Big Moves in the AL Central Race

The Detroit Tigers began the month of July with a four game lead in the division.  They end the month having seen that lead dwindle to just one-and-a-half games.  The Tigers suffered their first losing month of the season, going just 10-14.  The Tigers managed to top the American League in team ERA during July, so the hitting has been the main culprit. So what did the Tigers do at the deadline?  Why, they added a pitcher of course.  Don’t get me wrong; actually I’m a fan of the move.  Even by Jim Leyland’s view point, the league was going to figure out Luke French before long.  Leyland has mentioned on numerous occasions that he felt French was getting by simply because opponents hadn’t seen him before.  In addition, French was half of the rookie tandem, with Rick Porcello, that was hamstrung by pitch counts, forcing Leyland to use his bullpen more frequently that when the other three starters pitched. Jarrod Washburn w...