Now is the time for Tigers to regroup By Mike Castiglione, Contributing MLB Editor
Detroit Tigers Team Report
(Sports Network) - The window is still open for the Detroit Tigers this
season, but if they continue to play the way they've been playing lately, it
won't be long before it's shut.
The Tampa Bay Rays managed a three-game sweep of Detroit over the weekend,
sending the Tigers to a fourth straight loss. At the moment, Detroit (55-56)
is 6 1/2 games back in the American League Central, with the Chicago White Sox
and Minnesota Twins tied for first.
With Ken Griffey Jr. donning a Chicago White Sox uni... More...
Dontrelle Willis is 0-2 with a 4.35 ERA after five games with the Class A Lakeland Tigers, but is believed to be making progress, according to MLive.com. Detroit pitching coach Chuck Hernandez said, "He is making progress. I talked for a half hour to Lakeland pitching coach Joe Coleman, who says he is throwing strikes and that his command is better. He's repeating his delivery much better."
Our View:This is encouraging news regarding his control, but there remains to target date as to when he may return to the Tigers.
Gary Sheffield is feeling good again and stated that he is no longer limited in any way by his shoulder, according to MLive.com. He has not felt this good since the first half of 2007, when he had 21 homers at the All-Star break for Detroit, and he added, "I'm back to being a threat. I've been feeling like that for awhile, but I need to be active. You lose your rhythm otherwise."
Our View:Sheffield has eight hits, one homer, and four RBI over his last six games, and looks to be a solid fantasy performer down the stretch.
Miguel Cabrera had been two for his last fifteen, but he broke through in the Tigers win over Chicago, going 3-for-3 with two walks, a home run, and three RBI.
Our View:Cabrera was the AL Player of the Month in July, and though he frustrated fantasy players for a while, he is finally getting back to his old self.
