Countdown to Opening Day #2 Detroit Tigers

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#2 Detroit Tigers: Can anyone touch the Tigers?

PROJECTED LINEUP
2B Ian Kinsler
RF Torii Hunter
1B Miguel Cabrera
DH Victor Martinez
CF Austin Jackson
3B Nick Castellanos
LF Don Kelly
C Alex Avila
SS Danny Worth

PROJECTED ROTATION
Justin Verlander
Max Scherzer
Anibal Sanchez
Rick Porcello
Drew Smyly

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Joe Nathan

Set-up: Al Albequerque

Top Prospect: Nick Castellanos (3B)

It's not really a pat on my own back, but I did say in last year's COUNTDOWN that if they did not put a

Max Scherzer

reliable closer in the ninth inning they would miss out on the World Series. Boom, look what happen. No parade in Detroit.
Now the front office has listened and this off-season signed Joe Nathan to close out ball games for the likes of Justin Verlander, Cy Young Max Scherzer, and ERA title winner Anibal Sanchez. Nathan is just your active leader in saves.
I almost thought no one would touch the Tigers this season, but already injuries are piling up on first year manager Brad Ausmus. They lost their shortstop Jose Iglesias for six months and Andy Dirks to a back injury. It's not like they lost Miguel Cabrera or newly acquired Ian Kinsler, but they are blows to the defense.
If the injury bug keeps biting the Tigers, maybe they will not roll into the October, but at least for now in the American League, they are the team to beat.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - They have three bonafide candidates to win Cy Young and Miguel Cabrera is easily the favorite to win his third consecutive MVP. Just when you thought the Tigers could not get any better Nick Castellanos steps in at third base and wins Rookie of the Year. They are a complete team and ready to win it all.

Miguel Cabrera

REAL TALK - Iglesias was not going put up great numbers offensively this season, but he is solid with the glove and his absence leaves something left to be desired for this group. That being said the Tigers are too talented to not reach the postseason and they posses a chance to win a World Series. No team should have better odds in my opinion.








Breakout: Austin Jackson (OF)

Bust: Alex Avila (C)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Victor Martinez (DH)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 93-69 (1st in AL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 98-64(1st in AL Central)

**Check back tomorrow for the Washington Nationals*