This week we start with the AL Central, and leading them off is the Detroit Tigers. They are one of the AL's original eight charter franchises from back in 1894, and the only "western" team still in their original city. They've won four World Series titles, 11 AL Pennants, 7 division titles and 1 wild card appearance. At the moment the Tigers are in Major rebuild mode, but over the years they've had some stellar players, and this team largely represents their early 2010s dominance.
Tigers Logo 1901-1902
The Tigers lineup carries some heavy sticks, although has a few minor weaknesses in it. Austin Jackson will lead things off with his 5.76 expected runs, 10 OB and 22 speed to go along with a ridiculous three triple chart. Following him will be Alan Trammell's 1987 card that while having 9 OB will still provide 5.44 expected runs due to his three home runs, three doubles, 22 speed and only two outs. Batting third is the best third basemen in the game in Miguel Cabrera, who comes in at a ridiculous 7.71 expected runs. This makes him the 9th best player in the game (including all Bonds iterations). Giving him some protection is the 11 OB Ordonez who may not provide as many home run roll opportunities, but does have four doubles and only 3 outs to give plenty of chances to get on base and give you 6.41 expected runs. Victor Martinez comes in the 5-hole with 10 OB, and 18-20 home run to the tune of 6.15 expected runs.
Prince Fielder is batting 6th with his 5.89 expected run 2012 card that has 10 OB, a couple of home runs and three doubles. Gonzalez gives you a lot of power in the 7th slot with a 5 HR chart, followed by Avila's solid 10 OB card for them to come in at 5.26 and 4.99 expected runs respectively. Lou Whitaker's 1983 card rounds up the lineup at 4.67 expected runs with 17 speed to give some excitement to the back end of this lineup. Overall this lineup will undoubtedly mash, and Cabrera should be able to put up some similar numbers to his historic triple crown performance. The Tigers only get better once you move to the bullpen, with the three 2019 World Series performers headlining this rotation. Verlander leads the way with a ridiculous 5 Control, 8 IP, and an 18 to get on base for 5.34 expected runs. Sanchez's 3 Control, 19 to get on base card comes in at 5.76 and Scherzer and Fidrych both come in at 5.93. Firdrych gives you 8 IP to Scherzer's 6 IP, giving him the nod.
Fister is the fifth starter with his 4 Control, no doubles card for 6.53 expected runs. This is a bit of a drop off, however for a fifth starter you're definitely not complaining. This rotation is going to be able to mow down opposing lineups and has enough IP to keep the load from being overwhelming on the bullpen. The bullpen doesn't need the reprieve though, coming in with a very deep list of arms who can get the job done. Alburquerque leads the way with a 6 control and no doubles card fro 4.69 expected runs, which is over half a run ahead of Doyle Alexander's card. Alexander gives an awesome 3 IP and 19 to get on base for 5.37 expected runs.
Valverde, Hernandez, Brocail, Benoit and Greene all come in below 6 expected runs to give this bullpen some serious depth to rely on. The biggest concern with this pitching staff is that there are only two 6 control pitchers, however there are plenty of 5 controls to keep you from consistently having to rely on high rolls. Overall the bullpen is solid, although slightly lacking a go to shut down guy for high leverage situations. On the bench we have a few options. Jack Morris is the top starter at 6.53 expected runs and CJ Nitkowski is the top reliever at 6.04 expected runs. For hitters Bobby Higginson is the top bat at 4.96 expected runs, just ahead of Castellanos at 4.79. Higginson will get a spot because he gives +2 defense and 20 speed. CJ Nitkowski will also get a spot since he is considerably better than any of the starter options and only a hair worse then Greene. Plus he was one of my best relievers as a kid back in the day so he also has the nostalgia factor going for him. This gives us two spots left. Since they don't have any other 10 OB options, I'm going to go with JD Martinez's 2015 card due to his 6 HR chart in case you're in a situation you're facing a lower control pitcher and need a HR at all cost and Whittaker is the one hitting. Finally I'll give the nod to Jack Morris since he got inducted to the Hall of Fame, call me sappy.
This gives the team a little extra help with their arms, and a few other options with the bench for situational hitting. They're lucky in the sense that their best players are very good, but there really isn't much depth or flexibility to be had. All in the lineup comes in at 3,880 which is on the lower side, although I'd argue about half the lineup is very undervalued. The rotation comes in 2,750 which is right in line with some of the studly rotations we've seen and this rotation definitely packs a punch. Verlander might not be ultra-elite level starter some of the other teams have, but he is undoubtedly up there and followed closely by each one of these guys. The bullpen comes in at a solid 1,440 points and the bench at an even 1,500 to put this team at 9,570. They will undoubtedly be competitive, however compared to some of the other teams out there they come up just short.
Hitters
SP
RP
Ty Cobb unsurprisingly dominates the top of this list, having the top 5 seasons in Tigers history. Miggy's 2013 breaks this streak, which should come as no surprise. Alan Trammell's 1987 is also one of the top offensive Tiger seasons in history and we're lucky enough to see it in Showdown form here. One card that might be make-able would be a Hank Greenberg card, his 1940 season was particularly impressive in which he slashed .340/.433/.670/1.103 (leading the league in SLG and OPS), while also leading the league with 50 doubles, 41 HRs, 150 RBIs and 384 total bases. At second base, Charlie Gehringer played from 1924-1941 and had a few impressive seasons that could possibly knock Whitaker off. From 1934-1937 he averaged 134 runs, 213 hits, 46 doubles, 15 HRs and 112 RBIs a year while hitting .352 over that time span. Obviously it's difficult to compare different generations but those are some ridiculous stats. Al Kaline would also be a name to consider, enshrined in Cooperstown he played with the Tigers for 22 years he amassed 399 HRs and hit .297. In 1955 he hit .340 with 200 hits, 24 doubles, 27 home runs and 102 home runs and finished second to Yogi Berra in the MVP ballot. On the other side of the ball we're lucky enough to see the majority of modern top seasons, although in 1997 Justin Thompson garnered 7.7 WAR in his lone all star appearance, going 15-11 with a 3.02 ERA while striking out 151 over 181 IP. Francisco Rodriguez and Doug Jones both have had success on the Tiges, and seeing a remodeled card for them might help this team. Overall this team will definitely compete, although it it might fall a bit short of some of the top teams we'll see.
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