Which Team is the Biggest Threat to the Tigers in the AL Central?

May 11, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

Robbie Ray

(38) pitches in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers currently sit at 21-12 which is the best record in the American League by a ½ game and the best record in the AL Central by 5 games over the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals and 5.5 games over the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. The Tigers are taking care of business to start this season and have proclaimed dominance over the AL Central like many believed before the season. With the rest of the teams in the Central all either 5 or 5.5 games back of the Tigers, who poses the biggest threat to overtake the Tigers this season?

Here are the Tigers current pitching and hitting rankings in the AL:

6^th in runs and 4^th in runs per game at 4.94
1^st in batting average at .283
4^th in OBP at .335
T-2^nd in slugging percentage at .432
1^st in OPS at .766
2^nd in ERA at 3.45
3^rd in Batting Average against at .237
2^nd in opposing OBP at .297
6^th in opposing slugging at .387
4^th in opposing OPS at .684
2^nd in WHIP at 1.20
2^nd in FIP at 3.32
3^rd in xFIP at 3.58

Here are the Twins ranks:

5^th in runs at 164 and 6^th in runs per game at 4.69
12^th in batting average at .242
6^th in OBP at .331
13^th in slugging at .365
11^th in OPS at .697
14^th in ERA at 4.71
15^th in batting average against at .278
10^th in opposing OBP at .338
12^th in opposing slugging at .422
12^th in opposing OPS at .759
14^th in WHIP at 1.45
12^th in FIP at 4.17
15^th in xFIP at 4.55

Here are the White Sox ranks:

1^st in runs at 196 and runs per game at 5.16
2^nd in batting average at .267
7^th in OBP at .330
4^th in slugging at .423
4^th in OPS at .753
13^th in ERA at 4.63
8^th in batting average against at .257
14^th in opposing OBP at .343
7^th in opposing slugging at .391
9^th in opposing OPS at .734
15^th in WHIP at 1.46
13^th in FIP at 4.25
14^th in xFIP at 4.53

Here are the Royals ranks:

14^th in runs at 139 and runs per game at 3.86
9^th in batting average at .255
13^th in OBP at .307
15^th (last) in slugging at .358
13^th in OPS at .665
4^th in ERA at 3.49
5^th in batting average against at .240
4^th in opposing OBP at .308
3^rd in opposing slugging at .370
3^rd in opposing OPS at .678
3^rd in WHIP at 1.25
6^th in xFIP at 3.88

Here are the Indians ranks:

11^th in runs at 147 and 13^th in runs per game at 3.97
13^th in batting average at .237
11^th in OBP at .316
11^th in slugging at .373
12^th in slugging at .688
7^th in ERA at 3.87
6^th in batting average against at .251
8^th in opposing OBP at .323
4^th in opposing slugging at .370
6^th in opposing OPS at .699
8^th in WHIP at 1.34
1^st in FIP at 3.23
2^nd in xFIP at 3.54

Looking at all of these numbers, it can easily be seen that the Tigers are the most complete team with the highest overall rankings in the division both offensively and pitching. Looking at the rest of the division the Twins and White Sox have started strong offensively, but are struggling on the mound. The Twins are dealing with injury problems which is leading to offensive struggles of late. The Indians and the Royals are both having a hard time scoring runs, but are pitching well. Looking at advanced statistics, the Indians’ pitching staff is pitching better than their numbers show. They are 1^st and 2^nd in FIP and xFIP which means their ERA should decrease if their defense holds up.

I am a believer that pitching wins championships, or at least will keep you in the race for one. The Royals and Indians have the better pitching staffs behind the Tigers. I believe that Indians’ offense is more likely to come around than the Royals’. I think the Indians are still the team to look out for in the Central as this season wears on. What do you think?

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