Detroit Tigers

Max Scherzer's impressive reign of terror over opposing lineups finally came to an end Saturday as the Texas Rangers handed him his first loss of the season.

The Detroit Tigers ace lasted six innings, allowing eight hits, four earned runs and two walks while striking out six in the 7-1 loss to the Rangers. 

Make it an even dozen for Max Scherzer, and some history on the side.

The Detroit Tigers right-hander picked up another win on Friday night, pitching seven innings and allowing three earned runs in a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. That makes Scherzer a perfect 12-0 on the season.

The Detroit Tigers have quite a few glaring weaknesses for a team that leads its division by 4.5 games, namely struggling closer Jose Valverde and an anemic offense that only shows up for six innings a night.

Player: Torii Hunter Jr. 

Drafted by: Detroit Tigers (No. 1,056 overall)

Position: CF

DOB: 6/7/1995 (Age: 17)

Height/Weight: 6'1"/175 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

School: Prosper (Texas) HS

College Commitment: Notre Dame

Player: A.J. Puk

Drafted by: Detroit Tigers (No. 1,056 overall)

Position: LHP

DOB: 4/25/1995 (Age: 18)

Height/Weight: 6'6"/205 lbs

Bats/Throws: L/L

School: Washington HS (Iowa)

There was a time, not all that long ago, when Max Scherzer was about as predictable as the weather.

If you were Tigers manager Jim Leyland, you trotted Max out every fifth day and closed your eyes.

On Friday, Basebook Baseball Magazine writer Paul Goode wrote a solid post that begged the question: Has Miguel Cabrera surpassed Albert Pujols as the premier all-round hitter in baseball?

Anibal Sanchez of the Detroit Tigers did not allow a hit throughout the first 25 outs of his outing on Friday against the Minnesota Twins.

Anibal Sanchez came this close.

The Detroit Tigers right-hander was staring his second career no-hitter right in the face at Comerica Park on Friday night, making it through 8.1 innings without allowing a hit. Alas, then came Joe Mauer with a squeaky-clean single up the middle.

The American League Central is one of the most interesting divisions in all of baseball this season.

The Detroit Tigers once again entered the year as runaway favorites to take the division crown, and are once again struggling at the first quarter mark, trailing the Cleveland Indians by 2.5 games.