2012 Detroit Tigers Predictions

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Heading into last season the Detroit Tigers hadn’t won a division title since 1987. Not only did they end the drought, they did so in impressive fashion (by 15 games). The next step is the World Series, which appears to be well within reach for this club.

Projected Pitching

Starting rotation: Justin Verlander (R) – Verlander was already considered one of the top pitchers in the American League heading into last season and then set himself apart with one of the best season’s a pitcher has ever had. He won the AL Cy Young Award and earned AL MVP honors while leading the AL in wins (24), ERA (2.40) and strikeouts (250).

Doug Fister (R) – After coming over from the Seattle Mariners at the end of July, Fister went 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 10 starts.

Max Scherzer (R) – Consistency is keeping him from becoming elite. Still, he had a very solid season last year with a 15-9 record and 4.43 ERA.

Rick Porcello (R) – He’s had some ups and downs but that’s to be expected from a 22-year-old. It was mostly ups last season as he finished 14-9 with a 4.75 ERA.

Andy Oliver (L) – Jacob Turner is also an option, but the southpaw Oliver is likely to get some starts in what is otherwise an all right-handed rotation. He has a live arm (92-96 mph).

Closer: Jose Valverde (R) – He pulled off the unthinkable in 2011, going 52 for 52 in save situations (including postseason).

Projected Lineup

Alex Avila (Catcher) – He’s coming off a breakout season and was rewarded with a starting nod in the All-Star Game. Avila led all AL catchers with a .295 average, 137 hits, 33 doubles and 82 RBIs.

Prince Fielder (First Base) – Fielder adds even more pop to an offense that ranked fourth in the bigs with 4.86 runs per game last season. The former Milwaukee Brewer is coming off a 38-home run, 120-RBI campaign and has belted at least 28 home runs each of the last six years.

Ryan Raburn (Second Base) – He’ll likely platoon unless he picks up where he left off at the plate. Then, the Tigers won’t be able to keep him out of the lineup. He hit the ball very well in the second half of the season and ended up batting .256 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs.

Miguel Cabrera (Third Base) – This guy is scary good and at 27 has a lot of baseball left in him. He led the league with a .344 average and belted 30 home runs and 105 RBIs along the way. He also led the league in doubles (48) and on-base percentage (.448).

Jhonny Peralta (Shortstop) – He hit .299 with 21 bombs and 86 RBIs and earned his first All-Star nod. He also earned his keep in the field, committing just seven errors – the fewest of any regular shortstops in the AL.

Andy Dirks (Left Field) – With designated hitter Victor Martinez likely lost for the season with a knee injury, it gives Dirks a chance to be the everyday left fielder. We would have seen Delmon Young in left had Martinez been healthy.

Austin Jackson (Center Field) – He needs to raise his .317 on-base percentage and quit striking out so much (struck 181 times last season) to become a better leadoff hitter. He’s an absolute burner with no problem covering gap-to-gap in the outfield.

Brennan Boesch (Right Field) – He hit .283 with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs before missing most of the final two months with a thumb injury.

Delmon Young (Designated Hitter) – The No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft showed off his talent in the playoffs with five long balls in nine games.

Prediction 1st Place AL Central: Losing a stick like Martinez hurts, but the addition of Fielder cushions the blow. The Tigers have enough weapons in their rotation and lineup to make a run at the World Series. The Tigers are listed at -1800 to win the AL Central.

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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