Detroit Tigers: Top Five AL Central First Half Surprises

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League outfielder

(6) of the Kansas City Royals hits an RBI double against the National League during the fifth inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals Offense

All fans know about the Royals strong bullpen, defense and speed, but Kansas City has been much better with the bats this season.

The Royals average 4.42 runs per game, which is fourth in the AL behind just the Blue Jays, Yankees and Tigers.

Last season, Kansas City didn’t have a player with 20 home runs or 80 RBI. In 2015, catcher Salvador Perez already has 15 bombs and designated hitter Kendrys Morales already has 61 RBI.

On Sunday, the Royals beat the Blue Jays, 11-10, in the final game of the first half. That victory just further indicates that Kansas City can beat you in other ways besides with its bullpen and defense.

Next: Tigers

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League shortstop

(1) of the Detroit Tigers at bat against the National League during the sixth inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers Record

One can go back and forth on whether this is actually a surprise. The Detroit Tigers showed signs that a tough season could be coming when they were swept in the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles and then didn’t sign former Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer.

In the first half, when the Tigers pitched well, they didn’t hit and when they began hitting, the pitching started slumping. For a 19-game stretch from May 17 to June 5, the Tigers averaged just 2.84 runs per game. Detroit was just 5-14 during that time frame.

During June, Detroit’s team ERA skyrocketed to 4.43, which was second-worst in the AL during that month. Through the first two weeks of July, the Tigers team ERA is dead last in the AL at 6.16.

That has left Detroit at an even 44-44 at the break. Although they are still alive in a weak American League, the Tigers will have a lot of work to do in order to make the playoffs.

Next: Twins

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League second baseman

(2) of the Minnesota Twins runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the National League during the eighth inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Twins Fast Start

Alright, so the Twins didn’t exactly get off to an extremely fast start when they began the season 1-6, but that made it an even bigger surprise when the Twins won 20 games in May.

During the month, Minnesota was fourth in runs scored, 139, and ERA, 3.57. The great May pushed the Twins 11 games above .500 and into first place in the AL Central for a small period of time.

Minnesota has been playing under .500 ball since then, but by going 6-1 in the final week of the first half of the season, the Twins have the second best record in the AL at 49-40.

That’s just 4.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals.

Next: Kluber

Jul 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Kluber‘s Poor Numbers

It’s surprising to many that the Cleveland Indians haven’t been better this season, but it’s hard to fault them for that when the Royals, Twins, and at times, the Tigers, have played so well.

The biggest surprise from the Tribe has to be the fact the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner is just 4-10 at the All-Star break. Kluber lost just nine games all of last season.

He had a horrible start to the season, going 0-5 with a 5.04 ERA in his first seven starts. From there, though, Kluber has been dominant.

Kluber struck out 18 batters on May 13 to win his first game. In the span of four starts, he struck out 50 batters in 32 innings and his ERA dropped over a run and a half.

In his last 12 starts, Kluber has just a 2.54 ERA but his record during that time is just 4-5. Overall, Kluber is 4-10 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 154 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings this season.

Next: Samardzija

Jul 9, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Struggling Jeff Samardzija

White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija doesn’t have poor overall numbers, but at times, he has really struggled this year. That’s surprising because Samardzija was supposed to be a big reason why Chicago was considered a contender in the AL Central before this season.

In April, the right-hander posted a 4.78 ERA and then in June, he was terrible, pitching to a 5.75 ERA. In three of his six starts, Samardzija allowed at least 10 hits.

Samardzija, however, has shown much better in the last two starts, yielding just one run in his last 16 2/3 innings. He is now 6-4 with a 4.02 ERA.

The White Sox could certainly use more starts like that from Samardzija. Chicago is just 5.5 games behind the second Wild Card spot at 41-45.

Next: Why Tigers can still win in 2015