Detroit Tigers: Resting Cabrera, Wild Card Standings, Thursday’s First Pitch

The Detroit Tigers missed a golden opportunity to gain another game in the standings against a division opponent on Wednesday. Without Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, it seemed like manager Brad Ausmus was giving the game away.

The Detroit Free Press agrees with that assessment, and actually argued for it in a column Thursday morning. It is crucial that Cabrera stays fresh into the stretch run, and with a minor leaguer set to start in series finale in Cleveland, perhaps it was best to live to fight another day.

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After the 9-1 start to the season, Tigers fans were sure expecting a better first half to the season than they have received through 72 games. But if the injured players return and are healthy, it could be a much better second half. The Wild Card is certainly not out of reach for the Detroit Tigers.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Blue Moon, the craft beer founder, Keith Villa, is traveling the country to thank those who have helped him distribute his product. On Thursday, Villa will throw out the first pitch at Comerica Park.

Tigers resting Miguel Cabrera in June essential for stretch run – Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press

Wednesday’s game was a throwaway.Of course, the Detroit Tigers never could openly concede that. But the confluence of a minor leaguer getting an emergency start and giving Superman that rare day when he can leave his cape in the closet dramatically reduced the odds of the Tigers seizing another series sweep at Progressive Field.

Wild Card within grasp for Tigers – Lynn Henning, Detroit News

A team familiar with winning the American League Central could make it five in a row. But percentages probably favor a wild card for the Tigers, which would be no putdown, especially when Victor Martinez and Justin Verlander pretty much will have been absent from the first half.The healthier left knee of Martinez and Verlander’s return to the rotation are two huge reasons why the Tigers still look like a playoff team. Martinez guards Miguel Cabrera and makes the lineup’s mid-order lethal as it pushes deeper into the batting order a game-breaker on the level of J.D. Martinez.

Blue Moon founder to throw first pitch at Thursday’s Tigers game – Ian Thibodeau, MLive.com

Keith Villa, the founder and head brewer at Blue Moon Brewing Company, is taking time to travel around the country thanking those who have been distributing his beer.Blue Moon celebrates 20 years of brewing this year.While Villa was in Metro Detroit, he spoke with MLive about his company, the industry and what makes a great beer.

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