Detroit Tigers Season Preview
By Joe Chapp
Mar 24, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) is out at third after the tag by Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) during the first inning of a spring training baseball game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Who is bound to breakout?
Nick Castellanos:
Castellanos intrigues me. Coming up we knew he had a good bat and could be outstanding at the next level but I think this is the year Castellanos breaks out.
His OPS was average last year and his batting average wasn’t great. Defensively Castellanos was a mess as he committed the 4th most errors from a third baseman.
Nick Castellanos should be better this year and I expect him to breakout at some point in the season.
VEGAS ODDS FOR AL CENTRAL:
TIGERS 2-1
INDIANS 2-1
WHITE SOX 9-4
ROYALS 13-2
TWINS 25-1
Central Problems:
There is no team in this division that doesn’t have a shot to be competitive but this is a two-horse race in my opinion. Detroit and Cleveland are going to slug it out for the Central crown.
Cleveland –
I love Cleveland from the aspect they have the CY Young winner in Kluber and I expect a healthy Jason Kipnis to be outstanding. There’s many questions about Cleveland but I think they will be the Tigers biggest threat and in my mind the division winner.
Mar 29, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; A general view of a Detroit Tigers hat, glove and sunglasses in the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit –
I think Detroit is a team that could be outstanding or a dud. Tigers problems start in the bullpen and I don’t see that changing. Joba Chamberlain is a train wreck, Nathan is bad and Soria is the one gleam of hope baring a young kid stepping up.
Love the Tigers lineup but that bullpen and a drastically improved Indians squad makes Cleveland the favorite in my mind.
Season Simulation AL Central:
Indians 85-77
Tigers 83-79
Twins 81-81
Royals 76-86
White Sox 73-89
Notes: Tigers made it as a WC to face New York Yankees and lost.
Outlook:
There’s a lot to like about this Tigers team specifically the lineup, but the bullpen is a mess and we don’t know how Verlander will come back.
I’m eager to see what happens because at this point, I don’t see the Tigers winning the Central like I did in years past and partly because I have zero confidence in the bullpen.