Detroit Tigers: Power Ranking the Scheduled 2020 Opponents

3. St Louis Cardinals

Off-season moves: IF Brad Miller, OF Austin Dean, LHP Matthew Liberatore, LHP Kwang Hyun Kim

Prospects to watch on the 60-man roster: OF Dylan Carlson, LHP Genesis Cabrera, RHP Ryan Helsey

A lot of Cardinals fans are upset for lack of “big moves” in the off-season but they just won an NL Central division crown and every year, the Cardinals get it done. The chances of seeing Carlson is real as in his two stops between Double-A and Triple-A in 2019 put up an impressive .292/.372/.542 slash line with 26 home runs and with 143 hits.  Cabrera and Helsey both helped out St. Louis in 2019 and should continue to grow. It was rather shocking not to see Libertore added after they made a trade for him but I am looking forward to seeing the Cards play Detroit as they are always a great team to watch.

2. Milwaukee Brewers

Off-season moves:  UTL Jedd Gyorko, 1B Justin Smoak, 3B Eric Sogard, OF Avisail Garcia, LHP Brett Anderson, RHP Josh Lindblom, RHP Justin Grimm,

Prospects to watch on the 60-man roster: None

Only 45 players will be in camp for the Brew Crew as they have a very good veteran team. 1st round draft pick Garrett Mitchell still has not signed yet, which is a bit of a surprise but the rest of the 2020 draft class will not be in camp.

Had the Brewers had pitching down the stretch, their season would have turned out differently. That is a simple hindsight statement but injuries took the Brewers off the rails last year. Expect Anderson and Lindblom to fill the gap.  This lineup features NL MVP Christian Yelich and a blooming young second baseman in Keston Hiura. Expect former Tigers prospect Corey Knebel to return and give another arm to a very good Brewers bullpen. This team will be a tough challenge for Detroit.

1. Minnesota Twins

Off-season moves:  3B Josh Donaldson, C Alex Avila, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Homer Bailey, LHP Rich Hill RHP Tyler Clippard

Prospects to watch on the 60-man roster:  IF Royce Lewis, OF Brent Rooker, C Ryan Jeffers, OF Trevor Larnach.

The Twins addressed their rotation and bullpen needs to strengthen the “Bomba Squad”. The Twins LOVED Detroit pitching, hitting 38 home runs off Detroit, 2nd only next to the White Sox, and produced a ridiculous slash line of .295/.366/.526 with an OPS of .891 against the Tigers in 2019. Also, they hit 20 home runs in Comerica Park in a full 162 game schedule. Imagine this team in 60 games. You add Josh Donaldson to this lineup, another year of Jose Berrios growth to anchor the rotation and this by far,  will be the toughest team for the Detroit Tigers this season.