Detroit Tigers: Turning a Corner to a Winning Record

If it seems like something is different with the Detroit Tigers in the last week, you are not seeing things. It is quite clear that the Tigers have turned the corner.

When everything is clicking, fans get to see what the Detroit Tigers are really made of. From hot hitters like Ian Kinsler to occasional players like Andrew Romine, the Tigers have gotten it going.

The starting pitching, defense, and bullpen are also doing what they are supposed to be doing: winning games.

What has caused this change?

One of the reasons has to be the starting pitching. Michael Fulmer and Matt Boyd are adding some youth and enthusiasm to the rotation. Who hasn’t tuned in just to see what the young pitchers are going to do?

In the world of baseball, Fulmer has been the talk of the town. It looks like the people in New York are recognizing that it may not have been the Mets who won the Cespedes trade after all. The New York Daily News, the New York Post, and Sports Illustrated have taken note of his outstanding, record-setting starts.

The arrival of Cameron Maybin also seemed to light a fire under the Tigers. They have won 13 of the 20 that Maybin has played in since his arrival back in Detroit. Prior to his arrival, the team won 16 of 37. That’s a 65% win-loss record with Maybin and a 43% record without him. It’s safe to say that is a significant increase.

The team can also thank Justin Verlander for helping the team improve. Ever since the infamous Tweet, Verlander looks like a completely different pitcher. Remember this?

His pitching on May 3, was certainly sub-par. He allowed 8 hits, 7 runs, and 3 walks in 5 innings of work. He sent the Tweet that evening. In his starts since that day, Verlander has pitched in 44.2 innings, facing 169 batters. He has allowed 10 earned runs, 25 hits, 10 walks, and 3 home runs. He has struck out 52. During these six starts, his ERA is only 2.01. That is vintage Verlander and one of the main reasons why the Tigers are looking like a serious group of contenders. Considering that by the second game of the season, Verlander had an ERA of 8.71 – this turn around is absolutely outstanding.

And, there’s this:

Another reason the team is looking so good could also be blamed on the second baseman. Ian Kinsler might be 33 years old, but he is playing like he’s 25.

He has more multi-hit games in June than single- and no-hit games combined. He has also been the one player that can be counted on in clutch situations. The last time his batting average was below .300 was on May 14 which was during the Washington and Baltimore road trip. He has been so hot at the plate and on defense, that talk of the Kinsler-Prince Fielder trade has become a “thing” again.

Next: Tigers Defeat Blue Jays in Walk-Off Style

Hopefully, the team will continue to play like they really mean it. All of the fans would love to see the Detroit Tigers actually get to put their #goggleson in November as the last team standing.