Division Champs!

Sometime late last night Herm Willingham grounded a ball to Brandon Inge, who threw to first in time to end the game and clinch the Central Division for the Detroit Tigers. It was their first division title since realignment in 1994, and the first division title of any kind for them since 1987. Oh, I remember that game very well, when Frank Tanana threw a shutout against Toronto and won 1-0. This time I couldn't watch, but I've been replaying video highlights.

After their 12-game winning streak, the Tigers were suddenly on the lips of the sports talk shows, who stopped talking about football long enough to pay attention. Asked on "Around the Horn" if the Tigers were the team to beat in the A.L., some said yes, but others said no because of the lack of depth in the rotation. This is an ignorant statement. I think the Tigers have as much pitching depth as the Yankees or Rangers, and more than the Red Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays may have more depth, but are now on the outside looking in. I think this perception comes because Justin Verlander is head and shoulders above the other Tiger pitchers, but Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello are capable starters, and Doug Fister has been a phenomenal mid-season pick up, going 6-1 in his time in Detroit, and retiring 17 in a row last night in the clinching game.

I've also heard nothing but good news about how Detroit is going to spend their last two weeks of the season. Home-field advantage is in play. If the Tigers finish ahead of the A.L. West winner (either Texas or Anaheim) they will play the wild-card team, likely to be the Red Sox, and get home-field advantage. You never want to hope for a certain team, as it can come back to bite you, but I'd much rather play the Red Sox than the Yankees (although, in 2006, when the Tigers got the Yanks in the first round it turned out to be a good thing).

But just as feasible is the Tigers catching the Yankees for best record in the A.L. overall. They are only two games back, and the Yankees have to play the Rays and Red Sox, while the Tigers get the Orioles and Indians. If that happens they would still play the Red Sox, and get home-field throughout the playoffs.

Also of interest will be the post-season rotation. I would expect Brad Penny to be the odd man out--he's clearly been the least effective of the five starters. If the Tigers do get home field, I would start Max Scherzer in game two (Verlander in game one, of course) since he's much better at home than on the road. Then Fister for game three and Porcello for game four, if necessary.