PECOTA, which stands for Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm, is the Baseball Prospectus system that projects team and player performance. The data identifies an estimated range of games might win and gives the average. An important note to remember. This data could change as spring training starts.
This year, the Tigers are projected to go 69-92, good for fourth place in the AL Central just ahead of the Kansas City Royals. Well that sounds good, right? Not necessary. Last year, the Tigers were projected to win 66 games but fell way off the mark. Injuries to the rotation, players not hitting their projections all played a factor.