Watching the Tigers since the beginning of the 2010 season, one would be a little frustrated with the inconsistent starting pitching performances and the bats that too-often go silent in big moments. Of course, talented teams often find a way to win and avoid long losing skids; the Tigers have proved resilient enough to hang in the AL Central race all year thus far. First baseman Miguel Cabrera has been incredible since opening day; clearly the alcohol problem that led to GM Dave Dombrowski picking him up from jail during last season's final weekend is a thing of the past. Cabrera's numbers have been MVP-caliber, and rookie Brennan Boesch is a clear favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year.
Still, injuries to key players in the past week have proven to be devastating. Starting third baseman Brandon Inge is out for at least the next month with a broken hand, and on Saturday both Magglio Ordonez (broken ankle) and Carlos Guillen (strained hamstring) suffered injuries that led to both players being placed on the DL. Thankfully for the Tigers, Guillen's injury doesn't seem serious and he should be back in a couple weeks. Ordonez's injury, on the other hand, is a huge blow to a team that has struggled since the all-star break. He is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks, and it's possible he's played his final game in a Tigers uniform. Considering that Ordonez has been performing way beyond expectations and hitting in the 3-hole protecting Miguel Cabrera, this injury has the potential to derail the Tigers' postseason aspirations altogether.
ESPN.com has reported that the Tigers have an interest in Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell, and a deal to add him to the fold might replace some of the missing offense; but for a Detroit team that has mostly avoided the injury bug up until the past week, things are looking bleaker by the day as the White Sox and Twins keep up their winning ways.
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