Tigers' First Half

As the first half of the 2008 Major League Baseball season winds down, the Detroit Tigers have come a long way since their dismal 0-7 start. As of today, they are back at .500 (46-46), 7 games behind the Central Division leading Chicago White Sox (53-39), with a lot of work left to do. With the Wild Card not being a real possibilty since the surging Tampa Bay Rays (yes, I almost said Devil Rays) are leading the East Division, with the Boston Red Sox close behind, it looks like it will likely come from there. I think they can, however, catch the White Sox and the Minnesota Twins.

The key to a Tigers surge back to the top of the Central will be health, continued solid starting pitching, middle relief, and big contributions from the kids they are bringing up from the Minors. Matt Joyce, Clete Thomas, Mike Hollimon, Dane Sardinha, Jeff Larish, among others, who have made big contributions in one way or another, upon being called up. If Magglio Ordonez comes back healthy, if Edgar Renteria can get out of his hitting funk, and if Gary Sheffield can just give them something, they will be well on their way.

Miguel Cabrera has finally started hitting like everyone was expecting (.291, 16, 56) and what about Marcus Thames? He is "Country Strong!" as Tigers' TV Color Analyst, Rod Allen, likes to say. Thames had one of the most remarkable homerun streaks in Baseball History, by having 8 straight hits all be homeruns (tied for second in history only to Mark McGwire's 11 straight in 2001). If he can continue on his tear in the second half, it will be a big lift to the team, as well.

The starting pitching has finally picked it up over the last month to 6 weeks. Armando Galarraga has been a huge surprise, leading the team with a 7-3 record and a 3.27 ERA. Justin Verlander is finally showing what an ace he really is, along with lefties Kenny Rogers and Nate Robertson, who have had some solid pitching performances as well. With Dontrelle Willis down in Lakeland for the forseeable future working on his control, it looks like it will be up to rookie Eddie Bonine. He had a few good starts early on, but has struggled in his last couple.

The relief core, led by veteran closer Todd Jones, has been bolstered by the return of flame thrower Joel Zumaya and change-up artist Fernando Rodney. Both are throwing at a high velocity and have been better of late. If they both can improve on their control, they have three bonafide solid relievers at the back end of their bullpen. Both Freddy Dolsi and Aquilino Lopez have been impressive. Lefty Bobby Seay has been effective and fellow lefty Casey Fossum has improved dramatically over his last few appearances.

Magglio Ordonez should come off of the Disabled List soon after the All-Star break, which will give the team a huge boost offensively, especially if he can return to his Batting Cchampionship form of 2007.

Yes, there is a lot of "ifs" out there. What club doesn't have a lot of "ifs" though? I believe if (yes, there is another one) the Tigers can end up at .500 or above by the All-Star break, I think that will put them in good position to have a monster second half and over take the White Sox and Twins.

As the weather heats up, let's hope the Tigers do. The dog days of Summer are just around the corner.