Detroit Tigers 2016 Season Preview

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher, Justin Verlander needs to revert to his 2013 form in 2016. Even if that happens, the Tigers will need their bats to carry them.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Posted on 3/28/2016.

Detroit Tigers Batting Lineup

NO.	Batter	POS.	BA	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
1	Ian Kinsler	2B	.285	13	79	43	80	11
2	Justin Upton	LF	.267	31	90	68	159	19
3	Miguel Cabrera	1B	.328	26	102	76	82	1
4	Victor Martinez	DH	.276	16	68	31	52	0
5	J.D. Martinez	RF	.288	34	95	53	178	4
6	Nick Castellanos	RF	.268	17	39	39	152	1
7	James McCann	C	.274	8	49	16	90	1
8	Jose Iglesias	SS	.296	3	28	25	44	9
9	Anthony Gose	CF	.248	4	23	45	145	20

Detroit Tigers Batting Lineup Summary: Detroit has quite a formidable batting lineup. This batting lineup gives the Tigers a chance at a top 3 record in the AL Central, but at the end of the day how good the starting rotation is will determine how good the Tigers are as a team.

Detroit Tigers Starting Rotation

NO.	Pitcher	IP	H	ERA	BB	SO	W	L
1	Justin Verlander	133.1	113	3.38	32	113	5	8
2	Jordan Zimmerman	201.2	204	3.66	39	164	13	10
3	Anibal Sanchez	157	152	4.99	49	138	10	10
4	Mike Pelfrey	164.2	198	4.26	45	86	6	11
5	Daniel Norris	60	53	3.75	19	45	3	2

Detroit Tigers Starting Rotation Summary: Justin Verlander did much better as a #1 starter in 2015. Still it would be nice to see his ERA get lower than 3.00.

Anibal Sanchez is much better at being a #3 pitcher than be a #2 starter in a rotation. Getting Jordan Zimmerman from the Washington Nationals and Mike Pelfrey from the Minnesota Twins makes me wonder if Detroit can do well enough to avoid last place.

Daniel Norris is the #5 starter in this rotation. He won't pitch until the middle of April.

The Tigers' rotation is much better than last season. I still feel like this rotation won't be able to do enough to get Detroit to the 2016 MLB Playoffs.

Detroit Tigers Bullpen

NO.	Pitcher	IP	H	ERA	BB	SO	W	L
LR	Shane Green	83.2	103	6.88	27	50	4	8
LR	Buck Farmer	40.1	53	7.36	17	24	0	4
MR	Bruce Rondon	31	31	5.81	19	36	1	0
MR	Blaine Hardy	61.1	61	3.08	22	55	5	3
MR	Alex Wilson	70	61	2.19	11	38	3	3
MR	Justin Wilson	61	49	3.10	20	66	5	0
SU	Mark Lowe	55	46	1.96	12	61	1	3
CL	Francisco Rodriguez	57	38	2.21	11	62	1	3

Detroit Tigers Bullpen Summary: The Detroit Tigers have some strong middle relievers as well as a set up pitcher and closer. The Tigers long relievers are among the worst in the MLB and may begin the season in the starting rotation. Alex Wilson will begin the year injured.

Prediction: Detroit could go 81-81. I don't see the Tigers as a playoff team, but they could be one of the hottest teams in the MLB at the end of the 2016 MLB Season.