Detroit Tigers Pitching A Liability For 2009 Season

Let’s face it, there are a lot of problems with the Detroit Tigers this year that have to do with pitching.

It's a safe bet that Justin Verlander will win 16 games and Jeremy Bonderman will win 10, but he'll probably lose 10 as well. No. 3 Armando Galarraga will have to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke, so look for him to repeat his good year.

But who does that leave Detroit with for the fourth and fifth spots? The options are Edwin Jackson, Nate Robertson, and Zach Miner.

Miner was 8-5 last year and pitched well, so he's a good choice. As for Nate Robertson, I lost all faith in him when he gave up a six-run lead in Baltimore by allowing three or four home runs. He is done, or at least should be.

Jackson, who has a career 25–30 record with an ERA a tad over 5.0, should not start, but Leyland probably will start him anyway. With any luck, Leyland also will trade midseason for a suitable replacement to beef up a struggling pitching staff.

If not, the Tigers' 2009 season may be in trouble.