The two Central Divisions of MLB are actually some of my favorite teams to watch each year. These divisions don’t have any cash-flush monoliths like the Dodgers or Yankees. Heck, not many clothes suited for the upper middle class are seen here. The closest thing to “haves” in the flyover divisions are the Cubs and Cardinals in the NL Central.
Though the teams managed by Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, David Price, Magglio Ordonez, Max Scherzer, Victor Martinez, and others never quite won World Series championships, the Tigers were once the class of the AL Central. Their last postseason appearance came in 2014. After that, they were on a downward spiral that culminated in a horrifying 47-114 loss in 2019. They didn’t even make it to the level of basic decency until the previous season, when my batted ball-based team true-talent rankings showed them to be an 80-82 team, two games above their actual record.
Comerica Park, one of the ballparks most favorable to pitchers, is the site of the Tigers’ home games. Their home field has the ability to make an offensive that is below average, like as the one they have been using for a number of years, appear dreadful. Conversely, Comerica may make a subpar pitching staff appear good. They are essentially in the exact opposite situation at Coors Field as the Rockies. They have developed and acquired ordinary to above average pitchers who can be made to seem fantastic by their home park, so they can’t be fooled by the numbers into thinking they have a strong run prevention team. It’s also crucial that they use hitters that are better than average in order tomerely produce a league-average range. Because they don’t comprehend this equation, the Rockies haven’t been able to produce offense at altitude for years.
Now let’s address the Tigers’ run prevention side of the business. Left-handed Their rotation is anchored by Tarik Skubal. He was a great bat-misser in the style of Robbie Ray when he initially made it to the major leagues, but he struggled to control contact. Some pitchers of this caliber never seem to grasp the concept of contact management. After undergoing Tommy John surgery while still a student at the University of Seattle, Skubal had to have the procedure done again late in the 2022 season, just as he was starting to demonstrate better contact management that would propel him to the elite level.
He had flexor tendon surgery this time, averting another Tommy John that might have been his career’s last. Now that he’s back, he’s playing better than ever, missing bats and maintaining contact, and he appears to be a strong contender for Cy Young. Two new free agents, Jack Flaherty and Kenta Maeda, join him at the top of the Tiger rotation. Given that they have both experienced health issues recently, they are both fairly priced. In the early days, Flaherty has demonstrated his highest velocity in years. He inked a one-year contract worth $14 million. Maeda signed a two-year, $24 million contract; although his early results aren’t as encouraging, this is a fair wager for a team looking toventure into controversial areas.
Homegrown players like Matt Manning, Reese Olson, and Casey Mize make up the rest of the Tiger rotation. With their prospect pedigree and extensive injury histories, Manning and Mize have the potential, while Olson may have a lower ceiling but more job versatility. The team doesn’t need to succeed with all three, but even one of the huge hits might completely change this team.
The bullpen boasts length, flexibility, and left-right balance despite not having a lights-out closer. Correct? While Alex Lange has the usual closer profile and all, his problems with leadership raise some red flags. Correct? Although he can throw quite powerfully, Jason Foley is more of a grounder generator and provides support for him. Veterinarian proper Shelby Miller is a wild card; you should avoid using him on consecutive days, but every third or fourth day, he may be extremely effective in multi-inning stints. Leftists Andrew Chafin and Tyler Holton round out the group. When facing lefties and righties, Holton can be relied upon for extended periods of time, whereas Chafin is the more common specialist type.
But it will be the Tigers’ offensive output that will make or break them. And the diamond is the center of a full-fledged youth movement. 1B Spencer Torkelson, 2B Colt Keith, and OFs Riley Greene and Parker Meadows—all 24 years of age or younger—have been given regular responsibilities by the team. Greene is a true gem who appears ready to take center stage as the franchise’s spokesperson. As a first overall draft pick, Torkelson might not live up to the hype, but he would still be a useful middle-of-the-order bat with a.280 average and 30 home runs. Prior to his first MLB at-bat, Keith signed a six-year, $28.6 million contract. As of Sunday’s games, his hitting average is just.208-.276-.226. Although he may not be quite ready for the big stage, there will be a lot of waiting around as He grows. Meadows could use a little more minor league experience since he has been totally outmatched thus far (.061-.225-.121).
The offensive shortcomings of SS Javier Baez must be considered in any analysis of the Tigers’ current situation. He is hitting terribly in the third year of a six-year, $140 million contract.140-.152-.209 in the first innings without allowing a single walk.
