Every offseason people wonder who will be the surprise team of the season, the team that will exceed everyone’s expectations and produce some legitimate playoff hope. Last year it was the Chicago White Sox, who of course went on to win the World Series. So far this year the Detroit Tigers, who own the best record in all of baseball a week before the All-Star break, just a couple of games ahead of the White Sox (who own the second best record in all of baseball).

When I think of the Detroit Tigers, at least when it comes to the days when they were annual contenders, I think of heavy hitters like Alan Trammel, Lou Whitaker, Kirk Gibson and Lance Parrish. Throw in a Jack Morris to give the pitching staff an identity and you have the 1984 World Champions.

This year the Tigers are doing it with their pitching staff. The staff as a whole leads the American League in ERA by more than half a run. Rookie Justin Verlander and fellow righty Nate Robertson are third and fourth in the AL in individual ERA, while Verlander and Kenny Rogers are currently tied for the league lead in wins with 10 a piece. Jeremy Bonderman in his fourth full season is starting to realize his full potential, while 21-year old Joel Zumaya is wowing fans with triple digit radar gun readings as the team’s set-up man. With the exception of Rogers, all of these pitchers are extremely young, which bodes well for the future of the Tigers, and with the White Sox, Twins and Indians, the American League Central could be the division to beat for years to come.

And while this year’s team isn’t modeled after the 1984 squad, there are some offensive contributors worth noting. Pricy big-name acquisitions such as Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez may not have seemed prudent a year ago for a team that struggled despite a buffed up payroll, but both are hitting extremely well and have provided stability and leadership for the rest of the team. Centerfielder Curtis Granderson has given the lineup a reliable leadoff hitter, a more modern leadoff hitter in the fact that despite not having great stolen base speed he does have exceptional on-base skills. First baseman Chris Shelton has cooled after a hot start, while Marcus Thames and Craig Munroe form an admirable platoon in left field.

Will the Tigers’ success continue throughout the year? It’s hard to determine whether or not their success is a fluke, but I really don’t think it is. While they seem to have several players having very good years at the same time, much of that talent comes from legitimate, recognized prospects from the past two to three years, and we know the Tigers aren’t adverse to going out and spending some money to improve the team. In addition, this team is finally built through their pitching staff, which is always important, but even more so given their home turf. Their biggest test will be to stay one step ahead of the White Sox this season, who as noted above are also having a very fine season.

Rockies also impress

The Colorado Rockies also deserve to be mentioned. While not as hot as the Tigers, they are a few games over .500 and have been playing solid baseball all season long despite seemingly being short on talent. The Rockies are being carried by three very big bats in Todd Helton, Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe. Before you scoff at their success given the Coors Field affect, note that both Hawpe and Holliday have been hitting very well on the road. Aaron Cook, Jason Jennings, Jeff Francis and Josh Fogg have pitched very well this year, giving the Rockies a very solid starting rotation, while Brian Fuentes is an All-Star as their closer.

I’m more skeptical of the Rockies chances to enjoy this success, but credit is certainly due for what they have done so far this season. The lackluster National League West will be up for grabs up until the final weekend of the season, so don’t count the Rockies out.

The thoughts and opinions listed here do not necessarily reflect those of Perfect Game USA. Patrick Ebert is affiliated with both Perfect Game USA and Brewerfan.net, and can be contacted via email at pebert@brewerfan.net.