Detroit Tigers Off to Blistering Start in AL Central

The Detroit Tigers are starting to look like a complete team. The Tigers have won four straight titles in the American League Central and that has attracted some of the biggest stars in baseball to the team. Players like Justin Verlander the Cy Young Award and MVP winner in 2011; Miguel Cabrera the MVP winner in 2012 as well as 2013; Victor Martinez was second in the voting for the MVP in 2014.

The Tigers also had Anibal Sanchez, Torii Hunter and Prince Fielder and last year at the trade deadline they picked up southpaw pitching ace David Price.

However, for all the star power, offense and power pitching, Detroit lost the American League Championship Series twice, was swept during the 2012 World Series and was swept by Baltimore in the 2014 division series.

During the postseason, the stars at times have not delivered, but at times, the team has reached the postseason with serious flaws such as the bullpen last season.

Despite having a team with a great deal of star power, the Tigers have barely won in what is considered a soft division. Last season they won by one game over Kansas City, in 2013 by a game over Cleveland and by just three over the White Sox in 2012.

However, this year’s team jumped out of the gate and is now 11-2 after defeating the New York Yankees, behind seven innings from Alfredo Simon and might be different from years past.

The team this season resembles a team and not a collection of high priced talent.

Jose Iglesias at shortstop is a fine example. He was projected to be the starter last season. However, he was shut down by Detroit during spring training when tests showed fractures in both his shins. Now he is healthy and playing defense superbly. He will be a candidate for the gold glove.

Even better for Detroit, is that Iglesias is batting .439 for the Tigers. He does not have power and rarely walks, but he gets his bat on the ball as he only has struck out twice in 46 appearances at the plate.

The defense in the outfield is much better. Hunter is gone and so is his liability on defense. Yoenis Cespedes came over from Boston and Anthone Gose was picked up from Toronto.

Entering their game on Monday, Detroit was second in baseball in Defensive Runs Saved behind just the Royals.

In addition, Alfredo Simon was an acquisition in the offseason that was questioned by many, but he is now 3-0 with an ERA of 1.74 and has walked just two over 20.2 innings.

Shane Green is 3-0 as well with an ERA of 0.39. Price has give up just one run in his three starts.

It is early but the Tigers look strong.