2020 Detroit Tigers Preview – MLB Preview & Predictions
The Detroit Tigers are one team that is very easy to see where they are heading. The Tigers did not make any major moves in the off season and did not really improve themselves at all. What else does not help the Tigers is the Detroit team does have a good rotation, but does not have an offense to talk about. Now, it is time to actually go on and complete our Detroit Tigers preview today for the 2020 MLB season. Just remember, though, the Tigers did not have a good campaign in 2019 and the chances of improvement are quite a bit lower than what is expected for the moves the Tiger made in the off season.
Detroit Tigers Starting Pitching
The starting pitchers for the Tigers are fairly strong and set decent on the year compared to what the team should have. The projected starter for the Tigers at the top of the Tigers is Matthew Boyd, he is followed up by Spencer Turnbull. The third Detroit Tigers starter is projected to be Jordan Zimmermann with Ivan Nova after him. Daniel Norris is supposed to bring up the 5th spot in the rotation. Boyd started in 32 games for the Tigers last year and threw 185.1 innings. Boyd struck out 238 batters en route to a 9-12 record while posting a 4.56 ERA.
Detroit Tigers Relievers
The pitching problem that has cost the Tigers quite a bit is the bullpen. The Detroit Tigers team has Buck Farmer as the head of the bullpen. However, the Tigers also have Jose Cisnero, Bryan Garcia, Gregory Soto, and Tyler Alexander in the bullpen. The closer for the Tigers is projected to be Joe Jimenez. Last year Jimenez pitched in 66 games for a total of 59.2 innings with a total of 82 strikeouts. The downside is Jimenez posted a 4-7 record with 9 saves, but blew 5 saves. What else does not bode well for the Tigers is Jimenez had an ERA 4.37 last year.
Detroit Tigers Catchers
The catchers for the Tigers are potentially going to be in a platoon of 3 for the year. The backups for the Tigers are projected to be Eric Haase and Grayson Greiner. However, the Tigers are projected to have Austin Romine as the starter. During the season last year Romine played in 72 games for the Yankees with a .281 average and 8 homers with only 35 runners brought in. When it comes to catching the bases runners Romine threw out 30.3% of the runners.
Detroit Tigers Corners
In what could be the start of another issue for the Tigers is the offense and the defense is not that good either. The Tigers have C.J. Cron projected to start at first and Jeimer Candelario at third. The downside is Candelario backs up first base and Dawel Lugo backs up at third. Last year Cron played 125 games for the Twins with an average of .253 and sent 25 balls into the stands and brought in 78 runs. Candelario for his part played in 94 games and hit at a clip of .203 with 8 homers and 32 runners brought home.
Detroit Tigers Middle Infield
The middle infield for the Tigers does look like it could be somewhat solid with Jonathan Schoop and Niko Goodrum. If nothing else, the shortstop, Goodrum, does have a great name. Jordy Mercer is the backup for both positions and that could be an issue if the Tigers do have any injury bug. Last season Schoop played 121 games for the Twins. Schoop ended up getting a .256 average and hit 23 homers with 59 runners brought home. Last year Goodrum played in 112 games and hit .248 with 12 homers and 45 runners brought home.
Detroit Tigers Outfield
The outfield for the Tigers is going to be a potential sore spot with a lack of depth. The Tigers have Victor Reyes starting in left, but Reyes backs up right and centerfield. The Tigers have Jacoby Jones in center and Cameron Maybin in right field. Last season Reyes was able to play in only 69 games while hitting at a clip of .304 with 3 homers and 25 RBIs. Thecenter field position with Jones holding it down for 88 games while hitting at a clip of .235 with 11 homers and 26 runners brought home. Cameron Maybin was a Yankee last year and played in 82 games. Maybin did hit at a clip of .285 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs.
Detroit Tigers Designated Hitter
The designated hitter for the Tigers is one bright spot offensively with Miguel Cabrera sitting in the spot. Last year Cabrera was able to play in 136 games for the Tigers and ended up hitting at a clip of .282 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs on the year. So while the offensive production was off, Cabrera could be the one player that can help bring the Tigers offense on line.
Detroit Tigers Prediction
The Tigers did make some changes to their roster during the offseason, but it was mainly the players that many would consider to be the castoff players or backups from other teams. While these new players could be an improvement for the Tigers, it may not be enough in the way of changes for the Tigers to really be considered a major threat. Not to mention with the bullpen not in tip top shape and the closer only having 9 saves last season it will really hurt the Tigers chances of being competitive this season.
