Keys to the Detroit Tigers Making the Playoffs

The 2008 Major League Baseball season started with a great amount of hope for the Detroit Tigers and their fans. Most prognosticators predicted that the Tigers would easily win the Central Division, and would possibly have a shot at winning their first World Series since 1984, and atoning for falling just short of the title in 2006.

But once the season started, reality set in and things didn't come as easily to the Tigers as everyone expected. The Tigers lost their first seven games of the season, including being swept by division rivals Kansas City and Chicago at home. It took the Tigers until the end of June to dig themselves out of that hole and get their record back to .500.

And that is where they sit at the All-Star Break. They have an even 47-47 record, trailing the division-leading White Sox by 7 games, and 5.5 games behind second place Minnesota. The Tigers' postseason prospects don't look as promising as they did before the season started, but with 68 games left to play, it's not impossible for the Tigers to get back into the pennant race and make it to the playoffs. But in order to do so, they'll need to make a few changes.

The number one thing the Tigers need to do better in the second half of the season is play better within their division. Over the last three years, the team with the best record within the division has made the playoffs in the AL Central. So far this year, the Tigers are a dismal 14-24 against the rest of the AL Central, while the division-leading White Sox are an impressive 26-12. Those divisional games will take on added importance in the second half, because winning games head-to-head against the White Sox and Twins will be the easiest way to gain ground and eventually pass them in the standings. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they only play three more games against the Minnesota Twins and 9 more against the Chicago White Sox, so those 12 games will be absolutely critical to win.

In order to win those games, the Tigers will need more consistent hitting and better pitching. The Tigers have scored 449 runs so far, which ranks as a very respectable 5^th in the American League. But the Tigers have also shown a great propensity to be shut out in ballgames.

Part of the reason for the inconsistent offense is that the Tigers have been plagued by injuries all year. Curtis Granderson missed time at the beginning of the year due to a hand injury. Placido Polanco struggled to start the season because of nagging injuries. And recently, Magglio Ordonez has been out of the lineup due to injury. If the Tigers stars can stay healthy in the second half of the season, they could resemble the juggernaut offense that they were predicted to be.

But the biggest key for the Tigers will be their ability to pitch. The Tigers have allowed the 5^th most runs in the American League. Their starting rotation took two hits in the first half of the season. Dontrelle Willis was injured most of the first half, and provided little help while healthy. A blood clot was discovered in Jeremy Bonderman's shoulder midway through the first half of the season. Both pitchers should be out for the rest of the year. Their slack will have to be picked up by rookies Armando Galarraga, who was arguably the Tigers best pitcher in the first, and Eddie Bonine, who struggled to find his groove after taking over for Bonderman.

The Tigers ace, Justin Verlander started to pitch better after struggling in his first few starts, and he will need to be spectacular in the second half to give the Tigers a shot at catching the White Sox. Kenny Rogers has historically struggled late in the season, but pitched well in recent starts.

The Tigers' bullpen was a disaster for much of the first half of the season. Middle relievers Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney returned from injury, and haven't been great, but if they can return to form, it would give the Tigers a deadly combination to set the table for closer Todd Jones, who is far from dominating, but has been effective when given the opportunity. This trio may give Tiger fans nightmares, but if the offense can give them a lead heading into the 7^th inning, they should be able to hold on most nights.

The White Sox are on pace to win 93 games this season. In order for the Tigers to win 93 games, they would need to go 46-22. That is definitely a tall mountain to climb, but with some better luck healthwise, and more consistent pitching, there is definitely a possibility of the Tigers playing in the postseason.