Detroit Tigers Tickets

Still just a few years removed from the World Series, the Detroit Tigers have pretty much fallen off the map.

After acquiring star third baseman Miguel Cabrera before last season, many around baseball were predicting a return appearance to the World Series and calling them the favorite to win it all.

Others were predicting the Tigers would put up record-setting run totals and have the most prolific offense in the big leagues. Instead, Detroit slumped out of the gate and never recovered, finishing near the bottom of the division.

Part of the reason for Detroit's struggles could be blamed on that offense that was supposed to be so potent.

Cabrera was terrible at the start of the season and never approached the numbers expected from him. In fact, he was such a liability at third base that the team eventually moved him over to first.

If the Tigers want to be a contender for the Central Division, the first step would be an in-shape, motivated Cabrera ready to do some serious damage in the middle of their lineup.

It also didn't help that team had to start the year without table-setter Curtis Granderson at the leadoff spot. Granderson hurt his hand and missed more than the first month of the season, leaving catcher Ivan Rodriguez to bat leadoff. Not exactly what the Tigers had in mind.

As for the starting rotation, it wasn't nearly as good as advertised and the Tigers need a bounce-back year from several pitchers.

Justin Verlander really struggled at the start of the season, but he actually didn't pitch nearly as bad as his record would indicate. I'd look for him to return to Cy Young candidate form this year.

You just have to hope the Tigers will have decent attendance numbers, especially if they struggle. The rough economic times have hit Detroit the hardest out of any other city, so people won't be as willing to shelve out money to see the team.

The Tigers also have some changes in the bullpen with closer Todd Jones opting for retirement. The team signed Brandon Lyon in the offseason and he is expected to be their new closer.

If things break right for the Tigers, there is no reason why they can't compete for a division title among a muddled group of teams in the Central division.