Miguel Cabrera is the most feared hitter in baseball these days. The reigning American League MVP, and winner of baseball's Triple Crown last year is not indestructible, however.
Cabrera's making a strong case for a second Triple Crown, but injuries could be slowing the slugger down. Cabrera appeared to hurt himself in the ninth inning of Detroit's 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins Tuesday night.
"That first swing, he reacted with some pain. You could see it in his facial expression," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. He also isn't sure yet whether Cabrera's injury is in the abdominal area or near the groin. This newest ailment can be piled on to the litany of bruises and strains Cabrera has suffered this season.
Entering Tuesday night's game Miggy was already battling an abdominal strain, a bum left hip and left leg issue. Despite these bumps and bruises, Cabrera is having an even better 2013 than he did in 2012. Cabrera is leading the American League in batting average (.359) and RBI (120), while trailing Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles in home runs by five-Davis has socked 45 homers this year while Cabrera has 40.
Cabrera has carried the Tigers to the American League Central lead despite a subpar season from his partner in the middle of the batting order, first baseman Prince Fielder.
Fielder, who batted .313 one season ago has seen his average plummet to .260, his strikeout percentage spike five points, and his slugging percentage dip nearly 80 points. Fielder was worth 4.6 wins above replacement in 2012, according to Fangraphs.com. This year, he's been worth just 1.1 WAR.
The Tigers are currently 73-52, and hold a healthy lead over the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians in the chase for an AL Central crown. They are 5.5 games ahead of Cleveland, and 8.5 in front of the Royals.
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