What to watch as Tigers begin final home stand

DETROIT – There are three things to watch as the Detroit Tigers begin their final home stand of the season Friday night against the Kansas City Royals.

The matters at hand include making the playoffs, deciding whether Jhonny Peralta fits in and making some hard decisions on the complete postseason roster. Unfortunately, a Triple Crown watch doesn’t appear to be in the picture. But there’s also an interesting sideshow to sneak a peek at: The Amazing Alex Avila Victory Impact Show.

Avila might have just gotten above the Mendoza Line with limited power and production in an injury-riddled season. But guess what? The Tigers have been absolute dynamite with Avila starting at catcher. They are 54-29 (.651) when he starts, and 25-28 (.472) when Brayan Pena does.

Now, some of this has to do with the fact that the Tigers hit .293 off right-handed starters and .268 off left-handed starters, and Pena gets the majority of his starts off lefties. But a big part of it is that Avila is tremendous at calling a game and working with pitchers. Pena, who has hit better, is good at that. But there’s a difference between tremendous and good.

So, keep that in mind as you watch this home stand, when the Tigers hope to sew up the division and line up their playoff roster.

Detroit is 84-62 with a magic number of 11 with 16 games to play. And, with a 6.5-game lead on the Cleveland Indians, the Tigers are very likely to become only the second team in club history to make post-season appearances in three consecutive seasons.

The 1907-08-09 teams of Ty Cobb and manager Hughie Jennings made it to three straight World Series. But despite the number of playoff teams increasing since 1969 – up to five per league now -- Detroit has not played in three consecutive post-seasons in 104 years.

The Tigers also are poised to win three division titles in as many years for the first time and become the first since the 2002-03-04 Minnesota Twins to take the Central in three straight seasons. And – after clinching on the road the past two years – there is a chance Detroit could celebrate winning this division crown at home in the final three home games against the Chicago White Sox.

Once Detroit clinches, look for Peralta to come off his 50-game suspension for the final three games in Miami and make the post-season roster. But while the club is at home, Peralta will be taking part in early workouts and continue to be at the center of speculation.

Peralta made the All-Star team this season and in two of the last three years. He made plays that saved games against the New York Yankees last October, and also hit well in both rounds of the American League playoffs. The Tigers are saying all the right things about checking out Peralta in the weeks ahead, but I will be shocked if he’s not on the playoff roster.

I don’t care if he is a bit rusty; I’ll take him. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski has made it clear that Jose Iglesias is now the shortstop. But he’s been limping around with shin splints and third baseman Miguel Cabrera (down in the home run derby to Chris Davis, 49-43) has been playing hurt since the first week of July. Peralta is the perfect solution to replacing either of them if need be.

Peralta is taking balls in left field with the thought being that he could take Matt Tuiasosopo’s spot. But that’s not necessarily true.  The Tigers might go from a 12-man to an 11-man pitching staff like they did last year in the World Series. Only four starters are needed, and Rick Porcello goes to the bullpen.
 
Joaquin Benoit, Drew Smyly, Jose Veras, Bruce Rondon and Porcello are five sure things. But do you go with Al Alburquerque (great stuff but terribly inconsistent) or the more reliable and less eye-popping Luke Putkonen or Evan Reed. The other spot should go to a left-hander. Phil Coke was wonderful last October, but has been a project all season long.

Jose Alvarez and Darin Downs also have been inconsistent. How these three perform in the final games will determine who gets picked. Although, Coke, as much as fans hate to hear this, is probably the organization’s favorite.

The two catchers, other seven daily starters (counting left fielder Andy Dirks) and designated hitter Victor Martinez give you 10 spots. Don Kelly and Ramon Santiago are in as utility men. The final two spots will come down to Peralta, Tuiasosopo and September call-up Nick Castellanos.  Now, if Castellanos starts ripping the cover off the ball, that’s one thing. But he hasn’t yet, and I still like Tuiasosopo, though slumping during the second half, for the homer potential off the bench.

So, enjoy these final games before the tickets get really expensive in October, and have fun coming to your own conclusions on the roster and even possibly watching a big division championship celebration.