(My Sportsbook) - The Detroit Tigers may have not had a lot of success the last couple of year, but having Dmitri Young in their lineup is usually a bright spot. Young is in the midst of a career-season, leading the Tigers in almost every offensive category. His 103 hits, 20 doubles, 21 homers, six triples, 57 RBI, and .289 average are all tops on the Tigers.

After signing a four-year deal with the Tigers last season, Young played in just 54 games because of a hernia that landed him on the DL. He finished the season with a .284 average, seven homers, and 27 RBI which was not what the Tigers had expected.

"I missed half the season last year and really wanted to prove to the Detroit Tigers fans that they didn't get another injury-prone guy. I worked hard this off-season to get myself into condition to help this team out," Young said.

He not only has kept his word but he is doing so with his best season. He has already tied a his career-high with 21 homers and is approaching his career- best in hits (166) and RBI (88). He has also hit .300 or higher four times before and may do so again this year.

Young has meant everything to the Tigers. When he doesn't hit they don't win. He has hit .378 in their victories and just .251 in their defeats.

"He's the biggest asset we have on this team right now. He's someone we look up to. But when they signed him to a four-year deal, this is what they expected. This is what they wanted," leftfielder Craig Monroe said.

On the field and in the clubhouse Young has been the Tigers' leader all season.

"He's a gamer, someone who definitely leads the charge," hitting coach Bruce Fields said.

"But even more than his production," first baseman Carlos Pena said, "his biggest attribute to this club is that he's there for all of us to go to about anything any time. Not everyone who's known success is like that, but he is.

"He's our leader. It's not that he's trying to be, he just is," Pena added.

Young got off to a slow start this season which raised concerns to what type of player he was, batting just .182 with three homers in the month of April. However, he responded by hitting .355 six homers in May, and .330 with six homers in June. He is currently batting .270 with six homers in July.

"He didn't get down on himself," Monroe said of Young's slow start. "That's inspiration for any player to see. We're all going to go through adversity and through those times, you have to believe in yourself. You could see how much he believed in himself.

The 29-year-old Young was rewarded for his solid season with his first selection to the All-Star game. However, he was one of eight AL players that did not get into the game.

"I put myself in position to make an All-Star team. From an individual standpoint, this is a great honor," Young said.

Young is currently on pace to hit 34 homers, which be the highest total by a Tiger player since Dean Palmer went deep 38 times in 1999. He hit his 100th career home run on Tuesday night off Boston's Derek Lowe.

WHO'S HOT

Alex Sanchez 12 for his last 33 with three double and three RBI.

Young has 12 hits in his last 34 at-bats, including four homers and nine RBI.

WHO'S NOT

Shane Halter has just one hit in his last 16 plate appearances.

Warren Morris is two for his past 17 with no extra-base hits.

COMING UP

Beginning on Friday, the Tigers will host the Kansas City Royals for a three- game set.