Despite an impressive 52-29 record at home last season, the Detroit Tigers wrapped up the season a middle of the road 81-81 to finish third in the American League Central. Detroit, unsatisfied with mediocrity, made a few offseason moves that it hopes will push it past Minnesota and Chicago and back into the playoff chase. Baseball oddsmakers, based upon latest 2011 MLB Predictions, are not convinced that the changes will pay off, though, as the Tigers are currently the third most favored team, at +200 moneyline odds, to win the division.
Detroit's starting rotation ranked a dismal 24th in ERA last year, finishing the season with a 4.46 mark. The Tigers are 
hopeful that that number will drop this season as their big three, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Rick Porcello, look to avoid the early season troubles that plagued them in 2010.
Verlander and Porcello tallied 5.53 and 8.03 ERA's, respectively, in the month of April while Scherzer posted an abysmal 9.45 ERA in May. All three hurlers finshed well, though, and, given their talent, they should avoid another early tank job. Scherzer may be a slight concern after tallying a 10.38 ERA in 17.1 spring training innings.
The front office also added a veteran arm in Brad Penny to bolster the back end of the rotation. Penny will, most likely, occupy the four spot, leaving the five hole to former reliever Phil Coke. Coke has worked as a starter most of the spring and with great success; he carried a 2.49 ERA into the Tigers' final exhibition game earlier today.
Offensively Detroit finished with 751 runs in 2010 (11th); they have more than enough talent to match or exceed that total this year with the addition of Victor Martinez. The veteran catcher gives Manager Jim Leyland another power bat in a lineup that featured five double digit home run producers last season.
The only real question mark for the Tigers is the mental/physical state of superstar Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera was arrested in Florida just before the start of Spring Training on suspicion of driving drunk. Cabrera's spring numbers would indicate he is in good spirits, though, as the 27 year old Venezuelan hit for a .324 average and .364 on-base percentage through 33 exhibition outings.
Detroit Tigers MLB Predictions 2011 World Series Odds:
To Win 2011 World Series +3000
To Win 2011 AL Pennant +1600
To Win AL Central +200 (Three of Five)
Regular Season Wins – Over 84.5 (-105)/Under 84.5 (-125)
