How the Detroit Tigers Can Win the AL Central

Much conversation has been made about Jim Leyland's lineup choices throughout the 2011 season.  Fans feel as though the Tigers lead in the American League Central should be much more than three games.

With just 43 games remaining in the regular season, the playoff race is heating up and the Tigers will feel a push from the Indians and White Sox.  Here is a simple lineup change that would guarantee the Tigers to be playing in October this year.

1. Andy Dirks-RF

Andy Dirks offers the Tigers so much with his skill set that it's foolish to not have him in the lineup on a more consistent basis.  He gives you solid defense in the outfield, and doesn't strike out at nearly the rate Austin Jackson does.

He's also a left-handed bat at the top of the order, and can provide some home run power to boot.

Until Austin Jackson turns his bat around and significantly raises his on-base percentage, Dirks is the closest thing the Tigers have to a prototypical leadoff man.

2. Jhonny Peralta-SS

Jhonny Peralta is playing the best baseball of his career this season for Detroit, but still finds himself  stuck, usually hitting lower in the lineup than he should be.

Peralta gives you what you want from a number two hitter—good bat control and the ability to get on base.

The Tigers would see a definite jump in production with Peralta hitting second and advancing the lead-off man for the heart of the order to drive in.

3. Brennan Boesch-LF

Brennan Boesch has come into his own as a hitter this year after slumping through the second half of 2010.

He has hit for a solid average and shown good power to the gaps.  Boesch hasn't hit quite as many home runs as expected in 2011, but that may be a trade-off of him hitting at a .285 clip.

Brennan is another solid lefty bat in the Tigers order and fits nicely ahead of Cabrera.

4. Miguel Cabrera-1B

Miguel Cabrera could probably plug in just about anywhere in the lineup and be productive.  He's one of the best hitters in baseball, and an MVP candidate year in and year out.

Cabrera combines a deadly combination of hitting for average and with power, and fits perfectly as a cleanup hitter for the Tigers.

5. Victor Martinez-DH

Victor Martinez has been a great addition to the Tiger lineup.  He is hitting .320 with decent gap power and is a threat from both sides of the plate.

Victor turns in a professional at-bat with every plate appearance and is one of the best two-strike hitters in baseball.  He offers great protection for Miguel Cabrera and can be counted on to produce once the Tigers get to the postseason.

6. Alex Avila-C

Alex Avila has been a very nice surprise for the Tigers this season.  He has made huge improvements over his numbers from a year ago, and was voted in as the starting catcher in the All-Star Game this year.

Avila provides good power and a left-handed bat to the Tigers lineup.  He's hitting .291 and should see several opportunities to drive in runners with Cabrera and Martinez ahead of him.

7. Wilson Betemit-3B

It boggles my mind that Wilson Betemit is not playing almost every day.  He is a switch-hitter batting .292, and plays good defense at third base.  Why acquire him if you're not going to play him?

In all honesty, Betemit could be hitting higher in the lineup on most other teams.  However the Tigers have no shortage of good bats, and having him hitting seventh is a luxury that most other clubs can't enjoy.

Jim Leyland needs to find a way to get this guy on the field nearly every day or the Tigers may be spending the month of October at home.

8. Ryan Raburn-2B

With Carlos Guillen going back on the DL with a sore wrist, the Tigers absolutely need to get productive at-bats from Ryan Raburn.

Raburn seems to be the scapegoat for Tigers fans any time the club loses a game.  The truth is, Raburn has been hitting much better since the all-star break, batting .275 in July and .310 so far in August.

Raburn has traditionally been a second-half player, and if history repeats itself, he could be an important contributor to the Tigers winning the division.

9. Austin Jackson-CF

Jackson is a bright young player with a ton of potential, but needs some work at the plate before he can see consistent at-bats as a lead off hitter.  He brings Gold Glove defense to center field, but strikes out far too much to be really effective.

By batting Jackson in the nine hole, you bring an element of speed to the bottom of the order.  This can be frustrating to opposing teams who have to deal with him on base while the top of the lineup approaches.

Once Jackson works out the kinks with his plate discipline, he will be a solid leadoff hitter for the Tigers in the future.

2011 American League Central Division Champions

With some simple lineup tweaking and common sense, the Tigers should have no problem winning a mediocre division this year.

There are far too many good players in Detroit's lineup to not extend their lead over the final month and a half.  I understand that players do need to be rested throughout the year, but this lineup should be penciled in for at least 30 of the final 43 games of the season.

The Tigers have a great opportunity to do something special this year, but must properly use the tools that they have to realize their full potential.