Detroit Tigers head into the 2014 MLB Playoffs

The Detroit Tigers enter the 2014 Major League Baseball playoffs with one goal in mind to win the World Series.   Detroit won its 4th consecutive Central Division crown in 2014 with a 90-72 record.   In looking back over some of the articles that I have written on the Tigers from this season one thing is constant.   The goal is to return the World Championship to Detroit.   This team was built for success. 

General Manager Dave Dombrowski has built this team to win now.   He has gone out and gotten the players that were needed.   The Tigers would love to win a championship for the aging owner Mike Illitch who has spent all kinds of  money to make this team a winner.    Built a new stadium downtown and year after year gone out has gotten the big name free agents to stock this team with great players.   Three Cy Young winners are in this line-up and they also have a pretty good 4th and 5th pitcher in the rotation. 

Rookie Manager Brad Asmus has seen this team go hot and cold through out the 2014 campaign.   They have been world beaters at times and then couldn't get a hit to save their lives.  

Detroit will open the 2014 American League Divisional Series with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday October 2nd in the best of five series in Baltimore.   After two game there they return to Comerica Park on Sunday October 5th at 3:45 p.m.   Max Scherzer will get the start in Game one and be followed with Justin Verlander in Game two.    This would leave David Price to start Game three in Detroit next Sunday.   

The Tigers have seen some record setting seasons from the following players in 2014.   Victor Martinez was in the hunt for the A.L. batting title until the final day of the season finishing in 2nd place.  Miguel Cabrera had another MVP type of season with 25 home runs and 109 RBI's.   The surprise of the year would have to be the play of J.D. Martinez who didn't reach the Tiger line-up until mid-May.   He came on strong through the the year with key hit after key hit.   He would finish with 23 home runs, 76 RBI's and a .315 batting average. 

If the Tigers can stay healthy during the playoffs they should easily be able to make a long run to a World Series title in 2014.   They do have some players in key spots playing in their first full season but have stepped up to the plate and played well.   This should be an interesting October here in Michigan baseball wise.   My dream match-up would be the Tigers facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series and facing (most likely 2014 Cy Young winner) Clayton Kershaw in the 7th game at Comerica Park.