GDT: 6/16/09 - DET (34-29) AT STL (34-29) - 8:15 p.m. ET

PITTSBURGH -- The last time the Tigers were in St. Louis, they were in the World Series. They've spent three years trying to get back to that point.

Now that the Tigers are back in position to potentially return to the postseason, they arrive in St. Louis again with some of the same offensive struggles that afflicted them in that Fall Classic.

This actually marks the fourth straight regular season that these two teams have played, but the first time in St. Louis since 2001. Each of their previous three series in Interleague Play were at Comerica Park. The Tigers went 8-1 in those games, part of their 44-16 Interleague record since 2006 that ranks among the best in baseball.

That Interleague success, however, hasn't happened this year. Detroit lost two of three against both Colorado and Pittsburgh, dropping the final two games of the series in each. While Tigers pitching held up against both National League offenses, their hitters scored just nine runs over the three-game series at Pittsburgh over the weekend. A Detroit offense that was expected to score runs -- with or without power -- has been held to three runs or fewer in five straight games for the first time since August 2006.

With Detroit's top three starters going in the series, the matchups are in the Tigers' favor if they can get some run support. But it hasn't been easy.

Magglio Ordonez was rested Sunday ahead of Monday's scheduled off-day, giving him two days away from the plate. He'll likely start all three games against the Cardinals, manager Jim Leyland said Sunday morning. Placido Polanco likely will do the same; he sat Sunday after collecting five hits in his previous two games. First baseman Miguel Cabrera could get a rest after struggling in both Chicago and Pittsburgh, aside from his go-ahead homer against the White Sox on June 9.

Leyland went with an extreme run-manufacturing type of offense Sunday, batting former leadoff man Josh Anderson third behind Don Kelly and Polanco. But even in Interleague Play, the Tigers can't expect to score regularly that way. Eventually, their prominent hitters will have to get going, whether through power or through key hits with runners in scoring position.

One intriguing possibility could be Marcus Thames, whose two home runs over the past week provided encouragement that he's regaining his timing at the plate after missing most of the first 2 1/2 months. Thames is 8-for-22 since coming off the disabled list June 7, and his rate of a home run every 13.7 at-bats remains fourth-best among American League players.

"That's encouraging," Leyland said.

Still, the Tigers front office has a clear interest in finding some offensive help on the market, or possibly from the farm system if the struggles continue. The easiest place to fit a bat would seemingly be in the corner outfield spots, where Carlos Guillen's long-term injury has left a hole in left. However, they can only trade so much for a short-term fix.

Even with the prospects, the Tigers are unlikely to sell out their talent base for a one-year boost. The club has talked about getting younger in the coming years, and the positional talent in the system gives them a chance to retool from within, from outfielder Wilkin Ramirez to a few middle infielders.

Ramirez has the talent to boost this offense for several years, but lacks the experience and plate discipline to help right now.

"Ramirez could be all or bust," Leyland said. "But if he's all, he could really be something."

Deal or no deal, one hitter won't remake an offense. Eventually, their fate resides with those who are here.

"I've always been a guy," Leyland said, "who believes that you work with what you've got. I think what we've got is pretty good. I'm puzzled by a couple situations."

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (7-2, 3.02 ERA)
Wednesday's complete-game victory over the White Sox continued the Detroit ace's roll through opposing hitters over the past month and a half. His 7-0 record and 1.10 ERA over his past nine starts is the best stretch by a Tigers starter since Doyle Alexander in 1987. Verlander's 81 strikeouts in that stretch gave him 106 over 13 starts this season, making him the quickest Tigers starter to fan 100 since Mickey Lolich in 1969. Now it's the National League's turn to face Verlander, which has never been a fair challenge -- he's 8-0 with a 2.30 ERA over 10 career starts in Interleague Play.

STL: RHP Adam Wainwright (6-4, 3.49 ERA)
Wainwright got some nice run support and was victorious against the Marlins on Wednesday despite throwing 121 pitches (75 strikes) -- his highest mark since April 26, 2008. Wainwright gave up four runs on 11 hits while walking three and striking out four to help St. Louis snap its five-game losing streak. It was the 27-year-old's sixth straight decision -- a stretch where he has gone 3-3 with a 2.68 ERA. Wainwright gave up a run in two innings during his only career appearance against the Tigers.

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Tidbits

...Jeremy Bonderman returned to Detroit on Sunday to begin his rehab after being shut down from pitching and placed back on the 15-day disabled list with soreness in the back of his shoulder.
... Ordonez is batting .339 (202-for-595) with 40 doubles, 32 home runs and 133 RBIs for his career during Interleague Play. His average ranks second among all active Major League players in Interleague competition.
... Leyland planned on talking with starter Armando Galarraga after his struggles continued Saturday night. Galarraga is winless in nine starts since going 3-0 in April.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 7-2, 3.02 ERA) at Cardinals (Adam Wainwright, 6-4, 3.49 ERA), 8:15 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 6-3, 2.24 ERA) at Cardinals (Todd Wellemeyer, 5-6, 5.50 ERA), 8:15 p.m. ET
• Friday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-7, 5.56 ERA) vs. Brewers (Braden Looper, 5-3, 4.39 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

Humid Weather Conditions

Temps in the 80s

Chance of thunderstorms

South Winds at 10mph

And all that stuff will head to Detroit later this week!


St Louis can keep it

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Kelly, LF .333
Polanco, 2B .261
Ordonez, RF .276
Cabrera, M, 1B .320
Granderson, CF .259
Inge, 3B .264
Laird, C .219
Santiago, SS .286
Verlander, P .000

St. Louis AVG
Schumaker, 2B .276
Rasmus, CF .262
Pujols, 1B .324
Duncan, LF .249
Ankiel, RF .246
Molina, Y, C .264
Thurston, 3B .238
Wainwright, P .143
Ryan, SS .299

Current Conditions

Busch Stadium

Partly Cloudy 82 F

Humidity: 60 %

Wind: from the W at 4 mph

Barometer: 29.82 in

last updated: 6/16/09 6:05 PM CDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Don Kelly triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Placido Polanco called out on strikes.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, pitcher Adam Wainwright to first baseman Albert Pujols.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson walks. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd. Bases loaded

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

bases loaded and no runs, grrrr

0-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Skip Schumaker doubles (12) on a fly ball to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Colby Rasmus flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Justin Verlander intentionally walks Albert Pujols.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Chris Duncan singles on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly. Skip Schumaker to 3rd. Albert Pujols to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Rick Ankiel swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Yadier Molina singles on a soft line
drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Skip Schumaker scores. Albert
Pujols scores. Chris Duncan to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
With Joe Thurston batting, Chris Duncan scores on a balk. Yadier Molina advances to 2nd on a balk.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Joe Thurston doubles (14) on a soft line
drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Yadier Molina scores. Joe
Thurston advances to 3rd, on throwing error by right fielder Magglio
Ordonez.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Adam Wainwright flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

STL 4-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Joe Thurston to first baseman Albert Pujols.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Albert Pujols.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Justin Verlander grounds out, shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Albert Pujols.

STL 4-0 after 1.5 inning

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brendan Ryan flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Skip Schumaker flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Colby Rasmus doubles (15) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Justin Verlander intentionally walks Albert Pujols.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Chris Duncan grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Justin Verlander.

STL 4-0 after 2 inning

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Don Kelly grounds out softly, first baseman Albert Pujols to pitcher Adam Wainwright.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Joe Thurston to first baseman Albert Pujols.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out softly, first baseman Albert Pujols to pitcher Adam Wainwright.

STL 4-0 after 2.5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Rick Ankiel reaches on missed catch error by pitcher Justin Verlander, assist to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

That was Polly's ball to field, not yours Miggy!


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Yadier Molina singles on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly. Rick Ankiel to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - With Joe Thurston batting, Rick Ankiel
picked off and caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Justin Verlander to
shortstop Ramon Santiago to third baseman Brandon Inge to second
baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Ramon Santiago, Yadier Molina to
2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Joe Thurston swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
With Adam Wainwright batting, Gerald Laird picks off Yadier Molina at 2nd on throw to Ramon Santiago.

STL 4-0 after 3 inning

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:3 S:1 O:1 - Curtis Granderson grounds into a force
out, first baseman Albert Pujols to shortstop Brendan Ryan. Miguel
Cabrera out at 2nd. Curtis Granderson to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Chris Duncan.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird swinging.


STL 4-0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Adam Wainwright doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brendan Ryan out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Justin Verlander to second baseman Placido Polanco. Adam Wainwright to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Skip Schumaker singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Adam Wainwright scores.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Colby Rasmus swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Albert Pujols swinging.


STL 5-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Josh Anderson replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Don Kelly swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco pops out to first baseman Albert Pujols in foul territory.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Magglio Ordonez batting, wild pitch by Adam Wainwright, Ramon Santiago to 3rd. Josh Anderson to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Albert Pujols.

STL 5-0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Nate Robertson replaces Justin Verlander, batting 9th.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Chris Duncan singles on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Rick Ankiel singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Don Kelly. Chris Duncan to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Yadier Molina walks. Chris Duncan to 3rd. Rick Ankiel to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Joe Thurston walks. Chris Duncan scores. Rick Ankiel to 3rd. Yadier Molina to 2nd.


B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Nate Robertson, batting 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Raburn replaces pitcher Nate Robertson, batting 9th, playing right field.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Adam Wainwright swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1 - Brendan Ryan doubles (8) on a line drive
to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Rick Ankiel scores. Yadier Molina
scores. Joe Thurston scores.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Skip Schumaker singles on a ground ball to left fielder Don Kelly. Brendan Ryan to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Colby Rasmus grounds into double play,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Skip Schumaker out at 2nd.

STL 9-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera on foul tip.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson lines out to third baseman Joe Thurston.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge homers (15) on a fly ball to right center field.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird reaches on fielding error by second baseman Skip Schumaker.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Skip Schumaker to first baseman Albert Pujols.

STL 9-1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Albert Pujols homers (23) on a line drive to left field.

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Chris Duncan homers (5) on a fly ball to center field.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Rick Ankiel grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Ryan Perry.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Yadier Molina grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Joe Thurston flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.


STL 11-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to catcher Yadier Molina in foul territory.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Don Kelly grounds out to first baseman Albert Pujols.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Chris Duncan.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Marcus Thames replaces Ryan Perry.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Marcus Thames swinging.

STL 11-1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Ryan Perry, batting 3rd, replacing Marcus Thames.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jason LaRue replaces Adam Wainwright.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Jason LaRue grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Brendan Ryan grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Skip Schumaker swinging.

STL 11-1 after 7 innings