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Detroit Tigers’ 5 Most Indispensable Players

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Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into the final weekend of May, the Detroit Tigers find themselves trailing the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals by 1.5 games in the AL Central. Here are five players who will be absolutely essential to the Tigers' mission to rise back to the top and claim their fifth consecutive division crown.

Heading into the final weekend of May, the Detroit Tigers find themselves trailing the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals by 1.5 games in the AL Central. Here are five players who will be absolutely essential to the Tigers' mission to rise back to the top and claim their fifth consecutive division crown.

5. Anthony Gose

5. Anthony Gose Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays over the offseason in exchange for Devon Travis, center fielder Anthony Gose has been spectacular for the Tigers on both sides of the ball. Although they also have Rajai Davis who can play center field, Gose is one of the few left-handed bats on the Tigers' roster.

Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays over the offseason in exchange for Devon Travis, center fielder Anthony Gose has been spectacular for the Tigers on both sides of the ball. Although they also have Rajai Davis who can play center field, Gose is one of the few left-handed bats on the Tigers' roster.

4. Jose Iglesias

4. Jose Iglesias Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
After experiencing a couple of day-to-day injuries already in 2015, concerns about Jose Iglesias' health and durability have persisted among Tigers fans. When he has been on the field, Iglesias has been one of the team's biggest difference-makers, and he will need to stay injury-free going forward.

After experiencing a couple of day-to-day injuries already in 2015, concerns about Jose Iglesias' health and durability have persisted among Tigers fans. When he has been on the field, Iglesias has been one of the team's biggest difference-makers, and he will need to stay injury-free going forward.

3. Joakim Soria

3. Joakim Soria Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
After enduring years of shaky closers, Joakim Soria is the ninth-inning man Tigers fans have been yearning for. While the Tigers' bullpen as a whole has been quite good this season, things could get messy without Soria handling the closing duties.

After enduring years of shaky closers, Joakim Soria is the ninth-inning man Tigers fans have been yearning for. While the Tigers' bullpen as a whole has been quite good this season, things could get messy without Soria handling the closing duties.

2. David Price

2. David Price John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Given the inconsistencies of the rotation this year, Detroit would be in a tight spot without David Price. The 29-year-old has gone 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP so far, giving the Tigers the ace they desperately need.

Given the inconsistencies of the rotation this year, Detroit would be in a tight spot without David Price. The 29-year-old has gone 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP so far, giving the Tigers the ace they desperately need.

1. Miguel Cabrera

1. Miguel Cabrera Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The best hitter in the game and a future Hall-of-Famer, Miguel Cabrera is the single most important player on Detroit's roster. The Tigers' offense has gone quiet all too often this season, and Cabrera may need to carry it going forward.

The best hitter in the game and a future Hall-of-Famer, Miguel Cabrera is the single most important player on Detroit's roster. The Tigers' offense has gone quiet all too often this season, and Cabrera may need to carry it going forward.

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