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2009 Detroit Tigers Odds & Predictions

Since winning the AL Pennant in 2006, the Tigers have done nothing but disappoint their fans. 2007 was a solid season, in which the Tigers won 88 games to finish second in the Central, but it still fell well short of expectations. That prompted the club to bring in Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, and Dontrelle Willis. But instead of those players taking Detroit to the next level, the Tigers found themselves taking three steps back in last place. Can the Tigers get back in the hunt for a Central crown? Jimmy Boyd breaks down the 2009 Detroit Tigers in this MLB betting preview. The Detroit Tigers are listed at +2000 to win the World Series.

Pitching
Most of the blame for last seasons last place finish falls on the pitching staff and has all of us wondering if 2006 was a fluke. Since then we have seen the deterioration on Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, and even staff ace Justin Verlander. The trio combined to go just 21-32 last season with Verlander losing an AL high 17 games. All three return, but Robertson could see himself outside the rotation after a season in which he had an ERA of 6.35. Armando Galarraga was the only pitcher who earned his paycheck in 2008 with a 13-7 mark and a 3.73 ERA. He will most likely join Verlander, Dontrelle Willis, and Edwin Jackson in the starting rotation. If its an absolute debacle again, don’t be surprised to see top pitching prospect Rick Porcello cracking the rotation.

Unable to land Kerry Wood or J.J. Putz, it looks as though Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney will be counted on to handle the eighth and ninth innings. Zumaya has quality stuff as long as his shoulder holds up.

Lineup
The Tigers still have a lineup capable of putting up big time power number and I suspect they will do their part to make sure they are in the hunt although it will ultimately be up to the pitching to determine how far this team goes. It all starts with first baseman Miguel Cabrera. He put up his usual big numbers in his first season with the team. He led the AL with 37 homeruns and also drove in 127. Right fielder Magglio Ordonez hits behind Cabrera in the clean up spot. His numbers were down some from his MVP-caliber 2007, but his 21 homeruns and 103 RBIs were still very strong. DH Gary Sheffield has done more talking off the field than on it in recent years. This will be the last season of his contract and he is going to have to perform to prove he can still get it done at the major league level. He hit 19 homeruns and added 57 RBIs in an injury shortened season. Centerfielder Curtis Granderson has seen his on base percentage rise each of the last four seasons. He slugged 22 homeruns and drove in 66 while scoring 112. Second baseman Placido Polanco, left fielder Carlos Guillen, third basemen Brandon Inge, catcher Gerald Laird, and shortstop Adam Everett figure to round out the order.

Prediction: 5th Place AL East
There is a lot of pressure on this team to perform and that will not play to Detroit’s benefit. With the steady decline of the starting pitching staff the last two seasons, I can’t see the Tigers living up to their expectations. The Detroit Tigers are listed at +350 to win the AL Central.

Check out the MLB lines each day at Locksmith Sports to see which books offer the best value. Jimmy Boyd’s MLB picks will be posted daily to guide you to a winning season.

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