When last I wrote about the Tigers, I argued the team still had a chance despite their rotten post-All-Star Break performance. They did.

Of course, in order to be in the AL Central race one month later, they had to win. They didn’t.

So, here we are waiting out the rest of the season, wondering who the Yankees will beat to win the World Series and managing our fantasy football lineups. In other words, there ain’t much to look forward to.

As overpaid professionals, though, the Tigers can’t just hang up their jock straps just yet. The goal should be simple: Finish .500.

And prepare for rebuilding after the Maggs, Inge and Bonderman era ends.

The new team will use Verlander and Miggy as cornerstones. The rest of the roster, we’ve actually got pretty familiar with: The Tigs are tops in the majors for rookie plate appearances this season at just about 2,000.

So, just because they’re rebuilding doesn’t mean they’re destined to suck. Increasingly familiar names like Jackson, Boesch, Wells and Rhymes all carry plenty of promise.

As disappointing as Sunday’s nationally televised game was in the late innings, the Tigers still managed a sweep against bitter rivals — with no help from Miggy, at that. Consider these next couple weeks as fall ball in preparation for next season, and you’re bound to find some shine on this lackluster summer.

And, hey, may as well start the conversation now: Any bold predictions for the Tigers’ offseason?

OK, so things aren’t going so well for the Tigers.

One of the year’s most surprising players is in a surprisingly brutal slump, they lost a third of their starters to injury in the same week and they’re batting average with runners in scoring position (.245) is near the bottom of both leagues.

Oh, and is anyone else sick of Armando Galarraga blowing ballgame after ballgame? He let a struggling Tampa Bay team get thet winning foothold on a night the Tigers could’ve picked up a game.

They couldn’t handle a fading pack of Halos this past weekend at home.

Heaven help us!

Pray hard, Tigers fans, and you might get your wish.

Consider that the Tigers have 16 more games against the AL Central-leading White Sox and Twins this season. Consider that both teams can’t stay white-hot forever, or at least win all 50 remaining games of the season. And consider the Tigers’ 2010 campaign ends with a four-game set against the current worst team in the majors.

No cakewalk, but in a division that has seen many lead changes this year, it’s no stretch to see the Tigers regain some type of respectability.

Even though half the remaining games will be against first-place teams, the Tigers will at least be much closer to full strength with the return if Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge.

I wouldn’t implore you to subscribe to baseball’s most annoying cliche: Believe. But, it is time for the faithful to have a little faith.

Let us pray.

Sure felt like a playoff game, didn’t it?

The palpable intensity, intense pitching, late inning heroics and … the loss that puts the dagger in your season.

Today was a one-game playoff for the Tigers, a now or “wait ’til next year” moment for a team that’s been clawing for its life for a few weeks now.

With a chance to even a tough series, Brandon Inge back at third, Carlos Guillen on his way back and a sharp Max Scherzer on the mound, you had to think they had a chance today. You knew something was up when Raburn stunned Detroit and Chi Sox fans alike with his improbable three-run blast in the ninth inning.

That was the last little ounce of joy you’ll get this season, ’cause it’s all over. Now you know how Cubs Nation felt like three months ago.

Please, please, please argue with me. Tell me two games under .500 and nine games out in the AL Central can somehow be turned around.

Stranger things have happened in baseball — Armando Galarraga almost throwing a perfect game, for instance. Just doesn’t look like it’s a year for the Tigers.

Well, a couple of days ago I was pretty upbeat about the Tigers prospects of winning despite their recent history of losing.

As they prepare to feebly face a tough Toronto squad twice today, I’m not even sure they can hold onto third place in the AL Central. The Tigers are in trouble.

The injuries to Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen almost certainly guarantee that they are out of the trade deadline pitching sweepstakes. With the lineup already struggling — only four home runs in the last 10 games — and three major injuries this week, the Tigs are bordering irrelevance.

True, the paper still indicates they are 2 1/2 games out of first. Enjoy it, because things could get pretty bad over the next week or two.

If Dom Dombroski is still for some reason considering coughing up prospects for Dan Haren or Ted Lilly, I think it’s time to say “wait ’til next year” and hope that Miggy scores the coveted Triple Crown.

Otherwise, we’ve got a long two months ahead of us.

Aw jeez, c’mon already!

Swept by Cleveland. Branded six-game losers by Texas … in a 14-inning game … at home! Oh, yeah, and Brandon’s broken.

This season is over, right? Well, not quite. We might be in any other division in baseball, but not here in the AL Central, where the three teams at the top each have the same strengths and weaknesses.

The Tigers are experiencing their first major slide of the season. Sure, the four-game sweep by the Tribe (the first such sweep in nearly 20 years) made it sting a little more. And the late-inning loss last night fanned the flames.

While the loss of Brandon Inge isn’t good, the installation of Don Kelly or Ryan Raburn at third isn’t bad. Both are great prospects that might have some Boesch-like development with a full-time job.

Ouch!

So rub some dirt on it. Shake it off!

The Twins have been through some rough patches as well, losing 10 of 15 to end May and six of eight heading into the All-Star Break. They just lost Morneau for a little while too.

The white-hot Sox were one of the most disappointing teams in baseball, dipping nearly 10 games below .500 before igniting in June. They just lost the resurgent Jake Peavy.

Feel a little better?

Well, Tigers fans, it’s been a memorable season so far and at the halfway point, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of our favorite mental mementos so far.

Miguel Cabrera’s late-inning heroics in the early season (he leads the majors with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in the seventh inning or later) come to mind. How about Johnny Damon’s 2,501st hit? No baseball fan will ever forget the tragedy of and moving conclusion to Armando Galarraga’s imperfect game.

As sour a tongue as I tend to use in this forum, I think there have been more moments to celebrate than to regret. Share some of yours below.

Damn.

There I said it.

Sure, we knew Joel Zumaya was going to suffer an injury this season. You can pretty much plan on that.

But, how severe would it be?

We got our answer on Tuesday. Damn.

Ouch!

Zumaya finally returned to his dominant form this season. It was particularly satisfying given all the work he put in rehabbing.

His big chin scruff, flame-inked arm and passion for throwing just as hard as he worked made Joel a fan favorite despite so many setbacks; despite so many high expectations and excruciating busts.

As the Tigers regroup from poor showings on the road in New York, Atlanta and Minneapolis, the new question is how to proceed.

The bullpen has some good arms, but none that specialize in setting up Papa Grande.

It felt like Zumaya was a big part of the Tigers’ success so far. His return to form complemented Valverde’s late game excellence and gave players some confidence and swagger.

After four long seasons of ups and downs, perhaps it’s time to find a permanent replacement. I hope the search is on.

In the immediate future, the rest of the Tigers can use home series against the Mariners and O’s to get back on track before facing the Twins yet again.

It could prove a good opportunity to find our new swagger man in the bullpen.

It’s no urban legend. The Tigers cannot win in Queens.

Heading in to Tuesday’s contest against the Mets, the team was winless at Shea and Citi. This despite dominating interleague play over the last half of the decade and starting the series with Justin Verlander on the mound.

V was 11-1 with a 2.92 ERA in 15 career interleague starts heading into Tuesday. The Mets ripped right into him on a night of strange weather.

A nobody named Dickey cut them up Wednesday and the Tigs struggled to pull off their first victory on the road against New York’s “other team” in the series finale. Give them credit for playing like they mean it over the past few weeks.

Now the first-place ATL has a crack at a sweep at Turner field, starting what is all of the sudden a very important series with a 3-1 victory Friday night.

Thanks, New York.

Tigers better get swinging before the Braves drop their tomahawks and inflict more wounds.

Luckily they avoid two of Atlanta’s most powerful starters, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson. Instead the Tigers draw the likes of Kenshin Kawakami (0-9), whom I had not heard of prior to glancing at the probables in today’s morning paper, and get to match Tommy Hanson with Verlander Sunday.

Don’t look now, but the Twins are coming up next week. Both the Tigs and the Twins are looking over their shoulders at the white-hot Chi Sox, who grabbed another game in the standings Friday with their 10th straight victory.

Cox, Sox and Twins, oh my!

Ahhh. Nothing spells relief quite like I-N-T-E-R-L-E-A-G-U-E.

It’s time for the Tigers’ summer vacation.

I’m usually not quite this confident about a team just barely over .500, but with the Buccos behind us and upcoming dates with Washington, Arizona and New York, it is kind of hard not to be.

The Tigers are 59-22 in interleague play since 2005. The Nats are average, the D-Backs sloppy and the Mets soft. The only real challenge will be NL East-leading Atlanta — followed closely by the Twins.

The Tigs don't even face Strasburg, but I figured using his picture would get this blog more hits.

The Tigers have a chance to catch Minnesota if they can continue their annual annihilation of NL foes. The Twinkies just dropped two of three to the Braves and face a stubborn Colorado squad followed by a tough group of Phillies.

This is a great chance for the Tigs to get back on track.

It could be worse — much worse — but Minnesota continues to make it clear that .500 ball will not be enough to take the Central.

The Tigers finished up their AL play losing two of three to division rivals Kansas City and Chicago.

Not good.

They are all but guaranteed a winning record over the next few weeks. They should emerge confident and ready to contend.

Outside of Armando Galarraga’s perfect game (plus one), the Tigers starting pitching has been, well, sad.

Justin Verlander is the only starter with a winning record, an unimpressive 7-4. Spot starters Eddie Bonine and Brad Thomas have a handful of wins each, but are not officially members of the rotation.

Some good outings and a dozen or so W’s could give the starting arms a little strength heading in the break.

Pack your sunblock. Don’t want to get burned …

He blew it.

In Jim Joyce’s own words, he kicked the sh*t out of it.

There’s no debate he shamefully wiped away history when both his arms waved “safe.”

We’re angry; upset for Galarraga, the Tigers, the game of baseball.

I’d like for Galarraga to take his rightful place in baseball history. He pitched the perfect game and there’s no one that disagrees … except the one who has to.

In effect, an overturned call would alter more than a century of history that Major League Baseball is fortunate to have. It wouldn’t help Galaragga, the Tigers (who did earn the W) or the game.

"I hate you."

Jim Leyland probably polarized a lot of fans with his post-game comments, but he is right about the cold, hard reality that baseball is a game that includes the human element like no other.

The imperfection is truly the heart of this sport. It is the essence of this game and central to the draw.

Jim Joyce’s ill-fated call was just as shocking and exciting as Galarraga’s bid for perfection. The kid had an ERA of five-plus heading into the game and he was fresh from a stint with AAA Toledo, for crying out loud.

Both occasions called for “Are you kidding me?!” Of course, one was sweet and one was sour.

What I love about going to the ballpark is having no idea what might happen over the next nine innings. Last night really showed the limitless possibilities on both sides of the coin. Anything can happen in baseball, including the bad calls.

We have to take this one on the chin and move on. Furthermore, the game has to stay imperfect or lose something special.

I’m not totally against reviewing plays, but I feel like baseball has done right by keeping it off the diamond up to this point.

If anything, the right thing for Joyce to do would be to give the kid who did an amazing job in front of his home crowd the benefit of the doubt. If it was that close from his view, give it to him and don’t say another word.

That is a part of the game, too.

My thought today is that Galaragga will forever be remembered as the only Major League pitcher to retire 28 in a row. It’s not in the books, but that can’t be stolen from the fans.