great series but i’m question the fact that Leyland rested Pudge, Polonco and Ordonez yesterday. We have an off day today (plus no travel) and players had 3 days off last week. We could have buried the Royals and picked up another game going up 5 1/2 before a massive 3 game set with the sox. I understand its the Royals but they have been playing us tough this series. You cannot expect much of anything out of Infante and Gomez. Those are just dead spots in the order. I have no problem playing Wilson because he has been hitting and he has been great behind the plate. Either way we need to make a trade for a slugger soon. I hope the tigers don’t sit still and not make a trade.

I can’t recommend enough going to the Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City. It’s an amazing place to visit, and should be viewed by each and every fan of the game. The love of Baseball is very apparent throughout the place.

Michael,

That heat was just brutal though. Giving Pudge a break from behind the plate in my opinion was a good idea. While you never want to give up games and look ahead of your current game, I think it was prudent with the White Sox coming to town tomorrow.

Hold onto your hats!!

Tigers moving closer to Abreu? Favorites to land Soriano?
Are the Detroit Tigers moving closer to a deal for Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu? According to at least one writer at Minnesota’s Twin Cities Pioneer Press, they are.

July 16, Twin Cities Pioneer Press: A little birdie says the first-place Detroit Tigers are close to a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies for right fielder Bobby Abreu.

And while the Tigers are linked to Abreu in that report, FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal predicted this weekend that the Tigers would be his pick to land another outfielder, Washington’s Alfanso Soriano. You can see Rosenthal’s comments in a video-interview posted on FoxSports.com’s website and clicking on the “Inside Pitch” link. In the meantime, Rosenthal wrote early Monday morning that the Mariners have joined the Tigers, Angels and Yankees in bidding for Soriano, whose price remains steep.

July 17, FoxSports.com: The Mariners, Yankees and Tigers are the teams with the most significant interest in Soriano, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com. The Cardinals are another possible suitor, and the Angels could become a more serious player if owner Arte Moreno orders GM Bill Stoneman to improve his trade offers.

The Nationals’ asking price for Soriano remains high; GM Jim Bowden wants Class AA right-hander Philip Hughes or Class A outfielder Jose Tabata from the Yankees, right-hander Ervin Santana and/or second baseman Howie Kendrick from the Angels. But Bowden figures to lower his demands as the July 31 non-waiver deadline draws closer.

As usual, I agree with Leyland.

I didn’t watch the game because I was operating a closest-to-the-pin contest at our church picnic. The heat was brutal. I can’t imagine playing baseball in this weather.

I disagree that Infante is a dead spot in the order. Given more playing time, he would be a more consistent and productive hitter (though not as good as either Polanco or Guillen).

No issues with resting those 3 players, however would have like to see a pinch hitter for Wilson in the 8th with 2 on. Let either Mags or Pudge pinch hit and then Pudge either replaces or stays in for the 9th. With the off day even if it went into extra innings Pudge would have only had a half days work.

There is no reason Pudge can’t hit. I was at the game. It was hot, but sometimes baseball is played in hot weather. It’s not that bad, especially when you have the resources of a major league ballplayer. I can understand wanting to get pudge two consecutive days, but there’s no reason Wilson should be in there hitting for himself in the 8th. That I do not understand.

Also, by the way, I haven’t been to a Tigers game in a calendar year. I’ve seen games in 8 different stadia this year, and I can tell you right now that, by FAR, the Tigers fans were the least enthusiastic. This includes Atlanta. I’d be the happiest man on earth if the Tigers took home a title, but anyone who says Detroit is a great baseball town is nuts. I’m sorry to dig this up, but it was pretty depressing.