5 Positives For Detroit Tigers With Opening Day Approaching

By Brad Faber

After posting their first losing record since 2008 last year (74-87), the Detroit Tigers will get a chance to start fresh in less than one week’s time when they visit south Florida to take on the Miami Marlins to begin the 2016 MLB season. Here are five positives for the Tigers with opening day rapidly approaching.

5 Positives For Detroit Tigers With Opening Day Approaching

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Francisco Rodriguez May Solve Closer Problem — In recent years, it has hardly been a secret that the Tigers haven't exactly had the best of luck with closers. This year, they will turn to Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, who happens to be the game's active leader in saves with 386. He has only thrown four innings this spring, but has yet to surrender a run.

Nick Castellanos Is Swinging The Bat Well — With two full MLB seasons now on his resume, Nick Castellanos has left plenty of room for improvement. Concerns about his defense remain, and going by measures such as OPS+ and wRC+, he has also been a below league average hitter, posting career marks of 97 and 94 respectively. That said, he did hit 15 home runs last year and has slashed .293/.333/.439 in 16 spring games. At only 24, he could very well be a breakout candidate going into 2016.

Justin Upton Is Heating Up — Although he got off to a bit of a slow start this spring, Justin Upton now has a preseason slash line of .273/.385/.500 with three homers in 17 games. It looks like the Tigers' big offseason addition is heating up at just the right time.

Signs Of A Potentially Good Starting Rotation — Although there are indeed reasons to be a bit concerned about the Tigers' starting rotation, there are also signs of great potential for this staff. The Tigers should be in good shape with Justin Verlander and Jordan Zimmermann at the top, Anibal Sanchez had a great spring debut and Mike Pelfrey has also looked good. Shane Greene, who many believe will be the No. 5 starter in the absence of Daniel Norris, has a 2.63 ERA this spring.

Miguel Cabrera Is Healthy — After having offseason surgeries in both 2013 and 2014 and then going on the DL for the first time last summer with a Grade 3 calf strain, it would suffice to say that Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera has been bitten by the injury bug quite often in recent years. This spring, however, he appears healthy and has slashed a Cabrera-like .350/.440/.600 with three homers through 17 games. He may very well be primed to compete for his third MVP trophy.

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