The Detroit Tigers remain World Series challengers in 2013, but they must gain the AL Central first, as their line against the Minnesota Twins showed. The Tigers are undoubtedly the absolute most skilled group on paper in the AL Central, but like they did on April 3 they need to play together and can't afford to offer away way too many games. Why there are three early-seasonAstorylinesAto follow with the Tigers on the way toward aApotentiallyAspecial time that is. Can Victor Martinez Go back to the Hitter He Was in 2011? Hannah Foslien/Getty Photographs Detroit Tigers given player Victor Martinez missed all of the 2012 time with a leg injury, but the Tigers are depending on him in 2013 to supply protection for Prince Fielder. Martinez, who's 34 years old, hit.253 in spring learning 83 plate shows. Martinez has adopted his spring training figures up with a average of.143 early on this year. Nobody should really be worried about Martinez's early batting average, because it looks like he is slowly getting his time back at the menu. However, if he is still reaching in the low.200s into May possibly, then maybe it's reason for some concern. Fielder looks willing to challenge for the AL MVP award in 2013, but they can not do it if Martinez challenges. Because of this, the focus will be on whether Martinez may hit along with he did before his knee injury. How Soon Can Nick Castellanos Make an Impact? Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Activities The Detroit Tigers have a problem that most groups want to have. Once he reaches the kids the Tigers have a probability in outfielder Nick Castellanos whoAis predicted to be an impact bat. However, the Tigers want him to play every day and left fielder Andy Dirks isAoccupyingAthe outfield place which will be Castellanos' one day. The problem is just a matter of how soon that day can come. If Dirks does not produce much in April, it'd not be surprising if Castellanos is called up to function as everyday left fielder. Dirks, who is batting.154 in 18 plateAappearances, needs to help the Tigers in some way. Usually, he will beArelegatedAto the table and sometimes even waived. It would be intelligent for the Tigers to hold back until September to bring Castellanos as much as the majors, but if Dirks struggles, then the Tigers mightn't have a choice. Why all eyes will be on Toledo, where Castellanos is playing Triple-A baseball awaiting his call-up that is. Who Will Close for the Detroit Tigers? Doug Pensinger/Getty Photographs This is the million-dollar question. When closer customer Bruce Rondon got sent right down to Triple-A after spring teaching, the Tigers reported they certainly were continuing with closer-by-committee. The closer-by-committee worked out good during the season opener against the Minnesota Twins, however not so well against the Twins inAtheAsecond game on April 3 where pitcher Phil Coke blew a save. On April 4, the Tigers announced which they closed their prior closer, Jose Valverde to a minor league package. While Valverde had a difficult 2012 postseason, he providesAinsurance to the Tigers at a low-risk price if no body steps as much as function as the closer. No one knows for sure who'll be closing, but there's no "sure thing"Aoption for the Tigers at this stage. On April 6, Tigers manager Jim Leyland also suggested toAMLive.com's James Schmehl that last year's setup guy Joaquin Benoit can get to be the closer: Anybody will be used by us, but the ideal situation probably -- as itas set right now -- is to get and try to Benoit to the ninth inning. Whoever the Tigers use as a full-time closer is going to be experiencing plenty of stress. If the deeper hits a few saves, then the fanbase can turn on him. Benoit is a good startup person, but that will not mean he's theAtemperamentAto close. Regardless, the closer question is the one that has to be solved straight away. If a solution isn't found, then the Tigers will have a hard time fighting for a tournament. Do not be amazed if, because of Valverde's knowledge, he's closing for the Tigers next three days. *All data are as of April 7 **All statistics are fromAbaseball-reference.com Start Slideshow Props (0) What is the repeat article? Exactly why is this article offensive? Where's this article plagiarized from? Why is this information poorly edited? Detroit Tigers: Such as this group?
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