Detroit Tigers Season Preview
By Joe Chapp
Mar 16, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Tigers 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching Staff Rankings:
1. David Price
2. Justin Verlander
3. Anibal Sanchez
4. Shane Greene
5. Alfredo Simon
Bullpen Problems:
Joe Nathan:
I seriously doubt Nathan makes it through Memorial Day he’s been awful and there is zero doubt about it.
Nathan had a run per nine of 4.97 and even the simplest of things Nathan couldn’t make a difference he was the Tigers main problem in the bullpen.
Joba Chamberlain:
Chamberlain was the hot and cold pitcher of the year, In the beginning he looked like Detroit’s best pitcher.
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Chamberlain got on a roll from May until the All-Star break reaching his lowest ERA of 2.40 on July 24. From there it was the wheels coming off, Chamberlain’s finished with an ERA of 3.57.
Jokim Soria:
Soria was brought in to be the “guy” but with Detroit he boasted a 4.91 ERA in eleven innings pitched. Obviously not good it was odd to see a guy throughout his career be a reliable bullpen arm and then drastically change to unreliable.
Soria needs to be ready if he can return to form like he was in Texas, Soria will grab the Tigers closing job.
Bruce Rondon:
Rondon is coming off a serious injury, it’s going to be interesting to see how he performs. I don’t imagine he comes back and throws in a lot of games but as he gets stronger off injury I see him getting an elevated role in the Tigers bullpen.
Rondon in 2013 had a 3.45 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched.
Bullpen Review:
This is the weakness of the Tigers. Baring a Nathan re-emergence it will continue unless someone steps up like a Bruce Rondon, Blaine Hardy and/or Soria
Biggest Concerns:
The biggest concern has to be Justin Verlander. If Verlander regains a better form than last year theTigers should do really well. If doesn’t the wheels could come off.
As good as Sanchez is, what worries me is the injuries. An injury would be crucial to the Tigers season IF he got injured it would likely be a guy like Buck Farmer and Kyle Lobstein and with the uncertain of Justin Verlander. Will he get better or worse, the Tigers need Sanchez to stay healthy.
Next: Breaking Down the Lineup