Alright, my big tax deadline has come and gone and at least one of my excuses for not writing is out of the way.  Not only that, I have an incentive to get back on track so now it’s time to make up for some lost time.  My timing couldn’t be better because Detroit lost a rough one last night to the Texas Rangers.  The Tigers gave Armando Galarraga a two run first inning lead but that went up in smoke pretty quickly and he was bounced in the fourth frame.  Eddie Bonine and Ryan Perry also gave up runs in the loss.

With Josh Hamilton on the shelf and the Tigers in Texas, the whole MVP debate has been pretty live these days.  Miguel Cabrera doubled and drove in two runs and he now has 45 doubles on the season.  If Cabrera hits another home run to bring his season total up to 35, he’ll be just the second Tiger to reach 35 home runs and 45 doubles in the same season.  Only Hank Greenberg has done it and he did it three times (1935, 1937 and 1940) so that’s some pretty select company.  It’s only been done 15 times since 2000 (Magglio Ordonez is on the list when he was with the White Sox, Adam Lind is kind of the weird stand out).  Hamilton probably would have reached both those marks had he not missed so much time.  In the end, I think both are pretty worthy, but the fact that Hamilton might win the batting title and he’s playing for a playoff contender will hurt Cabrera.  Evan Longoria, who’s name hasn’t been thrown around quite as much, actually leads the AL in WAR (Wins above Replacement) so it’ll be interesting to see how he fits in the whole mix.

I’ve also heard Austin Jackson’s name mentioned for ROY although I think that’ll go to Neftali Felix (also a Ranger).  Since we’re throwing out tidbits, Jackson could become the Tigers’ first player to hit .300 or better, score 100 runs and strike out more then 150 times in a season.   That’s only been done nine other times (three of those nine were by Sammy Sosa) ever.

The Tigers head to Chicago for three games beginning tomorrow.  Edwin Jackson will be on the mound and he’ll face his trade mate, Max Scherzer.  Then next week is the Tigers final homestand of the season with the Royals and the Twins coming into town.

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