Tigers are Baseball's Best

Its getting to be that time of year when people can finally start debating which team in baseball is the elite, the one everyone needs to try and catch. On Friday I listened to a little bit of Mike & Mike in the Morning, on ESPN Radio. They were debating this very topic, and answered a few different teams such as the Indiana, Mets, Angels, Red Sox, etc. That is until Peter Gammons came on the program.

Gammons came on and said the team that is the biggest lock to reach the World Series is the Detroit Tigers, and that should be quite clear for any baseball fan. I just dont see any realistic way a person could say otherwise.

Lets start with the guys who arent players, namely GM Dave Dombrowski and Manager Jim Leyland. These guys are among the top tier in their jobs, maybe right at the top of the ladder. Dombrowski built the Tigers on power pitching, and has shown a deft ability to make dynamic trades and not be afraid to pull the trigger. Leyeland brings of a fiery Lou Pinella type, yet is able to relate with each player, even though he could be twice their age.

The pitching for the Tigers was well documented in 2006, and has taken a slight step back. However, dont put much stock in that, as it should vastly improve as the season goes on. Kenny Rogers just made his return from the disabled list, and calmly pitched 6 innings against Altlanta allowing only 2 hits. Yes, 2 hits. I think its fair to say Rogers is back in perfect form.

And then we have Justin Verlander. Verlander was drafted in 2004, and debuted in 2006 as the Rookie of the Year. He was overpowering with a 100 mph fastball, and helped pitch the Tigers into the World Series. This season, he has put up All-Star caliber numbers with a 9-2 record, a 2.78 ERA, and a whopping 85 strikeouts. The kid is plain sick, and its not even fair.

Jeremy Bonderman is the other Tiger pitcher to dominant this season, likely an automatic choice for the All-Star team along with Verlander. After having no decision in his first 5 starts of the year, Bonderman has since won 8 straight starts, while striking out 76 and only walking a mere 16!

The Tigers rotation now includes prize rookie Andrew Miller, a fireballer who will overwhelm hitters. Miller was only drafted a year ago, and will be a rotation fixture with Bonderman and Verlander for years to come. Nate Robertson is the other starter just coming back from a tired arm. Although he has struggled the past month, Robertson threw 6 no-hit innings in his rehab start. He is a gutsy pitcher who is as intense as anyone out on the mound.

The Tigers bullpen is where the serious question marks are raised. Last year, the bullpen was carried mainly by Jamie Walker, Fernando Rodney, Joel Zumaya and Todd Jones. Well, Jamie Walker has since left as a free agent to Baltimore, Zumaya suffered a serious finger injury to keep him for 12 weeks or more, Rodney was broken down and been a mess, and Jones has been, well, Jones, always a pitcher who keeps fans holding their breath. The only dependable reliever really has been Tim Byrdak, a career minor leaguer who was called up in May. The Tigers still have hope though. Zumaya should be back in August. One would think Rodney has to clear up his control issues sooner or later. Chad Durbin has been moved from the rotation to the bullpen, and has been pitching well all year. Another promising flamethrower has been called up from the minors in Eulogio de la Cruz. Wil Ledezma was traded for lefty specialist Macay McBride. And dont ever discount Dombrowski making a big trade to help at the trade deadline, as he has a large pool of pitching prospects at his disposal.

And now, we come to the heart of why the Tigers are so dominant. Thier offense is on pace to be one of the best ever, and leaves teams shaking their heads as they blow through. As a team, the Tigers are batting .295. They have had a ridiculous 429 RBI, with a stunning 444 runs scored. No other team is even close to those numbers.

The Tigers are led by Magglio Ordonez, who would probably be named AL MVP if the award were given today. Ordonez has a monster .383 batting overage with a not even fair .659 on base percentage. And having 68 RBI at this point in a season is extremely rare.

Placido Polanco and Carlos Guillen are a great double play duo up the middle, as well as tremendous 2 and 5 hitters respectively. Polanco almost never strikes out, and can roll out of bed and get a hit. Polanco bats .342, while only striking 16 times all year. Guillen already has 52 RBI himself, while cheking in by batting .318.

And where are the other holes in this lineup. Gary Sheffield is one of the scariest players ever in baseball. Brandon Inge has very deceptive power and is a clutch hitter. Craig Monroe is clutch himself, and when hot, can be one of the most deadly hitting outfielders in the American League. Ivan Rodriguez can spray the ball all over the field, and keeps racking up hits like never before. Curits Granderson is one of the best up and coming stars in the game, and although needs to cut down on his 65 strikeouts, can use all 5 tools and do anything the manager asks. Sean Casey, although while not having much power, is one the best gap hitters in the game. Not to mention, he very well could be the best clubhouse guy in baseball, always maintaining a lose atmosphere and treating everyone with respect. As for the bench, Marcus Thames provides plenty of power, Omar Infante is versatile enough to play any position and hit good at any moment like Polanco when called upon. There just isnt any weaknesses.

When one looks at the Tigers, with the dominant starting pitching to along with the undisputed best offense in the game, it should be a no-brainer. This team won the American League last year, so they know what it takes. No other team simply has the resources or depth to keep pace right now. The Tigers have quickly surpassed Cleveland in the standings, and should safely finish in 1st by the end of the year. And who will stop this team with a lethal offense, and plenty of great starting pitching, when it comes to short playoff series when these things are most important? If I were in Vegas right now, I would put as much money down on the Tigers as I could. The team is locked and loaded, and ready to blow by everyone in baseball on the way to a World Series.