The Detroit Tigers are eagerly preparing for the upcoming 2023 MLB season with hopes to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing 2022. With a record of 66-96 last year, the team is looking for redemption and seeks to establish a winning culture again.
Tough Start Ahead for the Tigers
The Tigers will have a tough challenge ahead of them in their first 40 games as they face several teams that finished above .500 in the previous season. The heavily front-loaded schedule will undoubtedly test the resilience of the rebuilding Tigers.
The Key Players to Watch Out For
The team has several critical players on the roster whose contributions will be crucial if they aim to exceed expectations. Among those are Eduardo Rodriguez, Spencer Turnbull, and Matt Boyd, who played pivotal roles for the team in 2021. These players need to hit their stride again for the Tigers to see success.
Bullpen Woes and Offensive Struggles
One looming concern for the Detroit Tigers is their patchwork bullpen. Still, it’s interesting to note that their bullpen has come together beautifully over recent years, giving fans reasons for optimism. Additionally, the team needs more power hitting in their offense from sluggers like Kerry Carpenter and Austin Meadows.
Torkelson and Greene: The Future is Bright
On a brighter note, fans have two young stars to watch this season with Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene joining the starting lineup. Torkelson plays first base while Greene roams in the outfield, both having shown impressive potential as young prospects. Their performance could prove critical as fans look ahead towards future seasons.
Bold Predictions Surrounding Cabrera’s Farewell Tour
Miguel Cabrera is slated to retire after this season, adding extra emotion and drama to his farewell tour. Fans have high hopes for the legendary slugger and think that he could go out with a bang. Although Cabrera has had some injuries in recent years, fans are optimistic and expect good things from him in 2023.
Expert Predictions for Tigers’ Season
Many insiders are predicting big things for the Detroit Tigers this season. Several leading figures have weighed in with their own bold forecasts, including winning seasons, hitting 40 home runs, having a solid performance, finishing top 5 in Cy Young voting, and even being traded for a top 100 prospect. These are all ambitious expectations that fans will be eagerly watching to see if they come true.
Tigers’ Playoffs Hopes
While there’s still a long way to go until the playoffs, the road towards it seems arduous for the Detroit Tigers. Not only did their bullpen lose some valuable pieces during the offseason, but Casey Mize will be sidelined due to surgery as well. To make things worse, key players Jeimer Candelario and Miguel Cabrera won’t be returning this year as they explore other opportunities. As a result, most experts don’t see the team winning more than 69.5 games this season.
The 2023 season will be critical for the Detroit Tigers, as they look to get back into contention and give their fans something to cheer about. With several key players on deck and some promising young talent in Torkelson and Greene, it’s an exciting time to be a fan of the team. The upcoming baseball season will surely bring excitement as fans wait with bated breath for what is to come.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
