Detroit

23-18, 2nd place, 1.5 games behind Cle (who have now won 4 in a row) Anibal Sanchez did his best Justin Verlander last night, and promptly got booted in the 3rd inning after allowing 11 base runners and 5 ER. The Tigers were never really in the game, and the best offense in baseball was tamed again for the 3rd straight night. Against an opponent whose number we seemed to have for a while, the Tigers are now 6-12 versus the Rangers since October of 2011. And it feels even worse than that because in those 12 losses, the Rangers have reached double digits against the Tigers 5 times. Think about that – roughly every 3rd game against the Rangers has been a blowout loss. The Rangers are averaging nearly 6.5 runs per game against the Tigers during the time span (116 to 76). I think it’s safe to say that the Rangers have our number these days. So Doug Fister climbs the hill tonight to take on Derek Holland on Sunday night baseball. Holland is enigmatic, to say the least. The young lefty has been brilliant at times, but he also gets a lot of flack for a seeming lack of concentration on the actual game part of playing baseball. Holland’s success this year (3-2, 2.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) can partly be attributed to his low HR rate (just 2 all year – .33/9) which is unsustainable over the long run. But Holland is a hard-throwing lefty with a good sinker and a great slider, and is also issuing a career low 1.79 walks/9. Tonight won’t be easy. Of Fister’s 8 starts this year, 6 have been quality. He rebounded nicely last week against Houston (remember, it was Houston) after his shortest start since 2011 against Washington the previous time out. Fister has been thumped by the Rangers in the past, to the tune of 14  ER and 19 hits (5 long balls) in 9 innings. ************************* A few notes. - This is the first time since 2003 that two Tigers’ starters didn’t make it through the 3rd inning in a series. - In today’s the apocalypse is upon us note – the Tigers’ uni’s were beat out by the Orioles’. Blasphemy. This has really upset me. - Prince Fielder is in a slump (I’m sure you knew this). Over his last 10 games he’s 6-36 with 1 HR. Last night’s RBI was his first in 7 games. He’s 0-3 career versus Holland, though lefties are hitting better against Holland than righties (.773 OPS v. .582 for righties). I don’t feel good about it, but man do we need a win tonight – off-day tomorrow. Someone please post the lineup later, as I’m headed to a BBQ (game will be on).

It’s the anti-lefty lineup tonight against Derek Holland, which means Omar Infante leads off, Avisail Garcia plays center and Brayan Pena gets the start behind the plate. TIGERS Omar Infante, 2B (2-for-4 off Holland) Torii Hunter, RF (10-for-34, 2 HR, 5 walks, 7 K’s off Holland) Miguel Cabrera, 3B (2-for-9, HR, walk, 4 K’s off Holland) Prince Fielder, 1B (0-for-3 off Holland) Victor Martinez, DH (2-for-6, HR off Holland) Matt Tuiasosopo, LF Jhonny Peralta, SS (3-for-8, HR, K off Holland) Brayan Pena, C (2-for-5, 2 HR, walk, K off Holland) Avisail Garcia, CF P: Doug Fister

Our scouting report series continues with the Detroit Lions' 2013 undrafted free agents. Next up is Joseph Fauria. TE Joseph Fauria (UCLA) - UDFA If you look at his size, athleticism and body of work at UCLA, you'd think that tight end Joseph Fauria was drafted last month. He wasn't, though, and he ended up joining the Detroit Lions after being one of their top undrafted free agent targets. Random fact Fauria began his college career at Notre Dame in 2008. A year later, in 2009, he transferred to UCLA. What the experts are saying NFL.com: The nephew of 13-year NFL tight end Christian Fauria transferred from Notre Dame back home to southern California three years ago, but finally flashed the top-100 talent everyone knew he possessed in 2011 (39 catches, 481 yards, six touchdowns) by using his height, length and unexpected foot quickness to make plays around and over the top of defenders. He further demonstrated these qualities in 2012 en route to 12 receiving touchdowns. Fauria is an impressive red-zone threat due to his height and ability to box defenders out, but he is fairly unimpressive after the catch in the middle of the field. He also has more than his fair share of struggles as a run blocker. SI.com: Joseph Fauria is not being mentioned in the same breath as some of the top TEs in this draft class, but he clearly has the tools to become a productive NFL player. While not an explosive or elusive athlete, he does display solid short area quickness and smooth, savvy route running ability, which allows him to gain separation on his breaks. Once the ball is in the air he is a nightmare for LBs and DBs to match up with, as he high-points the ball and uses his huge frame and catching radius to consistently win contested balls. He clearly has the flexibility and strength to be an effective blocker, but must be more consistent with his level of competitiveness. ESPN.com: Tall TE prospect with lean frame. Possesses long arms (33 ¾') and very big hands (10 7/8'). Has average top-end speed on tape. At pro day (3-17); ran the 40 in 4.75 seconds, had a 35 ½' vertical jump and a 10' broad jump. Stats 2010: 3 catches, 21 yards, 2 TD 2011: 39 catches, 481 yards, 6 TD 2012: 46 catches, 637 yards, 12 TD Videos More: Various Fauria highlights Fauria reception vs. USC Fauria TD reception vs. San Jose State UCLA feature on Fauria 10 questions with Fauria (9/14) 10 questions with Fauria (11/15) FOX Sports interview with Fauria Outlook for 2013 Of all the undrafted free agents, Fauria seems to have the best chance of actually making the 53-man roster. The tight end position isn't exactly settled, as there is a spot open behind Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler. The thinking is that Michael Williams will fill the third tight end spot, but he is more of a blocker. Fauria is more of a pass catcher, and his ability to be a matchup problem for opposing defenses could result in him making the team. Because of his great size and production at UCLA last season, Fauria seems like a real threat to make the team either as the Lions' fourth tight end or by pushing Scheffler off the roster. At the very least, he has a great case to make the practice squad even if he doesn't make the 53-man roster. Previous scouting reports: Draft picks: DE Ezekiel Ansah, CB Darius Slay, OG Larry Warford, DE Devin Taylor, P Sam Martin, WR Corey Fuller, RB Theo Riddick, TE Michael Williams UDFAs: QB Alex Carder, RB Steven Miller, WR Cody Wilson

ESPN NFC North analyst Kevin Seifert advises you to 'shield your eyes' from the 2011 NFL draft. He's talking about the entire NFC North, of course, but it's particularly a good idea if you're a Detroit Lions fan, we're guessing.

Veteran forward missed the final week of the regular season and first eight playoff games with a broken hand before getting cleared to play in Game 2 vs. the Blackhawks.

Brunner said he intends to profit handsomely after his Swiss beat the Swedes today for their first World Hockey Championship gold medal.

After a weekend covering the Lions' rookie orientation, detroitlions.com turn a turn focusing on individual player features and key position battles

Detroit Tigers (23-18) at Texas Rangers (28-15) Time/Place: 8 p.m., Rangers Ballpark in Arlington SB Nation blog: Lone Star Ball Media: ESPN, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: Doug Fister (5-1, 3.06 ERA) vs. Derek Holland (3-2, 2.93) Ever the groundball pitcher, Doug Fister is forcing batters to put the ball on the ground at a higher rate than ever in his career. Coupled with a career-low rate of home runs allowed per fly ball, the his ERA has been a crisp 3.06. With a strikeout rate that is down a skosh and a walk rate that is down notably, Fister's indicator stats show that he may actually be pitching better than that. You worry, of course, that home runs could catch up with his a bit -- the league rate has remained steady from 2012 to 2013 while Fister's has halved. That's been a trend through much of the rotation -- Rick Porcello excluded, possibly indicating it's more a result of the ballparks Fister has been. For the Rangers, Holland is coming off of his second-worst appearance of the season: four runs allowed to Oakland in less than six innings. His team overcame the performance to win anyway. Otherwise he's been stellar to start the season, allowing three runs or fewer in six of seven starts. Two things have appeared to help Holland: He's issuing fewer walks than ever and limiting home runs. The control seems sustainable, but like with Fister one wonders whether the home run bug will begin to bite him a bit more over the course of a season. Entering the game opposing batters have homered just twice -- a rate of 3.7 percent of fly balls. He's coming off a 15.2 percent rate last year and 12.4 percent for his career. Can the Tigers get to him? That remains to be seen. Outlook The Tigers need a win Sunday to come away from Arlington with a split. They need a good pitching performance to come away with their pride. Three of the past four games -- twice against Texas, once against Houston -- Detroit pitchers have given up seven runs or more. With Fister on the mound, you have to like the Tigers' chances of breaking the recent trend. Then again we'd also have said that about Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez and neither of them made it out of the third. So, well, yes. I borrowed Jon Erikkila's Crafty Yooper Ball and asked how the game would go. "Outlook uncertain." Well, that's helpful. Prediction A game will be played. ESPN will televise it. John Kruk will say Kruk-y things. A good time will be had by some.

Mike Babcock does not believe home ice makes that big a difference in these playoffs. Jimmy Howard called Game 2 his team's best performance of the postseason.

April 26, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson (14) scores a run against the Atlanta Braves at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Austin Jackson will still need to remain on the disabled list for about nine more days before he’s eligible to return to action, but the good news out of Detroit is that he’s unlikely to need extra time to recover from his hamstring injury. James Schmehl of MLive has a quote from Jim Leyland to this end: Jackson has been sidelined since May 11 with a strained left hamstring, but he’s “feeling much better,” according to Leyland. “He’s doing good,” he said. “He should be on time.” I think many a Detroit Tigers fan would love to see Don Kelly get the heave-ho when Jackson returns, but it’s much more likely that Avisail Garcia — the Tigers’ most MLB ready outfield prospect — will be sent back to the minor leagues. Garcia has an .875 OPS (with a home run) in eight plate appearances since his recall this season, but the organization is going to want him to get more playing time than he’s going to be able to get with the big club. There’s a (very compelling) argument to be made that he should be starting pretty much everyday in center (instead of platooning with Kelly) right now, but even that argument goes out the window with the eventual return of Jackson. Garcia is (and will be) a better hitter than The Donald, but Kelly is better suited to be the MLB backup right now. If nothing else, Garcia will join the roster in September when the minor league season ends, and could displace Kelly on a potential playoff roster. Of course, it’s also possible that Garcia is up before then should another injury arise. He’d be first in line to be an everyday outfielder should, say, Torii Hunter hit the disable list.