AL Central

Date: May 31, 2009

Time: 1:35pm

Teams: Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles

Park: Camden Yards

Weather: 77 and sunny

Starting Pitchers: Edwin Jackson (4-3, 2.58)  Jason Berken (1-0, 3.60)

Records: Detroit (27-21)  Baltimore (23-27)

Last 10 Games: Detroit (5-5)  Baltimore (7-3)

My Two Cents

All the talk is what happens when Jeremy Bonderman is deemed ready to return to the starting rotation, which could come as early as next week, or as late as the middle of the month.

We speak about it as if it is a certainty he will return to the rotation, thus bumping either rookie Rick Porcello (doubtful), struggling lefty Dontrelle Willis (maybe) or struggling righty Armando Galarraga (possible) from the rotation. That’s a debate for another time. I have a different idea for you to bat around:

Welcome to Tribe Talk, where Bleacher Report's Tribe fans weigh in on the ups and downs of the Indians each week throughout the season.

This week we consider whether the Tribe’s fortunes are inextricably linked with those of Grady Sizemore, the dangers of incessantly tinkering with a lineup, and the chances of seeing Pedro Martinez don an Indians uniform.

I would like to thank this week's participants Nino Colla and Dave Wiley for their contributions.

Rockies 3, Tigers 1 (box)
Record: 24-18 (first place)

Dontrelle Willis was not sharp, but he didn’t have to be sharp. He just had to keep putting zeroes on the board at the end of innings.

He did that five times through six innings, allowing just one run and picking up the second quality start in as many chances.

ESPN's Buster Olney has reported that there have been preliminary trade talks between the Boston Red Sox and the Celevaland Indians. The trade would help both teams as their needs will be partially fulfilled.

The trade has shape up so the Indians would trade their top prospect in Matt LaPorta in exchange for one of Boston's young arms being either Michael Bowden, Clay Bucholtz, or Daniel Bard. This would mean that LaPorta would be traded for the second time in two years.

Well, that was fun, Luke. We'll see you again in a month or so?...

The Royals sent Luke Hochevar back down to Omaha after a fairly rocky stretch of three starts. In his three-start run, Hoch threw more than 3.1 innings exactly once. His ERA sat at 10.80.

His FIP, while better, was still 6.92. His K:BB ratio was 3:7. Clearly his success in the PCL did not translate over these three games.

I’ve been acquiring all sorts of stats and links, time for a bunt singles update!

If you're a White Sox fan, I'm sorry, today was not a good day at all.

First, the Twins decide they're going to light you up for 20 runs, including a Joe Mauer grand salami and three 4+ run innings. Well, at least you scored that one run in the eighth right?