Can the Detroit Tigers win the American League Central Division in 2006?
411269
No.  The AL Central is one of the best divisions in baseball with the defending World Series Champions in the White Sox who upgraded their squad with the additions of Jim Thome and Javier Vasquez, a hungry Cleveland Indians team that just missed the postseason last year and the always dangerous Twins.  \n\nThe Tigers are off to a hot start and have good balance of experienced (Pudge Rodriquez, Magglior Ordonez, Dimitri Young, Placido Polanco) and young hitters (Chris Shelton, Curtis Granderson and Craig Monroe) along with a decent starting rotation, but in the end the Tigers thin bullpen and the fact that the White Sox and Indians are just better teams, will prevent them from capturing the division title.
916343
They're not mathematically eliminated.\n\nBut unless they win 4 of 5, no (That includes vs CAR @WAS @NYG @DAL vs ATL)\n\nThey'll be lucky to get to .500.  But they do hold their own destiny, thats a good thing.
365886
Amen Sister!\n\nI am happy as a lark in mid-june!\n\nA few years back they started the season 4-0 and ended up 72-90. So I am not saying they are going to win the WORLD Series, but I am enjoying it while it lasts.\n\nJustin Verlander starts today, and he's got a good arm. he's a flame thrower...I'd love to see them 5-0. But I dont want to jinx them by saying they will win.\n\nWe got some young good arms. Bondermen should have a break out year, and hopefully win 15-20 games. kenny rodgers will be a good influence on the young arms (just keep him away from any and all cameramen!!! lol).\n\nShelton usually doesnt hit for power, more for average. So this is just a phase he's going through. If he can hit close to .300 (or better) I'd be happy.\n\nIf Mags can stay healthy all year, along with Guillen we should be ok. Polanco is awesome, he just hits the baseball almost everytime he's up. You can count on him being at or above .300 this year.\n\nIf Pudge has the same kind of year he had in 2004, that would be great.\n\nInge is much better hitter when he doesnt catch.\n\nGranderson has speed, but needs to work onhis outfield play.\n\nMonroe is good.\n\nOf course the trick is too put ALL THINGS together at the same time.\n\nThe baseball season is a marathon (162 games), so it's still way to early to tell. But so far I like what I see.\n\nGiving where The Tigers have been at over the last 14 years. if they win 79-80 games I would be happier than a lark in mid-june!\n\nWe haven't had a winning season (.500 or better) in 12 years. This could be 13. \n\nAnd please dont get me started on the owner, he is more concerned with his other team to even care about The Tigers.\n\noh Wow! Did I just babble? Sorry, but I love MY TIGERS! MY TIGERS! MY TIGERS!\n\nI am happy to see them in 1st place, but I know it won't last.\n\nThanks for letting me babble!
639329
It ended at 6 games today, with a 7-2 loss to The California Angels.\n\nI am very pleased to see The Tigers get off to a great start. I seriously doubt they made the playoffs this year. \n\nThe Central Division is just too strong.\n\nI'd be very happy with a 3rd place finish, anything above .500 (considering it's been 12 years since they finished above .500).\n\nI am enjoying this while it lasts.
290049
They've had solid starting pitching for most of the last decade, but that doesn't mean much in the playoffs. They need guys who can put it together for a few games in a row during a short series. You can have the best pitching in the world during the regular season, and that by itself doesn't guarantee a championship. I think they can win their division again, but the playoffs are a total crapshoot.
236421
I doubt it. They will likely win the AL East, however it is very completelyat they may run into a much more difficult team in the AL playoffs. I'm guessing the Indians will win the AL this year.\n\nThey just have better team chemistry, something Steinbrenner has completeley forgotten. The Yanks were champions in the late 90s because they had Paul O'Neill, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, David Cone, Scott Brosius, etc.\n\nNow, their pitching is still pretty good, but the Big Unit isn't getting any younger. As for their hitting, all their hitters are swinging for the fences(Giambi, Sheffield, A-Rod, Matsui, Posada), but they keep striking out. Damon will be a much better OF option now that Bernie is past his prime, but don't expect the Yankees to advance any further than the ALCS with the poor hitting chemistry they have.
1106741
Um, I don't know. I would say no. Maybe, but I just don't see it. They would have to beat the White Sox or Tigers and then face the Cardinals or the Mets. I just don't know that they can beat all of them. Maybe so, but I just don't see it.
260088
Detroit Tigers beat the San Diego Padres\n\nTigers were nearly unbeatable that year.
572284
To all those who have answered in the negative, my response is who would of thought that the past five world champions would have been the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels, Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox?  Especially when many believed the final two were "cursed" and would never win the championship again.  \n\nIt all boils down to three things.  The first is talent, especially in the areas of pitching and defense.  So far, the Tigers have excelled in both.  If (and that little word can be the biggest in the English language) they keep up both as they have so far, then they are a very serious contender for the championship.  \n\nSecondly is coaching.  Jim Leyland is a proven veteran manager, who has proven he can develop talent and win championships.  He has surrounded himself with an excellent coaching staff, that has the ability to get the most of of the availiable talent the team has.  The Tigers have nothing to worry about in this category.  \n\nThe third is maturity and team focus.  The Tigers have kept an even keil so far, as they have gone about their business.  Pudge Rodriguez is once again offering his veteran leadership, and the addition of Kenny Rogers has not only strengthened their pitching staff what he has done on the field, but also how he has mentored others on the staff off the field to reach their potential.  \n\nDo I think the Tigers will win the World Series?  I will say they definitely have a strong chance to, but it is too early in the season to see if their current success will continue into the heart of the summer, especially when they have to face teams like the Red Sox and Yankees.  The White Sox are the team to beat in their division, and, in there earlier series this year, Chicago showed Detroit why they are the defending World Champs.  If, in August, the Tigers have the same winning percentage that they do now, and have shown they can beat the three previously mentioned teams, then my answer is Yes, I do believe the Tigers will win the World Series.  But, like I said eariler, that little word "if" can be the biggest word in the English language.
1070601
The Detroit Tigers won the World Series in 1984 against the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games and the Detroit Tigers also won the World Series in 1984 against the San Diego Padres in five games and as for 2006, if the Tigers can keep playing like a championship team, I see them winning either the AL Central Divison or becoming the AL Wild Card and I could see the Tigers being the 2006 American League Champions but it is too early to tell if the Tigers could win the World Series in 2006.
1083904
It is very possible, and, if they did, would be very ironic.  Back in 1987, the Tigers traded away a young minor league pitching prospect to the Atlanta Braves, in order to obtain Doyle Alexander for their pennant run.  Alexander went 12-3 for them that year, and they would not have won the American League East (the division they were in before the MLB went to the three division format for each league) and pitched for them one more season before he retired.  Who was this young prospect the Tigers gave up their future for their pennant run?  None other then John Smolts himself.  \n\nSmolts has Michigan ties (he's a MSU graduated who is from East Lansing) and he and Dennis Eckersely are the only two pitchers in the history of baseball to have won and saved more then 200 games.  Where Smolts amazes me the most is he went from the starting rotation, to the bullpen, and then back to the starting rotation with the Braves though his career.  Eckersley stayed a bullpen closer once he left the starting rotation.  I think this is the main reason why the Tigers should make a serious bid to pick him up.  They can make him their fifth starter, or, in a pinch, have him come out of the pen.  With they being in a heated neck and neck race with the White Sox having a reliable pitcher who could go either way could be the final piece of the puzzle that would make them the AL Central champs.
743410
I think NO.  Even if they win out the best they'll be is 10-6.  I don't think 10-6 will get them into the playoffs as a wildcard.  So unless that 10-6 would win their division they won't be in the playoffs.  Plus what are the chances that they will win out the rest of their games?  Slim to none I think.
919756
absolutely not.\n\nThey need to build that new team around some players, and Willis and Cabrera are the perfect candidates.\n\nThey have been interested in the past, because they thought that team was not good enough to compete yet, but it is. They can really make a run in 2007-08, Division or Wild Card, and win the world series (they have the pitching to do well in the postseason)\n\nI think they are smart enough to realise how much Willis helps that team, on and off the field, 06 was a bit of an off year, but he will be back. \n\nThey have saved a lot of money this year to pay him ($30mill in for revenue sharing, $15 out in payroll) so they can afford to keep him around.\n\nThey can add some players to fill some voids, Catcher will not be one of them, centre field will be.
1037331
Not yet.  The problem is that there really is nobody to put up good competition in the Central this year.  I thought it was going to be pretty tough this year with the Astros and the Cubs' lineups, then Cincinnati and Milwaukee started playing well too.  But the Cards are on a 7 game losing streak and are still in first place by 1.5 games.  They have a tough game tonight, but I think they'll pull this one out, then they have one more against the Indians, a day off, then 3 game sets against Kansas City and Atlanta before closing the first half with a 4 game series against the Astros.  They're still looking at 50+ wins in the first half, with 76 to go in the second half.
408741
The Tigers are a lot better than they used to be. They are a strong contender for the Wild Card but they will not win their division because the White Sox are just too good of a team.
1019981
I believe they believe in themselves.\n\nIt is good to see them finally do well.\n\nPlayoffs?\n\nThe wild card is possible.\n\nThat would be nice, but it's still early.\n\nI think they will finish in 2nd place.\n\nThe main reason they are doing so well is because Jim Leyland has them believing in themselves. Leyland's battle cry is "9 innings"\n\nThey dont give up, they take each game one day at a time. \n\n\nAnd to all those naysayers who think they will end up like last years O's....I say just watch.\n\nThe Tigers are for real.
1167224
I am a Tiger Fan For Life...and I simply enjoying this.\n\nI know The White Sox are the better team, and I know they will win the Central.\n\nConsidering where they have been the last 12 years---this is truly amazing...and it is fun to be a Tiger fan again.\n\nThe best I hope for this year is 2nd place, maybe the wild card.\n\nI'd love to see The White Sox & The Tigers play for The ALCS.\n\nBut I aint cocky or arrogant. I am simply enjoying it while it lasts.