2006 Tigers Update- New York Yankees series

This is a pivotal series! 

Situating the Tigers:

Record: 70-62

Division: 4.5 games back of Twins, .5 back of Indians

Wild Card: 4 games back of Yankees, behind Indians and As.

This is also the last series before roster expansion. We'll get into September schedule after this series, but if the Tigers are going to make noise, it's now or never.

Result: Series win! WLW

Pitchers: Rogers, Miner + bullpen, Bonderman

Good: Rogers steadies the ship in game one, leading to win. Bullpen solid. Ichiro has homer and triple. Bonderman solid outing in game three

Bad: The Miner/Ledezma tandem can't handle the Yankees and the offense doesn't do much in game two, meaning that at best the Tigers break even as far as the WC standings go.

Heading into September, here's the breakdown:

Record: 72-63

Division: 5.5 games back, as Minnesota's gotten hot

Wild Card: 3 games back of New York

AL Picture:

1) LA

2) Toronto

3) Minnesota

WC: NY

In the hunt:

Cleveland

Detroit

Oakland

NL Picture:

1) NYM

2) Arizona

3) Houston

WC:Philly

In the hunt:

LAD

Slipping away:

Florida

Cincy

Atlanta