Tigers will finish fourth, USA Today says

The Tigers will go 82-80 this season and will finish in fourth place in the American League Central, according to USA Today.

“The Tigers got that big bat in Justin Upton; it’s the questionable Nos. 3-5 starters (Anibal Sanchez, Daniel Norris, Mike Pelfrey) and thin organizational depth that’s worrisome,” says USA Today’s Gabe Lacques.

The White Sox, with a projected record of 90-72, will take the AL Central crown, Lacques says, though he admits that all five teams in the division have “legitimate playoff hopes.”

“Everyone loves their Todd Frazier acquisition, and the ball should jump off his bat at U.S. Cellular Field,” he says of the White Sox. “We prefer the possibly unparalleled 1-2 rotation punch of Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, backed by a full season of Carlos Rodon, who struck out 139 batters in 139.1 innings as a rookie.”

Other projected division winners are the Red Sox and Astros in the AL, and the Cubs, Nationals and Giants in the NL.

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AL CENTRAL

White Sox, 90-72

Royals, 84-78

Indians, 83-79

Tigers, 82-80

Twins, 80-82

AL EAST

Red Sox, 88-74

Blue Jays, 86-76

Rays, 83-79

Yankees, 83-79

Orioles, 78-84

AL WEST

Astros, 90-72

Rangers, 85-77

Angels, 83-79

Mariners, 77-85

Athletics, 66-96

NL CENTRAL

Cubs, 101-61

Cardinals, 97-65

Pirates, 88-74

Brewers, 64-98

Reds, 61-101

NL EAST

Nationals, 89-73

Mets, 87-75

Marlins, 78-84

Braves, 67-95

Phillies, 61-101

NL WEST

Giants, 90-72

Dodgers, 88-74

Diamondbacks, 86-76

Padres, 73-89

Rockies, 62-100