Verlander first MVP for a pitcher since 92. Miggy hitting for the first triple crown since 67. Coming within a couple of games of a world series and headed to the post season for a second straight year. As frustrating as the Tigers have been this season, hopefully Tigers fans can appreciate this club at least a little before their next incoherent Leyland tirade. We have two of the best Tigers of all time playing in their prime and we'll long for these days when they aren't playing anymore.
I don't think any Tiger fan doesn't appreciate the great core they have in VMart, Prince, Miggy, Verlander, Max, and Fister. That is undoubtedly championship material if they can just fill in around it. What is frustrating is they played like a .500 team for most the season.ETA...AJax....a really impressive core.
You don't think any Tigers fans don't appreciate it? Really? There are hordes who aren't capable of seeing anything but what's wrong. And naturally they're usually wrong about what's wrong. Tigers fans are brutal. This year has certainly been frustrating. The offense, pitching and defense haven't come together in as many games as they did last year, and sometimes it's just as simple as that. But despite the bumpier road traveled this year, this team might be better suited to go the world series than the one a season ago. Our top four in the line-up is much healthier and dangerous. Last season, our strength throughout the year was guys down in the order but by the playoffs Avila was gassed and hurt, Martinez and Young were gimpy and Jackson was lost. In a series environment, and against a weaker Texas or NY team, I think the offense will produce more than last season.Starting pitching looks better to me assuming Scherzer returns to form.Bullpen and defense are much weaker--at least one of those two weaknesses need to turn into strengths to make the WS. It's certainly possible.