Leyland hopes for consistent pitching and health
Jim Leyland wants to see a couple of things happen when his Tigers resume play after the All-Star break.
"I'm looking forward to some consistency from our pitching staff and good health," he said. "What I'm looking for is that we get some synchronization in the pitching department. If we do, I'd be tickled to death.
"But every time I think it's about to happen, something else happens. I'm not crying about it, but we've had a lot of stuff happen so far."
Detroit will be bringing its first five-game winning streak of the season when the traditional second half begins after the All-Star break.
Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer have been dominating, Drew Smyly just turned in the best start of his young career, Doug Fister hasn't been sharp but did win his second game of the season Saturday and Rick Porcello, while up and down, has been steadier of late.
Detroit has gotten better production in the last few games from the soft spots in its lineup but still could use some bottom-of-the-order help and maybe a reliable veteran starting pitcher.
Delmon Young has home runs in four straight games, Prince Fielder has hit three straight off lefties -- all three with runners on base after 11 of his first 12 came with the bases empty -- and Jhonny Peralta shows flashes of being the productive hitter he was most of last season (but hasn't been so far in 2012).
The composition of Detroit's roster makes adding help tricky and, given the high cost of importing talent (more teams in the playoffs, fewer good players available), the Tigers may decide to sit things out this year and go with the cards they dealt themselves.
"I've managed a long time, so I don't get excited one way or the other," Leyland said about the highs and lows of winning and losing.
Miguel Cabrera has been a non-story as a defensive third baseman, but Fielder's massive shortcomings as a defensive first baseman are routinely whisked under the rug.
Playing Ramon Santiago mostly full time at second base takes a little away from Detroit's bench but adds a lot to infield stability.
"Everybody knows we have to play better," Cabrera said. "But if we play over .500 in the second half, we're going to be in a good position."
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