I must admit I certainly am surprised that Edwin Jackson is an All-Star for the first time in his career -- not because he doesn’t deserve it, but because he only has six wins to go with his stellar 2.59 ERA. Hopefully, if he gets into the game, Hopefully, Jackson’s AL All-Star teammates will give him more support than the Tigers have.
        I’m also surprised that Curtis Granderson made the team with his .255 batting average while Miguel Cabrera, who is third-best in the AL at .324 did not. Granderson is tied for the Tigers’ team  lead with 18 home runs, which is also second-best among AL outfielders. But Granderson has been in a slump for several weeks.
        I’m a bit shocked that Brandon Inge didn’t make it as Evan Longoria’s back-up. Inge, with his 18 home runs and 52 RBI and his defense deserved better than to be a gimmick on-line candidate, along with four other guys, for the final seat on the AL bench.
        Inge may still make it, provided he outpolls Chone Figgins, Ian Kinsler, Adam Lind and ex-Tiger Carlos Pena in the sympathy vote. But I find that whole last-chance process cheesy.
        As expected, Justin Verlander made the team. His league-leading 130 strikeouts made him an automatic. He has arguably been the most dominant pitcher in the league since late April.
        However, assuming Verlander starts against Cleveland, as scheduled, next Sunday, he will only have one day’s rest before the All-Star Game -- making it unlikely he will pitch more than one inning in St. Louis, if he pitches at all.
        By the way, the three Tiger All-Stars are the most the team has had since 2007 when they put five guys on the honor squad.
        I guess first place has its perks.