CAN THEY DO IT?

Written by Nick Dennis, possible Detroit Hookup writer.



With the All Star Break looming ominously, much discussion has begun as to whether the Tigers can make it to the post season. The All Star Break stands as a time when teams reflect on their season whilst managers and coaches decide which direction the team will go for the remainder of the season.



All optimistic Tigers fans firmly believe that the Tigers are in both the division race and the wild card race. Houston seemed mediocre at the All Star Break junction last season, so why can’t the Tigers be the fairytale team this season. The Tigers do have a few factors working in their favor.



THE NL EAST: At the beginning of the season, most people would have believed this division would hold the wild card winner. And after Baltimore’s blistering start, I’m sure nobody doubted it. But it seems to be that Baltimore was playing above itself and is now coming back to the field. With Boston taking over 1st place in that division, and the struggles of the Yankees and Orioles, this opens the door up for the Tigers.
CARLOS GUILLEN: The Tigers have been hit with injuries to three key players most of the season. After Carlos Guillen looked like the best shortstop in the league, his knees started playing up. This left a huge hole on defense and in the lineup. Tony Giarratano tried vailiantly to fill the void, but he is no Guillen. Let’s hope Guillen’s injuries are behind him, because any contending team, let alone the Tigers, would struggle to fill that kind of hole.
MAGGLIO ORDONEZ / TROY PERCIVAL: When both of these players were out to injury, the lineup was basically the same as the .500 lineup of last season. One positive to the Percival injury was that Urbina was able to strut his stuff as a closer and raise his trade value. With Percy getting back to his best and the impending return of Maggs, the Tigers will have an offense and bullpen many clubs will fear.
THE NL CENTRAL: This factor could be good or could be bad, but one thing the Tigers can hold onto is that their fate is ultimately in their hands still. The Tigers have a boatload of games left against their own division and after recently taking 2 of 3 games against Minnesota at the dreaded Metrodome, the Tigers should have a buoyancy going up against other NL Central clubs.
THE YOUNG GUNS: Chris Shelton & Nook Logan have been outstanding when their name has been called. So much so that Nook is the every day CF and Chris Shelton is platooning with Dmitri Young between 1B & DH. These unexpected developments, along with the exceptional play of Brandon Inge, Rondell White & Craig Monroe has enabled the Tigers to stay within striking distance



Of course with all this optimism, there have got to be factors working against the Tigers.



THE YANKEES: With Baltimore losing their footing, Texas struggling and The Tribe sinking back into mediocrity, it would seem that the two teams that the Tigers will be chasing for the wild card are The Yankees & The Twins. The Yankees have teased us all season with their up and down play. Their pitching may not be strong, but expect them to make a deal at the trade deadline to improve that. The Yankees always make a run, and I don’t see why this year should be any different.
THE TWINS: The Minnesota Twins. Just saying that acts like a thorn in my side like the Twins have been for years. Their uncanny ability to eke out wins and play masterful small ball makes the Twins a tough team to catch when they get ahead. The best chance the Tigers have to catch the Twins is to beat them in divisional play.
THE WHITE SOX: To say the White Sox have opened up a commanding lead in the NL Central is an understatement. The other NL Central teams are waiting for the yearly White Sox implosion but it hasn’t occurred yet. Their pitching staff has been pitching way above expectations and their record in 1 run games is astounding. The Tigers are far from out of the divisional race, but as the White Sox keep winning, it seems harder and harder to expect them to come back to the field.
THE PITCHING: So far this season, the reason the Tigers are playing .500 ball is the unexpected excellence of the pitching. The staff led by Jeremy Bonderman, has one of the best ERA in the NL. The worry is, will it hold up. Jason Johnson is known for his late season collapses, the Tigers don’t have a comfortable 5th starter, and the other three guys are starting to look very hittable. Both the starting pitching and the bullpen will have to continue their wonderful play if the Tigers are to have a chance at the post season.



As a biased Tigers fan, I like their chances of winning the wild card. As of Tuesday 28th of June, they are only 4 games behind wild card leaders Baltimore & Minnesota. 4 games is nothing. That can be made up in as little as a week. With key players coming back from injury and continued success of the pitching staff, I see no reason why we should give up on the post season. The Tigers have the talent to play .600 baseball for the remainder of the season and I’ll be there cheering when they make it.



Nick Dennis