I am just not sure what the obsession is over the number five these days. Five dollar foot longs, other five dollar food deals and even a five dollar chef?!? Oh well, when in Rome. Here is my version of taking a five…

1) There isn’t one reason why the Tigers are struggling this season; there are many. Like their starting rotation boasting an AL worst 5.55 ERA and a 9-18 record. For you Tiger fans out there, I hope for your sake Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis are just having a case of the contract blues…all are signed to multi-year deals through the 2010 season. (Totaling $83.75 million, by the way.)

2) On Saturday, Lance Berkman continued his ridiculous hot streak in Los Angeles going 2 for 3 and has had 18 hits in his last 22 at bats! Those 18 hits gave Berkman the Astros franchise record for hits in a five game span. (Derek Bell circa August 1999 and Julio Lugo circa September 2000 had previously held the record with 17 hits over a five game stretch.) Berkman has joined Albert Pujols (2003) as the only players to have 19 hits in 25 at bats in the past 50 years! Now, that’s hot!

3) Third base seems to be a problem for the New York Yankees. They are already missing A-Rod and now they have lost another fill-in for third base! Saturday, Wilson Betemit suffered a mild right hammy strain and will be placed on the 15 day DL. The Yanks have seen five players go down in less than three weeks. Almost makes you feel bad for the Evil Empire, right? Nah, not really.

4) Four as in 41 strikeouts in 41 innings for the Red’s 22 year old “ace” Johnny Cueto. Now, Cincinnati also has another hot young thing who is tied for second with the most strikeouts in MLB. Edinson Volquez has 52 strikeouts and has not allowed more than one earned run in his seven starts!

5) Five times a charm for Greg Maddux! The Padres hurler finally got his 350th career victory on Saturday. After four failed attempts at the big three-five-oh, Maddux pulled it together and gave up one run in six innings versus the Rockies. Trevor Hoffman actually helped Maddux by not blowing the save and even gave the game ball to Maddux. Now Maddux is only four wins behind Roger Clemens, who sits at the number eight slot on the all time career wins list. Good luck Greg, let’s hope it doesn’t take another 5 times for another win! But I will reserve the five spot on another list for you just in case!