The biggest reasons fans should feel optimistic about the Tigers in the last month of the season is the pitching, writes Kurt Mensching of the Detroit News.
And not just Justin Verlander.
Max Scherzer might be enjoying his best season, and Doug Fister has managed to put together long stretches of success between injuries.
Fortunately for Detroit, Scherzer has remained a picture of consistency. Nearly every game, he strikes out eight or more while sticking around into the seventh inning. It's no surprise to see the Tigers have won eight of his last nine starts.
Meanwhile, during the past few weeks the bullpen has settled in to the point where a pitcher who allows an inherited run to score draws scorn. Why? Because he stands out when compared to his steady teammates.
Jose Valverde's second-half ERA (2.61), WHIP (0.919) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.33) have him looking like the Valverde of old.
