TARGETING TIGERS Part 2

In the last article we took a look at the potent lineup of the Detroit Tigers. They offer tons of options for any fantasy GM. The Tigers rotation/bullpen also offers options to a fantasy GM.

Justin Verlander: Verlander is quickly becoming a top pitching option for fantasy GMs. With back to back years posting 17 wins and 18 wins as well as ERAs around 3.60, Verlander can be penciled in as any team's ace. His WHIP declined from 1.32 in 2006 to 1.23 in 2007. The most telling stat of his ascension into becoming a top fantasy option is his increase in K's. In only 14 more innings from 2006 to 2007, Verlander had 59 more punchouts. With the potent lineup of the Tigers the wins should keep coming no problem. He is getting better each year and is primed for another solid fantasy campaign.

Jeremy Bonderman: Bonderman has never quite taken it to the next level like we all expected to see at this point. In fact last year he regressed. Some of that may have come from lingering injury concerns. With time to heal Bonderman once again comes into the season as a potential breakout candidate. Granted, expectations should be tempered. He will never become the elite starter that most thought he would be but he does offer solid 3rd starter numbers witht he potential of becoming a #2. His strikeouts are decent and with the solid lineup wins shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Kenny Rogers: Rogers is getting old but may still have something to contribute to a fantasy team. He is best used as a 5th starter at this point for fantasy purposes. If surrounded by other decent pitchers Roger's weaknesses can be overlooked. Roger's doesn't strikeout alot of hitters so don't expect any help in that department. With a good pitchers park and a potent lineup behind him, he should provide some wins with a decent WHIP and an ERA that won't kill your team (4.50). There are better options out there but Rogers still has uses in fantasy land.

Dontrelle Willis: Willis had a year to forget in 2007. But, with the trade to a World Series contender, a league switch, and a great lineup, he is in a position to bounce back. The league switch alone will improve his numbers. Hitters haven't really faced his quirky delivery and may have problems adjusting to it for the first few times around. I don't expect him to revert back to his 2005 form when he won 22 games with an ERA of 2.63, nor do I expect him to be as bad as he was last year. I see him being somewhere in between. Expect an ERA around 4.00, 13-16 wins just because of the lineup, and decent K's and WHIP. I consider Willis a 4th starter with a good chance of being a #3.

Nate Robertson: By now we all know what Nate Robertson is. He is very inconsistent from start to start. He shows flashes of brilliance followed by utter disaster. One thing he will be doing is playing on a team that could win over 90 games. He will be matching up against other team's #4 and #5 starters. If used properly, like 2 start weeks or favorable matchups, Robertson could provide a boost to fantasy teams.

Bullpen: Todd Jones returns to close for the Tigers in 2008. Jones is going to be ranked as a top 20 closer going into 2008 but it mostly has to do with his surrounding cast and situation. He will be playing for a team that will win tons of games and with the lineup behind him he will most likely come into games with a 3 run lead most nights. Jones is an overachiever at this point. With his age and poor K rate he can't truly be considered great amoung closer options. However, saves is a category and he will provide a bunch of them so he does have value.

Grabbing Fernando Rodney as a backup to Jones could be a smart play. Rodney did have an off year last year but mostly because of injuries lingering throughout the year. He will be first in line for saves if Jones fails in his role as closer.

Now granted, the Tigers pitchers aren't going to light the world on fire (except for Verlander) but they do provide some value. Detroit will be a top team in the AL and having a 3rd or 4th starter on the good team is usually better than have a 2nd or 3rd starter on a bad team. Keep the players in mind when most of the top talent is off the board and use them round out your fantasy rotation.