Are the Tigers contenders or pretenders this season? This is how the current edition of the Tigers stacks up against their recent teams, and some of their most notable teams of the past:
2015 - 36-34, 5 1-2 games out AL Central
2014 - 38-32, half-game up AL Central (lost ALDS to Baltimore).
2013 - 39-31, 3.5 games up AL Central (won ALDS over Oakland, lost ALCS to Boston).
2012 - 34-36, 3.5 games out AL Central (won ALDS over Oakland, won ALCS over Yankees, lost World Series to San Francisco).
2011 - 38-32, tied for AL Central lead (won ALDS over Yankees, lost ALCS to Texas)
2010 - 38-32, 1.5 games out AL Central (didn't make the playoffs)
2009 - 39-31, 1 game up AL Central (lost one-game playoff for division to Minnesota)
2008 - 32-38, 6 games out AL Central (didn't make the playoffs)
2007 -  41-29, tied for AL Central lead (didn't make the playoffs)
2006 -  46-24, 1.5 games up AL Central (as wild card won ALDS over Yankees, won ALCS over Oakland, lost World Series to St. Louis).
2003 - 18-52, 20 games out AL Central (119 losses most in Tigers' history).
1987 - 38-32, 6 games out AL East (lost ALCS to Minnesota).
1984 - 52-18, 8.5 up AL East (won ALCS over Kansas City, won World Series over San Diego).
1972 - 38-32, 2 games down AL East (lost ALCS to Oakland).
1968 - 43-26, 6 1-2 games up AL (won World Series over St. Louis)


My column. Disappointing Tigers fortunate they still have something to play for in 2015: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150622/pat-caputo-disappointing-detroit-tigers-fortunate-they-still-have-something-to-play-for-in-2015

My Column. If necessary, Detroit Pistons should trade up for Mario Hezonja: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150620/pat-caputo-if-necessary-detroit-pistons-should-trade-up-to-draft-mario-hezonja