Detroit Tigers 2012 Season Preview

I know I'm not the only one excited about the Tigers this year and for good reason too. Dombrowski pulled the trigger and signed the second best first baseman on the free agent market next to King Albert. Prince Fielder has shown enough to me during spring training for me to buy his player shirt (this is a big deal people). I loved Cabrera when he was on the Marlins so it was only natural for me to buy his shirt when he was traded here. Anyways, I truly believe the Tigers will do work this season and win the Central without Leyland lighting up a Marlboro (okay maybe not but you catch my drift). The Royals are still too young, the Indians start off hot then cool off by summer, the White Sox have talent but they under-perform each year, and I think the Mud Hens could beat the Twinkies, I mean the Twins, this year. 

The opening day lineup for tomorrow is one of the most potent Tigers' lineups I've seen in years. If only V-Mart was healthy...Though the only change I would make is swapping Raburn from DH to play LF where Delmon plays. Raburn isn't an angel in the outfield by any means, but he certainly has a better arm than Delmon. Continue reading below...

Other than that, I like Santiago at 2B because I have been a fan of his since I was in 6th grade, his first stint in an old english D uniform. Why do I like Santiago so much? Long story short I threw out the first pitch at Comerica on my birthday when I was in 6th grade (no joke) and the guy asked me who my favorite Tiger was. So, I told him "Ramon Santiago" and he thought I was kidding. Naturally he asked again, "So who is really your favorite Tiger?" I didn't want to piss him off so I replied with Dmitri Young lol.

Back to the 2012 Tigers. The starting pitching is solid with Verlander (MVP what what), Scherzer, Fister, Porcello and the rook Smyly. I'm curious to see how the lefty will do this year. I have high hopes for him like most do. The bullpen is average and has strength in Benoit and Valverde. Even though Valverde gave me high blood pressure in every appearance last year, the dude got the job done and didn't blow a single save (no Todd "Rollercoaster" Jones here). 

My two players that are key to the Tigers' success this year are:

1. Austin Jackson

2. Daniel Schlereth

Jackson HAS to cut down on the strikeouts this year or the Tigers are doomed. Cabrera and Fielder can't drive anyone in if there's no one on base...If he hits above .275 with less than 125 K's, I think we will take the Central by storm. I would also like for Leyland to give him the green light on the bases more often and get above 30 stolen bases for the year. 

Schlereth has to be the second lefty anchor (besides Coke) in the bullpen because the Tigers pitching staff is dominated by righties. Coke is another key lefty, but he has already proven his dominance coming out of the pen, and I'm not worried about him. I have yet to see Schlereth pitch consistently, and I hope he figures it out this year because we NEED him.


2012 Prediction = 101-61, AL Central Champions, World Series Champions