Oh no and six

I fully expected to be writing a National Title game post on April 7, seeing that the big game is tonight (I'm taking Memphis, because I don't see anyone stopping Derrick Rose).

But I was also expecting the Tigers to be 4-2 or 5-1 or even 6-0. Not so much 0-6.

I'm still not sure what to think about it. I mean, I know it's bad. I know it's really bad. But let's be completely honest, how many people don't think the Tigers can bounce back and contend in the AL Central? There are 156 games left, the season is by no means over.

At the same time, however, early in this season, everything we felt could derail what was supposed to be a march to the World Series has played out in front of us.

It started with Joel Zumaya getting injured in another off-field incident, this time moving boxes. Then Fernando Rodney went down, then Curtis Granderson, and in the opening series, Gary Sheffield and Miguel Cabrera suffer injuries that aren't keeping them out of games, but will no doubt nag as the season goes on.

The bullpen was a bit of a question mark before Zumaya and Rodney got hurt, after, it was considered an unmitigated disaster. While it hasn't been exactly that, it hasn't been very good, either. Other than, suprisingly, Todd Jones, who is perfect in two innings of work.

The starting pitching figured to be strong at the top and questionable at the back end. Turns out, it's been fairly questionable everywhere, save for Kenny Rogers (who is consistently questionable because he's 85 and will no doubt break down at some point this season).

Verlander and Robertson have been lit up, Bonderman is so far from what everyone thought he'd be, it's laughable, and Dontrelle Willis still isn't sure where the strike zone is. If this keeps up, not only will the Tigers not make a run at the division, but talk of uber prospect Rick Porcello crashing onto the scene will definitely pick up.

But those were things we were a bit worried about coming in. Those were the things we all figured could sort themselves out while the offense cranked out 10 runs a game. Well, through six games, this lineup has scored 15 runs. That's 2.5 runs a game.

Miguel Cabrera is hitting .111 with one RBI, which came on a solo home run in the opener.

Magglio Ordonez hasn't driven in a run and Placido Polanco is hitting .087.

And how's this for plate discipline, the Tigers have struck out 35 times and walked 21 times. Sure, I didn't expect Barry Bonds numbers in that department, but the whiffing has got to stop, especially from Sheffield, who has six Ks and just one walk.

These numbers are disheartening, no doubt, but at the same time give a strange glimmer of hope. There's no way this continues offensively, these players are way too good.

But things don't get any easier. The Red Sox are next, followed by the White Sox again, Minnesota, Cleveland and Toronto.

Any of those games are winnable for this Tigers team, or should be at least.

Of course, same could be said about the Royals.