5 X-Factors For The Detroit Tigers Season Going Into 2015

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Oct 3, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the second inning of game two of the 2014 ALDS playoff baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

There is no sugar-coating how bad Verlander’s season was in 2014. He had a 4.54 ERA and was plagued by injury and ineffectiveness all season. That was easily the worst ERA of his career ever since his putrid 2008 season when he posted a 4.84 ERA and led the league in losses.

He looked human for long stretches when at his most dominant he sent down hitters left and right via his fastball or knee-buckling curve.

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When news broke out Verlander would miss 6 weeks due to core surgery repair before 2014 Tigers fan collectively held their breaths. After all, it wasn’t that long ago when the Tigers shelled out the largest contract in MLB history for a pitcher at the time.

While the surgery didn’t get much news as Verlander was ready for Opening Day, there wasn’t much doubt it affected him as the season wore on. With news that fellow superstar Miguel Cabrera and Verlander were still dealing with the aftereffects of similar surgeries around the All-Star break speculation was rampant.

As Verlander’s trademark stamina seemed to disappear suddenly the speculation seemed to gain steam as the season went on. Well now it’s 2015 and Verlander had an entire off-season to prepare for this season.

Verlander may be the biggest X-Factor on this Tigers team now. If he returns to his dominant form of 2011 or even around a 3.30ish ERA in 210 IP that’ll go a long way to make this Tigers team better.

Now-Ace David Price will perform consistently but the jury is still out on a now 32-year-old Verlander. He’s not getting any younger and his fastball isn’t as dominant as it once was.

If he can restructure the way he pitches and get hitters out effectively other teams will once again fear the depleted Tigers starting staff.

The Tigers will need an effective Verlander or their title hopes will take a significant hit as the “window” looks to be closing sooner rather than later.

Next: J.D. Martinez's Bat

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