Two teams hoping against hope they can become contenders
and avoid the dreaded selloff label -- the Blue Jays and
Tigers -- begin the post-All-Star-break schedule Friday
with a three-game series at Comerica Park.
In the first of the three-game weekend series Justin Verlander goes to the hill for Detroit, while Toronto counters with Aaron Sanchez.
Toronto, 41-47 and 8 1/2 games out of first place in the American
League East, has a serious road trip at Detroit, Boston and
Cleveland to open the traditional second half.
Detroit, 39-48 and eight games out in the AL Central, will spend a
week at Kansas City and Minnesota after hosting Toronto. The Tigers
need a two-week hot streak but with a season-best four-game winning
streak, that does not seem likely.
Detroit had an eight-game losing streak and was just 7-14 before
the break.