The kids are growing up right before our very eyes...

I am a perpetual optimist. When I was growing up I could always convince myself that this was the Tigers year.

I am choosing to look at the good again this summer. The Tigers have just lost 3/4 to the Red Sox, in Boston, and I couldn't be prouder of how the team played throughout the entire series.

Game 1: Edwin Jackson, who has always had issues in Fenway looked like he is on his way to a 2 inning 12 ER performance. And if he had that type of night you couldn't blame him. The guy has been spectacular the entire year. Instead he guts throug 4 innings giving up 4 earned and kept the Tigers in the game. Slowly but surly the Tigers climbed back into the game tying things at 5-5 in the top of the 7th. The Sox responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, and again the Tigers climbed back putting runners on 2nd and 3rd in the 8th with only 1 out. The didn't score the run, but it was a gritty game from a team that has been terrible on the road this year.

Game 2: Rick Porcello stands up for the Red Sox plunking Miggy two straight games. He drills Kevin Youkilis with retaliation. Now he could have chosen the 145 lb Dustin Pedroia or the 105 lb Nick Green or the chubby and old Jason Varitek, but no. He went after the Red Sox best hitter, who also received every vote for "Which Major League Player would you least like to run into in a dark alley". Youkilis, not enjoying being plunked charged the mound and threw his helmet at Porcello. Porcello stood his ground and calmly threw Youk to the ground. It wasn't a Nolan Ryan/Robin Ventura situation, but for a rookie he showed tremendous poise. Chris Lambert, who replaced Porcello did not have a great night and the Tigers fell 7-5. However, I will take a team bonding bench clearing brawl over a win on this particular night.

Game 3: Tigers have to face Josh Beckett and hours before the game Tiger's starter Armando Galaraga, who has been battling the flu, determines he cannot go. Zach Miner is called up and again keeps the Tigers in the game, until Boston blows it open late. I would have loved for Detroit to make a statement and come out and beat Beckett, the day after the brawl, but I am an optimist, not a miracle worker.

Game 4: Ok the Tigers have lost 3/4 and really just need to get out of Boston with a win. They give the ball to their ace, their opening day starer, Justin Verlander and he does not disappoint one bit. With a depleted bullpen Verlander went 8 innings of shut out dominance before handing the game over to Rodney to close out the win and head back to Detroit.

Was this the series I had hoped for? No way, but the Tigers showed a ton of heart and only lost 1/2 game in the standings over 4 days to the White Sox.