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5 Detroit Tigers Who Need To Step Up In June

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Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
It is hard to believe, but the month of May will be coming to a close in a matter of days. With the Detroit Tigers currently behind the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals by a game in the AL Central, it is looking like it is going to be a tough battle in that division all summer long. So, without further ado, here are five players the Tigers will need to step up in June.

It is hard to believe, but the month of May will be coming to a close in a matter of days. With the Detroit Tigers currently behind the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals by a game in the AL Central, it is looking like it is going to be a tough battle in that division all summer long. So, without further ado, here are five players the Tigers will need to step up in June.

5. Hernan Perez

5. Hernan Perez Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
After making the Tigers' 25-man roster as a utility man this spring, Hernan Perez is hitting only .069/.100/.069 over his first 30 plate appearances. Perez is out of minor league options, and it is time for him to prove that he belongs on a big league squad.

After making the Tigers' 25-man roster as a utility man this spring, Hernan Perez is hitting only .069/.100/.069 over his first 30 plate appearances. Perez is out of minor league options, and it is time for him to prove that he belongs on a big league squad.

4. J.D. Martinez

4. J.D. Martinez Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Although J.D. Martinez is having a solid follow-up season to the breakout campaign he had last year, hitting .254/.321/.458 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs, he is striking out at a rate of 29.1 percent. He also had a stretch in which he went 0-for-25 with 16 strikeouts this year. With Victor Martinez now on the 15-day DL, the Tigers will need J.D.'s bat to stay hot in the middle of a lineup that also features Miguel Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes.

Although J.D. Martinez is having a solid follow-up season to the breakout campaign he had last year, hitting .254/.321/.458 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs, he is striking out at a rate of 29.1 percent. He also had a stretch in which he went 0-for-25 with 16 strikeouts this year. With Victor Martinez now on the 15-day DL, the Tigers will need J.D.'s bat to stay hot in the middle of a lineup that also features Miguel Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes.

3. Ian Kinsler

3. Ian Kinsler Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Although Ian Kinsler got off to a great start this season, he has been in a bit of a slump as of late, going just 2-for-26 over his last six games. The fact that he hasn't homered yet doesn't really matter, but as the Tigers' No. 2 hitter, it will be extremely important for him to be able to get on base ahead of the heart of the order going forward.

Although Ian Kinsler got off to a great start this season, he has been in a bit of a slump as of late, going just 2-for-26 over his last six games. The fact that he hasn't homered yet doesn't really matter, but as the Tigers' No. 2 hitter, it will be extremely important for him to be able to get on base ahead of the heart of the order going forward.

2. Shane Greene

2. Shane Greene Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
In 10 starts this season, starting pitcher Shane Greene has been on a bit of an up-and-down ride, going 4-3 with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. With plenty of question marks still existing in the rotation, the Tigers will need to see more of the good Greene in June as opposed to the bad one.

In 10 starts this season, starting pitcher Shane Greene has been on a bit of an up-and-down ride, going 4-3 with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. With plenty of question marks still existing in the rotation, the Tigers will need to see more of the good Greene in June as opposed to the bad one.

1. Anibal Sanchez

1. Anibal Sanchez Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
With Justin Verlander beginning the season on the sidelines, many expected that 2013 AL ERA champion Anibal Sanchez would be able to form a rock-solid 1-2 punch with David Price at the front end of the Tigers' rotation. However, that has not exactly been the case as Sanchez is currently 3-5 with a 6.12 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 10 starts. The Tigers desperately need him to revert to his former self.

With Justin Verlander beginning the season on the sidelines, many expected that 2013 AL ERA champion Anibal Sanchez would be able to form a rock-solid 1-2 punch with David Price at the front end of the Tigers' rotation. However, that has not exactly been the case as Sanchez is currently 3-5 with a 6.12 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 10 starts. The Tigers desperately need him to revert to his former self.

Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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