Which Struggling Tiger Needs to Step Up More, Curtis Granderson or Edwin Jackson?
DOMINICK: Jackson. In a season loaded with offensive disappointments, pitching has been the prime factor to Detroit’s first-place stranglehold. In fact, this year’s squad resembles the 2006 Tigers who led baseball in earned run average. Justin Verlander and Kenny Rogers each won 17 games, while Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson chipped in a combined 27 wins. On offense, Craig Monroe led Detroit with 28 homers and only two players batted over .300 (Ivan Rodriguez and Carlos Guillen), demonstrating that pitching assumed responsibility for their deep playoff run. Linking the two seasons, standout pitching in clutch situations has kept Detroit at a distance from the rest of the American League Central, not its’ offense. In the rotation, Verlander leads the way with 13 wins, followed by super rookie Rick Porcello (11), and Jackson (10). What good is an outstanding game from Granderson if the pitcher gave up six runs? Jackson ranks third in the AL in quality starts, has given up three runs
