Detroit Tigers starter Armando Galarraga may have won his last two starts, but to say he looked sharp in either outing would be highly inaccurate. In fact, in his last start against Oakland – the worst hitting team in the AL – he dodged a bullet as the A’s failed to capitalize on Galarraga’s wildness that resulted in six walks in 6 1/3 IP.

Galarraga was actually better in June than he was in May, but that’s not saying a hell of a lot after he got bitch-slapped to the tune of an 0-5 record and 8.49 ERA in six starts in May. Even though he pitched better in June, control has remained a serious issue all season. Combine that with a K/9 rate that has declined from his fine rookie effort, and you’re left with a pitcher that is best avoided in standard mixed leagues at this point.

If you’re desperate for a starter, however, next week may be a good time to gamble on Galarraga at least having a chance to bag a win or two, if not actually help your team peripherals. He has a pair of home starts, Monday against the Royals – the second-worst hitting team in the AL – and then Sunday vs. Cleveland, a team that’s hit well on the road, but hasn’t swung the sticks well anywhere recently.

Looking slightly longer term, you’ve got to be worried that if he doesn’t start turning in more quality outings and rein in all those walks, Galarraga could be usurped in the rotation by either Dontrelle Willis or Jeremy Bonderman, whenever the hell either of those two are ready to return. The Tigers have played pretty well lately, but their hold on the AL Central is tenuous with the White Sox suddenly charging hard on their heels, so Detroit won’t hesitate to make changes as soon as some of its walking wounded return.

I’ll be talking about the big stories of the first half of the baseball season on the Alex Reimer Show on WBNW AM 1120 in Boston. The show runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST, and I’ll be spreading the word from around 4:40 p.m. on. more

Chapman moved to the forefront of the International pitching scene with a stellar peformance in the 2007 Baseball World Cup. He amassed a 2-0 record in defeating both South Korea and Japan, and along the way managed a microscopic 1.20 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 15 IP. He was named to the tournament All-Star team as the top southpaw. more

Izturis will likely start a minor league rehab assignment next week, but expecting him back before late-July is foolhardy. more

From here on out, I’m going to highlight the situations of just certain teams I feel bear closer inspection. While the focus is obviously closers, I’ll continue to monitor the dynamics of each bullpen, including middle men. more