Definitive. 

Tigers 10, Royals 1

The Tigers opened with a four hit attack in the 1st inning that led to a three run cushion for Justin Verlander (31 GS, 198 IP, 4.68 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 3.0 fWAR) and Justin Verlander didn’t even need that many. He had one of his best outings of the season, getting into very little trouble and tossing 7.1 innings of  7 hit, 0 walk, and 4 strikeout baseball en route to one run. The bats kept charging with one in the 2nd, one in the 4th, and five in the 5th as they absolutely pummeled the Royals to open a huge series that could determine the fate of the division. Top to bottom, it was as convincing as they come. They’re look to guarantee they leave town with a bigger lead than when they arrived with Max Scherzer (31 GS, 207.1 IP, 3.26 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 5.1 fWAR) going tomorrow.

The Moment: A five run 5th inning puts the game out of reach.

Blech.

Twins 8, Tigers 4

David Price (32 GS, 232.1 IP, 3.37 ERA, 2.86 FIP, 5.5 fWAR) didn’t have his best stuff on this night, surviving just 5.2 innings while allowing five runs on eight hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead, gave it back, took it back, and then gave it back once more. Collectively, the hitting can’t be faulted but a huge base running blunder cost the Tigers a huge chance to rally and the Tigers faded into the night, dropping two of three in Minnesota when they probably should have won at least two. Justin Verlander (30 GS, 190.2 IP, 4.81 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 2.8 fWAR) opens in KC on Friday.

The Moment: Tyler Collins gets a big hit to set up and ultimately failed 8th inning threat.

Um…well…I mean…

Twins 4, Tigers 3

Here’s the story of this game. Rick Porcello (29 GS, 197.2 IP, 3.19 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 3.4 fWAR) went eight strong innings, allowing a single run on a couple of hits and a solo home run later, but basically cruised. He was tracking toward a complete game loss and getting stronger when the 8th inning ended and he put the game in the hands of his offense. Hunter doubled, Cabrera singled, and with two outs, JD Martinez hit another inexplicable 9th inning home run to put the Tigers head. Joe Nathan allowed a runner and then Carrera turned a single into a double and the Twins tied it up. Then you had the ol’ walk off infield single and we’ll play for the series win Wednesday behind David Price (31 GS, 226.2 IP, 3.26 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 5.4 fWAR).

The Moment: JD Martinez hits a go-ahead, two out home run in the 9th.

Too close, but sufficient. 

Tigers 8, Twins 6

Max Scherzer (31 GS, 207.1 IP, 3.26 ERA, 2.87 FIP, 5.2 fWAR) cruised through three innings and his offense staked him to a 6-0 lead, so you probably figured you could get through this one without palpitations. Wrong. Despite the lead and offensive assault, Max got into some trouble, allowing four runs over his seven innings and giving way to a bullpen that allowed two more. Thankfully, Hunter and Cabrera were due up in the 9th and went back to back to retake the lead and dampen the blood pressure of the faithful. Soria got the 9th and secured the win. Rick Porcello (28 GS, 189.2 IP, 3.23 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 3.3 fWAR) gets the ball on Tuesday.

The Moment: Hunter and Cabrera go back to back to retake the lead in the 9th.

A decisive sweep.

Tigers 6, Indians 4

This may be the new normal for Justin Verlander (30 GS, 190.2 IP, 4.81 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 2.8 fWAR), but you’ll take it given what we saw earlier in the year. It wasn’t his best stuff but he worked through the first five innings allowing just one run and then the bullpen surrendered two more of his runners in the 6th. All in all, it wasn’t ace level stuff, but it was workable. The Tigers trailed 3-1 when JD Martinez drove in Cabrera in the 6th and then Kinsler crushed a two run bomb in the 7th to take the lead 4-3. They added two extra runs during a mess of an inning for the Indians in the 8th that featured some very wild pitches. Nathan came on for the 9th and Nathan’d all over the place. He allowed the first three men to reach base and the induced a double play and a popup to escape. The sweep sets up a great chance to add some distance in the division race with Max Scherzer (30 GS, 200.1 IP, 3.19 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 5.1 fWAR) going Monday.

The Moment: Kinsler knocks a go-ahead home run in the 7th.

Perfectly according to plan.

Tigers 5, Indians 4

Kyle Lobstein (4 GS, 27.2 IP, 3.58 ERA, 3.95 FIP, 0.3 fWAR) had one job: Don’t let things get out of hand. He succeeded in doing that despite allowing a two run homer in the first. He would give up two more runs over his five innings and looked a great deal like you would expect a Triple A starter to look. He gave them a chance, and it was a chance they took. They pushed across two in the third and Martinez went deep in the fourth to take the lead 3-2. After Lobstein allowed the tying and go-ahead runs, it looked like the Tigers might be out of luck. Fortunately, a Cabrera walk set up a two out, full count go ahead blast from Alex Avila in the 8th. Joe Nathan allowed a man into scoring position but survived. A sweep will be on the table Sunday afternoon with Justin Verlander (29 GS, 185 IP, 4.82 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 2.6 fWAR) on the bump.

The Moment: Avila hits a go-ahead home run in the 8th.

Comfortable.

Tigers 7, Indians 2

David Price (31 GS, 226.2 IP, 3.26 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 5.4 fWAR) gave up a home run to Ryan Raburn and basically nothing else. And that’s exactly how it should be. Price went 7.2 innings, gave up eight hits, and punched out seven before handing it off to Jim Johnson to get the final four outs. Kinsler and Castellanos hooked up for a run in the 3rd, JD Martinez homered to add two more in the 4th, and then the Tigers unloaded in the bottom of the 7th to put the game out of reach. It was an all-around comfortable game that mixed good starting pitching and a nice bounce back after getting gassed by Carrasco the last time around. The Tigers will look to take the series with Kyle Lobstein (3 GS, 22.2 IP, 2.78 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 0.3 fWAR) going Saturday.

The Moment: JD Martinez swats a two run bomb in the 4th.

All wet.

Royals 3, Tigers 0

Rick Porcello (28 GS, 189.2 IP, 3.27 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 3.3 fWAR) came out guns blazing in this one and bullied the Royals for the first couple of innings before allowing a couple of runners to score and ultimately turning in a very nice performance. He went 6.2 innings, punched out seven, allowed seven hits, and hit a batter while setting his team up to sweep the Royals. James Shields have other ideas, keeping the Tigers at bay until the 7th where they threatened but didn’t score and then had to face the teeth of the Royals pen. It didn’t end on a good note, but it was a successful series. The Tigers will take the day off and then welcome the Indians to town behind David Price (30 GS, 219 IP, 3.33 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 5.2 fWAR).

The Moment: Alburquerque comes in and escapes a bases loaded jam with a double play and a strikeout.

A return.

Tigers 4, Royals 2

Max Scherzer (30 GS, 200.1 IP, 3.19 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 5.1 fWAR) took the mound on Tuesday looking to secure a series victory against division leading Kansas City and while he was far from efficient, he was able to deliver across 6.2 innings of work while allowing just a single run. Max walked four and allowed seven hits to go with his six punch outs, but he pitched out of trouble when he found himself in it and gave his offense a chance. The grabbed a run in the first on two hits, a walk, and a sac fly in the first and then added two more on a Davis blast in the 2nd to provide a nice lead. JD Martinez tacked one on with his 20th home run in the 5th and the team held the lead into the 9th where two infield hits made it close, but a big strikeout of Gordon and a pickoff set Nathan up to finish this one out. Rick Porcello (27 GS, 183 IP, 3.30 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 3.1 fWAR) for the sweep.

The Moment: Nathan K’s Gordon with two on and no out in the 9th.

Satisfying, enough.

Tigers 9, Royals 5

I’m going to be honest, it was a long day for me and I watched this game like a brain dead zombie. Justin Verlander (29 GS, 185 IP, 4.82 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 2.7 fWAR) gave up a couple of early runs but mostly navigated the rest of the way ably and didn’t have to sweat thanks to an offensive onslaught in the third inning that feature many, many hits. After a stagnant weekend, the club needed to get off on the right foot against the division leading Royals and they put themselves in good shape to gain ground all week long. Tomorrow, they turn to Max Scherzer (29 GS, 193.2 IP, 3.25 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 5.0 fWAR).

The Moment: The Tigers unload for a huge six run third inning.