The Tigers were favorites to win the central division, and had a comfortable lead earlier this season, but have lost it to the Royals. In order for them to get into the playoffs, out of the wild card game, and their division lead back, they need Miguel Cabrera to continue to get back on track. Cabrera is known as the best hitter in baseball, but underwent groin surgery in the off-season to remove a sports hernia. This surgery, along with a recent ankle injury, has affected the lower half of the former triple crown winner.
Detroit's inconsistency in the bullpen is probably the biggest reason the Tigers are fighting for a playoff spot right now. Add in injuries to the rotation, and the Tigers offense will be forced to score some runs to win games. They do hold one of the top averages in baseball, but it's the average with RISP that needs to improve. The run production needs to find it's stride to back up the starters, and especially the bullpen. The offense has been inconsistent as of late, scoring nearly 10 runs one day, and then getting shutout the next. Victor Martinez is an MVP favorite, and the most consistent hitter in the lineup. His numbers nearly match the numbers of Cabrera's Triple Crown season, and he has been the leader of this team with Cabrera's numbers not being where we are accustomed to them being.
The Tigers do have a lot of good hitters, including Davis, Hunter, Kinsler, and both Martinez's, but at times it just doesn't add up. Despite there being a lot of hits from the top of the order, those hits are at times scattered, which has lead to the lack of run production. The former batting champion is usually the solution to this inconsistency, but he has not been himself this season. Cabrera's injuries to his lower half has kept him out of games, and has him at the DH position more times than he's use to. The injuries have kept his average hovering around .300, he just recently hit his 20th HR, but his RBI value is still around 100.
After a struggling series last weekend against the White Sox, Cabrera has been red hot this past week, an AL player of the week candidate. He had nearly 10 hits in the 4 game series in Cleveland that started Monday. He went deep twice this week (Monday and Saturday), and had another home run Sunday night along with an RBI single. That's 4 HR's in 7 games this week. Yet he is still limping around the field, and it's tough to watch him run, or even jog in to the dugout. Despite that, the Tigers have seen a glimpse of the old Miguel Cabrera this week, which is exactly what they need to catch the Royals in the AL Central.
Detroit's inconsistency in the bullpen is probably the biggest reason the Tigers are fighting for a playoff spot right now. Add in injuries to the rotation, and the Tigers offense will be forced to score some runs to win games. They do hold one of the top averages in baseball, but it's the average with RISP that needs to improve. The run production needs to find it's stride to back up the starters, and especially the bullpen. The offense has been inconsistent as of late, scoring nearly 10 runs one day, and then getting shutout the next. Victor Martinez is an MVP favorite, and the most consistent hitter in the lineup. His numbers nearly match the numbers of Cabrera's Triple Crown season, and he has been the leader of this team with Cabrera's numbers not being where we are accustomed to them being.
The Tigers do have a lot of good hitters, including Davis, Hunter, Kinsler, and both Martinez's, but at times it just doesn't add up. Despite there being a lot of hits from the top of the order, those hits are at times scattered, which has lead to the lack of run production. The former batting champion is usually the solution to this inconsistency, but he has not been himself this season. Cabrera's injuries to his lower half has kept him out of games, and has him at the DH position more times than he's use to. The injuries have kept his average hovering around .300, he just recently hit his 20th HR, but his RBI value is still around 100.
After a struggling series last weekend against the White Sox, Cabrera has been red hot this past week, an AL player of the week candidate. He had nearly 10 hits in the 4 game series in Cleveland that started Monday. He went deep twice this week (Monday and Saturday), and had another home run Sunday night along with an RBI single. That's 4 HR's in 7 games this week. Yet he is still limping around the field, and it's tough to watch him run, or even jog in to the dugout. Despite that, the Tigers have seen a glimpse of the old Miguel Cabrera this week, which is exactly what they need to catch the Royals in the AL Central.
