It’s an early reality check for the Tigers, in the midst of a 16-game stretch against the Indians, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Blue Jays. That 10 of those games are at home should have been comforting, but the Tigers lost four in a row at Comerica against the Indians and Yankees, all by at least four runs and starting Monday, play at Chicago against the White Sox.

The White Sox lost three in a row in Cleveland this week, including a rare loose start by Jose Contreras, and had lost five of seven heading into a weekend series against Texas.

Still, if the American League Central race is going to be about pitching, and most summers are, the Tigers and White Sox are generally well-armed. Mike Maroth’s bum elbow will cost the Tigers, however, and could make for a critical trading deadline for general manager Dave Dombrowski. The Tigers lead the AL in starters’ and relievers’ earned-run average.

¢ Assuming Jeff Kent’s hand injury doesn’t linger, creating a summerlong middle-infield opening, it’s coming up on decision time for the Dodgers regarding Cesar Izturis.

A survey of major-league officials put Izturis’ most likely destination as Boston, Minnesota, Toronto, Arizona, the north side of Chicago (perhaps at second base) or Kansas City.

Detroit Tigers rookie Zach Miner makes his major-league debut, pitching in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.

Of those, the two most intriguing trade partners are the Twins, who could part with Torii Hunter as part of a larger deal, and the Diamondbacks, a good fit made awkward because they share a division — and playoff contention — with the Dodgers.

As one official said, “The issue becomes how much do you want to dance with the devil? But, with the wild card, you’re competing with everyone, so it’s almost like everyone is in your division. What are you going to do, limit yourself to the American League?”

The Blue Jays and their groundball-leaning pitching staff are in crisis mode, with opening-day shortstop Russ Adams in the minors transitioning to second base, John McDonald on the disabled list, Aaron Hill and Luis Figueroa subbing at shortstop and, yes, Edgardo Alfonzo filling in for Hill at second.

Also, in time for Izturis’ rehab debut Thursday, the Reds had a scout in Las Vegas for the first time this season.

A healthy Izturis would accessorize an organization with a Gold Glove up-the-middle defender, a switch-hitter whose potential is closer to the .288 he hit in 2004 than the .261 he’s hit over his career, and a reasonable contract ($7.3 million over this season and next, $5.5 million option in 2008). The Dodgers were last seen trolling for outfielders and pitchers not named Odalis.

¢ Two-and-a-half years ago, the Giants acquired A.J. Pierzynski from the Twins for three pitchers: Joe Nathan, Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano.

Pierzynski lasted a year with the Giants, where he fouled a few corners of the clubhouse before leaving as a free agent and becoming a cornerstone for the White Sox’s first championship in nearly a century.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Nathan has saved 93 games in a little more than two seasons, Bonser could develop into a decent mid-rotation pitcher, and Liriano, at 22, is one of the most dynamic left-handers in the game.

¢ One More Thing From … Ryan Doumit:

The Pirates catcher to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, after this week’s four-game sweep of the Brewers improved the Bucs’ record to 20-34 and brought them to within 141â2 games of the Cardinals: “There’s music playing in this clubhouse after these games and everybody’s walking with a bit of a swagger. That’s us. We’re a cocky bunch.”