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2015 Detroit Tigers Season Predictions | MLB Betting Preview & Odds

2015 MLB Team Season Previews – Tigers

The class of the AL Central comes in as slim as a favorite as they’ve been in quite some time. With the Indians returning their whole team, the Royals becoming relevant following their 2014 run, and now the White Sox making a splash in the offseason, the Central is now jammed packed with 4 legit contenders.

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While that may be the case, it is hard to justify picking against the team that has won it 4 straight years, the Detroit Tigers.

2015 MLB Team Previews – Detroit Tigers

AL Central: +220
American League: +800
World Series: +1600

Key Additions: Victor Martinez (Resigned)

Key Departures: Max Scherzer

Will the loss of Max Scherzer be too much for the Tigers rotation to overcome? -What can we expect this year from them?

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Projected Starting Line-Up:

1. Anthony Gose — CF
2. Ian Kinsler — 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera– 1B
4. Victor Martinez — DH
5. J.D. Martinez — RF
6. Yoenis Cespedes — LF
7. Alex Avila–  C
8. Nick Castellanos — 3B
9. Jose Iglesias — SS

The Tigers lineup has been solidified with the surprising outburst of J.D. Martinez last season. Martinez hit for .315 with 25 home runs and 76 runs batted in. The Tigers have always had a solid 1,2 punch with Cabrera and Victor Martinez in the middle, but never seemed to have anybody else to back them up.

Now, with J.D. and Cespedes, the lineup is more complete than ever.

Also making his return from injury will be SS Jose Iglesias. The Tigers really struggled to find a solid shortstop in 2014 after Iglesias went down, but this year, they’ll have the young gun at 100%.

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CF Anthony Gose, who was acquired last season, will offer some speed to replace Austin Jackson who was shipped to Seattle last season.

Projected Pitching Rotation:

1. David Price
2. Justin Verlander
3. Anibal Sanchez
4. Alfredo Simon
5. Shane Greene

Even with the loss of Scherzer, the top of the Tigers’ rotation is tough to beat, whether it be in the regular season, or a post season playoff series. David Price and the Tigers avoided arbitration with a 1 year deal this off season. However, Price is expected to receive a hefty contract in 2016. This is a big year for Price as the better he performs, the more money he’ll get it. Currently, the Tigers are in talks with him and his agent, but nothing has come about.

News broke that Justin Verlander will start the 2015 season on the DL. The injury is not considered to be serious, but he’ll be rested with triceps soreness. The Tigers must get Verlander back as soon as possible as they have a couple candidates in AAA that may need to make a spot start or two because of the off days early in the season.

Still with Verlander not in the rotation, the pressure now rests on Anibal Sanchez. Last season, Sanchez went 8-5 with a 3.43 ERA.

Closer

Joe Nathan RP
Joakim Soria RP
Al Alburquerque RP
Tom Gorzelanny RP

The bullpen last season for the Tigers was nothing to write home about. 9th inning closer Joe Nathan struggled mightily at times and never seemed to gain any traction throughout the season. He did have 35 saves, but had an ERA of 4.81.

Nathan was given the closer role, but his leash may be short in 2015 with Joakim Soria, the projected 8th inning pitcher, on his heels.

Joakim Soria was dealt to Detroit for two prospects. Soria appeared in 13 games with Detroit having just a 1.36 ERA. If Nathan fails at the closer position, Soria will step in. However, if Nathan has success, the Tigers will have a solid back end to their bullpen.

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The middle of the Tigers bullpen has been filled quite nicely with Al Alburquerque, Tom Gorzelanny, Joba Chamberlain, and Ian Krol. With a couple pitchers from last years team, combined with some signings, the Tigers should have a much better bullpen in 2015.

2015 Prediction:

The Tigers are still the team to beat in the AL Central, there’s no doubt about that. It’s tough to pick against a team that has won it four straight times, and has Miguel Cabrera in their lineup.

The main key for Detroit will be the pitching rotation. Price and Sanchez will need to be in top form early in the season with Verlander on the DL. The back end of the rotation provides Simon and Greene, who are very unproven, but have potential.

With the bullpen looking much better, and Iglesias returning from a season long injury, the tigers have a very good lineup. If J.D. Martinez can repeat his 2014 performance, Detroit could be poised for a 5th straight division title.

This team will be in it the whole way, expect them either 2nd, with a Wild Card berth, or in 1st place.

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By Tony M

Tony is new to Cappers Picks and has been betting on sports since the first day he turned 18. He is a 22 year old Cleveland native who lives and breathes Indians baseball. His dream is to be part of a championship celebration at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.