Ok, I get it, Detroit is the best team in the Central. In nearly a replay from last Sunday, the Tigers went double digits on the Sox on Monday, beating them by 10, 14-4. They also had 21 hits. That was their 10th straight victory.

Carlos Quentin made his return from the DL. He went 0-2, with a strike out, as the DH. I will be wrong, as usual, but I wouldn’t expect to see him in the field. All that means is he’ll be playing right as soon as next week.

What’s up with Brent Morel? 2 home runs again on Monday. That gives the Sox 3rd baseman 5 home runs in his past 10 games. That was also his 2nd, two homer night in his past 5 games.

What a difference an off-season makes. The Sox signed free agent Adam Dunn. The Tiger inked Victor Martinez. Both looked like solid moves in February. Now, not so much. Martinez, who’s gone 3-7, with a home run and 4 RBI in the first 2 games, has had an incredible season. He is hitting .324 with 11 bombs, and 94 RBI. Dunn is hitting .162 with 11 home runs, and 60 RBI. Dunn has yet to have an at bat in this series. Still think the Sox made a solid decision in signing Dunn. I may be one of the few that think that way.

Ugly line of the series goes to Josh Kinney. Kinney went one inning, allowing 6 runs on 8 hits. 9 of the first 10 batter he faced reached base, all on hits except for Austin Jackson, who was hit by a pitch. Nice to see A Sox pitcher plunk a guy. It’s been a frustrating season, someone should pay. Probably should have come against the Royals, who seem to hit a guy, or two a game, every time they play the Sox.

Shane Lindsay still looks good. 3 innings, no runs allowed for the rookie. It is September, but I wonder how he fits in to the Sox plans. Unless someone is dealt, the Sox bullpen I solid, and deep.

What’s the matter with John Danks? Since his complete game shutout in Seattle 15 days ago, Danks has been horrible, with an ERA of 11.25 over 15.2 innings. 2 of his 3 starts have come against the Tigers. He is 0-2 and 14.67 ERA in those 2 starts. This has been a season to forget for the lefty. I will venture to say that’s he’ll win 17 games next year, in Chicago or not.

Justin Verlander won his 23rd game of the year on Tuesday. I think he’ll finish with 25, or maybe 26. if he wins 25, that’ll be the most victories by an American League pitcher since Bob Welch won 27 in 1990. Welch never won more than 12 games the rest of his career.

Matt Thornton problems continue. He pitched one inning, and gave up 1 run. You won’t meet a better guy. It sucks that his, and the teams season has been such a disappointment.

Sox had their chances on Tuesday, loading the bases twice. Since they scored no runs, you know how those situations played out.

So the Sox get 4 on Monday, and none on Tuesday. a 5-0 shutout in game 2 forced the team to look forward to Wednesday. Dylan Alexrod will be making his first career start. Brad Penny will be making his 313th. Don’t count out Axelrod, who went 9-3 in Charlotte and Birmingham this year.

Sox still clinging to 2nd place. Sad, but true.

Go Sox!