The Detroit Tigers are clawing their way back to the top of the AL Central, and maybe all the way to the top of the American League.

Led by a dominant stable of starters, the Tigers have won six straight games and have built a season-high three-game lead in the division. Look no further than the rebuilt pitching staff for restoring the roar in the Motor City that has been dormant since the Tigers cowered away from the Cardinals in the 2006 World Series. (more…)

Former NL Rookie of the Year, 22 game winner, two time All-Star and Cy Young runner up, Dontrelle Willis has been demoted by the Detroit Tigers to single-A Lakeland, a day after a start, during which his pitching problems peaked giving-up eight earned runs and five base on balls, in 1⅓ innings, pitched against the Cleveland Indians.

Some have blamed Willis’ pitching woes on his recent weight gain that has constricted his ability to consistently repeat his very exaggerated, high leg kick in the pitch delivery he had when the Tigers signed him to a 3-year $29 million deal last off season.

The Tigers expect Willis to “pitch well again.” But if he doesn’t make it back to the big leagues as a pitcher, he could always work his way back up through the minor league system as a hitter, a la Rick Ankiel.

Willis is known for being one of the best hitting pitchers in the Majors, hitting .261 in 93 at-bats, and batting as high as seventh in the lineup when he was with National League club the Florida Marlins.