Opening Home Series Preview: Yankees @ Tigers

PREDICTIONS:
Friday: Yankees 3 Tigers 7
Saturday: Yankees 1 Tigers 10
Sunday: Yankees 4 Tigers 5
PITCHING MATCH-UPS
FRIDAY- Doug Fister vs Ivan Nova- Nova is good and usually lucky, but a team like the Tigers can get to him.  Fister always looks impressive in big games and his first start should be just that.  he should mow down Yankees hitters PREDICTED LINE: Nova: 4 IP 5 ER 11 H 4 K 2 BB  Fister IP 2 ER 6 H 8K 1 BB
SATURDAY- Max Scherzer vs David Phelps- Phelps shouldn’t even be a match for the Tigers. Scherzer should be pumped and pitch well at Comerica.  Expect him to be in the form he was in during August of last year.  And expect a ton of K’s.  PREDICTED LINE Phelps 3 IP 7 ER 10 H 3 K 4 BB  Scherzer 7 IP 1 ER 4 H 11 K 3 BB
SUNDAY- Justin Verlander vs CC Sabathia- The battle of the aces is going to be a good one, but Verlander should win, because he is the ace after all.  He has everything working for him and should kick off 2013 with a bang, like he did 2011.  Sabathia should do good but I can’t see him winning this one.  PREDICTED LINE Sabathia 6.2 IP 3 ER 7 H 8 K 2 BB Verlander 7 IP 2 ER 5 H 10 K 1 BB
HITTING: It should be a slugfest.  Expect big series from the Tigers big guns and the Yankees should have good series from Hafner, Boesch, and Cano.
ANALYSIS: The Tigers always play the Yankees well and the Tigers also usually play well during their first series of the year.  With the team they have they can handle the Yankees, just like they did last year with the Red Sox.  I expect a lot of guys on the Tigers to come out of this series with impressive stats.
KEYS: Fir the Yankees it’s to hold the offense like the Twins were able too and for the Tigers it’s too heat up and gain momentum
Series Hero: 3B Miguel Cabrera

2013 Tigers Hitting Projections

POSITION	PLAYER	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	R	SB
C	Alex Avila	16	70	280	361	65	3
1B	Prince Fielder	42	118	310	423	96	1
2B	Omar Infante	9	53	285	329	79	10
3B	Miguel Cabrera	40	128	337	420	116	5
SS	Jhonny Peralta	19	76	279	330	62	1
LF	Andy Dirks	14	64	294	349	72	7
CF	Austin Jackson	18	70	304	390	102	16
RF	Torii Hunter	21	82	287	359	80	5
DH	Victor Martinez	17	100	317	378	83	0
C	Brayan Pena	3	23	265	301	18	0
UT	Don Kelly	7	36	258	298	25	7
IF	Ramon Santiago	2	22	247	290	23	2
UT	Matt Tuiasosopo	10	34	270	309	20	2
OF	Quintin Berry	1	22	247	307	29	13

Free Agent Profile: Delmon Young

OVERVIEW: Young helped the Tigers to the playoffs in 2011 and 2012 with his hot September’s and is a great playoff performer.  On the other hand his defense stinks, putting it best and he can’t hit in the first half leading to bad all-around numbers in everything except the power department.  He’s only going to be 27 though and age 27 seasons can become career years in a hurry.  Despite his lack of patience at the plate, which will probably never change, I can see him very easily helping out a contending team in 2013 and beyond.  He could be a platoon type of guy, who plays more than he doesn’t, with the Yankees and I also see him being able to gain stock
with a team like the Astros and going back onto the market and getting a good deal.  If he can take a few more walks and start off the season hot, he can be one of the team’s top hitters and I like his play to an extent and it’s worth a deal somewhere.
STATS: You’ll most likely get a .260-.300-.420 type of year and around 20 homers and 70-80 RBIs with some playing time in any part of the line-up.  His defensive metrics and stats will not be pretty at all.
FITS:
Yankees- As a part-time DH, he could smash in that stadium too and this is his best chance of breaking out
Astros- A team that could use some hitters, another place Young could find some success, just might be harder to in Houston
Tigers- Almost no chance he re-signs, but he did some nice things in 2011-12
Braves- They’ve looked at him, decent fit, but doubtful
Rangers- Need a DH with Michael Young gone, Young can thrive better in a hitting environment
IDEAL CONTRACT: 1-year, 5-6 Million
CAN HE REBOUND?: He can rebound off of his poor years, but he really needs to work and focus and keep it up to show why he is a former #1 pick
BOTTOM LINE: Slugger who could help a team with high reward potential, like on a good deal

Tigers Odds and Ends

• The Tigers should trade Porcello rather than Smyly if they trade a starter.  Smyly looks more promising but Porcello could still bring in a good return.  Smyly is also a lefty and he looks promising and I think he could get off to a quick start in 2013
• I still believe Porcello could pan out and be a really good starter and I’m totally for keeping Porcello as a number fie and Smyly as a swing man for right now
• Peter Bourjos is my number one target for the Tigers in a trade or Joel Hanrahan is worth it too
• Bruce Rondon could be a good closer if the Tigers stick with him
• I see Brennan Boesch being a great fifth outfielder for the Tigers this year
• I would still target a guy like Scott Hairston to be a fourth outfielder.  Hairston is suck a great fit in Detroit.  Jeff Baker and Ben Francisco could also be worth a look
• I see Ramon Santiago winning the spot over Danny Worth and I believe he is better than Worth and is a very much more ready to help the Tigers in 2013
• Avisail Garcia and Nick Castellanos could always sneak their way on this team too and they’re both extraordinary talents

Tigers Sign Brayan Pena

The Tigers have signed Brayan Pena to a one-year deal to replace Gerald Laird as the Tigers back-up catcher,  He will have competition from Bryan Holaday but I’d say that Pena is a heavy favorite to win the job.  The Tigers catching staff looks good and Pena is an experienced back-up, who even though he only has 14 career HR I feel could provide pop and be a god replacement at the bottom of the line-up in the 45 or so games Avila get off this year.  Pena fits well with Detroit and his contract is a no lose situation.  Pena won’t be the best guy of defense but he isn’t a slouch either.  The only thing is I don’t think you’ll be seeing him pinch run for Avila that often, or at least it wouldn’t be smart because Avila wins in that category.  I’ve always like Pena though and even tough it’s not a big move at all this helps fill in the team and I’m thrilled they got a guy like him.  It could be an under the radar pick-up for the Tigers that helps them out a lot.  The fact that he’s a switch hitter too only helps the Tigers.  I expect a good year from Pena and him just to help the Tigers, like Laird did only in a slightly different way.

The Tigers and Boesch

Brennan Boesch exploded onto the scene for the Tigers in April of 2010, becoming an offensive force as a rookie with tremendous power.  Power that he still has.  He finished the second half off terrible and rebounded in 2011 before an injury and then this past year he had his worst year yet, falling out of favor.  Now look, I don’t think Boesch is a starter, but I know that even if he is inconsistent he could help the Tigers a lot from the bench.  He may have only hit 12 homers last year, but that number is bound to go up.  I know players such as Chase Headley who have increased their power.  Now I know  Boesch is no Chase Headley but he has power like him.  If the Tigers do trade Boesch, they’ll be getting a bunch of low grade, low level prospects and for a guy like Boesch, a guy who could possibly help out the Tigers like he did just two short years ago that’s not enough.  To just let him go isn’t smart either. I’d hold onto him at least through Spring Training and see how it goes with him.  If he can tweak his swing some, he could be a decent fourth or fifth outfielder and I think he’s waiting to help the Tigers out in 2013 and he could surprise you.  Boesch has a brighter future ahead if himself than 2012 no matter what and he will get off to a fast start somewhere if given the chance.  So, if the Tigers do trade him, they should ask for at least one half way decent prospect who has a shot.  Boesch has been a special talent I’ve watch move up in the system with his power  His defense may not be there but if he improves just a little, I can see him going on to be a great player who can play a few different roles.

Detroit Tigers Awards

Tiger Of The Year

1. 3B Miguel Cabrera
2. SP Justin Verlander
3. CF Austin Jackson
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. SP Max Scherzer

CY Young

1. SP Justin Verlander
2. SP Max Scherzer
3. SP Doug Fister

Rookie

1. SP Drew Smyly
2. LF Quintin Berry
3. RP Brayan Villarreal
4. RF Avisail Garcia
5. RP Darin Downs

Comeback: CF Austin Jackson
Relief Man: Brayan Villarreal
Breakout Star: OF Andy Dirks
Gold Glove: CF Austin Jackson
Postseason MVP: Phil Coke

Top 10 FA That Would Help the Tigers

1. OF Josh Hamilton
2. OF Shane Victorino
3. OF Nick Swisher
4. OF Torii Hunter
5. OF Melky Cabrera
6. OF BJ Upton
7. SP Zack Grienke
8. RP Ryan Madson
9. OF Cody Ross
10. OF Ryan Ludwick

HM: Rafael Soriano, Michael Bourn, and Kelly Johnson

Re-Sign Priority

1. SP Anibal Sanchez
2. C Gerald Laird
3. OF Delmon Young
4. UT Don Kelly
5. RP Jose Valverde

I would re-sign the top two for sure and maybe Kelly or and even would try to get Young and leave Valverde alone, even though he was a good closer for the Tigers.

Can The Tigers Comeback?

Yes, a team has come back from a 2-0 on the road and even though the Giants are a good road team, the Tigers are an even better home team and their pitching the next three games is better too.  Plus, the Tigers offense can’t be held to zeros forever and Cabrera, Fielder, and Young along with the rest of the team can hit so much better at Comerica.  I see the Tigers awakening and the Giants haven;t been in this position, so I see their chances of choking going way up.  Plus, home crowd is a huge factor in a game and the one at Comerica is going to help the Tigers a lot.  I expect to see more contributions from every Tigers player these next three games and I honestly think they will go 3-0 in the next 3.  Anibal should twirl a great game that is great and I think Scherzer can follow with an even better game.  i think the Tigers chances of coming back are greater than ever right now and my gut has this feeling that they will, but if they lose tonight they are more than likely done barring a small miracle.  The Tigers need to get off to quick starts in these games too, but they can do it,  This Tigres team in talented and special and could easily comeback and be one of the better teams in franchise history and in the past decade.  They can do something special, but the Giants are going to put up a fight even though I think the Tigers can beat up on them.
Updated Predictions
Game 3: Tigers 11 Giants 1
Game 4: Tigers 6 Giants 4
Game 5: Tigers 4 Giants 3

PS: Watch out for Andy Dirks and Peralta and maybe even Avila

Tigers Starting Rotation For The 2012 World Series Is Set

How I’d set it up

1. Verlander
2. Fister
3. Scherzer
4. Verlander/Sanchez (JV would be my number one option barring rest not being a big deal)
5. Sanchez/Fister (Rather Sanchez start)
6. Fister/Scherzer (Fister is my first choice)
7. Verlander

Verlander can go on 3 days rest once, maybe twice but the Tigers would defiantly be smart to keep him for Game 7.  I’d rather Verlander make three starts, but sometimes it’s impossible.

The Real Deal So Far

1. Verlander
2. Fister
3. Scherzer
4. Sanchez

I doubt Leyland will pitch Verlander more than twice, he’s just not that kind of manager and that’s fine, we can still win with these four great arms.  Verlander’s second start should be chosen very wisely, especially with the postseason he has had.  Verlander is great for Game 1 since he has improved a 100x this postseason and should take care of his business.  Fister is good to go Game 2, since he is good in the playoffs and has done well on the road and Scherzer in Game 3, since he has been the Tigers best starter behind Verlander and Game 3 is a huge game.  Let’s not forget Sanchez either, he’s a durable righty who can hold any offense most days that the Tigers get to throw out there for a game.  The Tigers rotation is fine regardless and the way Leyland is handling for the Tigers eleventh World Series is great.

NOTE: Valverde struggled again in a simulated game today, if he continues to struggle, Coke should close in the World Series and Smyly be used for all our lefty needs.  Also, I think Brennan Boesch should be on the World Series roster, but he can’t strike out like hr did in the simulated game.  Last, Avila hit a HR and I’ll be amd if he doesn’t start 3 of the first 4 games at least.