The 3rd division that I will be previewing is the American League Central Division, and to begin the preview I will be starting with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers are coming off a horrendous 2020 season, finishing with a 23-35 record. Now, I say horrendous based off the record but the Tigers are in the midst of a rebuild so a season like they’ve had the last several years is to be expected. But, as part of a rebuild, you got to have short term memory and be able to move on right away. You can’t let the failures of last season linger, you have to turn the page. Did the Tigers turn the page enough to keep progressing through the rebuild? Let’s take a look.
Projected Starting Rotation
| 1 | Matthew Boyd |
| 2 | Spencer Turnbull |
| 3 | Michael Fulmer |
| 4 | Daniel Norris |
| 5 | Julio Teheran |
There are no names that pop off the sheet for the Detroit Tigers when it comes to the rotation. In fact, in my opinion the more intriguing names are the names that are not in their projected rotation to start the season. Its the names that will start off in the minor leagues and may or may not be in the majors by September. Those names are Casey Mize and Matt Manning. Casey Mize more specifically, is a former #1 overall from Auburn who is the bonified future ace of the Detroit Tigers. He made his debut last year but struggled a bit. I feel like once he finds his footing, he will turn into the ace that he is projected to be.
Projected Line-Up
| 1 | LF Robbie Grossman | S |
| 2 | 2B Jonathan Schoop | R |
| 3 | DH Miguel Cabrera | R |
| 4 | 3B Jeimer Candelario | S |
| 5 | C Wilson Ramos | R |
| 6 | RF Nomar Mazara/Victor Reyes | L/S |
| 7 | 1B Renato Nunez | R |
| 8 | CF Jacoby Jones | R |
| 9 | SS Willi Castro | S |
The only big name that is in the Tigers lineup is an aging Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera is probably the only reason for casual fans to tune in to Tigers games. If Cabrera stays healthy this year, he is capable of reaching 500 career homerun milestone. He is currently sitting at 487, and he should get to that milestone by year’s end. A name to look at for the future, is last year’s #1 overall pick 1st Baseman/3rd Baseman Spencer Torkelson, who will be the future cornerstone of the organization.
2021 PECOTA AL Central Projections
PECOTA has Detroit finishing in the basement of the division just like everyone else does. And that’s not to disrespect the Tigers but it’s the fact that there are better teams in the division and there are teams that farther along the “rebuilding phase” than the Tigers are. I obviously agree with the PECOTA projections as it pertains to the Detroit Tigers. I have the Tigers finishing in last place once again, but I do believe they will progress better as prospects like Casey Mize, Matt Manning, and Tarik Skubal will be in the big leagues by the end of the year.
