5 Detroit Tigers Who Need To Step Up
5 Detroit Tigers Who Need To Step Up
On paper everything should be feeling okay for Detroit Tigers fans. Sure 11 games over .500 and just three games above the Cleveland Indians isn't flashy, but it's getting the job done. Something just doesn't feel right about this team, however, and while they have managed to keep the water out of the boat, there are still far too many holes to feel safe in this ship making the entire journey to the World Series in one piece.
So you begin to look at these holes and where they are coming from. I have identified five players who desperately need to step up their games in order for the Tigers to be the World Series team everyone expects them to be. It isn't exactly shocking that some of these players have struggled, but others are completely puzzling. These players need to get it together quick or in some cases maybe it's time to look at replacing them.
One or two problem areas aren't going to be enough to completely drag down a team, but when you look at the Tigers you see much more than one or two problems so far 100 games into the season. Some of these problems will work themselves out, some problems will need to be dealt with by management making trades and moves, and others, well... Let's just hope we can get that number down as much as possible.
Here are the 5 Detroit Tigers who need to step their games up the rest of the season.
No. 5 Austin Jackson
Austin Jackson hasn't been too bad this season, but he is still not at the peak of his potential. Batting .270 and scoring 58 runs is good, but it isn't great which is really what the Tigers will need if they are going to get their offensive numbers where they need to be. Also the six stolen bases may be the most disappointing stat as the Tigers desperately need to up their speed game.
No. 4 Phil Coke
Can you really hope for much out of Phil Coke? It may be a better idea to just get rid of him at this point, but if he does stay can he get any worse than he currently is? I'm almost scared to ask.
No. 3 Alex Avila
No question Alex Avila needs to play better. He has been flat-out beaten this season by Brayan Pena, but Alex is better with the pitching staff so he will still see playing time. Let's just hope that .184 batting average gets better soon.
No. 2 Al Alburquerque
Al Alburquerque has been the most disappointing this year out of the pen because he had been so masterful the last two seasons. It has been a struggle with every appearance, and control has just been completely absent leading to a 5.47 ERA. He is a difference maker when he is on so you can't give up on him, but this team absolutely needs him to bring his game back to a big time level.
No. 1 Justin Verlander
No surprise the former Cy Young and MVP is No. 1 on this list. Justin Verlander just has not had it this year, and his All-Star selection was not based on any performance from this current season. 10-7 and a 3.69 ERA would be great if this is Rick Porcello we are talking about, but this is the guy entrusted with money that super villains wouldn't even demand. It's time for Justin Verlander to get it together.
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