AL Central title highlights the Tigers' 2011 season

What the Tigers done and what to do in the future? Especially in the playoffs:

1. Detroit's batters have to show up consistently. I don't think it's the more unique analysis in the world to say "The Tigers have to score runs" but, fact is, they have to. The Tigers have lost five times in the playoffs this season. Each of these times, they've been held to three runs or less. The Tigers have won five times in the playoffs this season. In four of these times, they've scored five runs or more. It's frustrating because the Tigers have held Texas to three runs in nine innings three separate games only to lose all three of them. If Detroit's lineup can't tap into its potential, even good pitching performances are probably not enough to save the series.

2. To do that, the key Tigers in the lineup have to show up. I think we've seen some slight evidence of re-awakening, but I don't want to push that thought too far. Game 4 looked good for a spurt too before Detroit got stuck on "3" again. Miguel Cabrera is batting .375 with five extra-base hits and seven walks. Victor Martinez has a home run and a triple in his last couple of games but he has to have hits fall in more consistently. A tall order for a guy with an oblique injury, of course. The worn-down Alex Avila, too, has to do a bit more. He had a home run yesterday. The next two games have to look a lot more like the last one for all these figures to keep playing past this weekend.

3. Continuing the theme, the Tigers have to break through against the tough Rangers bullpen. They'll be seeing Derek Holland and Colby Lewis as the starting pitchers. They chased Holland after three runs in 2 2/3 innings last time they saw him, but lost the game because the Rangers bullpen was too good. Scott Feldmen went 4 1/3 innings that game, allowing just one hit. Four more pitches, including nemesis Alexi Ogando, allowed three hits and no runs to finish that game.

4. Now is not the time for Max Scherzer or Doug Fister to turn into a pumpkin. These two pitches have been the true studs of the Tigers' postseason, so they just have to keep carrying the fire. Scherzer is up first, of course. But if Detroit forces Game 7, Fister's back on the mound being asked to do what we've come to expect of him. Again, going as deep as possible into games is key because the Tigers' bullpen can look a bit scary in the seventh inning. Maybe the re-emergence of Phil Coke will help solve that inning.

5. Someone else has to step up in the Tigers' bullpen. Like I mentioned, maybe that someone is Phil Coke. Joaquin Benoit has been asked to go more than one inning frequently. It hasn't turned out real well when Jose Valverde has been asked to go more than an inning. You can't rely on a two-man bullpen. Coke may be able to help matters, but pressure will be on Daniel Schlereth and Ryan Perry not to mess up if the starter can't go deep enough. That's kind of worrisome. They need to battle their demons and prove everyone wrong.

What are the odds the Tigers come back to win this series? I don't know. Not real great is what I'd say, just based on the fact several key Tigers seem pretty banged up and haven't been able to contribute like we had come to expect in the regular season.

But at least the right pitchers are on the mound for Detroit, so the odds are definitely greater than 0. On one hand, they have no room for error. On the other, this is baseball. Get a few bounces your way and a three-game winning streak isn't really all that hard to imagine. It's not like the Tigers struggled with the Rangers during the regular season.

Medical update of the players:

There was a collision at home plate In Game 4 of the ALCS, as Miguel Cabrera tried the only move he really had, which was to plow into the Rangers’ catcher in an attempt to jar the ball loose. But the play took so long to develop that Mike Napoli had plenty of time to set himself, even making sure his feet weren’t planted to lessen the impact. The injury left Cabrera unable to throw as he normally does — although he could obviously hit. Cabrera believes the injury is muscular, not structural. But he’s going to see a doctor this week just to be sure. Cabrera insisted the injury was muscular, not structural, implying it was less serious and would heal more quickly.



The Tigers' designated hitter and backup catcher Victor Martinez sustained a sprained right knee that prevented him from squatting. Martinez didn't play at catcher since Aug. 4.

RF Maggio Ordonez (broken right ankle) has re-fractured the ankle he originally injured in July 2010. His season is over, and his career might be, too.

2B Carlos Guillen (sore right calf) left the Sept. 18 game, and he hasn't played since. He was left off the roster for the first two rounds of the playoffs. There is a chance he could be added to the World Series roster if the Tigers get past the Rangers.

After meeting with doctors at the Cleveland Clinic last week, and confirming that RF Brennan Boesch's season would remain over, he began a rehabilitation program with Tigers trainer Kevin Rand. The program involves range-of-motion exercises initially, which is important for a player who hasn’t swung a bat since the thumb surgery was performed on Sept. 6. However, Boesch insists he’ll be ready to go by January, which gives him plenty of time to prepare for the beginning of spring training.


LHP Brad Thomas (sore left elbow) went on the 60-day disabled list July 25.

RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow surgery in July 2010) experienced pain in the elbow during his Feb. 27 spring debut, and he went on the 15-day disabled list March 30. He was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 18. He had exploratory surgery May 10, and he might be out for the season.


Detroit Tigers Rotation:

RHP Justin Verlander

RHP Max Scherzer

RHP Doug Fister

RHP Rick Porcello


Bullpen:

RHP Jose Valverde (closer)

RHP Joaquin Benoit

RHP Ryan Perry

RHP Al Alburquerque

LHP Daniel Schlereth

LHP Phil Coke

RHP Brad Penny


Catchers:

Alex Avila

Victor Martinez

Omir Santos


Infielders:

1B Miguel Cabrera

2B Ramon Santiago

SS Jhonny Peralta

3B Brandon Inge

INF Wilson Betemit

INF Danny Worth


Outfielders:

LF Delmon Young

CF Austin Jackson

RF Ryan Raburn

OF Andy Dirks

OF/INF Don Kelly


Easy to say in winter. Anyone can declare a team can be contenders. In the end, they were contenders. Not playoff contenders. But legitimate contenders to win the World Series.

COMMENTS FROM THE TIGERS THROUGHOUT THE 2011 SEASON

Center fielder Austin Jackson - Sept. 27 - Oct. 11

Left fielder Delmon Young - Oct. 13

Pitcher Doug Fister - Sept. 9 - Oct. 4

Pitcher Justin Verlander - Oct. 3

1st baseman Miguel Cabrera - Sept. 28

Pitcher Rick Porcello - Oct. 4

Left fielder Ryan Rayburn - Sept. 22

Catcher Victor Martinez - Sept. 28

...PLUS THE BEST OF EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH THE TIGERS

Catcher Alex Avila - Sept. 28

Shortstop Jhonny Peralta - Sept. 27

Pitcher Jose Valverde - Sept. 11 - Sept. 27 - Oct. 3

Pitcher Justin Verlander - Sept. 13

Pitcher Max Scherzer - Sept. 28

1st baseman Miguel Cabrera - Sept. 24 - Sept. 27

Shortstop Ramon Santiago - Sept. 9 - Sept. 28

Pitcher Ryan Perry - Sept. 9

Catcher Victor Martinez - Sept. 25 - Sept. 26