Detroit Tigers ready for 2012 Spring Training – MLB News
For Detroit Tigers, Saturday afternoon was different from the other days as there were no more high profile arrivals. The players, managers and coaches had been arriving at Lakeland to join Spring Training camp for the last few days but it seems Tigers’ Spring Training is settling into routine now.
Tigers pitching rotation is looking than stronger than ever before. With Justin Verlander leading the pitching attack, the Tigers will be hoping to make it the World Series with ease. Verlander won the pitching Triple Crown award last season, thanks to his incredible 24-5 win-loss record and 250 strikeouts in a season.
Showing his determination, mental strength and composure, he helped the Tigers win the American League Central title in 2011. The starter is working hard in the training sessions and he will be eager to show the baseball world that his MVP stuff last season was no fluke.
Coming to Tigers hitting line-up, Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera will have a key role to play. Both players have been practicing at the Tiger’s training facility for the past week. Fielder, who signed a nine year $214 million deal earlier this year, will be hoping to live up to the expectations as Tigers’ first baseman.
"The pitchers and catchers are the first phase," manager Jim Leyland said. "The full squad workouts are the second. The games are the third. And when the games begin, you start talking more about decisions. You start thinking more about what makes sense for your team."
"They still don't have to swing if they don't want," Leyland said of Fielder. "We let them handle that any way they want. He can hit it over the fence anytime he wants, but that's not his stroke. That's working hard and smart at the same time."
Cabrera, on the other hand, has been working with the Tigers’ coaching staff to improve his defensive skills. With Fielder coming into the side as a first baseman, the hard hitting Cabrera will be looking to perform third base duties this season. Brandon Inge is also enjoying his workouts at second base and it seems the Tigers are ready to roll.
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