Leelanau Sports Guy at sportspig.com

Steve Henson has two questions for each team as the second-half of the baseball seasons kicks off. Here’s his two for the Detroit Tigers…

Detroit Tigers: Can an over-hyped team that started the season 2-10 maintain its methodical climb from the depths and reach the playoffs? Can Nate Robertson, or the bullpen, or, egads, the banished Dontrelle Willis, become effective again?

The answer for both in my opinion is Yes. If Gary Sheffield can stay healthy (and productive) and Magglio can regain his 2007 form, then the Tigers offense will be strong enough to make a run. Unfortunately for the Tigers it comes down to starting pitching and Nate Robertson is the key. If Robertson can find some consistency then he gives the Tigers some quality depth in the rotation. The bullpen will be fine and only get stronger as Zumaya and Rodney both continue recovering from injuries. Let’s see how it all shakes out, but the Tigers are sitting okay in my book and hopefully can make up a few games quick to really put the pressure on the White Sox and Twins.

Read Pertinent post-All-Star break issues at Yahoo! Sports