0000560365
DETROIT FREE PRESS
080330
Sunday, March 30, 2008
METRO FINAL
17E
MITCH ALBOM; JOHN LOWE; JON PAUL MOROSI; MICHAEL ROSENBERG; DREW SHARP
Free Press sports writers
SPECIAL SECTION: BASEBALL 2008
Copyright (c) 2008, Detroit Free Press
WE MAKE THE CALL: WILL THE TIGERS WIN THE WORLD SERIES?
MITCH ALBOM
No
Why? The Tigers won't make the World Series as currently constructed. They have to get a better bullpen. You can slug your way to the playoffs but not through them. However, if a closer emerges and if Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney ever stay healthy, look out. They could win everything.
AL Central
1 Tigers
2 Indians
3 Royals
4 Twins
5 White Sox
Tigers' 2008 record
92-70
Tigers' MVP
Miguel Cabrera
1,000 runs?
Yes
American League
East:
Red Sox
Central:
Tigers
West:
Angels
WC:
Indians
National League
East:
Mets
Central:
Cubs
West:
D'backs
WC:
Phillies
World Series
Red Sox over Mets
JOHN LOWE
No
Why? Predictions are like winters - no matter how many you deal with, they don't get any easier. What follows is pure guesswork. For me to pick a team now to be in the World Series, it has to have pitching that looks formidable enough to dominate heavy-hitting teams in the first two playoff rounds. The Tigers' staff doesn't strike me that way now - but could by October. Then again, at this point in 2006, I never would have guessed the Tigers would pitch dominantly in two playoff series that October.
AL Central
1 Indians
2 Tigers
3 Twins
4 White Sox
5 Royals
Tigers' 2008 record
93-69
Tigers' MVP
Carlos Guillen
1,000 runs?
No
American League
East:
Red Sox
Central:
Indians
West:
Angels
WC:
Tigers
National League
East:
Braves
Central:
Reds
West:
Padres
WC:
Mets
World Series
Red Sox over Braves
JON PAUL MOROSI
Yes
Why? It's a bad omen when key relievers aren't healthy in March. You wonder how the bullpen will look in late summer. This figures to be one of those entertaining-yet-excruciating seasons, with games that won't finish in time for you to watch Letterman. Because of the bullpen, the Tigers will lose games they have no business losing. Because of the lineup, they will win games they have no business winning. In the end, they will win the wild card. And if the bullpen is in working order, they should win it all.
AL Central
1 Indians
2 Tigers
3 White Sox
4 Twins
5 Royals
Tigers' 2008 record
95-67
Tigers' MVP
Gary Sheffield
1,000 runs?
Yes
American League
East:
Red Sox
Central:
Indians
West:
Mariners
WC:
Tigers
National League
East:
Braves
Central:
Brewers
West:
D'backs
WC:
Reds
World Series
Tigers over Diamondbacks
MICHAEL ROSENBERG
No
Why? With this offense and rotation, the Tigers should make the postseason. But once they get there, relief pitching will be of utmost importance. At this point, there are too many question marks in the bullpen. If Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya are healthy and effective in October, I might change my tune. But that is far from guaranteed.
AL Central
1 Tigers
2 Indians
3 Twins
4 Royals
5 White Sox
Tigers' 2008 record
98-64
Tigers' MVP
Miguel Cabrera
1,000 runs?
No
American League
East:
Red Sox
Central:
Tigers
West:
Mariners
WC:
Indians
National League
East:
Mets
Central:
Cubs
West:
D'backs
WC:
Rockies
World Series
Red Sox over Mets
DREW SHARP
No
Why? It was starting pitching that abandoned the Tigers last year. The back end of the bullpen remains flawed with setup men Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney injured, but if the starters regain the quality-start consistency of the magical season of 2006, the Tigers will return to the playoffs. Justin Verlander is the key. He becomes the undeniable ace of the rotation, curbing losing streaks and bringing a sense of invincibility every fifth day. That attitude was missing in 2007.
AL Central
1 Tigers
2 Indians
3 Twins
4 Royals
5 White Sox
Tigers' 2008 record
98-64
Tigers' MVP
Justin Verlander
1,000 runs?
No
American League
East:
Red Sox
Central:
Tigers
West:
Angels
WC:
Yankees
National League
East:
Mets
Central:
Reds
West:
Dodgers
WC:
D'backs
World Series
Red Sox over Diamondbacks
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