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Detroit Tigers

20-14, AL Central (3rd)
Team RankingAVGRHRERA
Tigers.2777871694.04
Cent Division1st1st1st1st
American League 3rd4th7th7th

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Season Preview


Danny Knobler's Take

The question marks at the start of spring training are still question marks now. The pitching staff that worried you at the beginning of spring worries you just as much now. Jeremy Bonderman still hasn’t proven that he can bounce back from surgery, Nate Robertson still hasn’t proven that he’s better than he was in 2008 and Dontrelle Willis never did prove anything. But rookies Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry should give the Tigers a lift, and the lineup still should score plenty of runs. Look for Miguel Cabrera to have a huge year. One key: Can Fernando Rodney or Brandon Lyon emerge as a decent closer?

 
Staff Picks
Place Knobler Miller Mack Rosen
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Complete Staff Picks
 
Team Info
2008 record: 74-88, .457 pct. (5th in AL Central)
As Tigers manager: Jim Leyland, entering 4th year (257-229)
Stadium: Comerica Park (41,000; grass)
 
Top Prospects
1. Rick Porcello, RH/SP
  Dominated at Class A with 2.66 ERA. Could arrive this year despite young age.
2. Chris Lambert, RH/SP
  Not highly regarded, but impressive last year.
3. Jeff Larish, 3B
  Has outstanding power but not much else. No spot for him in majors just yet.
4. Cale Iorg, SS
  GM calls him a future All-Star with above-average power. Son of former Major Leaguer Garth Iorg.
5. Wilkin Ramirez, OF
  Free-swinging ways hold him back, but he has 20-20 potential long term.
 
 
Miguel Cabrera, the 2008 AL home run champ, has tallied 30 or more homers in four of the past five seasons. He's tallied 112 or more RBI in all five. (AP)
 
Outlook
Video
Danny Knobler: Preview
Interview: Jim Leyland
AL Central: Division Preview
Columns
Detroit counting on Young Guns, The Sequel
Five things to know
 
Lineup
No.PlayerABHRAVGRBIRSB
1.C. Granderson, CF 553 22 .280 66 112 12
2.P. Polanco, 2B580 8 .307 58 90 7
3.M. Ordonez, RF561 21 .317 103 72 1
4.M. Cabrera, 1B616 37 .292 127 85 1
5.C. Guillen, LF420 10 .286 54 68 9
6.M. Thames, DH316 25 .241 56 50 0
7.G. Laird, C344 6 .276 41 54 2
8.B. Inge, 3B347 11 .205 51 41 4
8.A. Everett, SS 127 2 .213 20 19 0
Pitching
No.PitcherIPW-LSVERAKsBB
1.J. Verlander, RH201.0 11-17 0 4.84 163 87
2.A. Galarraga, RH178.2 13-7 0 3.73 126 61
3.J. Bonderman, RH71.1 3-4 0 4.29 44 36
4.E. Jackson, RH183.1 14-11 0 4.42 108 77
5.N. Robertson, LH168.2 7-11 0 6.35 108 62
CLB. Lyon, RH59.1 3-5 26 4.70 44 13
 
 
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