Pre-Season Preview; The Detroit Tigers

By Gabriella Garcia
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Updated: March 13, 2015

The Detroit Tigers finished first in the AL central for the last 4 years. They played the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS and Baltimore came away with a three-game sweep against the Tigers. Detroit was sent home much earlier than expected.

Key Losses
SP Rick Porcello
SP Max Scherzer
OF Torii Hunter

Their biggest loss is Max Scherzer to the Washington Nationals. He declined Detroit’s offer of 144 million last spring.

Key Additions
OF Yoenis Cespedes
SP Alfredo Simon
SP Shane Green
OF Anthony Gose

Projected 2015 Lineup
1. 2B Ian Kinsler
2. CF Anthony Gose
3. 1B Miguel Cabrera
4. DH Victor Martinez
5. RF J.D. Martinez
6. LF Yoenis Cespedes
7. C Alex Avila
8. 3B Nick Castellanos
9. SS Jose Iglesias

Projected 2015 Rotation
1. David Price
2. Justin Verlander
3. Anibal Sanchez
4. Alfredo Simon
5. Shane Greene

2015 Prediction
Even though Detroit didn’t make a huge splash with moves this offseason, they’re still in a good position to defend their AL Central title. The Minnesota Twins are still in the rebuilding process, the Cleveland Indians made some good moves, but it might not be enough to compete with the Tigers. The Chicago White Sox have to worry about an injured Chris Sale, but they made some big moves this offseason. The Kansas City Royals are Detroit’s biggest competition, fresh off their World Series run. The Royals, White Sox, and Tigers could be in a three way race to be crowned the AL Central champions. I see the Detroit Tigers winning the AL Central for the fifth year in a row.