The weather is perfect. The momentum is ours. The stakes are high.
So begins a three-game home stand for the Detroit Tigers against their first-place rivals from Chicago.
Tigers fans seem well aware of this series’ importance and serious baseball energy can be felt all around the city. This is the kind of clash that often includes fights in the stands and skirmishes on the field. There’s a lot of pride on the line — a pride Detroit needs desperately.
The pitching match-ups scare me a little as the Tigers’ number four and five starters take the mound on Friday and Sunday. Can the Tigers expect quality starts from Nate Robertson and Zach Minor? Will the Tigers’ four game winning streak and sweep of Kansas City give them the momentum they need to steamroll right over the ‘Sox? We’ll know in the span of 48 hours.
Red hot Justin Verlander has been money in the bank lately as he’s gone 6-0 in his last eight starts posting a 2.30 ERA. He’ll throw on Saturday against lefty John Dankes.
But it’s the offensive punch that remains the biggest question. The Tigers have been a team of extremes this season, demonstrating that they can go from being shut out to erupting for 19 runs in the span of a few days. Ilitch’s big investments could pay dividends this weekend if the Tigers’ lineup can overwhelm Chicago and keep them on the run.
Hold on, Detroit. We’re about to find out what our 2008 Tigers are made of.
