Rotation, Lineup Need Balance

Detroit's recent problems with the three starters it sends out other than Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer are a continuing concern for the Tigers.

After Rick Porcello was pounded for 11 hits -- all by left-handers -- and seven runs in 3 2/3 innings of Detroit's 14-3 pounding by the New York Mets, it continued a streak that has seen no wins by a Detroit starter other than Verlander and Scherzer since June 7.

Phil Coke will try to break that trend Wednesday.

In addition to that, however, manager Jim Leyland is faced with a pair of zeroes at the bottom of his batting order -- Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn.

The theory behind switching Raburn to second base was that it would supply Detroit with offense at a position that had become a black hole in the runs-produced department. Sadly for the Tigers, it still is. Raburn is barely above .200 after going 1-for-4 against the Mets.

Then there's Inge. He was struggling to hit .200 before he went on the disabled list with mononucleosis. In the half-dozen games he's played since returning, though, Inge is 2-for-16 after an 0-for-4 game that included two strikeouts.

Inge is pressing, no doubt, and Raburn beats himself up over his struggles.

Playing in the weak AL Central gives Leyland an opportunity to stick with both for the time being, to see if they can turn it around.

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