likely get another start. If not? Leyland was noncommittal.

"I don't know if he's totally turned it around," said Leyland. "I think he had a pretty good sinker the last time. He had one fluke inning, but he has the sinker going again. That's the No. 1 priority to get that (pitch) going first and continue to build on the other stuff -- improving the breaking ball a little bit and the change-up. I think he's doing pretty good."

Leyland said if players see a trip to Toledo as a demotion, they should probably look in the mirror first.

"You can blame management or the manager, but at some point you have to look at the numbers," said Leyland. "We send guys down so they can get help. It's not a punishment and shouldn't be looked as such. It's tough up here to win, and sometimes guys need to go down and see if you can iron some things out. A.J. Sager, Larry Parrish and Jon Matlack do a good job down there."

NOTEBOOK: Tigers minor league outfielder Wilkin Ramirez was 1-for-2 for the World team in Sunday's 9-1 loss to the U.S. in the Futures Game in Anaheim, Calif., which is part of the All-Star festivities.

LEADERS AND BEST: Brennan Boesch now has enough at bats to qualify for the AL lead in batting average (.342) and slugging percentage (.593). He is fourth in both categories.

Porcello is key, they need him to pitch well if the tigers are going to do anything this year.

 

[whoknew]

I really hate the All Star break.

 

[MAC_32]

I really hate the All Star break.

I love it, gives me a chance to actually get some work done around the house.