Pat Caputo: Detroit Tigers Have Made What Should Be A One-Horse Race A Trio
Enough has gone right lately to indicate the Tigers should win a decidedly mediocre American League Central with room to spare.
The Tigers' last eight victories have been by a one-run margin. It's a good sign in regard to their mental toughness.
he Tigers were on the brink of holding just a one-game lead in the division and leaving Cleveland with a 14-game losing streak at Progressive Field when they eked out a one-run victory Thursday. Their ace, Justin Verlander, won again when it was needed most. He's won 13 times after the Tigers lost the previous game in 2011.
It's a good sign in terms of the Tigers' resiliency.
The Tigers rallied from a 5-0 deficit to edge the Orioles, 6-5, Saturday. Max Scherzer was clutch in that game, bouncing back after allowing five runs in the second inning to eat up seven innings to make the rally even possible. The Tigers kept getting key hits when needed.
Above all, Tigers' closer Jose Valverde has pitched exceptionally well. Just get to the ninth inning with the lead. He will seal the deal. He has done so 35 straight times this season. No more complaints about style points, either. He been fantastic, even conjuring some heart-felt, if not misguided, memories of Willie Hernandez in 1984.
