2016 was an interesting year for the Detroit Tigers. They had a lot of highs and a lot of lows but when the dust settled, they finished a full eight games behind the Cleveland Indians for first place in the American League Central.
When the offseason rolled around, Tigers general manager Al Avila made it known that changes were coming. Whether or not he meant the Tigers were going to trade away some of their star players, many took it that way and when Avila traded Cameron Maybin for a small return, it seemed like the wheels were in motion.
But then something happened. The rumors kept flying around, including some which included players like Justin Verlander and Ian Kinsler leaving for the Dodgers, but nothing ever came to fruition.
Now, as the 2017 season is about to get underway, the band is back together in Detroit for a run at the playoffs and hopefully more. Here is a look at three reasons why the Detroit Tigers WILL make the playoffs.
3. The lineup will mash
When you have a lineup that includes, Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Justin Upton and Nicholas Castellanos, you have a chance to win a lot of baseball games.
Last season, the Tigers biggest issue, at least offensively speaking, is that they never really played consistently as a lineup. They scored double-digit runs 14 times during the season but were also shutout on 12 occasions. Despite finishing 2nd in team batting average in the American League, the Tigers were only 6th in runs scored.
In 2017, the Tigers lineup will come alive and it will STAY alive for much of the season. Sure, there will be a few blips on the radar, but when all is said and done, they will have led the American League in runs scored.
