What an amazing game. It’s rare to see a true pitchers duel, but it’s a wonderful thing when it happens. And to see Cabrera win it with a walk-off homer really felt good. So, should we start to believe again? Three straight pitching gems against the White Sox, leading to a sweep of the 1st place team has to count for something…

Not so fast. The Tigers are still 8 games under .500, and 8 games out of first. Granted, there are a lot of games left, and the Central doesn’t appear to be very strong this year. But what do we know about this team right now? Well, Bonderman is likely out for the season with a blood clot. It’s unfortunate, because he seemed to have turned things around. The only bright side to this – now Jim Leyland can’t steal anymore innings from the best pitcher on the staff – Armando Galarraga. However, Dontrelle Willis (21 walks in 11 inning pitched) is a bust, and has been sent down to A-Ball to see if he can regain his control (He can’t – he’s never had good control). So now we’re down 2 starters, and no – Rick Porcello is not ready for the Big Show. Technically, we’re only down 1 starter since Galarraga wasn’t factored into the rotation at the start of the season. But missing a starter is still a big deal. Who is going to pitch the 5th game of the rotation?

Second – Curtis Granderson has become very pitchable. Any pitcher worth his salt can strike Grandy out now, so there goes your spark plug.

Renteria has cooled off considerably, and is far from a defensive powerhouse. Cabrera has been hitting better, but nowhere near where we thought he would. Pudge is washed-up as a hitter and Vance Wilson’s career is over. Guilen’s defense is horrible. Inge’s offense is horrible. Gary Sheffield is on the DL – right where he belongs.

Now for the positive. Magglio Ordonez is hitting well, and Polanco has really heated up. The starting pitching had gotten better, but now we have to see what happens with Willis. Fernando Rodney should be back Monday, and Joel Zumaya in a week or two. But they aren’t going to help this team hit. And they may not be worth a damn pitching anymore, either.

The Tigers just won 3 in a row and that’s great, but how can we really expect the winning to continue? When you look at it unemotionally it becomes apparent that they are an overpaid, slow, terrible defensive team, and doesn’t score very many runs except in rare flashes.

Dombrowski is going to have to make some moves soon…