The Tigers were a Nick Maton error away from taking two of three from the Twins over the weekend and moving with 3.5 games of first place in the AL Central. They're still only four out in the loss column. With reinforcements on the way, Valenti says the Tigers have a pulse in the worst division in baseball:
"They fall further than 7.5 out, they’re dead. But you know why I can piece this together? For one, Skubal’s coming back, so whether that replaces Wentz or bullpen day, that’s a win. E-Rod’s coming back, that replaces whatever Skubal doesn’t. If they can just hang in, why do I have to give up? Are they a bad baseball team? Yeah, they are. Is this a bad division. Yes, it is. But they're 5.5 out, not 8.5, not 12.5, and they don’t have a $400 million payroll like the Mets do."
True: the Tigers are 33-43 with a run differential of minus-75. Also true: Matt Manning is poised to return to the rotation this week, followed by Tarik Skubal likely next week. And Detroit's top two players in WAR this season, Eduardo Rodriguez and Riley Greene, should be back within the next month.
What's more, says Valenti, the Twins play two of the best teams in baseball this week in the Braves and the Orioles, while the Tigers get a reprieve after visiting the Rangers by playing two of the worst teams in baseball in the Rockies and the A's:
"I can’t give up the ship knowing that Minnesota is going to go out and get its ass kicked this week and if we can just hold water against Texas, find a way to win one game -- two would be an out-and-out success -- you’re going to play two of the worst teams in baseball to follow, while the Twins go to Baltimore. Why not? Why can’t I give myself a week? ...
"All I'm saying is, at 5.5 out, despite how terrible the record is, factually speaking, if the Twins get swept in Atlanta and you win once, you've gained ground. I'm not ready to call for the life rafts yet."
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