wow, god all you guys on here are fucking n00bs at life. Stop playing video games and fucking watch sports. XD. btw, Verlander is my favorite pitcher to walk the mound since nolan ryan
The Detroit Tigers have made improvements over the past few seasons, but the Tigers aren’t showing any signs of making quick enough gains to keep up with the rest of the pack. They improved nearly 30 games, winning 72 in 2004, but they were unable to build on their 72 win campaign last season as they plateaued, reaching just 71 victories and finishing 28 games behind the Chicago White Sox. This team hasn’t put up a winning campaign in over a decade and I don’t think they get back on track this season either. They may be able to catch Minnesota if their pitching staff exceeds expectations, but realistically, the Royals are the only team you can count on Detroit beating up on. Detroit actually finished 15 games ahead of last place Kansas City. They do boast the best catcher in the league in Ivan Rodriguez, but they lack a complimentary pitcher and in this day and age you need “pitchers.” With the problems the Tigers have had in the bullpen lately with Troy Percival being injured, they decided to go back after Todd Jones, who recorded 40 saves and a 2.30 ERA last year with the Marlins. Although he is capable, it may be a big adjustment to come over to the American League and close down games with all the sluggers he will be facing. It may be too big of an adjustment. I don’t expect his numbers to be nearly as good.
Ordonez and Young are the Tigers’ two most prolific hitters. If either one were to go down to injury, Detroit would be in bad shape as depth is definitely as issue for the Tigers. First basemen, Chris Shelton could be a force at the plate as well. He has some pop in his bat and could be posed for a breakout campaign in his first full major league season. All in all, I can’t be optimistic this season. The Tigers just have too far to go to catch up with the rest of their division.
Jim Leyland will make his return to the majors this year with a bad team, but he is now 61 years old and is most likely too old to make another turn around. If I sound hard on the Tigers, I apologize. I think they’ll be an exciting team, and they’ll even jump out to good leads in many games. But they are going to have lots of trouble closing the door with a shaky pitching staff.
