RIP: 2007 Detroit Tigers
Injuries dealt a fatal blow to the Tigers’ playoff chances
The Tigers dropped their second straight game to the Tribe tonight. In doing so they’ve been all but eliminated from the playoffs. They were in prime position to claim a playoff spot at the All-Star break, as they overcame a shoddy bullpen and were 18 games above .500.
In retrospect if you were to pinpoint one key issue that cost the team a playoff spot it is probably a pitching staff that led the American League in ERA last season but ranks 19th in MLB and 9th in the AL. The Tigers had enough firepower to keep them afloat and cover up their pitching woes - they ranked #2 to the Yankees in RBIs - but a lack of pitching will always catch up to you at some point.
The injury to Kenny Rogers was obviously a key factor. If anyone told you at the start of the season that the Tigers would only get 9 starts out of him through mid-September you’d say the odds of them making the post-season would be slim. Fernando Rodney was solid in August after returning from injury but struggled early before going on the DL in late June. And Joel Zumaya missing three and a half months only added to the pitching problems the Tigers had all season long.
There were some bright spots. Justin Verlander has become a bonafide star and currently has a 17-6 record. Jair Jurrjens looks like he is destined for the starting rotation and could be a future star for the Tigers - of course he also missed time due to an injury. Gary Sheffield added exactly what Detroit needed by providing a big bat that made the Tigers one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. They are currently second to the Yankees with 804 RBIs, first with 48 triples, second with 325 doubles, tied for third with a .456 slugging percentage and sixth with a .344 OBP.
If Rogers pitches a full season the Tigers are probably right in the thick of the playoff race. This was the final year of his contract and Dave Dombrowski is going to have to make a tough decision about whether to re-sign the Gambler. Given his injury this year you have to wonder if he’ll be able to pitch big innings given his age. Throw in the pine tar incident in last year’s World Series loss to the Cardinals and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers decided not to sign him to a new deal.
Detroit could be looking at a young pitching rotation next season that features Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Jurrjens, Nate Robertson and Andrew Miller. The primary bullpen contributors could be Eulogio de la Cruz, Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya as Todd Jones’ contract expires this offseason.
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They paid for the pitching health they had last year, no doubt. Still a successful season, compared with the recent history, and a lot of hope for the future. Too bad that Cleveland got all the luck that went Detroit’s way last season (as well as being a darn good club overall).
I completely agree. The injuries can be dealt with, but not when Zumaya and Rogers - Detroit’s [arguably] best starter and relief pitcher - missed as much of the season as they did.
I mentioned after last year’s World Series, this team could be about where the Red Wings were after they got swept by the Devils in the Cup Finals. I think the Tigers are going to be heard from for a long time as far as competing for titles.