Opposite dugout: Pitching woes have Tigers looking up in AL Central

Manager: Brad Ausmus (4th season)

Record: 49-57

Last 10 games: 5-5

Who to watch: LF Justin Upton (.279 with 18 HR, 69 RBIs); 1B Miguel Cabrera (.257 with 13 HR, 50 RBIs); 3B Nicholas Castellanos (57 RBIs, 98 hits); RHP Michael Fulmer (10-9, 3.59 ERA); RHP Justin Verlander (4.29 ERA, 126 Ks)

Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1

Pitching probables:

Aug. 3: LHP Matthew Boyd vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Aug. 4: RHP Justin Verlander vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Aug. 5: RHP Michael Fulmer vs. LHP Wade Miley, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 6: RHP Anibal Sanchez vs. RHP Ubaldo Jiménez, 1:35 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Tigers:

It seems like just yesterday that the Tigers were a perennial power in the American League Central. Four straight division titles from 2011-2014 vaulted Detroit into the annual World Series contender discussion and even had the team knocking on the door of a championship with three straight trips to the AL Championship Series. Unfortunately for those in the Motor City, it may be time to wonder if the Tigers' current window has closed. Even with an 86-75 mark a year ago, the team has missed the postseason in back-to-back seasons. This year has been a struggle, too, as pitching woes in both the rotation and bullpen have dropped the Tigers seemingly out of contention as August begins.

Offensively, though, the Tigers feature a balanced attack. Their .260 average entering Wednesday ranked fifth in the AL, as did their on-base percentage. Left fielder Justin Upton leads the team in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.279), home runs (18), RBIs (69) and hits (102), but third baseman Nicholas Castellanos isn't far behind with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs. Despite both having less than stellar years, the Tigers also pack a punch with their left side on the infield in second baseman Ian Kinsler and first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Entering Wednesday, the Tigers' 4.90 ERA was second-worst in the AL, ahead of only the Orioles. Left-hander Matthew Boyd will try to remedy that as he takes the mound for tonight's series opener. Boyd has endured a long season. He's a modest 5-5, but carries a 5.30 ERA and has allowed at least three earned runs in 10 straight starts. During his only other start against Baltimore this season, Boyd lasted only 2 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits. Meanwhile, veteran Justin Verlander, who starts Friday, has plenty of experience against the Orioles. He's 9-5 with a 3.77 ERA in 18 starts against Baltimore and is still one of the best options for the Tigers in his 13th season with the club. And though Verlander was a fixture atop the rotation in Detroit for the last decade, he's beginning to take a back seat to second-year right-hander Michael Fulmer. Fulmer, Saturday's scheduled starter took home AL Rookie of the Year honors last season and hasn't fallen victim to a sophomore slump. His 3.59 ERA is the best among Tigers starters, as are his 10 wins, though he has dropped his last three starts and will hope to reverse that streak Saturday. Anibal Sanchez starts in the series finale and will aim to move to 4-1 on the year. He's spent time in the starting rotation and the bullpen this season but has lowered his ERA by more than two runs since June 19.

After a rough start to the season in terms of the closer's position, the Tigers thought they had the answer in left-hander Justin Wilson. Wilson picked up 13 saves with Detroit, but was traded to the Cubs last week. In his place, the Tigers turn to right-hander Shane Greene, who picked up the save in the Tigers' win over the Yankees on Wednesday.