The Detroit Tigers have a much-needed day off Monday and need to regroup after a 2-5 road trip.
After a four-game sweep in Anaheim at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels, the Tigers are 28-24 and sit third in the AL Central, 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins and three games behind the Kansas City Royals.
The last time the Tigers were 3 1/2 games back was July 15, 2012.
Who would have predicted that by June 1, the Twins would be leading the division, especially after the season-opening series in which the Tigers swept the Twins by a combined 22-1 score?
Since that first series, the Twins are 30-16 while the Tigers are 25-24.
Perhaps no play epitomizes more what the Tigers have been going through than the one that happened in the bottom of the eighth inning in Sunday night's 4-2 loss.
With the game tied 2-2, starter David Price had just gotten pinch hitter Carlos Perez to pop out to first base for the second out of the inning on his 121st pitch.
Joba Chamberlain came in to face Johnny Giavotella, who hit an infield single to second baseman Ian Kinsler.
Kinsler threw the ball to shortstop Jose Iglesias, who extended himself flat on the ground but couldn't get the force out at second. Iglesias didn't hop up immediately and two runs scored.
The Tigers went meekly in a 1-2-3 ninth against Angels closer Huston Street.
Price, who deserved a better fate, fell to 4-2.
Last season, the Tigers went through a similar swoon but a closer look reveals that this year's is much worse, mostly because the AL Central competition is better.
After starting 20-9, the Tigers went 11-12 and were 31-21 after 52 games.
However, they were still 5 1/2 games ahead of the closest competitor in the division.
First-year manager Paul Molitor and prodigal son Torii Hunter have helped guide a young team over some hurdles into contention.
Last year through 49 games, the Twins were 24-25.
Then there's the Kansas City Royals.
Last season the Royals would have won the division had they not gone 6-13 against the Tigers.
This year the Royals are already 4-3 against the Tigers and are 29-19 through 48 games.
Last year the Royals were 24-24 through 48 games.
The Cleveland Indians are 24-26 through 50 games, the exact same record they had last season through 50.
However, the Indians are 7-3 in their last 10 games and Corey Kluber has regained his Cy Young form.
Besides the Tigers, only the Chicago White Sox, at 23-26, are worse than they were a year ago, when they were 24-25 through 49 games.
The Tigers have been beset by injuries, the most important ones being designated hitter Victor Martinez and his surgically repaired left knee, catcher Alex Avila and his left knee injury and Justin Verlander and his right triceps strain.
The Tigers have also lost closer Joe Nathan for the season as he had to have a second Tommy John surgery, but Joakim Soria has filled in nearly perfectly in his absence.
Anibal Sanchez is at 3-6 with a 5.75 ERA and Shane Greene is 4-4 with a 5.19 ERA, both far worse than Sanchez of a year ago and Rick Porcello of a year ago at this time.
Verlander, who made a rehabilitation start Sunday for Triple-A Toledo, is expected to return soon.
But it is runs that the Tigers need.
At this time last year, they had scored 240 runs. They are at 214 now.
Having a healthy Martinez would help, as would a healthy Avila.
Martinez is a switch-hitter and Avila a lefty. Without them, it leaves only Anthony Gose and switch-hitter Andrew Romine as the only ones who bat left-handed.
Avila does not hit for average but has shown a knack for being patient and earning walks.
Right now, the Tigers need all the help they can get because it doesn't look like their division opponents are going anywhere.
