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Detroit Tigers - Going all the way?
By GEOFF KONTZ, MOP Squad Sports Staff Writer
Jun 24, 2006 - 11:49:00 PM

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Well the Tigers are 50-25 to start the season. Not a bad start for one of the darkhorse teams of the year. Hopefully they can sustain this... At least, that's what Detroit fans are hoping for....

Detroit Tigers starter Kenny Rogers, one of many pleasant surprises for the team this season, pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 24, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

But who knows.... Can the Tigers pitching sustain this?

The starting rotation is relatively young. Justin Verlander is pitching up to the hype in which he was given the past few years. Tonight, Kenny Rogers had the chance to become the first pitcher in Major League Baseball this year to reach 11 wins.  However, he ended up comming short. Then you have to look at the bullpen anchored by Fernando Rodney, Joel Zumaya and Wil Ledezma.

On top of all that, you have the young Humberto Sanchez waiting to for a chance to shine. With his brief stints up in AAA, he may very well push his spot in the pen this year for the big D.

IF - Detroit's infield is pretty solid all around. Chris Shelton has carried a big bat, followed by a big slump. He seems to be rebounding nicely.

Placido Polanco - great guy. Works hard, and is starting to show last years form.

Carlos Guillen - should be an all star, playing great w/ the glove, also is a great hitter. (second on the team in RBI)

Brandon Inge - Can't ask for a better glove and arm at third base. Not to mention, he's a clutch hitter. Given his average is pretty pathetic... he is tied with Guillen for second on the team in RBI.

OF - Anchored by Magglio Ordonez, but Curtis Granderson is coming on strong to be a star. The home-grown talent raised from the farm, is coming along nicely. Thames, an unexpected surprise is looking to push Craig Monroe out of the starting spot. Will that happen? Time will tell.

Catching - Pudge is playing great and is acting like the leader the Tigers hired him to be. Vance Wilson is having a great year as a back up and Tiger fans feel comfortable letting Pudge have a day off with a competent replacement.

On top of all this - The Tigers are BUYING this year. They are going to look for a left-handed batter to insert right in the middle of their lineup. Tigers' owner Mike Illitch said he's willing to spend, an this would be the year.

The biggest question marks, are the starting rotation in general - Can they sustain this?

Todd Jones - Is he the real deal in a closer? - All I can say here is I don't wanna ride the ride much more...

Lets hope that this is the year. Tiger fans are desperate for a great team. This could actually be the real deal. Lets wait and see.... Thats all we really can do.


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