And then there were three

In baseball land, a three game lead is quite significant. For Tiger fans, the lead is about as stable plutonium.

In the first game of their 3-game series with the hot-on-their-heels Twins, Tiger starter Rick Porcello did in fact qualify for a "quality" start. He allowed 3 runs in 6+ innings. And the Tiger bullpen allowed 0 runs the rest of the way. Nevertheless, the Tiger offense did not score 1 run, let alone 4. Twins starter, Brian Duensing (aka "Cy" Duensing), making just the seventh start of his career, allowed just four hits and 1 walk. The Twins bullpen gave up one more hit but no runs, and the Tigers must be feeling about as confident Milli Vanilli right now.

Their once-commanding 6 game lead is now just 3. With two more wins, the Twins will be within one game of the Tigers. Since the Tigers are a meager 1-7 at the Metrodome this season (and we don't want to get into their historical record there), a sweep is definitely possible.

Many fans on mLive are criticizing us doom-and-gloomers. Yet, is it doom-and-gloom to acknowledge the inevitable? The Tigers can't hit. And when poor hitting teams don't get stellar pitching, they lose. The fact is that the Porcello start was the Tigers best chance at a victory. Tomorrow they face Carl Pavano who has a 1.48 ERA against Detroit this year (4 starts and 4 wins). Then Sunday, the Tigers go against the Twins ace, Scott Baker, with gimpy Nate Robertson opposite him.

Sure, you may counter my logic by stating that Verlander is pitching tomorrow. He's one of the best in the league! While that may be true, the last time Verlander took the mound opposite Carl Pavano, the Twins won 11-0. At Comerica. JV has a 5.1 ERA against the Twins this season. At the Metrodome, JV actually has a very respectable 3.8 ERA in his career. So, if the pitchers tomorrow hold to form, the Twins still win 3.8 to 1.48. Ah well, at least the Tigers won't get shut out.