(Over the next 30 days, BERNing on Sports will be previewing every team in the Majors, yes, even the Royals. Only one a day, every day, so try not to get too hooked)
Keeping it Real
What the hell happened to this team? Wasn't it 2006 (I believe that just two seasons ago) when the Tigers were in the World Series? I think so. Though, the remnants left on this team may not give that impression. First off, they realized they didn't make out nearly as well as they thought they did with that Marlins trade. While Miguel Cabrera did hit the snot out of the ball in the second half last year, he had to move to his fourth position in four years (with DH in the near future). Dontrelle Willis simply isn't a major league caliber starter anymore. He has lost the ability to throw strikes. I wish I had a funnier way to say it. When he was sent down last year, he didn't go to AAA, but instead to Single A Lakeland. Yes, the same D-Train that won 22 games just three short years ago. Then, Justin Verlander decided he also was no longer effective as his ERA jumped a full run and suddenly that live arm lost some zip. Joel Zumaya was unable to stay healthy, and Fernando Rodney was unfortunately too healthy for any Tigers fan liking. There weren't many changes made, so if you're a Tigre fan, you've gotta be hoping for a bunch of career revivals.
Offensive Defense
The Tigers posted the 6th worst fielding percentage in the entire league last year. It's no surprise that with clowns like Cabrera and Carlos Guillen and Edgar Renteria tooling around. Brandon Inge and Adam Everett should help things, but then again, having those two in your everyday lineup has its obvious disadvantages. Ideally, your best players could hit and play defense but...
D-Train D-Railed
I touched on it before, but this guy has completely lost it. In a matter of two seasons, his ERA has jumped by nearly 6 full runs. Think about that. Then, consider that he walked 35 guys in just 24 innings last year. Next, think about how he was sent down to the minor leagues to not just clear his head, but work on his mechanics. Think about that, if you still have room mentally. Willis just looks like he's lost all command of what ever it was he did effectively. He's put on weight, lost tons of velocity, and seems to be en route to become just another one or two year wonder.
What Closer Will Make Tigers Fans Go Grey This Year
Last year it was Fernando Rodney for stretches, Todd Jones for others. Neither was a safe bet, as the pair combined to lose 7 games, and walk 48 batters in 82 innings. Jones' career has always been nothing short of a complete mystery, from how he got people out over his career to why he continued to be allowed to write a column for the Sporting News. Rodney's just not cut out to handle 9th inning duties, as is evidenced by the fact that despite opponents hitting under .230 against him, his ERA was barely under 5. Brought in to the "rescue" was Brandon Lyon, who had a great 1st half (19 saves, under 3 ERA) and an awful second half (7 saves, over 8 ERA). If you've seen any of these guys pitch, you could imagine how terrible this will be to watch unfold.
Bold Predictions
Jim Leyland will be so annoyed by his team that at some point this year that he'll just light up and smoke a cigarette. In the dugout, or walking to the mound to make a pitching change, it'll happen.
I can't take credit for this one entirely, nor can I explain it. But I can say that the explanation I was given was quite convincing, so I'll repeat it here: Armando Galarraga, after a nice breakout year, will come crashing back to reality.
Up Next...Sunday, Phillies
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