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Detroit Tigers 2015 MLB season preview and predictions

By Brad Rowland

Detroit Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) runs drills before a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) runs drills before a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) during player introductions before game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) during player introductions before game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

2015 Season Predictions

Star-driven teams can work, but only if those stars perform like stars. Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander have formed an incredibly valuable and productive core for the Tigers for some time, but both are on the wrong side of their prime, and even with mild bounce-back efforts, it would be a stretch to think that both can ascend back to previous levels.

With that, the Tigers are going to need big-time efforts from their peripheral players, in the Anibal Sanchez-Alex Avila-Nick Castellanos mold, and I’m not entirely convinced that their supporting cast is good enough to repeat as AL Central champions again.

If everything goes well with Verlander, Cabrera, Martinez and Price operating at uber-dominant levels, things will be pretty good in Detroit. I don’t see it, however, and the Tigers will be battling with a handful of American League teams for a chance at a Wild Card berth while finishing second in the suddenly competitive AL Central.

Projection: 86-76 (2nd in AL Central)

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