Three observations …

• Players have gone from complaining about having their rights violated through drug testing to demanding tougher drug penalties, an amazing shift in attitudes from 15 years ago.

• The run everyone has waited for has happened. Detroit is on its way to a double-digit lead in the AL Central.

• We are starting to see what the hype about Wil Myers is all about. The Rays needed another offensive threat.

… and two predictions

• Boston's John Farrell (right) should be a lock for AL Manager of the Year. The Red Sox already have won more games than last season.

• The Twins will finish with a 13-15 record in September — and Kyle Gibson pitches out of the bullpen for the season's final month as he reaches his workload limit.