On Friday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers will begin their 2022 campaign when they host the Chicago White Sox on Opening Day at Comerica Park.
There is a buzz surrounding the Tigers that has not been felt in quite some time as they appear to be ready to take another step toward contending for an American League Central title.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says the Tigers may just be the team that rises up and “might make everyone look silly if things break right.”
Tigers
Projected wins by FanGraphs: 75
Perhaps the most advanced of the rebuilding teams, the Tigers turned a corner last season after AJ Hinch took over as manager, going 68-61 after May 7 and producing their highest winning percentage since 2016. General manager Al Avila’s trade for Austin Meadows on Monday night provided further evidence that the team is ready to take the next step.
For the Tigers to contend for a wild-card spot, they will need their young starting pitchers to keep making progress, with Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal looming as potential game-changers. They will need shortstop Javier Báez, signed to a six-year, $140 million free-agent contract, to emerge as an offensive force. And they will need their young position players to contribute — Torkelson and center fielder Akil Baddoo early, Greene after he returns.
Nation, do you think the Tigers can make a run at a wild card spot in 2022 or are they still a year away from that?