Detroit Tigers Off-Day AL Central Viewing Guide

Apr 5, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall (8) walks off the field after striking out fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers are off today–again. In the season’s first eight days, three of them have been taken up with days off, both planned and rained out. So what’s a fan to do while the Tigers are busy taking in Los Angeles’ nightlife scene ahead of tomorrow’s series opener against the Dodgers?

How about taking in some AL Central action and sizing up the Tigers’ competition? If you have MLB Extra Innings or a subscription to MLB.com–this is possible, and a better proposition than being forced to watch The Voice.

AL Central Standings

Detroit Tigers: 4-1

Chicago White Sox: 3-3

Cleveland Indians: 3-3

Minnesota Twins: 3-3

Kansas City Royals : 3-3

Indians

Cleveland started the season impressively by outlasting Oakland pitching in dealing the two-time defending AL West champions an opening series loss on the West Coast. They came home and promptly lost two of three games to the Twins.

Lonnie Chisenhall has torn the cover off the ball for the Tribe, with a .455 average. Former Tiger Ryan Raburn has limped to a .154 start.

Tonight: Cleveland Indians vs San Diego Padres (2-4) 7:05: Corey Kluber (0-1, 13.50) vs. Robbie Erlin (first start)

UPDATE: CLEVELAND, NO BASEBALL FOR YOU

Royals

We know the fate that Kansas City received early on last week as our Tigers walked-off on them in two straight games (sandwiched around a rain-out). The Royals went home and took the first two against the White Sox before missing out on the sweep on Sunday.

This may be presumptuous, but Salvador Perez may be the early, early leader in the AL MVP race, notching seven hits in 16 at-bats. Alcides Escobar has had a nightmarish first week, earning just one hit in 17 at-bats.

Tonight: Kansas City Royals vs Tampa Bay Rays (4-3) 8:10: Jason Vargas (0-0, 1.29) vs. Matt Moore (0-1, 3.18)

White Sox

Chicago is part of the log-jam of 3-3 squads in the AL Central. They started the year with two straight wins, including a come from behind win in Game 2 against Minnesota. Then they dropped three straight on a trip to Kansas City before righting the ship with a 5-1 Chris Sale-aided victory yesterday.

Chris Sale has been the star of Chicago’s first week, throwing two gems. Former Tiger Avisail Garcia is off to a tough start, collecting just two hits in 20 at-bats.

Tonight: Chicago White Sox at Colorado Rockies (3-4) 8:40: Felipe Paulino (0-0, 1.69) vs. Jordan Lyles (1-0, 7.20)

Twins

Minnesota has surprised some with their potent offense, posting 29 runs in their first six games, but unsurprisingly, they are 3-3 because of a terrible pitching staff that has allowed 38 runs.

Chris Colabello has been on fire, notching 11 RBIs in the season’s first week while Brian Dozier has limped to a .167 start.

The Twins were in the middle of their home opener at the time of this writing and were trailing Oakland 5-3 in the fifth inning.