No kidding, Tigers are in a pennant race

Detroit

Oh, it's happening, whether you understand it or even realize it. It's happening, in fits and stirring starts and the occasional three-run homer in the eighth.

In fact, I'm just about convinced the Tigers actually are gonna win this thing, no matter what anyone says.

Why not? No one else in their wobbly division is inclined to do it, as the Twins and White Sox take turns rising and retreating. But it's also because of games like this, when Justin Verlander gives his teammates a great chance, and with one big swing, they seize it.

Often with this team, it's a blast out of nowhere. Placido Polanco's shot with two outs in the eighth dropped just behind the left-field fence to give the Tigers a stunning 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Tigers still clutch a 4 1/2 -game lead in the AL Central, barreling down on September.

Feel free to take a moment and appreciate this, as 36,067 at Comerica Park surely did, as the crusty manager finally, officially is.

"I only have one goal -- to get to September and still be playing for something," Jim Leyland said. "Fortunately, we are. I told the team three weeks ago -- enjoy these moments, don't make yourself miserable worrying. Take the moment and run with it, hold it, hug it."

One more thing: Hang onto it.

In it to win it

It's the oddest paradox I've seen in a while -- the Tigers have been in first place since May 10, yet this pennant run still has an unexpected feel. Even if you're not exactly sure how it's happening, and you're bracing for that classic Minnesota run, you have to admit the Tigers are in it to the end now. They have seven games remaining against the Twins and six against the White Sox, and if you're still frightened by those teams, you're not paying attention.

The Tigers don't scare many people, either, with their offense, but my goodness, their starting pitchers keep plowing through lineups. In fact, if you close your eyes and inhale deeply (real deeply), then open your eyes and look closely, you can spy hints of '06. OK, not a lot of hints, to be honest, because the '06 Tigers won 95 games and were brilliant until a late-season stumble.

But there's Verlander again, stronger and more mature and just as dominant, anchoring the staff. There are role players such as Clete Thomas pushing a balky offense. There was even Nate Robertson, back in the dugout Sunday chomping and revisiting "Gum Time."

And there's a veteran like Polanco, hitting below his normal numbers but capable of delivering in the clutch.

"I knew it had a chance when I hit it," Polanco said. "I was blowing and kind of pushing it, saying, 'Go, go, please go.' "

Hey, maybe a Tigers theme for the season: Go, go, please go.

Class of the Central

They make no apologies for the weak division they're in, and they shouldn't. Yes, they'd be 12 1/2 games behind in the AL East. But they're 42-21 at home, won two of three in Anaheim last week and have beaten the defending AL champion Rays two of three so far.

We know very well what the Tigers aren't doing. Their lineup Sunday featured one guy -- Miguel Cabrera -- hitting over .269. We also know what they do extremely well, second in the AL with a team ERA of 4.13

They're also making small plays, such as catcher Gerald Laird throwing out two Tampa Bay runners. He has nailed an AL-best 40 percent of attempted base-stealers.

"This is as close as I've been to first place in September in my career," Laird said. "It's fun. It's also nice to look at the scoreboard and see other teams helping you out."

The Twins actually tried to do what the Tigers did, just not quite as well so far. They also acquired a hitter (Orlando Cabrera) and a veteran pitcher (Carl Pavano) for a pennant push, also surmising that if no one else wanted the division, they'd go ahead and take it.

The Tigers (69-60) are taking it right now. If they go 17-16 the rest of the way, the Twins would have to go 21-11 to catch them.

The Tigers aren't backing down, and they sure aren't interested in backing in.

"I'm not gonna dwell on negative stuff," Leyland said. "The White Sox are an excellent team and Minnesota has two of the top 10 players in baseball. I don't give a (darn) what people say, and I didn't give a (darn) what people said when they picked us last."

The Tigers have been in first so long now, maybe we've taken it for granted. Not anymore.

bob.wojnowski @detnews.com