Detroit Tigers Roundtable: Grading the Offseason and Season Predictions

Feb 14, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) signs autographs after the Detroit Tiger

Let’s get everyone on the record: how many wins do you predict for the Tigers in 2014, and what will be the order of finish for the AL Central teams?

Chris Hannum: 91 wins, Tigers atop the division 2 games ahead of KC and 4 ahead of Cleveland. Mini Soda finishes .500 and leaves Chicago in a distant fifth.

Scott Byrne: 92 wins, good for first place; followed by Kansas City, the White Sox, Cleveland and the Twins.

Josie Parnell: I’m going with the Tigers having a record of 93-69 this season, and I predict the Central will end up as follows: Detroit, Cleveland, Kansas City (tough call on 2nd and 3rd place, these could easily be switched and/or separated by a single game), Minnesota, Chicago

Josh Paulisin: 104. I just think Ausmus will bring new life to a talented, but aging team. With the window for winning for the World Serires closing each year, the Tigers need to make it happen soon. I feel a big season is in store for the Tigers.

Matt Pelc: This division is not a pushover anymore. I believe the Tigers will win the division, but it would not shock me if they did not like it would have the last couple years. With that said, I think the Tigers’ 94 wins will take the Central by three games over the Royals. Cleveland will finish around .500 in third, followed by the Twins and White Sox.

Tom Zahari: I expect the Tigers to win more than 90 games this season and win the AL Central. If I had to put an exact number of wins, I would say 92. For the AL Central I think it will go: 1. Detroit Tigers, 2. Cleveland Indians, 3. Kansas City Royals, 4. Chicago White Sox, 5. Minnesota Twins

Michael Emmerich: 87 wins, edging out the Royals, and then in order the Indians, Twins, and White Sox.

Matt Snyder: I think the Tigers win 91 games and finish six in front of the next best team. I think Cleveland and Kansas City battle it out for the second spot, with Chicago and Minnesota bringing up the rear.

Blair Tatrault: 1. Detroit–90 wins, 2. Cleveland, 3. Kansas City, 4. Chicago, 5. Minnesota

Sam O’Toole: 95 wins.  My AL Central Order: Tigers, Indians, Royals, White Sox, Twins.

In 2013, the Tigers went 93-69 but their Pythagorean W-L record was 99-63, six games worse than how their record should have looked.  Also remember, the Tigers lost their final three games of the season after clinching the division.  The loss of Doug Fister, the lack of pop in the lineup and the improving Indians will keep the win total below 100, but the team is still really good.  The Tigers went 15-4 vs. Cleveland in 2013, which more than likely won’t happen again.  But going 11-17 against the Marlins, Angels and Twins doesn’t look probable either.  The only change in the standings is at the bottom, and the Indians will be tough as long as Terry Francona is the manager.