"Seattle will be very enthusiastic. They have a fresh manager (Don Wakamatsu), and they have a tremendous arm at the end of their bullpen in Brandon Morrow," Leyland said.
"The Angels are a perennial contender seems like every season, but they are dealing with some health issues right now and Kansas City is playing well."
"There are no breathers."
Granderson gets going
Outfielder Curtis Granderson snapped an 0-for-16 slump with an RBI single in the eighth inning of Wednesday's 9-0 win against the Chicago White Sox. Granderson has a .205 average (8-for-39).
"We're happy about the momentum we're taking to Seattle, but you also have to forget about it because Chicago played a great first game of this series and we played a great second game," Granderson said. "
Pitching comes through
Tigers pitchers held opposing batters to a .200 batting average (33-of-165) during the five-game homestand.
Armando Galarraga's dominance through two starts in 2009 is proving his emergence as the Detroit Tigers' top pitcher last season wasn't a fluke.
The right-hander looks to improve to 3-0 for the first time in his career Tuesday night when the Tigers open a three-game road set against the Los Angeles Angels.
Galarraga (2-0, 0.68 ERA), who was acquired from Texas in February 2008, went 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA in 30 games - 28 starts - as a rookie last season. He led the Tigers (7-5) in wins while posting the lowest ERA of any member of the rotation.
Galarraga has followed up that impressive season by turning in two strong outings to start 2009. He scattered four hits with five strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-0 win over Chicago on Wednesday. That came five days after he starred in Detroit's home opener, allowing one run and five hits while fanning eight in a 15-2 win over the Rangers.
