Katie Strang, ESPN.com 8y

Sweep of Red Sox shows that Tigers should not sell

BOSTON -- As the Detroit Tigers navigate the organizational tightrope-walking act of establishing a position heading into the trade deadline, the players are busy making a case of their own. Wednesday's 4-3 victory against the Boston Red Sox, which completed a series sweep against the league's top run-producing offense, was a good example of why the Tigers should not cut bait on this season and sell.

With just days remaining before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, the Tigers roll into an off day on Thursday having recorded five wins during a seven-game road trip. Confidence is high, optimism is reaching an apex, and the club is gaining ground on the Cleveland Indians. Improving to 54-48, the Tigers are now 4.5 games behind the AL Central-leading Tribe and just 2.5 games back in the wild-card standings.

Earlier in the week, general manager Al Avila said he views standing pat at the trade deadline as the "most realistic option," but perhaps this team has given him something to think about?

"You can't get caught up in day-to-day -- you still have to look at the big picture -- but the more we win going to the deadline, [it] certainly doesn't hurt," manager Brad Ausmus said.

The pitching has been sufficiently strong, and when it has faltered, the offense has reciprocated with timely hitting. On Wednesday, rookie Michael Fulmer limited the Red Sox to three runs in 7 2/3 innings pitched, his 13th start with three or fewer earned runs, which is tied with Jeff Weaver for the second-most by a Tiger through 16 career games since 1913. Veterans like Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera rose to the occasion as well, with the former going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and the latter contributing the 14th go-ahead home run of his career in the ninth inning or later, 12 of which have come while playing for Detroit.

The bullpen was again solid, with Bruce Rondon recording a critical out in his second straight appearance and Justin Wilson closing out the game in the absence of closer Francisco Rodriguez, who was gone while tending to a personal family matter.

Last week, outfielder Justin Upton seemed irked even by the suggestion that the club might sell -- he called that an "iffy statement" -- and the team's play is beginning to mirror the strongly held belief within the Tigers’ clubhouse that this team can indeed secure a postseason spot.

"We know what we're capable of," Upton told ESPN.com. "The trade deadline is out of our control, but we're showing what we're capable of and we're showing that we're capable of playing really well."

During this recent road stretch, the Tigers have played some convincing baseball -- and perhaps more importantly, without all of their essential parts.

Workhorse pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (neck) is scheduled to make a second -- and, hopefully for the Tigers, final -- rehab injury start. Fellow starter Daniel Norris (oblique) is also expected to return from the disabled list soon. Right fielder J.D. Martinez is making steady progress as well, playing in Triple-A Toledo as a designated hitter before returning to the outfield to test his healing elbow. Even without the club's steadfast closer available to pitch in Wednesday's victory, Wilson stepped in seamlessly to record his first career save.

"I think we know what type of team we have, and we've known that since spring training. And the No. 1 thing you've heard since spring training is health. Health is the most important thing. If we can stay healthy and keep the guys on the field that are supposed to help this team win games, good things will happen," veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "We're getting those guys back, and they are going to be key additions when they come back healthy. We're looking forward to it."

If the Tigers stand pat, as management has suggested is the best course of action for the long-term plan, there isn't the sense that will rankle those in the clubhouse. But it won't change the level of faith, either, that this team is distinctly different from last season – and should not sell off a bevy of key components.

"If us winning games and putting ourselves in a position to make a run is going to induce them to want to make moves, then great," Kinsler said. "But we're not expecting anything. We're expecting to win with the players we have and we believe in what we have in the locker room."

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