If you had asked me during spring training what the future was for some of the Tigers newer players, I would have predicted that Scott Sizemore would struggle, Austin Jackson would start the season in Triple A and eventually get up to the majors mid-year and that Max Scherzer would win 13-15 and make a solid number two option to Justin Verlander.  I got the Scott Sizemore part right but Austin Jackson not only made the team, he’s contending for a batting title.  And now Max Scherzer, after a rough start to the season, has been sent down to Toledo to work on his stuff.  Sizemore joins him in what’s the first big overhaul of the Tigers starting front.

The Tigers are 21-16 and while their 3 1/2 games back of the Twins, the Tigers must have felt it was time to address some of their problems now. Carlos Guillen coming off of the disabled list also must have called their hand.   So Guillen will be the new second baseman and Armando Galarraga will rejoin the Tigers rotation (and he pitches today).  Danny Worth was also called up and he’ll see some time at second base, along with Ramon Santiago, until Guillen comes back.

At second, Sizemore was the 31st “best” defensive second baseman if you use Bill James Online’s runs saved system so even with Guillen over there, it can’t get much worse.  Galarraga was solid for the Hens (although two starts ago he was rocked) so we’ll see how it all plays out.

The Tigers won in twelve last night and Brennan Boesch continued to rake.  He went four for six with two RBIs.  Ramon Santiago drove in the game winner with a bases loaded walk and Brandon Inge tied the game in the eighth with a one run double.  The pen pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings and Joel Zumaya shined again with 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief.  Good stuff in the 7-6 win and in front of a packed house no less.  This afternoon it’s John Lackey against Galarraga.

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