2006 Detroit Tigers Predictions 

We’ve done our homework and we have found dome trends that will help us cash in on the Detroit Tigers in 2006. There is one thing that the Detroit Tigers have proven they do fairly well over the past 7 seasons. They have been able to bring their bats consistently versus left handed pitching in their home ball park. Last season, Detroit won 10 of 14 against teams outside their division when facing a lefty in their home park, and they won 16 of 26 games overall against non-division teams throwing lefties at them. Let’s pound this situation again this season.

The Detroit Tigers have made some progress over the last few years, but the Tigers aren’t showing any signs of making major moves within a division which is moving faster than they are with teams like Cleveland and Chicago leading the pack. They totaled just 55 wins in 2002 and dropped to a pathetic 43 victories in 2003, but they improved nearly 30 games, winning 72 in 2004. 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 have a slight chance to catch the Twins, but K.C. is the only team you can count on them finishing ahead of.

Despite another disappointing season (I think I’ve started a paragraph like this every year for the Tigers), 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. Although, their left handers, such as Kenny Rogers, may have some success within the division as Chicago and Cleveland have both had trouble with lefties. Jeremy Bonderman and some other young guys will have to step up and mature a little bit if this team is going to compete. 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.

Ordonez and Young will have decent seasons for the Tigers at the plate. If either one were to go down to injury, Detroit would be in bad shape as depth is definitely as issue for the Tigers. Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez are both solid guys to have in the lineup as long as they are healthy and last year they weren’t. If those two can get back to form then this team is going to be able to hold their own on offense. First basemen, Chris Shelton could be a force at the plate. He has some big time 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 too optimistic. They’ll be competing with Kansas City for second to last place in the division. But to be nice, I think they get the Royals by at least 8 games as Kansas City is pathetic.

If you’re looking to profit on Detroit this season, take advantage of their deficiency against righties, and watch to see if the Tigers continue to feast on non-division lefties. 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, although he was able to do so with the Marlins (they were a better team).

 

2006 Baseball Predictions