Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

[Psyblast]

How will the regular season end for the Detroit Tigers?

[Stu]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

I voted for slip behind Chicago but still win the wildcard. I think their pitching staff will come back to earth some, but they are still talented enough to take the wildcard, especially with the top teams in the East and West beating up on each other.

[Skerik]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

They're not as good as the Sox, but their pitching is too good not to win the WC. If the young starters respond well to their first playoff push, they'll get in.

[BGarrett7]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

Wildcard, unfortunately.

[X*Cell]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

Better hope they don't end up like the 2005 Baltimore Orioles.

The difference between the O's and the Tigers though, is Kenny Rogers. There is no way he will allow the pitching staff to go from near-perfect, to utter-failures like the Orioles did last year.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

Better hope they don't end up like the 2005 Baltimore Orioles.

The difference between the O's and the Tigers though, is Kenny Rogers. There is no way he will allow the pitching staff to go from near-perfect, to utter-failures like the Orioles did last year.

Why'd you have to bring that up .

Anyway, what I'd like to see happen is the Tigers collapse, the Indians go on a tear and win the wild card. Unfortunately, that's very unlikely and the Tigers will probably finish 3-4 games behind Chicago and take the WC.

[rubisco43]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

Better hope they don't end up like the 2005 Baltimore Orioles.

'dem's fightin' words

As much as I'd like to see an up and comer like the Tigers make a strong run, I see them fading and not making the playoffs. Shelton has REALLY cooled down these past few weeks (especially with his power). Granted, Mags makes up a bit of that but Shelton made that team run earlier this season. Inge and Monroe are both hitting well below .240 and that's not good for a LF or 3B, where production is expected. <br>
The main reason though is Kenny Rogers. This guy the past 3 years is 29-12 with a 3.87 ERA PRE-all star, then 16-13 with a 4.80 ERA POST-all star.
<br>
But I hope I'm wrong. I'm a big fan of teams with GOOD young pitching, and the Tigers definitely have that.

[rsox]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

The Tigers have the best starting pitching in the American League, the best bullpen in the American League and an offense that is starting to get better at manufacturing runs rather than waiting for the long ball.

The White Sox have good starting pitching, a decent bullpen (not as good as last years) and a strong offense.

The Tigers have a stable presence as their manager, the White Sox have an unstable Jackass for whoem even the GM will no longer defend.

Will Guillens antics eventually become a distraction?, possibly. Can Jim Leyland keep the Tigers fire going?, probably.

It could all come down to which team makes the better moves at the trading deadline but i think the Tigers can keep this going and take the division.

[Misfit]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

I think the Tigers have the pitching to compete. I don't know how they'll finish, but they won't drop off completely. I think their offense is the shaky part, but they have enough to compete if their pitching holds up. I lover Bonderman and Verlander and Zumaya should be the closer.

[redskinrussell]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

If we are able to get Abreu for Monroe, Maroth and Tata then I think we will win the division. We need a left handed bat pretty badly. If we do not land him or another decent left handed bat then we'll get the WC. As long as we stay healthy for the most part then it would be a hell of collapse for us not to make it. I better start saving up for playoff tix. One thing I noticed was during the CWS the other night, 2 of our draft picks were the starting pitchers. DD has done a great job assembling this team and Leyland has changed the attitudes of these players.

[dieselboy]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

I think they might miss the WC as they could potentially fall behind the teams in the East as well as ChiSox.

[maidenvoyage]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

I haven't been able to figure out why yet, but I'm actually enjoying the Tigers rise from the ashes . . . and I tend to root against all Detroit sports teams as a general rule. While I'll certainly be rooting for the White Sox to overtake them in the second half, it's good to see the franchise turn things around. It's been a long time coming. I would much rather see the Tigers (or Blue Jays for that matter) pick up a big time free agent to make a second half push and leave the Red Sox and Yankees behind. Enough is enough already.

[Shaver]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

Barring injury, there is no reason why the Tigers can't hold of the White Sox. Their pitching is there. The offense is coming around. Someone said earlier about Monroe's numbers not being acceptable for a LF, well, you need to factor in Marcus Thames' numbers as well because he's been playing a lot of left and he's reached safely in 38 of his last 40 and is crushing the ball.

Granderson is quietly becoming one of the best 5 tool players in the game. Polanco has finally woken up and is playing his game. And Mags is having an All-Star season with little to no fan fare.

This next Sox/Tigers series in Mid-July will tell a lot of the story. The Sox are still a tough team for the Tigers head-to-head, but they are winning all the games they are supposed to win. That's a start.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

I don't know why... but I just see them falling apart... as much as I would love to see the Tigers dethrone the Sox I just don't see it happening... hell I think the Twins may have a better shot... Inge, Monroe, Shelton are not doing so hot right now and eventually if they don't pick it up the team will suffer when their pitching goes in a slump which (WILL) happen at some point even if only for a week or two... but by that point the Sox may have already pulled away. Sad but true... I just don't see anyone catching the White Sox.

[Stu]

Re: Now that we're almost at the halfway point...

Better hope they don't end up like the 2005 Baltimore Orioles.

The big difference is the Orioles had a bunch of guys who had never pitched a full season. The collapse for them was inevitable.

The Tigers on the other hand have 4 guys in their rotation that all have multiple seasons in the 30 start, 200 innings range. (Rogers, Bonderman, Robertson, Maroth)