If you are anything like me then your palms are getting sweaty in anticipation of the College and Pro Football seasons. With less than a month to go it's time to start building a little nest egg and betting that the Tigers' games will go under could give you some much needed extra cash.

If you recall back in early May I wrote a little piece about the Tigers' middle relievers, but just in case, I'll refresh your memory.

Recently we touched on the success of their starting pitchers that now have a combined 22-11 record, but I think their middle relievers have been the key. The starters are averaging 6 innings a start and that means manager Leyland has not hesitated in placing a call to the bullpen. While closer Todd Jones does have 9 saves his ERA is an unflattering 4.35, but he has kept the ball in the yard by allowing zero homeruns.

Fernando Rodney, Jamie Walker and Bobby Seay are the unsung heroes of the Bengals with 33 innings of relief that has yielded only 17 hits, 7 runs, 11 base-on balls and a sparkling 32 strikeouts!

Yesterday, Detroit began the second half of the season and their starter Jeremy Bonderman was not his usual self and lasted only 5.2 innings. No problem for Detroit as Leyland went to the pen for Grilli, Rodney, Zumava and Jones. They allowed three measly hits the rest of the game and Detroit rolled to a 6-4 victory.

The relief corps have now pitched 214 innings and given up just 174 hits, 82 base-on balls and have recorded 161 strikeouts. As the season enters the long summer days the bats will go cold for the Tigers, but their great pitching will win them some tight low scoring affairs.

Tonight, two veteran lefties go at it and both were at the All-Star Game Tuesday. Kenny Rogers is 19-13 with a 3.74 ERA in 50 appearances against the Royals. He is 1-0 in two starts against the Royals this season giving up six runs over 12 1-3 innings. The southpaw has won his last five decisions against Kansas City since a loss April 28, 2004, spanning six starts.

The Royals (31-57) will hand the ball to Mark Redman (6-4, 5.27), who has won his last six decisions. The left-hander pitched eight strong innings in his last start July 6 against the Toronto Blue Jays allowing two runs and five hits in a 6-2 victory.

Play the under 9!

Bob Acton

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