Now that the sting of Game 163 has faded, and we look forward to the 2010 season, the Tigers seemed to be primed to compete again.  Will they contend in 2010 or simply compete?  The off season will probably give us a better indication.  For the time being, however, I think it's pretty safe to say that the Tigers will, at the very least, compete.

While the final week of the season exposed some flaws that would ultimately torpedo the Tigers chances for the post season, it also showcased why the future is still bright.  Pitching.  It's what every team craves, and the Tigers have some very attractive pieces.  Justin Verlander put the finishing touches on his 19-win season with 7 2/3 strong innings against Chicago on the final day of the year.  He is a legitimate ace.  Two days later, Rick Porcello showed a cast iron stomach pitching into the 6th inning, while striking out eight and allowing only one earned run in the loss to the Twins in the play-in game.  He is a future ace.

At the very least the Tigers will feature three impressive starters next season.  Edwin Jackson may have faded down the stretch, but his All Star season opened plenty of eyes.  Jackson has won 27 games in the last two years.  The Tigers philosophy of drafting and trading for prime time pitching is paying dividends.  I'll like their chances three of every five nights next season.  Most teams dream of having a solid 1-2 punch.  The Tigers can boast of a 1-2-3 punch.

Add the intrigue of Aroldis Chapman to the mix and you can see how much the Tigers value pitching...especially power pitching.  Chapman is the 21-year-old Cuban pitcher who has been clocked at 100 mph and beyond.  The Tigers are just one of several teams that are interested in signing the lefty, so the competition will be stiff.

While the Tigers have plenty of decisions to make in the off season, the emphasis on pitching will keep them in the race.  The ball club has its share of free agents that are critical to the team's chances in 2010.  Free agents aside, the starters will give this team a chance.

Tuesday night, the Tigers will make one last push to get into the A.L. playoffs as Central Division champs.  Not the ideal situation, but it's the bed they have made for themselves.

On Sunday, Rod and I discussed the Tigers starting pitcher for the game.  As you know, Rick Porcello will get the nod for the Tigers in the biggest game of the season.  Seems like we have been saying that for a month now.  Rod suggested that maybe Edwin Jackson should get the call because of his experience.  While I agree that you couldn't go wrong with either guy, I am of the opinion that this should be Porcello's game.  Next to Justin Verlander, Porcello has been the Detroit's best pitcher down the stretch.  I am all about results right now.  While throwing a 20-year-old to the wolves in the Metrodome might seem risky, Porcello is not your average bear. 

I have had the pleasure to be around Rick for an extended period of time now.  From Tiger caravan stops in the off season, to the heat of pennant stretch starts in September.  The look on his face has never changed.  He is poised beyond his years.  In fact, he is poised beyond my years, and I'm old.  When I think about the fact that he is only four years older than my son and has already won 14 games in the big leagues, it's mind boggling.  Especially when I think about the fact that my son just started driving.

Porcello will not be intimidated on Tuesday.  Does that mean that he will win the game?  No, but in my opinion, he gives the Tigers the best chance.  Critics will look at the numbers and point out that he is 0-2 in the Metrodome this season.  True, but in his last start in the Metrodome he allowed only three runs in six innings.  In his last start vs Minnesota at home on the final home stand, the Tigers wasted a one run in 6 1/3 inning performance.  In his final eight starts from August through September/October, Porcello is 5-2 with an ERA slightly over 3.00.  Again, I am all about results right now.  Plus, anyone that can body slam Kevin Youkilis into the Fenway turf is OK in my book.

Can the Tigers win this game a make a run into the postseason?  Sure, why not?  One thing to remember is that the Tigers have played high pressure games for the last two weeks and have had to play at a level of intesity required in the post season.  They haven't gotten stale waiting for the playoffs.  If they win Tuesday night, the Yankees could be in for a surprise.

What do Joe Nathan, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood and Frankie Rodriguez have in common.  Aside from the fact that they are considered some of the best closers in the game, they have also each blown five saves this season.  Bobby Jenks has blown four and Jonathan Papelbon, three.  Tigers closer Fernando Rodney has blown just one.  Yet, Rodney, who is in his free agent year, is not mentioned among the best closers in the game.   I wonder why?

Rodney, as most Tigers fans know, features a mid to upper 90's fastball and one of the best change-ups in the game.  While his innings may not be the cleanest around and, as Todd Jones used to say, he'll send you to the fridge to make a sandwich when he pitches, Fernando has been remarkably consistent.  Many are reminded of Jones when Rodney enters a ballgame.  Many times Fernando will find himself with a few runners on base and a somewhat stressful situation.  The difference between the two however is that Rodney can get a strikeout when he needs it the most and Jones relied a lot more on his defense.

Fernando is setting himself up for a big payday at the end of the year, but right now he continues to establish himself as one of the top closers in the American League.  We should probably enjoy his talent a little more.  And when he gets in his next jam, don't worry, that change-up is coming...and so is his next strikeout.

So I am perusing the Boston papers this morning to read the local reaction of last night's melee and I run across Dan Shaughnessy's take on Kevin Youkilis' disagreement with Rick Porcello.  Here is Shaughnessy's lead: 

Kevin Youkilis took a first-pitch fastball in the back, hesitated for a split second, then made a bull rush for 20-year-old Tiger pitcher Rick Porcello. The kid righty was backpedaling when a sprinting Youk flung his helmet at him, then wrapped him up and wrestled him to the ground like a baby calf.

Huh??  Were we watching the same game?  Apparently not.  Wrapped him up and wrestled him to the ground like a baby calf?  Might want to check the video again.  My eyes told me Porcello slammed Youkilis to the ground, and the video agrees.  And while Porcello was indeed backpedaling, he was also trying to avoid Youkilis' helmet.  Now, I don't blame Youk for charging Porcello.  After being hit twice in two days, he felt he was being thrown at.  Of course, Miguel Cabrera was hit twice in two days, but he didn't charge.  I digress.  The issue I have, is Youkilis firing his equipment at Porcello.  A definite no-no.  I haven't read many local stories taking issue with Youk throwing his helmet.  Funny how two sides see a story very differently.

Also, should Porcello have been thrown out of the game?  Second inning, three run lead, no warnings and Youkilis was the first batter he hit.

Alex Avila walked into the Tigers clubhouse earlier this week and found his jersey hanging in his locker.  For the first time in his career it was a big league locker.  In addition, the number on his jersey caught his attention.  For ten seasons, Lance Parrish wore the number 13 for the Tigers and carved out an impressive career which culminated in in World Championship in 1984.  Now, Avila is wearing number 13.

Alex turned in one outstanding debut, as he not only picked up his first major league hit in his second at bat, but his his first big league RBI as wel.  The very next night, he slammed his first big league homer and finished with four RBI's.  Not a bad start for the kid.  Yet, through the whirlwind two day period that brought Alex from AA Erie to Comerica Park, he remains the same kid that he always was, cool, calm and collected.

I asked Alex how he celebrated his big league debut and his answer was not surprising,  "Just a quiet dinner at home with my family," he said.  Alex spent a portion of his high school career at Warren De La Salle.  While he went to school in Michigan, he spent his summer working at a local batting cage.  When my son played on a summer tournament team, he worked out at the same facility.  We would see Alex in the cage a lot, working on the very swing that would get him to the big leagues.

In 2006, Avila played on a summer team in Ann Arbor.  On the same team was Zach Putnam, who would later go on to star at U of M and eventually end up in the Cleveland Indians organization.

While Alex only spent a portion of his high school career at De La Salle, I still consider him a local kid.  A kid from a great family who has worked hard and has now gotten his first big league shot.  A dream come true for a kid who grew up around the game and put in the work to make this chance happen.