The Detroit Tigers

The Tigers finished 2011 strong with a record of 95-67. The won the AL Central and the ALDS. The have three MVP caliber players and are a favorite for the AL Central again.

The Tigers have a good pitching rotation. If you put Justin Verlander in any rotation, it instantly become good. Verlander won the Cy Young award and the MVP, but there are four other starters to talk about. Doug Fister was a mid-season acquisition for the Tigers in 2011. He pitched 216 innings for the Mariners and The Tigers with a 2.83 ERA accumulating 11 wins: 8 for the Tigers and 3 for The Mariners.  Rick Porcello is still young. He is 23 years old and in 2011 he pitched 182 innings with a 4.75 ERA and picking up 14 wins. Porcello has a lot of talent and being young only magnifies it. Max Scherzer pitched 195 innings getting 15 wins with a 4.43 ERA. He can improve as well. Entering his age 27 season he may break through. The final starter could be Phil Coke or Daniel Schlereth. both are decent lefties that can rack up some innings.

The new and improved lineup for The Tigers will be fun to watch. Everyone has been talking about the signing of Prince Fielder. Fielder combined with Cabrera can pack a wallop. Here is a line of both their stats from 2011:

Fielder: 162 games, 38 home runs, 120 RBI's, .415 OBP, 164 OPS+
Cabrera: 161 games, 30 home runs, 105 RBI's, .448 OBP, 181 OPS+

I think the numbers explain themselves. The Tigers definitely have the best 3-4 combination in the American League and probably all of baseball. The Tigers also have Delmon young who can also do some damage to opposing pitchers. Austin Jackson is the speed threat and the great defensive center fielder for the Tigers. If he can get an on base percentage of .350 or higher, Cabrera and Fielder will drive him in and score a lot of runs. Brennan Boesch gets on base a lot(.341 OBP), and can also bring some runs to the team.

Finally the Tigers have one slight weakness. Their bullpen could use some help. They have the 9th inning locked up with Jose Valverde, but as for the other innings you might have to hold your breath. Valverde had a 2.24 ERA and 49 saves in 2011, but he cant pitch in every game, so I can see The Tigers trading for a reliever before the trading deadline.

The Tigers will definitely make the playoffs.