Puckett's Pond
Fansided

Minnesota Twins series preview: Can the Twins wrap up the AL Central in Detroit?

By Chris Schad

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 2: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins and Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins joke around before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 2, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Kepler's single during the eighth inning drove in two run to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 2: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins and Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins joke around before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 2, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Kepler's single during the eighth inning drove in two run to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – AUGUST 17: Manager Ron Gardenhire #15 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on August 17, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – AUGUST 17: Manager Ron Gardenhire #15 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on August 17, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

About the Tigers

During my childhood, one of the teams that I remember vividly was the 2003 Detroit Tigers. As they limped their way to a 43-119 record, they would eventually set the MLB record for most losses in a 162-game season and narrowly miss the 120-loss mark by defeating the Twins in their final game of the regular season.

While this version of the Tigers will not eclipse their predecessors in the loss column, the argument could be made that this season has been just as bad. Detroit enters Tuesday’s series with the worst record in baseball at 46-109 and have been brutal at home, tallying a 22-56 record in Motown this season.

The Tigers have also had issues that you would expect from one of the worst teams in baseball. They currently are last in MLB in runs per game (3.66) and their issues have stemmed from not being able to hit balls out of the park with just 145 home runs on the season (29th ahead of the Miami Marlins).

Even as the offense has struggled, the pitching staff hasn’t fared much better. Matthew Boyd leads the Tigers in WAR at 3.7, but the Twins won’t see him this season. Next on the list is Daniel Norris at 2.7, but he comes into Wednesday’s start with a 3-13 record and a 4.58 ERA. Tuesday’s starter Spencer Turnbull is next at 2.0, but he’s 0-10 with a 5.08 ERA at Comerica Park this year.

As Miguel Cabrera‘s massive contract continues to hang over this club, 2019 could be rock bottom in what looks to be a huge rebuild for the Tigers.

Home/Minnesota Twins News