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Will KC Royals Win The AL Central in 2016

By Scott Dillon

Will KC Royals retain their crown as division champs? - Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Will KC Royals retain their crown as division champs? - Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) and second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) hold up a flag for the 2014 AL Central Division Championship prior to the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) and second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) hold up a flag for the 2014 AL Central Division Championship prior to the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers

No team in the Central has been busier this off-season than the Detroit Tigers. They began their off-season early trading away Yoenis Cespedes and David Price. In return they got promising young lefty Daniel Norris and another lefty in Matt Boyd who’s been less than stellar so far. Everyone already knows how the Royals fair against lefties, so this doesn’t bode well.

The Tigers then got started in the true off-season by adding starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann along with relievers, Francisco Rodriquez, Mark Lowe, and Justin Wilson.

Verlander pitched to a 2.80 ERA across over 100 innings in the second half of the season. That’s an unwelcome sign for Royals’ fans.

Zimmermann will have to transition from the NL to the AL and his 2015 wasn’t as good as his previous seasons. When I say not as good, he still pitched to a 3.66 ERA across 201 innings. He strikes out batters at a decent rate and doesn’t walk anyone. (Sorry Salvy)

By adding three solid relievers, the Tigers addressed the major bullpen problems that affected the Tigers last year. Detroit’s bullpen in 2015 was 27th in the league in ERA and earned only 35 saves on the season.

The Tigers have now also added Justin Upton. Upton is known more for his bat that for his glove, but is still an above average left fielder. Wherever they bat, the following names in the line-up don’t bode well for any team. Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler, and now Justin Upton. Jose Iglesias handles the bat well in his own right, and if Nick Castellanos taps into his potential, look out.

Justin Verlander also made strides at becoming effective again after spending most of the previous two seasons looking lost. Verlander pitched to a 2.80 ERA across over 100 innings in the second half of the season. That’s an unwelcome sign for Royals’ fans.

2015 was marred by injuries for the Tigers including names like Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, Victor Martinez, and Miguel Cabrera. If the Tigers can stay healthy and Verlander continues his resurgence, team chemistry or no, they look to be very formidable again this season.

Trying to buy a ring hasn’t worked for them so far, let’s hope the trend continues in 2016.

Next: The World Champs

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