Series Preview: Tigers vs. Diamondbacks

The Tigers welcome the Diamondbacks to town this weekend and it will be a series dripping with irony and plot lines.

Some will focus on the return of Dontrelle Willis and Edwin Jackson. Others will welcome back D-backs’ bench coach and Tigers legend (at least in my mind) Kirk Gibson.

Still others may peer at Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew and imagine him alongside Carlos Guillen in the Tigers infield.

No matter what your perspective this weekend, the Tigers are entering another series that is winnable, if not sweepable. (Hint: The D-backs are 9-25 on the road this season.)

The D-backs enter this three-game series at 26-41 comfortably in last place in the N.L. West, 12.5 games back of the Dodgers and Padres. They were swept in Boston after winning their previous three series against good clubs: the Cardinals, Braves and Rockies.

If you’ve read anything about the D-backs this season you know that their bullpen has been abysmal and they recently replaced closer Chad Qualls (four blown saves and countless other bad outings) with Aaron Heilman.

Despite a minor resurgence — and it’s all relative — the D-backs are largely a lifeless club that’s in the early stages of a dismantling. (If you want to read a good assessment of the club’s situation, read this and this.)

• Tigers’ All-Time Record vs Diamondbacks: 8-13
• All-Time at Home: 4-5
• All-Time at Comerica Park: 4-5
• All-Time at Arizona: 4-8

  Batting Leaders

  • Average: Chris Young – .284
  • Home Runs: Mark Reynolds – 15
  • RBI: Young – 46
  • Runs: Kelly Johnson – 45
  • OPS: Johnson – .894

  Pitching Leaders

  • Wins: Dan Haren – 7
  • Strikeouts: Haren – 101
  • Save: Chadd Qualls – 12
  • WHIP: Ian Kennedy – 1.20

  Who’s Hot (Past 7 Days)

  • Chris Young – .400
  • Stephen Drew – .375
  • Miguel Montero – .353

  Who’s Not (Past 7 Days)

  • Kelly Johnson – .200
  • Mark Reynolds – .208
  • Justin Upton – .222