Sparky Anderson seems to get credit for it around here, maybe because he had a team go 35-5 through 40 games, but the 40 game mark is where MLB Managers say they can tell you about their team. By the 40 game mark a fan, a coach, a team should all know what they got.
Going into the season I thought the Tigers would be in trouble. This was because of 2 major problems.
1. Starting Pitching
2. Bottom 4 Hitters
Both have been great. The Starting Pitching has been as good or better than any team in the MLB. The bottom 4 led by Brandon Inge and the SS combo of Santiago/Everett has also played well above expectations.
Through 40 game the Tigers sit at 24-16, 8 games above .500, the only team in the Central Division with a winning record. 4.5 games ahead of the second place Royals.
Even better their is a multitude of positives.
- Joel Zumaya looks to have his arm from a couple years ago, and has walked 1 batter all year
- Fernando Rodney is yet to blow a save
- Justin Verlander is the hottest pitcher in the AL not named Greinke
- Edwin Jackson has a stud arm, can go deep into games
- Brandon Inge's off-season adjustments have proven to be amazing
- There actually is a chance that Dontrelle and Bondo will contribute
- Perry and Porcello both actually look to belong in the Majors
- The Central Division has proven to be weak, and the White Sox lost out on SP Peavy
- Granderson and Cabrera are studs, Cabrera MVP Caliber
- Zach Miner has done a ton to help this team
- The players who have been called up have been awesome
- After a slow start the defense has picked up
- The Tigers actually have some speed
Even with all that, there still are some question marks
- Armando Galarraga, what is he? Lately terrible
- Will Dontrelle continue to Win games, or be back in Toledo?
- How many games will Leyland allow Brandon Lyon to lose?
- Maggs and Guillen look old and slow, not hitting either, will they return to form?
- Will the division leader stay near .500?
- Our Catchers are hitting under .200, will they get to a reasonable .240?
- Can Big Marcus Thames contribute, DH versus LHP?
The Tigers have put themselves into tremendous shape. They are miles ahead of the other teams in the Central. There still is a lot to prove even with what we have done so far. We need to show that we can beat the best teams in the AL, the Boston, NYY, LAA, Tampa Bays and Torontos of the world.
The Tigers were able to pretty much avoid the cold weather this year which I believe is an underrated part of our start. The past two seasons the Tigers have started very poorly, and have played terrible when the temperature was below 50 degrees. This season we played in a grand total of 2 cold weather baseball games, and those were two of our worst games of the season. I know we live in Michigan, but I believe the 40 degree days are behind us.
Some Tigers grades through 40
Verlander: B+, A+ as of late
Edwin Jackson: A-, an absolute steal for Matt Joyce
Rick Porcello: B, if he keeps this up it will be an A+ considering he is 20
Armando Galarraga: C, great start, terrible lately.
Dontrelle Willis: N/A, last game was best game of Tigers season in my books
Brandon Lyon: D, terrible. I feel uncomfortable every time he is on the mound.
Ryan Perry: B, too many walks. His 2-seamer is almost unhittable.
Bobby Seay: B, I know he has been bad as of late. But for a month he was A+.
Fernando Rodney: A+, I know he has given up runs at times, but he is 8/8.
Granderson: A-, average low, every other part of game amazing
Polanco: C, still good, needs to get average above .300
Magglio: D+, I feel his hitting coming. June will be good month for Ordonez
Cabrera: A++, MVP candidate. Big hits, tremendous average, good power numbers.
Guillen: F, Cannot find a spot for him in the field, and wasn't hitting before DL stint.
Inge: A-, been the biggest shocker for me on team, Great D and power hitting.
Laird: B+, I know he hasn't been hitting, but Catchers get credit for Pitching too.
Santiago/Everett: A++, after first week being bad for AE, rest has been near perfect for combo.
Anderson/Thomas/Raburn: A, can't expect anymore from young gun OF.
It's amazing how much this team has proved they are not what people thought before the season. Comerica Park is going to have a lot of people there come summer time. The Wings are almost done, and then the FIRST PLACE TIGERS will be the only show in town.
Setting up a great summer in the D, and a playoff run again.
GO TIGERS!!!
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