Tigers links:
Verlander’s Decline in Historical Perspective
FanGraphs Baseball, Matt Klaassen
By reasonable standards, Verlander’s 3.54 ERA and 112 innings pitched at the halfway point of the 2013 season is very good.
Pieces are finally starting to fall into place for Tigers, Dave Dombrowski
The Detroit News, Lynn Henning
Nothing is certain in baseball. But at some point you trust probabilities.
Justin Verlander Is An All Star, But Should He Be?
Motor City Bengals, John Verburg
With All Star rosters being announced today, I was a bit surprised to see the Tigers' Justin Verlander as one of the American League selections.
How Does Scherzer Look If We Add Hits To The Equation?
Tiger Tales, Lee Panas
Tigers starter Max Scherzer is off to the best start of his career dominating American League hitters en route to a 13-0 record, 3.09 ERA and 2.63 FIP.
Tigers Are Endangered Species and Now We Know Why
Cats With Bats
Apparently several Tigers got stuck in a revolving door at the Cleveland Marriott and NBC Sports’ Craig Calcaterra is livetweeting it at the scene.
Around the AL Central:
MLB Final Score/Recap: Cleveland Indians 9, Detroit Tigers 6
Let's Go Tribe
It wasn't easy, but it's a win.
Kansas City Royals lose to Oakland Athletics in rout
Royals Review, Connor Moylan
Oakland scoffs at the notion you can't hit homers at Kauffman.
Blue Jays 11, Twins 5: Diamond Crushed
Twinkie Town
You can't win when your pitching staff gives up 11 runs. Well, most of the time. For the Twins, today was one of those most-of-the-times.
Rays 3, White Sox 1: Different lineup, same result
South Side Sox, Jim Margalus
Josh Phegley's first career homer the lone offensive highlight as Tampa Bay completes sweep.
Elsewhere in baseball:
Chipper Jones says he won’t watch games umpired by Angel Hernandez
Big League Stew, Mark Townsend
It seems those of us on the outside looking in aren't the only ones tired of umpire Angel Hernandez's antics.
The 10 worst position players in baseball (so far)
Baseball Nation, Grant Brisbee
We're more than halfway through the season. These 10 players are hated by math and facts.
National League All-Star squad looks much stronger
ESPN, David Schoenfield
But I’m left with this one: Could the American League have chosen a worse, more boring squad?